How to Remove Unwanted Hair Permanently

Co-authored by Kaveri Karhade, MD and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: June 21, 2022 References

We all have body hair, but that doesn't make unwanted hair any less annoying. Fortunately, unwanted hair is a problem you can solve! You have lots of options for getting rid of your unwanted hair, and most of them give you long-lasting results. ^{[1]
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American Academy of Family Physicians
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Go to source} We’ve compiled a list of the best ways to get rid of unwanted hair so you can find the right one for you.

1

Visit a dermatologist for electrolysis treatments.

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Electrolysis removes any amount of hair from anywhere on your body. Make an appointment with a dermatologist who performs electrolysis. During your appointment, they'll insert a wire into your hair follicle to emit a painless shock. The shock will damage your hair follicle and cause the hair to fall out. You'll attend weekly or biweekly appointments for around a year to get rid of hair permanently. ^{[2]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Ask your doctor ahead of time how many treatments you’ll need, as it varies from person to person. Most people undergo electrolysis treatment weekly or every other week until their hair is gone, which can take up to 18 months. Your appointments will usually last from as short as 15 minutes up to 1 hour.
- A single electrolysis appointment can range in cost from as low as $30 for a small area like your face or as high as $200 for a larger area like your legs. In total, you'll likely pay thousands of dollars over the course of a year to remove the hair permanently.

2

Undergo laser hair removal treatments.

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This removes hair from anywhere on your body for up to 6 months. Go to a dermatologist who does laser hair removal treatments. At your appointment, your doctor will direct a laser at your hair follicles to stop their growth. ^{[3]
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Mayo Clinic
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Go to source} Get at least 6 treatments before you look for results. ^{[4]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
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- Laser hair removal sometimes gets rid of hair permanently. However, you may need to go back in 6 months for a touch-up. ^{[5]
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- Laser hair removal works best on people who have lighter skin and dark hair. However, it can work on other skin tones. Consult your doctor to find out if it might be a good option for you. ^{[6]
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  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
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- Laser hair removal may cost around $100 for a small area, such as your face. However, expect to pay around $500 for larger areas, like your legs.
- Be sure to avoid certain antibiotics and retinoids for 1-2 weeks prior to your appointment. You also want to shave 1-2 days before the procedure to minimize your risk of hyper-pigmentation and burns. ^{[7]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kaveri Karhade, MD
  Board Certified Dermatologist
  
  Expert Interview. 11 January 2021.}

3

Treat facial hair with an eflornithine cream.

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Try eflornithine cream to slowly reduce facial hair. This prescription cream is great for women who have excess facial hair. Eflornithine cream won't remove your hair, but it'll prevent new hairs from growing. Generally, it takes 4 to 6 weeks for the cream to start working. Talk to your doctor to find out if this prescription cream is right for you. ^{[8]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
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- Keep in mind that it won’t totally get rid of your unwanted facial hair, and the hair will grow back if you stop treatment.
- Eflornithine cream can cause skin irritation and acne as side effects. Additionally, you'll need a prescription from a doctor to get the cream.

4

Take antiandrogen medication for unwanted facial hair.

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Use antiandrogens to reduce facial hair growth caused by hormones. Androgens are hormones that can cause excess hair growth, especially in women. Fortunately, your doctor can prescribe antiandrogen medications to reduce these hormones in your body. ^{[9]
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Research source} Take your medication for about 6 months before you start expecting results. ^{[10]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Your doctor may want to pair the antiandrogens with birth control pills to help regulate your hormones. Talk to your doctor about your personal needs to find out if this is right for you.

5

Wax your unwanted hair.

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Waxing removes hair from anywhere on your body for 3 to 6 weeks. Waxing is generally more painful than tweezing or using a depilatory cream, but it usually lasts longer. You can also wax any size area on your body. ^{[11]
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Research source} Grab a home kit if you want to do it yourself, or visit a salon for a professional waxing. ^{[12]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
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- Wait until hair is at least .25 to .75 in (0.64 to 1.91 cm) long. Don’t try to wax the area when your hair is too short because the hair won’t stick to the wax.
- Home wax kits range in price from $10 to $25. Since waxing can take time to learn, you may want to see a professional esthetician at first. Waxing a small area can cost as low as $15 to $25. A large area, like your legs, could start at around $50.

6

Tweeze away small patches of hair.

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Tweezing gets rid of hair easily for 3 to 8 weeks. Since tweezing is time consuming, it's only good for small patches of hair. Although you can tweeze hair from anywhere on your body, it's best for your eyebrows or stray hairs. Keep in mind that tweezing can cause some discomfort. ^{[13]
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- You’ll likely experience redness and skin irritation after tweezing, but it usually goes away. Try holding an ice cube wrapped in a washcloth against the area to soothe it.

7

Use an epilator to pluck hairs from larger areas.

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An epilator gets rid of hair for about 3 to 8 weeks. An epilator is a mechanical device that pulls patches of hair out at the roots. You can buy an epilator from your local drug store or online. It will work anywhere on your body, but don't use it on your eyebrows. It's very effective for removing hair, but it won't allow you to precisely shape your brows. ^{[14]
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- You can get an epilator for as little as $25.

8

Visit a salon for eyebrow threading.

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Threading shapes your eyebrows with results lasting 4 to 5 weeks. Since threading takes a lot of time to master, it’s not a good idea to attempt it on your own unless you’re trained. Research local salons to find an esthetician who’s trained to do threading. At your appointment, sit back and relax while your esthetician banishes your unwanted hair. Your esthetician will roll 2 twisted cotton threads over the hair to pull it out. You’ll likely experience some discomfort. ^{[15]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- Threading can cost as low as $25.

9

Use depilatory cream anywhere on your body.

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Depilatory creams only last for 1-2 weeks. You can quickly and easily get rid of unwanted hair using a depilatory cream. These products remove any amount of hair, and you can use them anywhere on your body. Best of all, they're painless! ^{[16]
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- Don’t use a depilatory cream that irritates, burns, or damages your skin. ^{[17]
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  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
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- Depilatory creams are sold over-the-counter for around $10 to $15. Formulas are labeled for use on your face or body, depending on your needs.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What should you not do before laser hair removal?

Kaveri Karhade, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Kaveri Karhade is a board certified Laser, Medical, and Cosmetic Dermatologist in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her areas of expertise are acne and hair loss. She has advanced training in injectables, lasers, surgery, and other cosmetic treatments, and has published extensive research in medical journals. She holds a BS from Michigan State University and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Michigan Medical School. She completed her internship in Internal Medicine at New York University School of Medicine and her Residency in Dermatology at Brown University School of Medicine. Dr. Karhade is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Kaveri Karhade, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Don't tan your skin before the procedure, as tanned skin is more likely to develop pigmentation changes with the laser.

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Tips

Stay out of the sun for at least a day after you remove your hair, unless you used tweezers or an epilator. Most hair removal treatments make your skin sensitive. ^{[18]
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In most cases, it’s not possible to permanently get rid of hair. However, you can achieve smooth skin for several weeks at a time. ^{[19]
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American Academy of Family Physicians
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Excess hair isn’t unhealthy and doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you. Don’t feel pressured to get rid of your face or body hair. ^{[20]
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Warnings

Laser hair treatments sometimes cause scarring, blistering, and pigment changes, most often on darker skin. ^{[21]
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Mayo Clinic
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Kaveri Karhade, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist

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How to Remove Unwanted Hair Permanently

Steps

Visit a dermatologist for electrolysis treatments.

Undergo laser hair removal treatments.

Treat facial hair with an eflornithine cream.

Take antiandrogen medication for unwanted facial hair.

Wax your unwanted hair.

Tweeze away small patches of hair.

Use an epilator to pluck hairs from larger areas.

Visit a salon for eyebrow threading.

Use depilatory cream anywhere on your body.

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

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