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12.22.2010

What is the best way to remove unwanted hair?

The pursuit of eliminating unwanted facial and body hair is a challenge for desi skin.  Dark hair and brown skin poses a unique set of challenges.  The most important factors in selecting the best means of hair removal are as follows:
  1. Longevity (hopefully permanent) removal of hair
  2. Ease of removal (painless, limited number of sessions)
  3. No side effects of scarring
  4. Price

Below is a brief summary of these four factors.




Threading
This is the least expensive and perhaps one of the easiest means of removal.
  1. Longevity:  Threading is only a temporary form of hair removal. Hair typically grows back within 1-3 weeks
  2. Ease of removal:  Can be painful. Usually threading is limited to small areas such as upper lip, or eyebrows
  3. Side effects:  minimal 
  4. Price:  inexpensive 
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Waxing
Similar to threading
  1.  Durability:  Similar to threading in that hair typically grows back 1-3 weeks
  2. Ease of removal: Typically waxing is less painful than threading and can be done on larger areas (ie leg, back, etc)
  3. Side effects:  Minimal although small chance of discoloration/irritation. Unfortunately, waxing may lead to ingrown hairs that may then scar in desi skin.
  4. Price:  inexpensive 
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Electrolysis
A permanent means of hair removal but has fallen out of vogue with newer laser treatments that equal permanent nature of hair removal without the large time commitment.
  1.  Durability:  US FDA approved as a permanent means of hair reduction
  2. Ease of removal:   Painful.  Needle placed into individual follicles.  Requires multiple sessions.  Very time consuming.
  3. Side effects:   very safe, there is a small risk of discoloration and scarring if not done properly.  If you opt for electrolysis, make sure your technician is a board certified electrologist.
  4. Price:  moderately expensive (from $15 to $100 a treatment) 
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Laser
There are multiple types of lasers. In our next blog we will discuss which laser is best for desi skin tones – stay tuned! 
  1. Durability:  if done properly laser can reduce hair growth permanently by 80- 95% 
  2. Ease of removal: Quick and relatively painless if done properly. Your dermatologist may use numbing cream or cold air to help minimize pain.
  3. Side effects:  If done by an experienced dermatologist side effects should be minimal. However, laser in desi skin is tricky. If not done properly there are many risks of laser- burns, discoloration, and scarring to name a few. 
  4. Price: depending on area, can be between $100 (lip) to $400 (back) a session. If done properly, it should only take 4-6 treatments to achieve permanent hair reduction. Thus, laser and electrolysis eventually end up costing the same. 

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