Permanent hair removal

People, who have unwanted hair in certain places of their body, know how frustrating it can be to choose the right method for hair removal. They are also aware of how much time and money it requires to get rid off unwanted hair. However, growing demand for good image and beautiful looks make people overcome all the trouble that hair removal brings. Fortunately, there are modern methods that people can choose to get rid off unwanted hair most probably for good.

What is it?

Nowadays, newest technologies are very efficient in removing hair for a long period of time. However, there is no such technique or equipment that would be able to eliminate unwanted hair forever. Most of the time “permanent hair removal” means that hair growth will be stopped for a long term.

Statistics claim that newest technologies bring permanent decrease in hair growth in 90% of cases, however, there are still 10% left and therefore, the FDA does not approve to use the term “permanent hair removal”. Just like permanent pen is not actually permanent or permanent hair wave does not stay forever, permanent hair removal does not imply hair growth reduction forever. It does mean, although, that your hair growth will be diminished for a long time and you will not have to shave for a certain time lasting even a few years.

Permanent hair removal methods

There are several methods available in market that provide long-term hair growth reduction to most of the people. These include electrolysis, laser hair removal, flashlamps/intense pulsed lamps.

Electrolysis brings a long-term hair growth reduction in most of the cases if performed correctly. It works in a way that a thin metal probe is inserted into a hair follicle and electricity is brought through the probe. This causes permanent damage of a follicle and therefore, the hair can no longer grow. There are a few types of electrolysis that differ in type of energy used. These are galvanic electrolysis and thermolysis. Using galvanic electrolysis water and salt around the hair follicle is chemically formed into lye which damages the cells responsible for hair growth. During thermolysis water around the hair follicles are heated up to high temperatures so that there is enough heat to damage the cells responsible for hair growth.

Although the method might be expensive and a little bit painful, it is a safe method providing good long-term results, therefore consumers can save on all the other hair removal methods and means. However, electrolysis may not be suitable for hair removal in large areas.

Laser hair removal is one of the newest methods used. The main principle of this method is based on contrast between hair and skin color. Lasers cause localized damage by heating dark target substance in the area that causes hair growth while not heating the rest of the skin. Newest techniques enable removing hair even for people with light skin and fair hair.

Laser technique is considered to be one of the most effective and safe methods of hair removal. It is very suitable for large areas, such as back or chest. Even if removed hair grows back it is usually thinner and lighter in color.

Using flashlamps/intense pulsed lamps usually give good and long-term results in hair removal. Specific wavelengths of light are produced in a flashlamp that filters full-spectrum and infrared light. This light, just like a laser, targets the dark matter in the hair follicle and, just like during laser hair removal, causes localized damage to the cells causing hair growth.

It is very similar to laser technique, the only difference is in the form of light used and efficiency of these two methods. Laser hair removal is considered to be more efficient in providing long-term hair growth decrease than flashlamps/IPL.