There are a number of techniques and treatments that claim to have the effect of permanent hair removal. However while many of these methods may remove unwanted hair, most do not do so permanently so the hair does not grow back.

Waxing and Plucking
These methods remove the whole hair, including the root, and can be uncomfortable and painful. This does not stop the hair from regrowing, although removal of the root means that regrowth is delayed compared to hair that has only been shaved. To remove hair from large areas, waxing is the fastest and cheapest hair removal treatment, with results lasting 3-8 weeks.

Laser and Flash Lamp, or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Some brands of lasers have been cleared by health and medical authorities to use the term “permanent hair reduction.” Laser results vary greatly by client and by type of laser used. Many laser clients do not seem to respond to treatment and do not have permanent hair removal. Ideal laser patients have light coloured skin and dark coloured hair.

Multiple treatments at regular intervals may significantly increase the effectiveness of the hair removal, but consumers may reach a point of diminishing returns where the amount of improvement gets less and less.

Laser treatment to permanently remove hair can be painful, slow, costly, and can cause skin damage if not done properly. Also, if not done properly, the treatment is less effective. To minimize these risks it is advised to go to a certified light-based practitioner after getting a recommendation from an existing client.

Flash lamps (IPL) are similar to lasers, but with often higher rates of skin side effects and usually less efficacy.

Electrolysis
Electrolysis has been proven to permanently remove hair, but the treatment can be painful, slow, costly, and can cause permanent skin damage if not done properly. Some patients (anywhere from 7% to 10%) do not seem to respond to treatment. To minimize these risks, go to a certified professional.

Attempting your own electrolysis at home is only recommended when you have just a very small number of hairs to remove, due to the likelihood of causing permanent skin damage. Electrolysis is difficult and time-consuming and the failure rate for at home electrolysis is very high.

Personal electrolysis units cost less than $100, whereas a professional unit can cost from hundreds (used) to thousands (new).