Hair removal might be considered a “cosmetic” issue, but managing or removing unwanted hair can go beyond being a simple “cosmetic” problem.

Many cultures have an aesthetic “ideal” amount of hair for males and females.  For some of us, unwanted hair that exceeds this arbitrary standard can cause a real or perceived  problems with social acceptance.

Temporary Methods

Hair Removal can be achieved through depilation (removing part of the hair and the skin’s surface) or epilation (removing the entire hair).  For many consumers, temporary methods at regular intervals are acceptable.

Depliation lasting several hours to several days

Shaving or trimming (manually or with electric shavers)

Advantages:

• Inexpensive
• fast
• usually painless
• very safe
• can be done at home
• available almost anywhere.

Disadvantages:

• Effects lasts a short time- anywhere from a few hours to several days.  Dark haired users may be visible “shadow” of dark hair under skin. 
• Often requires daily use. 
• Can cause skin irritation and cuts. 
• For some, it causes ingrown hairs (esp. in women’s bikini area and African American men’s facial hair).
• Blades require frequent replacement. 
• In certain cases infection of the skin has also been reported.

Diplatories (creams or “shaving powders” which chemically dissolve hair)

Advantages:

• Inexpensive
• fast
• sometimes painless
• can be done at home
• available almost anywhere

Disadvantages:

• Effects last a short time- anywhere from a few hours to several days. 
• Dark haired users may have visible “shadow” of dark hair under skin. 
• Often requires use every two or three days.  Can cause skin irritation, hypo or hyper pigmentation, long term use may cause sensitive skin. 
• Can be a severe skin and eye irritant.

Friction (rough surfaces used to buff away hair)

Advantages:

• Inexpensive
• fast
• essentially painless
• can be done at home
• available widely
• also exfoliates and smooths skin.  Many types can be used wet or dry. 
• Good for legs with fine hair. 
• Some use it between shaving or waxing sessions.

Disadvantages:

• Effects again last a short time - anywhere from a few hours to several days.  
• Dark haired users may have visible “shadow” of dark hair under the skin. 
• Often requires use every two or three days. 
• Can cause skin irritation if rubbed too hard. 
• Do not use on face, arms, or bikini area. 
• Do not use on irritated or damaged skfin.
• Epliation lasting several days to several weeks

Tweezing ( metal forceps used manually to pull hair one at a time)

Advantages:

• Very useful for eyebrows or stray hairs on face.

Disadvantages:

• Should not be used for nose hairs.  Always trim nose hairs to avoid potentially dangerous infections..
• Can be painful
• Difficult for large areas
• May cause ingrown hairs
• May cause pitting and scarring
• Requires use of mirror
• Some areas are difficult to do yourself
• Care must be taken when shaping brows: one or tow hairs can make a big difference in a brow shape.

Waxing ( a hot or cold layer is applied and then removed with porous strips)

Advantages:

• Can be done at home
• Fast
• Inexpensive

Disadvantages:

• Hairs can break off at or below surface
• Can be messy
• Consistency is difficult to get correct
• One must be careful to avoid infecting skin
• May cause ingrowns
• Must have hair grown out to specific lengths before treatment can be done properly
• Damage to skin’s surface
• Loss of elasticity in skin

Sugaring (similar to waxing, but with a sticky paste)

Advantages:

• Can be done at home
• Fast
• Inexpensive

Disadvantages:

• Hairs can break off at or below surface
• Can be messy
• Consistency is difficult to get correct
• One must be careful to avoid infecting skin
• May cause ingrowns
• Must have hair grown out to specific lengths before treatment can be done properly
• Damage to skin’s surface
• Loss of elasticity in skin

Threading (also called fatlah or khite, in which a twisted thread catches hairs as its rolled across the skin

Advantages:

• Inexpensive fast
• neat
• considered less painful than plucking for many. 
• Good for eyebrows and facial hair. 
• Like plucking, results can last up to two or four weeks.

Disadvantages:

• Hard to find a professional practitioner outside large cities. 
• Can be painful and cause itching afterwards. 
• Side effects can include folliculitis, a bacterial infection in the hair follicles, skin reddening or puffiness, and changes in skin pigment.

Rotary epilators (devices which rapidly grasp hairs and pull them out by the root)

Advantages:

• Good for legs and arms
• Can last from several days to several weeks

Disadvantages:

• Can be hard to use on backs of legs
• Skin must be pulled tight to avoid pinching
• Some find it uncomfortable, especially on sensitive areas
• Harder to use on fine hairs
• Hair must be grown long enough for tweezers to grasp
• Plucking hairs can lead to irritated skin and ingrown hairs.
• Pitting and scarring may occur