You can remove unwanted hair from your face and body using numerous methods. Some of the methods, such as shaving and waxing, can be done at home. Other methods, like laser hair removal and IPL hair removal, must be performed by certified professionals. Laser hair removal is widely considered the best method for permanent hair removal because it kills the root of your unwanted hair follicles, stopping hair growth completely.
Types of Hair Removal
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is widely considered the most effective permanent hair removal method, with 95% of patients achieving permanently hair-free skin in 7 to 10 sessions. Laser hair removal involves delivering highly targeted laser energy into the unwanted hairs to destroy their roots. With each session, you notice finer and sparser hair growth until your hair stops growing completely. Laser hair removal is quick, effective, painless, safe, and ensures permanent hair removal.
Quick Statistics:
- Number of Treatments: 7 to 10
- Compatible Skin Types: All (Fitzpatrick skin types 1 to 6)
- Total Hours: Approximately 3 hours for a lifetime
- Lifetime Cost: Approximately $2,500
- Pain Level: Low
IPL Hair Removal
IPL (intense pulsed light) is a device that delivers multi-wavelength light energy from flash lamps. The light energy is scattered across the skin, getting absorbed by the hair on your skin. However, due to its scattered nature, it doesn’t remove highly targeted hair follicles, leading to inconsistent results. Patients generally notice an 80% reduction in hair over numerous treatments. Furthermore, the treatment is suitable for light and medium skin tones, but it can harm or damage darker skin types.
Quick Statistics:
- Number of Treatments: 10+
- Compatible Skin Types: Light and tan skin (Fitzpatrick skin types 1 to 3)
- Total Hours: Approximately 3 hours per year
- Lifetime Cost: Approximately $2,500
- Pain Level: Medium
Shaving
Shaving might be convenient for at-home usage, but it’s the most temporary form of hair removal. This method is only suitable for those who don’t want to remove the hair permanently, i.e., men who want to style their facial hair while leaving future options open. Using it to remove body hair takes an hour, and the unwanted hair grows out in just a few days. The unwanted hair grows out harder and darker with each go, and if that weren’t enough, it also leads to razor burns, nicks, cuts, and ingrown hair.
Quick Statistics:
- Number of Treatments: 100+ per year
- Compatible Skin Types: All (Fitzpatrick skin types 1 to 6)
- Total Hours: Approximately 39 hours per year, depending on the targeted body parts
- Lifetime Cost: Approximately $3,800, depending on the type of razors used
- Pain Level: Low
Waxing
Waxing is the regularly chosen hair removal method for those with unwanted body hair. It removes the unwanted hair from the roots, so it staves off hair growth for several weeks, far longer than shaving. However, it’s not suitable for permanent hair removal, and you’ll need to keep waxing regularly. Over time, waxing takes up far more time and money than laser hair removal because it’s a lifetime endeavor. Furthermore, waxing is incredibly painful.
Quick Statistics:
- Number of Treatments: 10+ per year
- Compatible Skin Types: All (Fitzpatrick skin types 1 to 6)
- Total Hours: Approximately 8 hours per year, depending on the targeted body parts
- Lifetime Cost: Approximately $24,000
- Pain Level: High
