5 Primary Permanent Procedures

A number of these methods have been developed that make use of chemicals, energy of varying types, or a combination to target the areas that regulate hair growth.

1. Electrolysis: In this process, a hair-thin metal probe is slid into a hair follicle. If the insertion is done in a proper manner, it makes sure that it does not puncture the skin. Then, electricity is delivered to the follicle through the probe. This damages the localized areas that generate hair.

2. Laser: In this process, light at a specified wavelength is delivered from a handpiece into the skin, which eventually target dark material, usually the pigment in hair. This causes thermal or mechanical damage to a hair follicle, but sparing surrounding tissues.

3. Flashlamp: In this process, a full spectrum (non-coherent) light and low-range infrared radiation is filtered to allow a specified range of wavelengths, which is thereby delivered from a handpiece into the skin. This also targets dark material — the pigment in hair. Similar to laser, it causes thermal or mechanical damage to a hair follicle, sparing the surrounding tissues.

4. Prescription oral medications: This refers to prescribed drugs/ oral medications that hamper hair growth. But these are better discussed with a physician before intake, for possible side effects and results. These are considered as lasting inhibitors for hair growth

5. Prescription topical preparation (Vaniqa): Vaniqa is a prescription cream that is applied to the skin for the reduction of unwanted facial hair in women. The active ingredient in Vaniqa is eflornithine hydrochloride. This inhibits the enzyme, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), which affects hair growth. One has to get a prescription from a physician in order to use the product. This medication retards hair growth and is not a depilatory.

Permanent — But Be Wary!

The following method, though may be permanent, is not generally prescribed and is considered a restricted method of hair removal.

6. X-ray (banned in the United States): Women are exposed to a four-minute dose of x-rays directly to the face, often once a week for several months. Though the treatments offer permanent hair removal, in the long term, they result in wrinkling, atrophy, white or brown fibrous splotches, keratoses, ulcerations, carcinoma, and in some cases, death. Thus these treatments have been banned in some countries.

Temporary Methods

Hair removal can be done through depilation, which involves either removing part of the hair above the skin's surface or also through epilation, which involves removing the entire hair. These are temporary methods at regular intervals.

1. Depilation can last for several hours to several days. The methods can be:

a) Shaving or trimming (manually or with electric shavers)

b) Depilatories (creams or "shaving powders" — these methods chemically dissolve hair)

c) Friction (rough surfaces used to buff away hair)

2. Epilation can last for several days to several weeks. The methods can be:

a) Tweezing: A metal forceps is used to manually to pull hair out by the root.

b) Waxing: A layer of hot wax is applied to the skin. Then a strip of polythene or cloth is pressed onto the wax. The strip is then pulled out in the direction, opposite to the hair growth, thus clearing a large area of hair

c) Sugaring: This is similar to waxing, but is done by using a sticky paste.

d) Threading: (also called fatlah or khite) — A twisted hair catches/plucks hair as it is rolled out on the skin.

e) Rotary epilators (devices which rapidly grasp the body hair and pull them out right from the root).

The following methods, though prescribed and used by some, are not considered completely safe. Also the positive or negative effects of the following methods are at doubt.

3. Electric tweezers: In this process, an electric current is applied to a hair through an electrified tweezer, which grasps the hair above the surface of the skin and holds it for a couple of minutes. This method, apparently permanently damages the hair root.

4. Transdermal electrolysis: In this process, a conductive gel is spread on the skin. Electricity is passed through a cotton swab, which comes in contact with the gel. This method claims that the electricity damages the hair root, and thus permanently hinders hair growth.

5. Transcutaneous hair removal: It is similar to Transdermal electrolysis, except that an adhesive patch is used in place of a cotton swab

6. Photoepilators: In this process, a fiberoptic probe is placed in or directly above a follicle, through which light-based energy is passed. The light is said to permanently damage hair growth.

7. Microwaves: In this process, microwave radiation is sent through a handpiece into the skin. This energy causes thermal damage.

Some of the above-mentioned treatments are to be strictly monitored by a physician and cannot be performed without medical supervision.

Hair is a hitch, when at unwanted places. Now there are solutions at your disposal, so get set to dispose those unwanted strands from your body!