Some people look for solutions to grow hair while some look for options to remove hair. Of course, the area where they want to grow and remove differs.
Where do men want to get rid of hair usually:
- Body
- Underarms
- Pubic region
Areas where women want to get rid of hair:
- Face
- Hands and Legs
- Underarms
- Pubic region
- On the body (very few cases).
In order to get rid of hair, people start looking for permanent hair removal options but the truth is, there is no such procedure, cream or lotion that can remove hair and not let it grow. Following some treatments regularly may eventually stop hair growth in some people.
What are the existing hair removal options for you?
Electrolysis
The procedure uses a probe with many fine needles that emit shortwave radio frequencies. The probe is placed on the skin so that the energy emitted is directly transmitted to the hair follicles, effectively damaging them. When a hair follicle is damaged, the body needs to repair it or regrow the hair follicle and then the hair in it. This takes little longer than just shaving or trimming the area. Damaging the hair follicles multiple times (when you undergo the procedure multiple times) can give the effect of permanent hair removal.
Each session of electrolysis at Flood Gates Plastic Surgery Clinic in Chennai can start from Rs.10,000/- depending on the area where the hair has to be removed. The procedure can be performed on any part of the body. Side effects include redness and skin irritation. In rare cases, scarring, infection from the needles and growth of scar tissue may occur.
Laser hair removal
Similar to electrolysis, the idea behind laser hair removal treatment is to damage the hair follicles with energy. A laser probe is placed on the skin where hair needs to be removed. The emitted laser energy destroys the hair follicles preventing or delaying hair regrowth. Unlike electrolysis, laser hair removal cannot be used on all parts of the body. It is not recommended to remove hair on the eye brows or anywhere closer to the eyes. A simple jerk can damage the eyesight of the person permanently.
It may take multiple sessions to see less hair growing. Usually, around 6 sessions are required, spaced around 6 weeks apart to achieve permanent hair removal on your body. Side effects include redness and a little itching that will fade in a day.
Hair removal creams
Over the counter hair removal creams or prescription creams that are used to remove hair from the skin target the enzymes that help in hair growth. The creams need to be applied twice everyday for a month and the results may last for up to 2 months after which, the process must be repeated. This is relatively a cheaper option than electrolysis and laser hair removal. Before applying any hair removing cream, test it on your hand or feet to check for irritants. If the cream doesn’t suit your skin, you may see rashes, follicle disruption etc.
Tweezing and Waxing
Waxing is done on relatively larger areas of the body whereas tweezing is done on small areas such as in the area above the lip and eyebrows. Waxing is relatively a painful process but some of our patients say that they like the skin after the hair is removed this way and after waxing the skin multiple times makes it less painful. (Or they get used to it).
Both waxing and tweezing remove hair follicles along with the hair. Body takes time to regrow the hair follicles and hair leaving the skin without hair for longer periods.
Chemical depilation
Chemical depilation involves usage of over the counter creams or lotions that destroy the protein called keratin. Keratin helps form hair, nails and the outer layer of the skin. Damaging keratin destroys the hair and makes it fall.
There exist different types of chemicals meant to be used in different areas of the body. Before buying, make sure that you are picking the right cream. If the cream doesn’t suit you, you will see redness, burns and even blisters. Test a little bit of the cream on your hand before applying on the targeted area.
