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Permanent Hair Removal: How Permanent Is It?

By: Chonticha Marijne Some people grow tired of shaving, waxing and plucking, and consider permanent hair removal as a logical course of action. Knowing what's available and how much it costs is a determining factor, as are method and convenience. Does permanent hair removal really work? Will hairs eventually grow back? Inform yourself before making that appointment to ensure complete satisfaction.

Permanent hair removal can be accomplished with several different methods, but the most common is electrolysis. This method utilizes a light ray that can travel beneath skin layers, without damaging them, to pinpoint a hair follicle. Permanent hair removal is a misnomer, however. Heat generated in this light ray then damages or destroys the hair follicle, resulting in little or no hair growth for anywhere from three to six months. Eventually, the hair will grow back. Still, this is a viable option for many to facilitate active lifestyles and temperaments. To achieve this state however, several sessions are required, and each treatment is very expensive, averaging around $400 a visit.

Most people in the permanent hair removal industry define 'permanent' as being able to go months without having to shave again. Permanent hair removal using laser methods does achieve long-term hair removal but not permanent hair removal. Be advised that permanent hair removal terms and even semi-permanent hair removal terms can apply to periods of time of a few weeks to a few months. Clinical studies published in medical publications and to the FDA show that very few people achieve lasting, i.e. permanent results with permanent hair removal techniques.

Other common methods of addressing permanent hair removal are laser, flash lamp, medications and topical ointments. Laser and flash lamp methods of permanent hair removal tend to work better on darker hair than lighter shades. Methods that work to lesser degrees are the use of oral prescription mediations, which obviously require constant use, and prescription strength topical ointments and preparations. These also require ongoing use to achieve results in permanent hair removal.

Other methods of permanent hair removal with less satisfactory results are the use of electric tweezers, dietary supplements and non-prescription medications. Permanent hair removal is less likely with the use of tweezing, while half of people who tried a topical ointment achieved some degree of permanent hair removal, or at least to the degree that shaving was not required for at least a few weeks.

Some studies have shown that many people are unable to achieve permanent hair removal for various reasons, whether genetic or otherwise. Knowing what a product claims to do and what it actually achieves are two different things, and it's up to the consumer interested in permanent hair removal methods to search for the one that suits their goals best. Many of these permanent hair removal methods are cost prohibitive for many consumers and they must resort to less effective measures.

The bottom line is that there is no such thing as permanent hair removal. The most to be hoped for is reduction of time spent shaving, tweezing and plucking.