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Permanent Hair Removal At Home

terixf | Feb 9, 2010 |

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Many people nowadays prefer permanent hair removal at home for the privacy and the cost efficiency that it can offer. There are several methods of permanent hair removal at home and it is important to understand how each can help in order to choose the right way for each person.

Laser hair removal is one process by which permanent hair removal at home may take place. It is a method that has been commercially popular for over a decade but only recently available as a home unit. This method is largely deemed safe and effective by the dermatologic community. Laser hair removal works by targeting the melanin which gives the hair the color but the downside of this method is that it only effectively works for dark hair. For blonde or red hair, this process is ineffective and for somewhat darker skin tones, effective cooling methods must be employed to avoid unnecessary discomfort. Generally, because of the mechanism of action, it is easiest when treating dark hair on light skin requiring less number of sessions. Laser hair removal comes with some unwanted side effects such as pain, tingling and numbness that are expected to last 3 to 14 days for most people. There is a possibility of burns, discoloration of dark skin, and swelling around the treated area. The costs of the home units run about $450-$600 making it appear to be a bargain against the professional treatment that can be up in the thousands. However, if you choose to purchase the home unit, it is important to follow the instructions very carefully in order to avoid injuries.

Electrolysis is another proven method of permanent hair removal at home. For this method, a hair-thin metal probe is inserted into each hair follicle delivering electricity thru the probe, essentially causing damage to the area making it unable to grow hair. Understandably, this method can be very painful if not administered correctly. In many states, it is required to obtain licensure in order to offer such services and the cost of these sessions can range from $50-$150 an hour. The home kit range from about $30-$70 which is attractive. But buyers beware. Some of these home kits offer pads as opposed to metal rods to zap the hair follicle thus making the kit useless. Electrolysis can be very painful and it requires deft skills to avoid damage to the skin. Though the price tag very tempting, it might be best to leave it to the professionals unless you have very sharp fine motor skills along with an ample amount of patience.

External hair removal cream is another commercially available method of permanent hair removal at home. The only available option is the prescription cream Vaniqa and the downside is that it is only used for facial hair. Vaniqa usually takes about 4 to 8 weeks to work. It is only used for females over the age of 12 and is not always effective for everyone. Though recommended for women, it can't be used while pregnant or breastfeeding. The usual side effects are redness and irritation and the manufacturer does recommend it to be used with laser treatments to increase the success rate of permanent hair removal. The cost of the cream is about $40-$75 depending on the size of the tube. Unless it's used to address some minor facial hairs, I would not recommend this method of permanent hair removal at home.

Permanent hair removal at home has become far easier and within the reach of the consumer of late. However, there are risks to be considered. The different methods of permanent hair removal should be weighed against each other to decide which truly provides the wanted results with the least amount of risks if success is to be expected with the home treatment.