There are several methods to remove unwanted hair, ranging from over the counter products, too services provided by specialists in hair removal. Most of these methods do not provide permant hair removal.

Depilation

Be cautious of hair removal creams: They are not all the same. Certain creams are good for the pubic hair and others for facial hair. Chemicals are used to dissolve the hair shaft and can also cause chemical burns and allergic reactions.

Laser Hair Removal

generally requires 3-5 or more treatments and is one of the longest lasting methods. Your hair must be dark in color for this procedure to work well.

A light pulse laser targets the hair bulb itself. Treatments can be expensive and sometimes painful. Be sure to select a well-trained and knowledgeable doctor or technician who has had atleast a long history of performing this procedure. Multiple sessions may be required and it can be used on many areas of the body to get rid of unwanted hair.

Plucking or Epilation

Plucking is a painful method and works best when there are a few hairs you want to remove. This method is good for reshaping eyebrows or stray hairs on the face, especially for women.

For large areas the use of an epilator can be used to pluck the hair from the root. One of the drawbacks is the potential for ingrown hairs.

Shaving

Shaving is a quick method of hair removal for legs, arms, bikini area and facial hair. This method can lead to ingrown hairs.

Waxing

Can be done using one of two types of wax. Hot waxing or cold wax strips.

Hot waxing is messy and may leave some hair, because they can break off. There are home kits or you can visit a salon to have a professional perform this procedure. Infection and red bumps are side effects to watch for. This hair removal method is often used for the bikini area and for hair on the upper lip.

Cold wax strips are good for small areas and touch ups. Often used to contour the eyebrows or for quick spot removal of hair in small areas. This is not a great method of hair removal for large areas, as it takes a lot of time and wax strips to cover a large area.