Electrolysis

• Electrolysis was invented more than 100 years ago and involves inserting an electric probe into the hair follicle to damage it so that it no longer is capable of growing hair. Areas of the body that can be treated effectively by electrolysis are eyebrows, legs, abdomen, the pubic area, breasts and face. Although there are no permanent side effects, the process can be painful--though modern methods have reduced much of the discomforts of the procedure--and may leave the area red for some days afterward. As of 2009, the average cost of electrolysis procedures range from $300 for upper lip hair removal to $26,000 for an entire back.
  
  

Laser Hair Removal

• Laser hair removal is the process of causing inflammation within the hair follicle by heating it with a laser. This damage sends the hair follicle into a resting phase and stops growth. The laser produces pulses of energy that target the melanin pigment within the hair shaft, so it is important not to inadvertently target the areas around it, which could alter skin coloration. People with dark skin are more vulnerable to the negative effects of laser hair removal since they are more likely to lose noticeable pigmentation.
  
  The process involves three to five treatments over a period of four to eight weeks. Follow-up procedures may be necessary to ensure that the area remains hair-free. The average cost in 2009 is about $400 for a treatment, and a series of four treatments is usually necessary.
  
  

Flashlamps

• Some people report permanent hair reduction through the use of flashlamps: full-spectrum light and low-range infrared radiation delivered to the skin through a specialized hand-held lamp. This method causes thermal damage to the hair follicle while sparing (theoretically) the skin around it. When regrowth occurs, it is usually lighter in pigmentation than the hair that previously grew from the follicle, and there is less of it.
  
  This method works best on light-skinned people with darker hair. When used properly, it is generally considered safe, though long-term studies do not exist about the overall safety to the skin, and improper use can cause burns and blemishes on the skin. Laser lamp hair removal procedures cost anywhere from $50-$200 as of 2009, depending on how much hair is being removed and the part of the body that is being treated.