Published: March 19, 2021
Last updated: June 03, 2021
The Skinny
Unwanted hair — be it underarm hair, facial hair, body hair, and hair growth along the bikini line — can be frustrating and undesirable (learn more in our complete guide to Unwanted Hair Concerns). The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) 2018 Statistics Report cited laser hair removal as one of the top five minimally invasive procedures with about one million occurrences. While shaving cream, electric shavers, or even a trusty Gillette may help to alleviate some of this unwanted hair, more permanent hair removal methods can temporarily or completely eliminate the need for any of the above.
The Specifics
Who might consider hair removal treatments?
Any individual with unwanted facial or body hair, or excessive hair growth is a potential candidate for hair removal. Women with high contrast between their skin color and hair color may consider professional treatments. Certain genetic conditions like hirsutism and hypertrichosis can cause unwanted and excessive hair. Hirsutism is a common condition characterized by male-pattern like hair growth (face, chest, and back) on females. Hypertrichosis is rare and can be localized areas or full body highly excessive hair growth.The Anatomy of a Hair Follicle
What can you expect from hair removal procedures?
Hair removal procedures can vary from being performed in your shower to a medical office. Most procedures are minimally invasive. The most invasive solutions will not cause a significant impact on quality of life for more than a few weeks and are able to provide lasting results.When should you consider hair removal?
Certain procedures require unwanted hair to be at least a specified length to be effective. In general, candidates should abstain from most hair removal methods for at least one week (sometimes more) prior to a procedure to limit skin sensitivity and risk of infection.Why should you consider hair removal treatments?
If your daily shaving ritual is taking up a little (or a lot) more time than you’d like, a semi permanent or permanent hair removal procedure can get those precious minutes back to be used for something more enjoyable. Most procedures are minimally invasive with significant results.Professional Hair Removal Treatments
Hair removal treatments are a regular part of most people’s lives, but more permanent professional procedures are minimally invasive and can provide weeks to months of freedom from unwanted hair.- Laser Hair Removal
- Overview: A topical anesthetic is administered and a hand-held laser instrument is pressed to the skin for 10 minutes to one hour depending on need.
- Cost: $350 - $900 (learn more in our guide to laser hair removal cost)
- Recovery & Results: Burning and stinging are common immediately following the procedure. Avoid direct prolonged sun for six weeks. Results are temporary and multiple treatments are usually needed.
- IPL For Unwanted Hair
- Overview: Intense pulsed light therapy destroys hair producing cells. Good for patients with large contrast between hair color and skin color.
- Cost: $350 - $600 (learn more in our guide to IPL cost)
- Recovery & Results: Causes permanent hair reduction (not complete removal). No skin care for one day. No tanning for four weeks.
- Electrolysis
- Overview: Three different methods all producing permanent hair removal.
- Cost: $1,000 - $20,000 (learn more in our guide to electrolysis cost)
- Recovery & Results: Redness, swelling and some minor scabbing for one to two days. Limit strenuous activities for two days. Multiple sessions will produce permanent results.
- Threading
- Overview: Hair needs to be at least one millimeter long. Very precise technique.
- Cost: $5 - $20
- Recovery & Results: Immediate results with some temporary redness. Typically requires every three week maintenance.
- Waxing
- Overview: Soft or hard wax is applied to unwanted hair for removal.
- Cost: $10 - $100
- Recovery & Results: Sensitivity and redness resolves within one day. Generally requires maintenance once a month.
At-Home Hair Removal Treatments
At-home treatments include the classic razor and shaving cream, semi-permanent hair removal gels and creams (like topical eflornithine) and also certain oral medications. Combination birth control pills and certain antiandrogens (like spironolactone) are commonly utilized to treat excessive hair growth. These medications must be prescribed and managed by a medical professional.The Takeaway
Various hair removal methods and hair removal tools exist to help eliminate excessive and unwanted hair. Genetic conditions affecting hair-growth patterns and excessive facial hair, underarm hair, body hair, or bikini area hair can be safely and effectively addressed with minimally invasive procedures. It might just be time to throw out the shaving cream.
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