An Overview of Hair Removal Techniques

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An Overview of Hair Removal Techniques

Off, Off, Dratted Hair: An Overview Of Hair Removal Techniques

Since the end of World War II, hair on various parts of the body has been deemed undesirable. The resulting industry has produced a number of ways to eliminate the dratted stuff. Leaving aside the questionable techniques, let's take a look at the most popular ones.

Shaving is, hands down, the most popular hair removal technique used by millions of men and women. Hardly a television show is broadcast without at least one shaving related commercial. During the 1940s and 50s, no road trip was complete without seeing a series of BurmaShave signs. "She kissed her hairbrush by mistake, she thought it was her husband, Jake" was one. Although it is a safe way to remove your own unwanted body hair, there are a number of disadvantages to shaving.

The most common disadvantage is that you have to shave over and over again. (Not to mention minor cuts and razor burn.) It may be an inexpensive method to remove that unwanted hair, but it sometimes needs to be done multiple times a week, even daily in some cases.

With busy schedules, it is often impossible for many people to shave their unwanted body hair. If you are one of those people who just can't find the time to regularly shave, you may want to consider a more permanent hair removal procedure.

The next in line in the quest for that smooth face or the silky legs came waxing. This delightful procedure consists of applying hot or very warm wax to the area and covering it with strips. After it cools, the hair is ripped from your person much like removing a well-adhered Band-Aid. It does last somewhat longer than shaving, but at what personal cost!

Who can forget the little pink bottle of depilatory lotion made popular during the 1960s. If you weren't allergic or extremely sensitive to the chemicals, you may (and maybe not) have your hair dissolve away. Gloppy, messy, and for some, it doesn't work. When it did, it lasted about as long as waxing.

Other electric gadgets appeared with various ways of removing the unwanted hair with rotating blades and even tweezer-type torture. Some electric razors work very well. Most of the other appliances were a way to separate you from your cash.
Even the best of the razors is a very temporary fix.

The first, and still most permanent of the hair removal options, is electrolysis. A technician inserts a small probe into the hair follicle and electrocutes it. Needless to say, the hair rarely made a return apppearance. If it does, a repeat of the treatment usually kills it dead. The trouble with electrolysis is that it sometimes leaves scarring (no surprise there) and it takes a number of treatments to finally track down the last of the elusive rascals.

Enter laser hair removal. No longer is electrocution the rage. Instead, the hair follicle is fricassed. Now, laser techniques vary in permanance from three months to one year. Rarely is permanent (as in never-have-to-shave-again) removal permanent. Each year brings further refinement and exploration into that elusive goal: the, at least partially, hairless human. And laser hair removal looks to be the way to that goal.

The best permanent hair removal option, of course, varies from person to person. Consequently, you need check each hair removal procedure for yourself. If you are unable to do the research on your own, you may want to consider scheduling a consultation appointment with a hair removal office in your area. A consultation gives you the opportunity to learn more about a particular procedure.

Both electrolysis and laser hair removal are fairly expensive. While their cost may be high, it is important to remember that just about all other hair removal options are not permanent. Over time the materials needed for these temporary procedures and the time spent shopping for them, using them and cleaning up after them may end up costing just as much, if not more, than laser hair removal or electrolysis.