Besides the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet, you are covered in hair. Each hair has a root that sits below the skin and a shaft that sits above.1 The root is covered with a follicle and descends into a bulb constantly at work creating new hair cells and pushing growth. Unless something interrupts it, hair continues to grow. If you are tired of continually removing unwanted hair, you may want to consider more permanent solutions.
How To Get Rid of Unwanted Hair
There are several options for getting rid of unwanted hair. Some last for days or weeks, while others offer more permanent solutions.
Depilatory Creams
Depilatory creams remove body hair temporarily. They are available over the counter and are easy to use at home. These creams do not destroy the root of the hair below the skin. Instead, they break down the structure of the hair so that the shaft disintegrates and can be wiped away.2
Depilatories work on most types of body hair, with results lasting between one week and one month. The chemicals in depilatory creams attack the sulfur in the hair, which can result in a foul odor. The process is pain-free, but you should watch for side effects such as rash, allergic reactions, chemical burns, or skin peeling.
Waxing or Shaving
Shaving unwanted hair is an easy way to remove it at home. Since you are only removing the hair shaft, shaving isn’t painful unless you cut yourself. It might result in itching, razor burn, and ingrown hair. It also only lasts between one and three days, so you must do it regularly.3
You can also use wax to remove hair at home or a salon. Waxing makes skin feel smooth, lasting between three and four weeks. This makes it a popular choice for areas such as bikini lines. Waxing removes hair from the root so that it can be painful. You also have to be careful not to burn yourself with the hot wax.
At-Home Laser Hair Removal
At-home laser hair removal results last longer than creams, waxing, or shaving. The pigment in your hair absorbs the light from the lasers, and over time, this kills the hair follicles so new hair won’t grow.4 At-home lasers require several more treatments than professional models. You will also have to do touch-ups periodically.
At-home lasers cost several hundred dollars for even the cheapest models. But this can still save you money over the cost of continually buying other products. You also get the convenience of removing hair at home at a lower price than a professional treatment.
Professional Laser Hair Removal
Professional lasers are much more powerful than at-home models. You will need between four and eight treatments about three to six weeks apart.5 You might need some treatments once or twice a year, but most of your hair follicles will no longer produce new hair. Professional laser treatments are a good choice for people with darker skin and lighter hair who need more technologically advanced equipment than you can get for home use.
There may be some side effects, such as swelling and temporary skin irritation, but for the most part, professional laser hair removal is not painful. Each visit costs several hundred dollars on average, so professional laser removal is one of the more expensive options.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis uses shortwave radio frequencies applied directly to your hair follicles through fine needles. These radio waves destroy the follicles. Depending on the area you are treating, it can take eight months or longer and several visits to see your final results. But electrolysis is the only hair removal treatment that is recognized as permanent by the FDA, so it may be worth the wait.6
Each visit costs between $35 and $100, so the total cost of electrolysis can be high. But you can compare that cost to a lifetime of hair removal by other means. The most common side effect of electrolysis is skin irritation.
Tips For Choosing How to Get Rid of Hair Permanently
Before you choose a hair removal method, think through your goals. Decide if there are certain areas of body hair that you feel more strongly about removing permanently. It isn’t an all-or-nothing decision. You can permanently remove underarm hair while shaving your legs and waxing your bikini line.
Make a budget and remember that more expensive procedures can end up paying for themselves compared to a lifetime of other methods. Be sure also to review any side effects and allergy concerns you may have. If one procedure seems like the best choice, but you have reservations, you should wait.
Before making a final decision, talk to a professional such as your dermatologist. They can advise whether you are a good fit for longer-term hair removal solutions. You should also consult your dermatologist if you try hair removal methods and experience side effects such as a persistent rash or signs of infection.7
Learn More About Caring For Your Body
Taking care of your body should always include making well-informed decisions. Learn more about treating yourself well by visiting My Body Treatment. We offer comprehensive, physician-reviewed articles and guides to help you understand symptoms, find treatment options, and get advice on the best ways to take care of your body.
SOURCES:
- National Library of Medicine: “What is the Structure of Hair and How Does It Grow?”
- Healthline: “What You Need to Know About Nair Depilatory.”
- Cleveland Clinic: “Shaving vs. Waxing: What’s Better for Your Skin?”
- American Academy of Dermatology Association: “7 Ways to Remove Unwanted Hair.”
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: “10 Things to Know About Permanent Hair Removal.”
- Healthline: “Hair Removal Options: Are There Permanent Solutions?”
- Medical News Today: “How To Remove Hair Permanently.”