There are various products on the market and techniques available for the removal of unwanted body hair. Some of the techniques are inexpensive, like a tweezers, others are very expensive. Trying to eliminate unwanted body hair is not a new fad. It dates back to ancient times when hot wax was applied to the affect area, allowed to harden, and then pulled off, taking with it the unwanted body hair. Waxing is still in use today. The consumer can purchase over the counter wax products or can have the waxing performed at a salon or spa.

There are also a myriad of lotion and cream hair removal products on the market today. They are all over the counter products and don't require a prescription to purchase. The consumer just applies the product to the affected area, waits the specified amount of time, and then wipes the product off. The chemical dissolve the hair follicles and the wiping pulls it out. Sometimes the consumer has to wipe rather strenuously to remove the hair.

Electrolysis is another popular technique for hair removal. With this technique, a thin probe is inserted into the pore and a jolt of electricity is delivered to the base of the hair shaft. The hair follicle is then removed. The hope is that the electricity will destroy the base and the hair won't grow back. With electrolysis every individual hair follicle has to be treated individually. There is mild discomfort and quite a bit of tedium. Look at the amount of hair on your arm or leg and you have an idea of the amount of time involved when each hair has to be treated individually. Electrolysis is usually performed by a technician in a salon or spa, but there are home use electrolysis units that are available for about $100. The problem with the do-it-yourself units is trying to reach and see hard-to-reach places, like the back of the leg or the armpit.

Today the various kinds of laser treatments are popular. These treatments are expensive and the laser has to be geared to the individual's skin type and hair color. Laser treatments aim to destroy the base of the hair follicle with a high intensity burst of light, which is a form of energy. Again, when the base of the hair shaft is destroyed, the hair follicle can't grow. Laser treatments can be painful for people who have tattoos.