Permanent Hair Removal Guide

Permanent hair removal is a great way to eliminate unwanted hair from different areas of the body. Traditional non-permanent ways of removing hair (e.g. shaving and waxing) require regular upkeep which continually uses time and money. Permanent techniques, on the other hand, only require an investment of time and money in the beginning and then become relatively maintenance free. There are two major kinds of hair removal that are permanent – electrolysis and laser. For each method, you will need multiple sessions. Each session needs to be spaced apart by a few weeks in order target hair at a particular stage in the growth cycle.

Prices for permanent hair removal vary quite a bit. Not only do the treatments vary from one another in price, but the prices also fluctuate depending on the area of the country you live in and also from salon to salon. Overall, prices can range from $50-250 a session. The best idea is to shop around and look for deals. Many spas and salons offer sales during the holiday season and during other times of the year, so definitely look around for the best price. I have seen buy-one-get-one sales for hair removal which can add up to substantial savings. Most places list their sales on their website so it should be pretty easy to find a deal.

Electrolysis is the hair removal technique that has been around the longest (around 100 years). This method involves a short metal-probe that is placed on each hair follicle, causing damage to the surrounding area. Electrolysis is the cheaper of the two methods, with prices hovering around the $75 per session. However, this technique also requires more sessions than a laser, so it is not necessarily cheaper overall. While this method has the longest track record of success, it can also be a bit painful. I had a session of electrolysis a few years ago and I felt a small amount pain. With that being said, the pain was minimal - it kind of felt like a small rubber band being snapped on the skin or someone pinching me a bunch of times. People are also constantly trying to improve upon this method, so there are likely options out there that are relatively pain free.

The laser is a more recent method to remove hair permanently. With this technique, light at a very specific wavelength is used to damage the hair follicle. Since this method is newer, there is less scientific data available about its effectiveness. However, most people find it very effective and many are utilizing this option. The laser costs between $100-200 per session so it is a bit more expensive for one individual session. However, the laser requires less sessions in total so the price may even out with the electrolysis technique. The old lasers got pretty hot which caused some discomfort during use. Recently, cooling techniques have been developed that cool the heat before it touches your skin without changing the effectiveness of the treatment. If you are concerned about pain, make sure to look for a salon that uses a laser with one of the cooling techniques. I had a laser session with the cooling technique about a month ago and it was completely pain free.

One popular area of use for these permanent techniques is the facial area. Electrolysis and the laser are great for women who have unwanted facial hair on their chin or upper lip. It is possible to get permanent hair removal on the eyebrow area, but be very careful to choose a qualified specialist when removing hair in this area. Anytime someone gets so close to your eye you want to make sure they are highly qualified.

The bikini area is another popular area for permanent removal techniques. Permanent removal is particularly great for this area because shaving often produces ingrown hair and razor burn. Plus, waxing can be painful and needs to be up kept very regularly. As with any other type of hair removal in the bikini area, you have a choice to get everything from a traditional bikini to a full Brazilian. You can even start with a traditional bikini and then get more hair done down the road if you are happy with the results.

Many people are interested in permanent removal of hair at home in order to avoid visiting a salon. It is possible to purchase an electrolysis machine for personal use so that is one option for people who want to try this on their own. There is also a cream called Vaniqa that helps slow hair growth. A few medications have been developed that slow the growth of hair that are only available by prescription. If you are interested in something like this, talk to your doctor or dermatologist.