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It seems like the modern approach to beauty is just about finding different ways of fighting off our biology – like how to slow down aging, how to speed up your metabolism, and how to get rid of unwanted body hair. That last one is particularly fascinating since both men and women grow hair, but most of the time, it’s only women who are expected to be smooth and hairless from the neck down.
For one reason or another (both social and personal), many women opt to remove their body hair. Once upon a time, that meant shaving. But later, waxing, threading, and epilating became popular as well. Those methods are still effective today but are unfortunately temporary, meaning you have to do it regularly to maintain a hair-free state. If only there was a way to get rid of it once and for all!
Thankfully, there is! Here’s everything you need to know about permanent hair removal.
RELATED: Laser Hair Removal: Cost, Side Effects & Reviews
What Is Permanent Hair Removal?
Permanent hair removal is the process of getting rid any hair on the human body, with the intention of preventing it from growing back again in the future.
Shaving and using depilatory creams only remove the part of the hair that is above the skin, which does give the appearance of hairlessness but only for days or a couple of weeks maximum.
Compare that to epilation, where the entire hair (including the root) is removed. But epilation methods still aren’t permanent. Tweezing, waxing, and using an epilating device does pull the hair out at the root; however, it will grow back in a few weeks.
For hair removal to be truly permanent, the method needs to both remove the hair and prevent it from growing again. This can be achieved by inhibiting the growth of new hair cells or destroying the hair follicle.
Why Do People Want To Get Their Hair Permanently Removed?
If you could get rid of your unwanted body hair permanently, would you do it? Even if you personally wouldn’t, many other people would jump at the chance. The numbers don’t lie – just last year, the global hair removal industry hit almost $USD 2-billion ($AUD 2.84-billion), and that number is expected to more than double by 2026.
There are many reasons people choose to remove their body hair. While it isn’t inherently more hygienic to have less body hair, bacteria and micro-organisms can get trapped without proper care. Plus, body hair can cause friction or feel itchy. And for a lot of people, it’s often just easier and more comfortable to remove the hair.
But the biggest reason people choose to remove body hair is cultural or aesthetic. Generally, excessive body hair is seen as unattractive, especially in women. It is an accepted practice to remove hair when wearing revealing outfits like a sleeveless shirt or a bikini. Body hair is also usually removed right before a sexual encounter to make things less awkward.
Commonly targeted areas include the face and legs for women. And facial hair, stomach, chest, back, and legs for men. Hair can also be removed to reduce body odour, a factor that comes into play mostly with pubic hair and underarm hair. For those with extensive hair removal needs, full-body hair removal treatments are also available.
How To Remove Hair Permanently: The Best Permanent Hair Removal Techniques
5. Ayurveda Treatment
Best suited for: those who want a natural hair removal method
Before modern medicine and technology, there was the old Indian system of healing. The ayurvedic home remedy for body hair involves regularly applying lomasthana thailam, safflower oil + thanaka, or turmeric + kuppi + neem leaves on the problem area, a herbal oil that allegedly gets rid of hair with repeated use.
4. Permanent Hair Removal Cream
Best suited for: people who want non-intimidating, budget hair removal
No, we’re not talking about depilatory creams Veet or Nair. We’re talking about Vaniqa, which is the only FDA-approved prescription cream that can remove facial hair and prevents new hair cells from forming. The result is permanent, as long as you keep using the cream.
3. IPL
Best suited for: fast, affordable hair removal or for dark or sensitive/problem skin
Intense pulsed light (IPL) uses broad-spectrum lasers to heat up and damage the hair follicle. But is IPL permanent? While IPL is generally faster and cheaper than laser, it will most likely take multiple sessions to get rid of body hair permanently.
2. Laser Hair Removal
Best suited for: fair-skinned and dark-haired people
Laser hair removal uses similar tech as IPL, but a different set of wavelengths. Even after the first session, it can significantly reduce the colour and thickness of your hair. But is laser hair removal permanent? Well, after you complete your initial sessions, you’ll likely need to go in every once in a while (1-2x a year) for a touch-up.
1. Electrolysis
Electrolysis is FDA-approved and has been used to remove unwanted hair for decades. It achieves this by probing individual hairs and permanently destroying the cells responsible for hair growth. It is very permanent, but it does take several sessions to complete.
Conclusion
Removing your body hair permanently is a deeply personal choice, but it’s also a commitment. If you’re considering permanent hair removal, make sure you’re doing it for yourself and no one else! And if you’re having any doubts about the permanency of it all, there are still many temporary options available to you.
RELATED: How to Shave Your Legs
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