Permanent Hair Removal Methods

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Permanent Hair Removal Methods

To acheive permanent hair removal, you have several imperfect
options. A number of methods and options have been developed that use chemicals,energy of varying types, or a combination to target the areas that regulate hair growth. Permanently destroying these areas while sparingsurrounding tissue is a difficult challenge. I recommend relying on a body of published, peer-reviewed scientific evidence to ensure the effectiveness of a hair removal method.

Permanent hair removal for most
-Electrolysis (practitioner skill or expert required)

Permanent hair reduction for some
-Laser (practitioner skill or expert required)
-Flashlamp depends on skin/hair color and practitioner skill)

Lasting hair inhibition for many (requires continuous use)
-Prescription oral medications
-Natural methods
-Prescription topical preparation (Vaniqa)

Restricted methods
-X-ray (banned in the United States)
-Photodynamic therapy (experimental)

Doubtful methods
-Electric tweezers or no-needle hair removal
-"Transdermal hair removal"
-"Transcutaneous hair removal"
-Photoepilators
-Microwave hair removal
-Foods and dietary supplements
-Nonprescription topical preparations (aka "hair inhibitors," "hair
retardants," or "hair growth inhibitors")

Other hair removal topics:
-Background Information
-Hair removal definitions
-Choosing a hair removal method
-Choosing a hair removal practitioner
-Hair removal information: recommended and non-recommended