Health & beauty
Hair removal
Introduction
We look at the options for hair removal, how they work, the pros and cons and the risks involved.
There's no known treatment that will guarantee permanent freedom from unwanted hair. Hair growth is cyclical, so at any time some hair follicles will be lying dormant. You can kill the others but new hairs may pop up from the dormant follicles. Hormonal changes can also cause new hair to appear.
Waxing, plucking and shaving are quick and cheap methods – but your skin doesn't stay smooth for long. For longer-term hair removal, the most successful methods are the electrolysis, laser and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments offered by dermatologists, skin clinics and beauty salons.