If you're 1 of the millions of people who have hair growing where you don't want it, today's good news is, you have a wide range of effective hair removal options available to you.

Reasons For Hair Removal

People's reasons for wanting hair removed run the gamut from medical necessity to "just because I feel like it." Many women include hair removal as part of their normal cosmetic routine. They shave their legs and underarms, pluck their eyebrows, and have pubic hair trimmed or removed to accommodate today's fashions.

Most men shave their facial hair, and men sometimes shave their body hair for cosmetic purposes, as well. To enhance their performance, their appearance, or both, many athletes -- particularly swimmers and body builders -- will undergo hair removal procedures.

Some people with hair growth disorders like hypertrichosis or hirsutism use hair removal procedures for medical reasons.

Temporary Or Permanent Removal

Hair removal procedures can be separated into 2 categories: temporary and permanent.

Temporary techniques work only for short periods of time, and are subject to the body's normal hair growth cycle. They include shaving, plucking, waxing, and a wide selection of creams. Most people use temporary hair removal procedures at home, but they can also be obtained in a spa or salon.

Permanent Hair Removal Techniques

The "Permanent" procedures outlined below seek to remove unwanted hair in such a way that it returns never or, at worst, over a long time period. These hair removal methods are normally performed by licensed hair removal specialists.

Electrolysis

With electrolysis each hair follicle is treated individually. A licensed specialist injects a needle into the hair follicle and induces an electric charge that destroys the follicle's ability to produce hair. This process can take months, depending upon the size of the area being treated. This is a somewhat painful process, and side effects can include scarring and infection. Costs for electrolysis can run as high as $3,000 for the pubic area or legs.

Laser

The laser hair removal process uses a small laser beam to destroy the hair follicles. This is a relatively painless method that works best on people with light-colored skin and dark hair. It is not recommended for anyone who is deeply tanned. It costs about $1,000 for removal of facial hair, and anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 for removal of hair from the legs and pubic area. Laser hair removal is an FDA-approved process, to be performed only by a licensed and trained professional.

Photo Epilation/Pulsed Laser

This FDA-approved procedure uses a pulsed light beam to destroy the hair follicles. Photo Epilation/Pulsed Laser is especially effective for removing hair from sensitive areas, such as the underarms and the bikini area. Unlike laser hair removal, this method has no restrictions regarding hair color, skin color, or tanning. Depending on the area of the body to be treated, costs can run from $500 to $2,000 and up.

Removal of unwanted hair, for any reason whatsoever, is easier and more available today than ever before.