A guide to home hair removal

Hair removal has been practised for centuries to make the body look more beautiful. Smooth skin that is hair-free has always been in demand. Gone are the days of shaving and waxing, which did not give satisfactory results. As medical science and technology have advanced, today there are many home hair removal methods that are extremely popular. This article provides you with a guide to home hair removal.

Overview

Removing hair using the best hair removal methods is something that many people yearn for. The desire to have smoother skin, which is practically hairless, is a dream-come-true for many. The good news is that there are many hair removal treatments that people can use in their homes. However, before deciding on a hair removal method, you should be clear about your skin type, the cost involved, the part of the body where you want to remove hair, and the time that you are willing to spend on hair removal.

Electrolysis hair removal

In this method, a sterilised needle is put into the hair follicle until it reaches the root. Then, a mild electric current is run through the needle, killing the root and leaving the skin permanently hair-free. Electrolysis hair removal is best performed by a qualified dermatologist, but there are devices that can be used at home. It is a painful method of hair removal if a local anaesthetic cream is not applied. Furthermore, it is a time-consuming procedure as individual hair is removed, and thus, it's best suited for small areas such as eyebrows and upper lip.

Laser hair removal

Home laser devices work similarly to the ones in a dermatologist's office, but are not as powerful and effective. The method consists of a laser beam that helps to destroy melanin present in the hair. The best candidates are people with light skin and dark hair. The method is ineffective on white hair, and the results are not good on blonde hair. Home laser treatments can redden the skin, and are not recommended for facial hair. Furthermore, there are chances of hyper-pigmentation, burning and scarring. The device is not cheap and can be beyond the reach of many.

IPL hair removal

This is another permanent method of hair removal. The home device is similar to a laser, but emits pulsed light of multiple wavelengths instead of a beam of a single wavelength. The pulsed light from the device destroys the melanin in the hair. Therefore, this method is more effective on light skin with dark coloured hair. Home IPL hair removal devices are rather expensive, and considering that they can burn, scar or cause dark spots on the skin, it is best to allow a qualified dermatologist remove the hair.