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These days, a woman can not just raise her hands without being sure her underarm is hairless. Smiling just won’t do anymore, she also has to get rid of any hint of mustache on her upper lip. And if you think she wears sleeveless blouse and short skirts on her relaxed days, think once again. Most likely, she didn’t wake up and simply wore those garments instantly. She still had to shave or wax her arms and legs.

While hair removal is very normal for the women, some “macho” guys also get rid of their unwanted hair on the body. While the ladies will not lift an eyebrow upon seeing a hairy man, they likely will not be anxious to introduce themselves to him as well. Some men think that trimming or getting rid of their face and body hair is more attractive to women. It can also be that they find being hair-free more comfortable and sanitary than being covered with their own hair.

Taking off unwanted hair is nothing new. The practice has been present since the ancient civilization time. People are only continuing what they think works.

Those who wish to get rid of unwanted facial and body hairs can choose either to depilate or epilate. Depilating is the removal of the hair from above the skin surface, while epilating is getting rid of the full hair from root to tip.

Depilating techniques include shaving the hair, trimming it, applying chemical creams that break the bonds of the hair, and buffing them away. Common epilating methods include waxing, sugaring, plucking, and threading. And while these techniques are admittedly more painful, hair will take longer to grow back.

For those who are willing to shell out more money, there are permanent ways to remove and reduce hair. Electrolysis permanently removes hair by applying electricity to a solid hair-thin metal probe that is slid into each hair follicle. This will cause localized damage to the follicles, which is responsible for generating hair.

For permanent hair reduction, a popular method is laser hair removal. As the name indicates, it applies laser to cause contained damage in the area that causes hair growth. There is also the Intense Pulsed Light or IPL. Sometimes called as Flashlamps, this method utilizes light of different wavelengths to remove hair and treat several skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation.

Each technique differs on strength, cost, convenience, and the length of time the hair grows back. As each has its own pros and cons, always take extra caution every time you exercise any of the said methods.

Dr. Komathy offers acne clearing among many others. Other aesthetic concerns such as hair loss is also available at The Lifestyle Clinic. This and other unique content ‘unwanted hair removal’ articles are available with free reprint rights.