Women have an endless supply of options when it comes to hair removal. There are temporary options and permanent options, painless options and painful options. This article will go over the basic choices women have in hair removal today.

Shaving

This is the classic method of hair removal. You just apply a lubricating gel or foam and go over your skin with a razor. This is probably the oldest and the cheapest method of hair removal. The disadvantages of shaving though are quite numerous. For starters, it is very temporary. You will probably have to shave every couple of days to maintain smooth skin. Shavers are also prone to side effects such as nicks, cuts and ingrown hairs.

Depilatory Creams

Your next option is depilatory creams. These work by actually dissolving the hair. To use them, you apply the cream to your body and allow it to work for 5 or 10 minutes. You then remove the cream with a special tool provided with the cream or simply rinse it off. One disadvantage of this method is that it may not work for all hair types. People with thick hair might find that it does not completely remove the hair. You might have to touch it up with a razor. Another disadvantage is that these creams can smell. The odor might not be annoying to you or you might absolutely hate it.

Waxing

Waxing is perhaps one of the most feared hair removal methods. A wax is applied to the skin, followed by a strip of paper or cloth. After the wax cools, the paper is ripped off of the body quickly. This method is very effective with results that last much longer than shaving. The downside is obvious. Pain. It can be quite painful especially when you get closer to more sensitive areas.

Electrolysis

With Electrolysis, an electrode is applied to the hair follicle and it sends an electric charge to the follicle. The electrical charge destroys it preventing it from growing hair in the future. This method has a long proven track record and will provide permanent hair removal. One disadvantage of this method is that it can, like waxing, be painful. It also is a tedious process and can be expensive.

Lasers

Laser Hair Removal is one of the latest methods of hair removal. In this method, laser light is applied to the hair . The light is then converted into heat which destroys the follicle. This method has the advantage of being nearly pain free and of course permanent. One disadvantage of laser hair removal is that it can get expensive. You will need several treatments to completely remove our body hair since hair grows in different stages. Also, laser hair removal does not work well with people with light hair such as blond and gray hair.

As you can see, the choices for hair removal are numerous. It ultimately comes down to your personal preference. Hopefully this article has given you the basics so you can make an educated decision on what method is right for you.