Removing unwanted hair is a fairly simple process today and various options are available to both men and women. Choosing the best method or a combination of methods depends on factors like cost, time available, skin type, desired hair-free area and the required frequency of the chosen method.

You need to choose a certified practitioner to carry out any method and if you are doing at home you need to be completely sure about the technique and the quality of products used.

Options available

Shaving (Duration it lasts: barely 24 hours) It is the most common method of depilation used by men and women world over. Hair are removed using a razor and mostly with the help of a lubricating or lathering agent such as shaving cream, sop, gel, or foam. The razor used could be electric or manual.

Advantages:
1. Painless method if done correctly.
2. Is very quick and saves time.
3. Result is smooth.
4. Can be done at home.
5. Economical.

Disadvantages:
1. Can cause nicks, abrasions, cuts, and irritation of skin. 2. Is not long lasting, within 24 hours youll see stubble. 3. People with curly hair may suffer from razor bumps or ingrown hair. 4. The blunt end of the re grown hair can cause considerable discomfort in tender areas like the bikini area.

Tweezing or plucking (Duration it lasts: 1-2 days. The growth is however slow and some women might need to repeat the process once in two weeks.) An easy method, tweezing or plucking requires the use metal tweezers or forceps to pull out one hair at a time by the root. Advantages:
1. Quick and easy method to pluck eyebrows and stray hair on face.

Disadvantages:
1. Difficult for large areas.
2. May cause pitting, scarring and ingrown hair.

Waxing (Duration it lasts: 1-2 days. The growth is however slow and some women might need to repeat the process once three to eight weeks.) To wax you need to spread a thin layer of cold or hot wax in the direction of the hair growth and then press a cloth or porous paper strip over it. Pull the strip against the direction of hair growth.

Advantages:
1. The new hair growth is soft.
2. Required frequency is less.
3. Not very expensive

Disadvantages:
1. Time consuming.
2. Messy.
3. You cant do some areas yourself.

Electrolysis
(Duration it lasts: Permanent, if done properly.) A hair-thin metal probe is inserted in the hair pore and follicle is bunt permanently with electricity. The damage is local and effective when done by an experienced cosmetologist.

Advantages:
1. Permanent hair removal.

Disadvantages:
1. Can be very expensive.
2. Takes a long time, hence is more suitable for smaller areas.
3. If not done properly it can lead to hair regrowth and skin damage.

There are other less popular methods like Flashlamps, depilatories, laser, sugaring and many more. You must choose the method or methods best suited to you in consultation with your cosmetologist. When choosing the practitioner, ensure that the practitioner:
1. Is certified
2. Has had experience with the procedure he/she is offering you
3. Has an established outlet
4. Can support the claims about the procedure with clinically published data.
5. Has satisfied customers you have interacted with.