Man seems to have an innate desire to remove dark hair form his body from the time they appear during the adolescent years. This desire lasts up to our death for many people. Hair removal techniques have been in use by mankind for thousands of years, one has only to look at the historical evidence from ancient Egypt and the very well done sculptures of the Romans to see just how long mankind has been obsessed with smooth, hairless bodies.
There are two basic categories of hair removal methods:
• Temporary
• Permanent
Temporary
These techniques have a short term effect lasting anything from a day to six months. The aim of temporary methods is to get rid of visible hair. The changes have no permanence. Generally these techniques are not invasive and are quick to work.
Temporary techniques include; shaving, waxing, tweezing, threading, delapilatory creams and sugaring. Temporary techniques are usually physical in nature. These techniques can be applied with ingenuity and creativity to achieve the desired look. Temporary methods allow for manipulation of styles to fit the demands and rigors of fashion.
Because of their short time nature, these techniques are usually inexpensive in comparison to the permanent methods. Temporary techniques also have varying levels of complexity. Some are relatively easy to do and can be done at home while some will need the services of a skilled cosmetologist. Epilation is one example of a simple technique that can be done at home; waxing may require help, especially in the hard to reach areas such as the back of the legs.
Permanent
The aim of permanent methods is to put an absolute halt to the growth of unwanted hair. These techniques are more limited in variety. Electrolysis, laser treatment and intense pulse light technology are the only approved techniques for permanent hair removal. These techniques work by damaging the root of the hair follicle to the point that it can no longer function. All these methods take long to achieve their goal because the body is quite resilient and will regenerate damaged cells.
Satisfactory results will take up to four years to be achieved in some techniques such as electrolysis and even then the hair could still grow right back after some years. Unlike the temporary methods, these techniques require specialized equipment and skilled personnel for safety and success. Deep pockets are also needed as these methods will usually require long term scheduled sessions.
Generally each person will chose a method or methods that work best for them depending time, monetary status, skin type, and the desired hair-free area.
