Many of us have excess hair that we wish to remove for a number of reasons. If you have hair that you want to get rid of there are now more choices than ever for removing it. The following is a guide to some popular hair removal techniques.

Waxing

Waxing is a tried and tested method for hair removal that has been popular for some time. Hair removed when waxing takes between a month or two to grow back which means it doesn’t need to be repeated as often as shaving.

Waxing can be used for removing hair from almost any part of the body. During a session wax is spread thinly over the area where the hair is to be removed. Either thin cloth or special paper is pressed on top of the wax and is used to remove the hair by pulling it away from the skin in the opposite direction to the hairs growth.

As well as removing hair waxing also removes the top layer of dead skin, leaving the skin underneath noticeably smoother than before.

Epilation

Epilation is a newer method for removing hair that uses electricity to ease hairs out. The process of epilation is similar to that of waxing as it targets the hairs root below the skin and removes it.

Epilation can also be used to remove hair from almost any part of the body. Epilators have mechanisms that target and remove multiple roots from below the skins surface which makes it a fairly fast process.

Some people with sensitive skin have found their first epilation session a little painful. To avoid this try having the area waxed first and then use epilation to remove the finer hairs that grow back.

Laser

Laser is another popular method of hair removal. Using lasers, the hair follicles can be targeted and removed from below the skin without causing pain or damage to any surrounding skin.

The laser works by finding melanin in our skin. Melanin is a substance that all of us have as part of our genetic make up that colours our hair and skin. Because of this laser hair removal is suited to people with certain hair colours and skin types. People with fair or grey hair will not suit this treatment and neither will people with suntans or darker skin tones as the concentration of melanin (which the laser targets) is much higher.

To prepare for the treatment the surrounding skin is usually numbed. This can be performed by using a spray or specialised cooling tip and helps to relieve any pain.