When looking for a hair removal solution, there are many factors to consider. You need to think about where you are removing the hair from, how big an area you are working on, and how permanent you want the removal to be. Hair removal can be painless and cheap, or involve a little pain and payment - it all depends on the method.

There are two types of hair removal methods: depilation and epilation. Depilation is a temporary form of hair removal, as it involves removing just the visible part of the hair above the skin. Common techniques include shaving and cutting. There are also chemical depilatories that disintegrate the hair, sometimes acting below the skin surface, but even these are not permanent.

Epilation is when the entire hair is removed, including the hair root. There are many methods of epilation such as waxing, plucking, threading, and devices known as epilators. Many dermatologists and spas offer electrolysis, which is a form of epilation performed by a professionally trained specialist. Epilation typically lasts longer than depilation.

There are a large variety of depilatory and epilatory topical products available in your local drugstore. When choosing one, you must consider your individual needs, skin type, hair location, and desired duration of removal.

If you're looking for temporary hair removal, products like Nair provide a mostly painless, low hassle removal solution for most body areas. Nair creams, gels and spray foams offer temporary smoothness to most hair-prone body areas for both men and women. These topical solutions generally only create minor stinging as they dissolve the hair, and pose little irritation risk.

Waxing is another popular topical option for depilation, and can be done in a variety of methods. You can purchase at-home waxing kits such as the Sally Hansen All-Over Body Wax Hair Removal Kit. These kits are usually microwavable, and come in area-specific kits for bikini, legs, and face. There are also no-heat waxing methods such as the Nads line of products, which come in jars, pre-gelled strips, and spot applicators.

A variety of tools are available to help rid yourself of unwanted body hair. The most common method is shaving with a razor, and there are a variety of razor types and shaving creams to meet your individual need. Depilation with a razor results in quicker growth and a more frequent need to remove the hair, but is generally the cheapest method.

Choose a razor suited to the area you are shaving. There are many types on the market, some with extra moisture strips or special blade configurations for particular body areas. If you're not into constantly replacing blades or throwing away entire razors every week, you may want to opt for an electric razor. Electric razors are good options for women prone to irritation by traditional razors. There are lots of styles to choose from, including wet/dry shavers you can use in or out of the shower.

Tweezers are an epilator tool that will remove the hair and root, typically giving you more than a week before regrowth is visible. You can also purchase electrified tweezers known as epilators, which act similar to electrolysis but can be used by consumers in their home. They are generally no more painful than waxing, and many now come with built-in soothing methods. Braun's Silk-epil line of epilators are small, easy to use and come in several models to suit a variety of needs.

Aside from pumice stones, there are actual abrasion kits such as the Smooth Away system that are now available in most drug and beauty stores. Abrasion methods work best on fine hair and are less effective on coarse or dense hair. Sensitive skin or areas with a condition like psoriasis should not be treated with this method as it can cause irritation. Many women who have used this method complain about dried out skin, rashes that resemble razor burn, and patchy or uneven hair removal.

Medical Techniques for Hair Removal

When you are looking for a longer term professional hair removal method you may want to visit a spa or dermatologist for more options. Many beauty salons and spas offer electrolysis, which is the only proven permanent hair removal method. But even electrolysis may not provide permanent hair removal for everyone. Electrolysis should only be performed by a licensed electrologist.

During an electrolysis treatment, a needle is inserted into the hair follicle and a light electrical current applied, killing the root. The hair is then removed with tweezers. The treatment will permanently kill the root only if it is in an active growth state. As it is not possible to detect a hair's growth phase, several treatments may be necessary to remove a hair once and for all.

The biggest competition to electrolysis came about with the approval of laser treatment for hair removal. Laser treatments are relatively painless, quicker, and better suited for large areas of the body. Unfortunately, FDA reviews have shown that laser hair removal is NOT a permanent solution, so the FDA has only approved the treatments for "hair reduction" and not permanent removal.

Laser treatment can be extremely costly and is usually based on the area to be treated. Laser hair removal treatments are generally more effective on those with light skin and dark hair, though newer lasers are improving on treating lighter hair and darker skin types.

Choosing the Hair Removal Technique for You

Hair removal methods are all relative to your skin type, hair condition, area of treatment, and personal preferences. If you're adverse to painful methods, stick to shaving or depilatory creams. If you want serious, permanent removal then electrolysis is a method you should explore.

Remember to test out home removal methods on a small unnoticeable patch of skin to make sure you don't have any irritation or reactions. If you have sensitive skin, make sure to choose products that say they are designed specifically with sensitive skin in mind.