The vast majority of hair removal products do not retard or prevent growth, and so cannot be considered permanent. Electrolysis is the only truly permanent hair removal solution that does not require upkeep, but it is time consuming and expensive. Oral prescription medications are also among the few permanent hair removal products, but the hair usually begins to grow again once the user stops taking the medication. Laser hair removal, on the other hand, gives the patient permanent hair reduction, meaning the hair grows back slimmer and usually lighter in color than before. All of these permanent hair removal products have potential side effects, and they may not work for everyone.
Electrolysis involves the insertion of a hair-thin metal rod into a hair follicle. Once inserted, the rod gives off a tiny amount of electricity to damage the hair follicle. If done correctly by a professional, this process of permanently removing hair does not hurt or damage the skin. To complete the treatment, one to four years of routine sessions is required. While there may be other types of permanent hair removal devices, the electrical epilator used in electrolysis is the only one legally recognized in many countries.
Usually referred to as permanent hair removal products, oral prescriptions are another option for hair removal. Normally, however, hair will begin to regrow soon after the user stops taking the medication. These hair removal products work by retarding hair growth until it stops altogether. Generally, these medications do not make the hair fall out, so the person taking the medication can either wait for the hair to fall out on its own or remove it by waxing or epilating to sooner achieve the desired smoothness.
Hair removal via laser, also known as laser hair reduction, is another one of the few permanent hair removal products available. The laser used in this treatment is relatively expensive and should only be operated by a trained professional. It targets the areas on the skin that foster hair growth and damages them. This method works better for some people than others, usually when there is a noticeable contrast between the patient’s hair and skin color. Some people have complete hair regrow, others have the hair grow back but not as thick, and still other people do not have any regrowth whatsoever. Laser hair removal is typically regarded as a pain-free and safe method of semi-permanent hair removal.
