Grooming has always been a sign of civilized beings. Therefore, hair removal continues to be a part of our daily lives.
Over the centuries, several methods of hair removal have been developed, while some are still used today, others didn’t quite cut.
While some radical methods still exist, there are necessarily seven methods for unwanted hair removal that are widely used around the globe.
These methods can be broken down into two categories—temporary and permanent.
Temporary Hair Removal Methods
There are several methods of temporary hair removal that are used by men and women today.
Temporary hair removal is widely used because of the ease and convenience associated with this method.
The only downfall to these techniques is that eventually, unwanted hair grows back.
The five most widely used temporary methods of hair removal are shaving, waxing, tweezing, sugaring, and depilatory creams.
Shaving:
Shaving is the oldest method of hair removal that is still used by men and women today.
The oldest razors discovered date back over 3000 years.
Technology has brought about the development of newer and better razors that bring comfort and protection to the process, but the result has never changed.
Passing the razor over the surface of your skin allows for the safe removal of unwanted hair from any area of the face or body.
Waxing:
waxing is another temporary method that differs from shaving because while shaving removes hair from the surface of the skin, waxing removes hair from the root.
Waxing involves spreading a wax combination thinly over the skin in the treated area.
A cloth or paper strip is then pressed on top of the wax, as it cools the piece is quickly ripped away taking unwanted hair with it.
Waxing is a temporary method of hair removal but by removing the hair from the root; results last much longer than shaving.
Tweezing:
Tweezing is similar to waxing in that hair removal occurs at the root, but it differs in that no wax substance is used.
Instead, tweezers are used to pluck each hair from the follicle.
The length of hair-free results are similar to that of waxing, but the process takes much longer considering hairs are removed individually.
Sugaring:
Sugaring is an ancient method of hair removal that is still used by some today.
Sugaring is very similar to waxing, though many say it is less painful because the sticky substance used for sugaring only sticks to the hair, not to the skin.
Like waxing, sugaring involves a sticky substance (usually made out of all-natural ingredients) being spread over the skin.
A cloth strip is applied, and the hair is quickly ripped from the follicles.
Depilatory Creams:
Depilatory creams use a combination of chemicals to remove unwanted hair.
The chemicals break the protein chains in the hair that give it its strength; virtually the creams disintegrate the hair to remove it.
Results can be long-lasting, but individuals must be cautious because if the creams are too frequently used, they can cause adverse reactions on the skin.
Permanent Hair Removal Methods
While temporary methods of hair removal are still hugely popular due to their ease and convenience, continuous processes are continuing to gain popularity.
For those who struggle with the daily hassle of removing unwanted hair, permanent hair removal methods can alleviate the stress, annoyance, and time associated with daily hair removal.
The two methods available for the permanent reduction of unwanted hair are electrolysis and laser hair removal.
Electrolysis:
Electrolysis the first and only method of hair removal that can be considered 100% permanent.
The electrolysis treatment involves the insertion of a tiny surgical probe into each hair follicle.
Once inserted, the probe sends an electrical impulse into the follicle, which effectively destroys the root of the hair.
Once a hair follicle is destroyed, it will no longer grow back.
Electrolysis is permanent hair removal, but it is a slow and exact process.
Larger body areas can take years to see complete hair removal results.
Laser Hair Removal:
Laser hair removal is the most modern hair removal method to become available to consumers.
While the FDA does not approve hair removal for 100% permanency, many individuals will experience total freedom from unwanted hair.
The process involves the use of laser light to destroy actively growing hair follicles in the treatment area effectively.
The laser is passed over the area; the pulsed light passes through the outer layers of skin and is attracted to the pigment in the hair follicles below.
Once at the follicle level, the laser energy is transformed into heat, disabling the follicle and rendering it inactive.
Multiple treatments are needed for effective results, and patients can experience anywhere from 80 to 100% reduction of unwanted hair.
