Electric epilation is the only proven method of removing unwanted hair permanently. Here hair is destroyed by either chemical or thermal energy, Electrolysis.

I have lost much hair telling people how to sort out their hair problems. Many of my patients fret because they have a problem of plenty! Excess body hair in women (and now even in men!) is not only distressing but embarrassing. Since the heat is on you must want to know how to rid the body of unwanted hair. Some of these measures are temporary, others permanent (or almost so!). Take your pick.





Waxing is a popular method of mechanical epilation along with plucking and threading. It is low-cost and cosmetically acceptable way of getting rid of unwanted hair, mostly from arms and legs. Interestingly, men are no longer averse to getting their skin waxed, especially if they need to flaunt a bare chest! Although there are two methods of waxing-hot and cold-it is the application of hot wax which is more effective and the choice of beauty salons. Cold waxes are a popular DIY method. Since waxing pulls out hair from its shaft, for optimal results, ensure that your hair growth is at least an inch-long. Cosmetic benefits of waxing last for 2 to 6 weeks. Waxing should be avoided in certain sensitive areas like nipples, genitalia, inner aspect of nostrils and inside the ears. Threading is used to shape the eyebrows while plucking is used for removing stray hair from the face and nipples.



In about 1 in 10 people a pimply rash appears after waxing. The reason being that hair growth in some areas is haphazard. As a result, the beautician ends up pulling her/his wax strip against the direction of the hair growth leading to a rash. Avoid waxing if you break out. Hair remover

• Using hair-removal creams is another popular strategy. Depilatories (substances used to remove unwanted hair) weaken hair protein, breaking the hair just belowthe skin surface giving a marginally longer "hair-free period" than shaving. Since most depilatories are thioglycolate-based, it means they can be an irritant and must be test-applied (on the arm) to check for any adverse reactions.

• Shaving is a quick, painless, effective and inexpensive way of epilation. Yet it is not popular with women because of its association with "manliness". Since the results last just 1 to 3 days and are followed by cosmetically "unacceptable" stubble, shaving requires a commitment to repeat if one wants to maintain a "hair-free" appearance. Also, there is a misconception that shaving increases hair growth. The truth-based on science-is that shaving does not affect the rate of hair growth nor its thickness. What it actually does is to give the re-growing hair a blunt tip (instead of the normal tapered one) which gives the illusion of thickness. Apart from the routine cuts, rash resembling acne sometimes develops after shaving.



• Electric epilation is the only proven method of removing unwanted hair permanently. Here hair is destroyed by either chemical or thermal energy. Electrolysis, (unfortunately, a term wrongly used for all forms of electric epilation) is an obsolete technique. In thermolysis, an electric current is passed into the hair follicle which produces heat and destroys the hair. The major limitation with electric epilation is speed (or the lack of it!).

• The blend method, that uses both thermal and chemical energy to destroy the hair follicle, is an effective and less painful method of permanent hair removal.

CAUTION Redness and an acne-like rash are common. If the needle has been repeatedly inserted into the same area the rash can persist for several days. Smooth legs

• Laser-assisted hair removal is a relatively new method of permanent hair reduction. The lasers available for permanent hair reduction include Alexandrite laser, diode laser and Nd: YAG laser. Cost is a major limitation of laser hair removal and the multiple sessions required for hair reduction further add to the expense. Please remember that only dark hair (not grey) can be treated with laser. Its side effects: Redness (resolves within 1 to 24 hours) and pigmentation (usually temporary). Dark skinned people are more likely to experience side effects.




Reduction Removal
* Laser
* Electric epilation
* Electrolysis
* Thermolysis
* Blend


Reduction Removal

* Eflornithine Hydrochloride
* Chemical depilatories
* Shaving
* Mechanical epilation
* Plucking
* Threading
* Sugaring
* Waxing

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