Facts on Hair Removal

1. Temporary Fix

Unwanted hair on different parts of the body is a challenge. Certain amounts of hair are acceptable in certain cultures, but for the most part, we only want hair where it's supposed to be. So, there are many methods to get rid of unwanted hair. Temporary methods include waxing, tweezing, shaving, buffing and depilatory creams or powders. Shaving, buffing and depilatories that dissolve hair last several days. Tweezing and waxing last for weeks at a time.

2. Permanent Hair Removal Solutions

Permanent hair removal is the goal for most people with unwanted hair especially on the face. Women tend to grow facial hair as they get older, but some women deal with unwanted facial hair from the time they hit puberty. There are many permanent methods of removing unwanted hair. Most of them take several treatments and stages in order for the hair removal to be complete and permanent. Electrolysis is the actual killing of the hair follicle using electricity. Laser hair removal is a popular method that treats unwanted hair a section at a time. Flash lamps and intense pulse lights remove hair from large areas such as the legs, and apply light and low-range infrared radiation to the treatment area.

3. Rx for Hair Removal

Many dermatologists and physicians offer prescription hair inhibitors. This is especially true for women with a lot of facial hair. Apply the prescription cream eflornithine to facial hair twice a day until the hair becomes softer and lighter. Some people experience side effects with the cream. If you develop acne or skin irritation while using eflornithine call your doctor. Another prescription medication to reduce unwanted hair is antiandrogen. Androgen is the hormone that produces unwanted hair growth. Antiandrogen blocks the production of androgen and reduces the growth of hair.

4. The Next Generation of Tweezers

One type of popular hair remover is the epilator. The epilator does the work of tweezers or waxing, only it's fast, virtually painless and leaves skin soft, smooth and hair free for up to 6 weeks or more. An epilator actually pulls out many hairs from the root at one time. Some people find their first experience with an epilator to be a bit uncomfortable and similar to how waxing feels. Over time the process becomes virtually pain free and the results are great.

5. The Old Hair Removal Wive's Tale

The old wive's tale that shaving or removing hair makes it grow back thicker is not true. Shaving does produce stubble that may be more noticeable and feel pricklier when it begins to re-grow. However, the amount of hair and its texture does not change from shaving. Hair growth patterns are simply a matter of genetics.