Whether it's shaving, tweezing or waxing, the majority of us are constantly fighting the battle to remove unwanted hair. There are so many different types of hair removal products/methods on the market today that it is nearly impossible to choose one.

Before we get into the types of hair removal, let's find out about the types of hair we have. There are two types of hair, terminal and vellus. Terminal hair is dark, coarse and long. This type of hair is the hair we grow on our heads. It is also on the pubic region and armpits. Men also have this type of hair on their face, chest, legs and back. Terminal hair protects and cushions the skin.

Vellus hair is fine, soft and short. Many women have vellus hair on their face, back and chest. Vellus hair provides insulation and helps the body maintain a steady temperature.

Now that we've learned about the two different types of hair, let's explore the different types of hair removal. There are several different methods of hair removal, each with different degrees of effectiveness and ease of use. The different methods of hair removal are: shaving, tweezing, depilatory cream, waxing, electrolysis and laser hair removal.

Shaving is one of the most common forms of hair removal. It's easy to do and not very time-consuming. The results usually lasts between 1-3 days. Some of the draw-backs are: cuts, razor burn and bumps.

For longer lasting results, some people turn to tweezing. The results can last from 3-8 weeks. Some of the disadvantages of tweezing are that it is time-consuming , you can develop ingrown hairs and it can be painful. The areas generally tweezed are the upper lip, eyebrows and chin.

Depilatory creams remove hair from the skin's surface by breaking down the bonds that give the hair it's strength. This disintegrates the hair so that it can be rinsed or wiped away. The results can last for several days or up to 2 weeks. Depilatory creams are simple to use, however, some people may have a reaction to the chemicals in the cream. This could result in a rash or inflammation.

Like tweezing, waxing can produce some long lasting results, from 3-6 weeks. Warm or cold wax is spread on the skin over the unwanted hair. Then a cloth strip is placed on top of the wax and pulled off quickly, thus removing the unwanted hair. This can be a very painful process and can leave your skin red and inflamed. Hair must be about 1/4 of an inch thick to get the best results.

With electrolysis, a needle is inserted into the hair follicle and an electric current is sent to the root of the hair. This current kills the hair root. Results from electrolysis can be permanent, if done correctly by a professional. Some of the disadvantages are that it is very time-consuming and can be painful.

Laser hair removal is another long lasting method of hair removal. The results can last up to 6 months. A laser is aimed through the skin to the hair follicle where it stops hair growth. Large areas can be done at one time. Laser hair removal can be expensive and like other hair removal methods, can cause redness and inflammation.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Hair Removal

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