Hair Removal: Facts and Myths

a way to make the hair less noticeable, doesn't actually remove the hair. This method is usually used in areas like the face, above the lip particularly. Can be done at home with practice and a special kit or in a salon by a professional.

the most common hair removal method, but very temporary and needs to be repeated often. Shaving does not make the hair shaft thicker, darker, or grow faster or slower, this is a myth.

probably the most effective method of removing large amounts of hair all at one time. Can be done at home, but can take practice to get good results.

works in the same way traditional waxing does only without the heat. A thick sugary substance similar to caramel is spread on the skin in the direction of hair growth. The hair becomes embedded in the caramel. A cloth or paper strip is patted onto the caramel and then pulled off quickly in the opposite direction of the hair growth, pulling the hairs out of the follicles. The advantage of this method over traditional waxing is the clean up. The sugar substance is water-soluble and can be removed easier than wax by rinsing with water.

Plucking hair with tweezers is an effective way to remove hair but can be very time consuming, usually only used to remove stray hairs and to shape eyebrows.

like Nair or Veet, use a chemical called thioglycolate mixed with sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide to literally melt the hair away. The major side effect of a depilatory is skin irritation because the chemical can melt away skin cells. Usually a cream or gel is applied to the area and left on for 15 minutes, the hair melts and you wipe it away.

involves inserting a fine needle into the hair follicle and applying an electrical current to the follicle root. Each hair follicle must be treated individually and may take several treatments to destroy the follicle. Electrolysis is a permanent form of hair removal.

this is not permanent and will require repeat visits. Lasers work by emitting light at various wavelengths, energy output, and pulse widths. The wavelength used determines the skin structure it will affect such as veins, melanin, or water. Most lasers used for hair removal target melanin and are therefore designed to burn structures that contain melanin. The more melanin, the more damage. Laser hair removal works best for light-skinned people with dark hair.

a prescription-only topical cream that has been FDA-approved for reducing and inhibiting the growth of unwanted facial hair.