Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved1 method to permanently remove all types and colors of hair. Hair removal comparison

Method Process Body parts Skin types Considerations Maintenance

Electrolysis A micro pulse of current All All Mild pain to virtually No maintenance* is applied to the hair painless. required because hair is follicle, which eliminates permanently removed. the hair and the potential for that hair to regrow.

Laser A laser heats the melanin All, including eyebrows if eye Less effective for dark Can be painful; mild Though hair may be around the hair, which protection is used. skinned/dark haired to significant irritation permanently reduced, eliminates the hair. individuals or those with and skin discoloration is lifetime maintenance is light-colored hair. possible. required.

Waxing and A thick layer of wax (or a Not suitable for some Not suitable for people Significant pain, Lifetime maintenance sugaring heated sugar mixture) is sensitive areas of the body; with diabetes or especially in sensitive is required. applied to the skin and sugaring especially may not circulatory problems. areas. pulled off with paper, be a good choice for nipples removing the unwanted or genitals. hair by the roots.

Shaving Wet skin is prepared with Not suitable for some All Low-cost option. Lifetime maintenance cream or soap lather sensitive areas of the body. Painless but may cause is required. and shaved with a sharp irritation. blade (razor).

Depilatories Chemical depilatories Not suitable around the eyes, Not suitable for Painless but may Lifetime maintenance dissolve hair into a jelly- and other sensitive areas of chemically sensitive cause irritation; strong is required. like substance, which is the body. skin. chemical odor. wiped away.

Tweezing and Individual hairs are Face and unwanted All Can be painful and Lifetime maintenance threading removed from the follicle individual hairs; not suitable time-consuming. Not is required. by tweezers. Threading for large areas of hair recommended for removes hair by twisting removal. hormonally induced hair in a thread and see- hairs. sawing across the skin.

*Changes in health, such as hormones or medicines, may cause new hair follicles to develop hair in previously treated areas. 1 FDA, “Removing Hair Safely,” www.fda.gov, June 2010, retrieved May 2012.