Permanent hair removal

So what do we make of a hair removal method that claims to be permanent? For most of us in simple language that would mean that the hair is not likely to return again and so we have one problem less to deal with. And that is why when it comes to things like hair and similar ones the word permanent may have to be redefined. That is why someone would call a product permanent after trying it just for a few weeks. If you consider a procedure like waxing hair, fine it will take a while but hair will grow again. Hmmm… That is then permanent, may be.

Woman Waxing Her Legs

When we are dealing with hair removal, permanent could be defined to go for about a year after your last hair removal treatment without using another hair removal style. But you will agree that a year may not be long enough to define permanence but then most consumers will be satisfied with that amount of time. There is only one method that we can say is clinically proven and that is called electrolysis. So let us consider some long term hair removal methods.

Long-term hair removal

Just again we may want to say that long term may need to be defined again in terms of dealing with hair. And again that all will depend on what you will want to call long term, the hair dressers long term could be something close to about six or so months. That means that you shall be able to go six months after your last hair removal treatment until the next one. Can you imagine six months without thinking about hair?

Semi-permanent hair removal

Now this is a newer term that is used in hair removal. It is called semi permanent hair removal. This is a term that a salon will use and may be describing results like can be acquired by using laser hair removal method.  So then semi permanent hair removal may actually be referring to something that is going to last you a few weeks till you come to see your hair removal specialist once again.

What’s the difference between hair removal and hair reduction?

Permanent hair removal can has been established a procedure that is able to completely destroy your hair follicle’s ability to regenerate and grow new hair again. Now that several lasers have demonstrated the ability to do permanent hair reduction and so they can be claimed to do the permanent thing.  The word reduction now joins the league also. Laser treatments are also able to reduce the size of the hairs and even change the color thereof.  And in some patients the reduction appears to me permanent.

“Permanent” Methods

For any body looking for a permanent method of removing their hair there are several options to choose from. There are numerous methods that have been developed that make use of chemicals, energy of different types, or a simple combination to target the areas that regulate the growth of your hair. It may be difficult to explain how any one can achieve the feat of permanently destroying these areas and still leave the surrounding tissues intact.  You had better be sure that those claims can be certified and that you will not encounter any dangerous side affects.

Permanent hair removal for most

Among the methods that use the term permanent hair removal to mean any of the many ways we have defined the term here are such as: Electrolysis, Laser, Flash lamp, Lasting hair inhibition for many, Prescription oral medications, Prescription topical preparation.  Some of the methods are restricted:  Restricted methods ,  X-ray (banned in the United States) ,  Photodynamic therapy (experimental) ; Others are doubtful:  Doubtful methods ,  Electric tweezers, “Transdermal electrolysis”, “Transcutaneous hair removal”, Photoepilator,  Microwaves, Dietary supplements,  Nonprescription topical preparations (“hair inhibitors”). So what do we say? There is no one method that has been proven to be 100% safe and effective, two difficult things to put in container.

As it were you will always find clients who were not satisfied with this or that method of removing hair permanently. No one can really tell the reason why that would be so.

Laser and flash lamp (IPL)

Lasers and flash lamps are not listed as methods that produce permanent hair removal  because the limited clinical data available indicates that many clients did not get the expected effect although a few of then demonstrated what would be called permanent.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis can be slow, painful and costly and can cause some serious and permanent skin damage if not administered correctly. It may also not be too effective if it is not done correctly. There patients who did not respond well in the tests that were done as well.  To minimize the great risks that are associated, you need to go to a certified electrologist after getting a recommendation from a satisfied client.

Do not attempt to do electrolysis at home unless you are trying to remove one or two hairs due to the danger of permanent skin destruction that it poses. Even then you should only attempt it if you have no other option financially because it is also very time consuming and the failure rate at home is too high as well.

Electric tweezers

There are many electric tweezers that claim they can perform permanent hair removal. However there is no published clinical evidence that this can be the case. So then you need to go slow again if you are looking for a permanent hair removal method.

“Transdermal” and “transcutaneous” hair removal

These devices make use of a conductive gel with an electrified cotton swab or an electrified path that delivers electricity to the skin. And they will also claim permanent hair removal. The claims have not been evaluated and there is no evidence either that the claims are true to the word.  There is also no published date anywhere to show that the removal they will do will be permanent.

So we finish with the question again, what then is permanent about your permanent hair removal method?