Basic Information and Techniques of Permanent Hair Removal

Before getting into the concept of permanent hair removal, it is important to understand what types of hair grow on human bodies and which types need removal. You many not know it but you have three types of hair growing all over you: Vellus is the tiny hair that is colorless and not visible until you get close enough to kiss. Intermediate hair are slightly colored, though not fully pigmented and terminal hair are the hair that show up in full bloom and these are what consumers want removed.

The Basics of Permanent Hair Removal

There are scores of ads on TV and the internet advertising permanent hair removal products. Do not fall for them because in most instances "permanent" does not last forever. When we say permanent hair removal it is given to mean that the hair is destroyed in such a way that its follicle's ability to produce another hair in its place is also nullified.

Many hair removal devices and creams that are available in the market say in their fine print that they are permanent for a given period of time. Remember to check out this time period that is not hyped.

Permanent Hair Removal Techniques

There are three techniques used in permanent hair removal and they do not include waxing, which is classified as a semi-permanent technique: first on the list is electrolysis - an epilator, which is an electronic device, inserted into a hair follicle and the hair is removed lock, stock and barrel. One treatment of electrolysis is usually not enough, but with each successive treatment the growth becomes more and more thin. Electrolysis can remove unwanted hair except for hair in the nose and ears.

Laser hair removal entails a laser beam that impregnates the follicle and destroys the hair root. But do not expect instant results, as you will need multiple visits to completely obliterate the hair. The IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is the new kid on the block. This method uses green and infrared light waves emitting energy in required bursts into the hair follicle. This method is considered better than the rest.

In the end, remember that there is no one-visit solution. The more the number of hair you want to remove the more the visits you will require. This can get quite expensive and may not be covered by your insurance company. Also, the question whether these methods really guarantee the "permanence" is still being debated.