That said, very few methods get rid of hair permanently.

The hair removal method that’s right for you will depend on your needs and preferences.

This article discusses 10 ways to remove unwanted body hair.

A woman shaving her legs by the bath tub

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It explains how each hair-removal method works and the pros and cons of each.

Shaving

Shaving is an introduction to hair removal for many people when they’re young.

It’s also the most temporary method of hair removal and lasts one to three days.

Willliam Truswell, MD

Contrary to popular belief, shaving does not make the hair shaft thicker or darker.

It also does not make hair grow faster or slower.

It is best for single stray hairs that are long enough to grab.

What Is Trichotillomania?

This is a sign of trichotillomania, a rare condition on the obsessive-compulsive disorder spectrum.

Tweezing

Tweezing is a common method for removing unwanted stray hairs and shaping eyebrows.

It can take three to eight weeks for the hair to regrow after tweezing.

Waxing

Waxing can be done at home or in a salon.

Wax clings to hair, making it easy to remove multiple hairs at a time.

For best results, hair should be at least one-quarter inch (6 millimeters) long.

The results can last three to six weeks.

This could cause the skin to tear when the wax is removed.

Threading

Threading is a form of hair removal that’s most often used to shape eyebrows.

It is typically done in a salon, and the results last three to six weeks.

Thioglycolate disrupts the chemical bonds that hold skin and hair cells together (disulfide bonds).

Electrolysis

Electrolysisis a permanent form of hair removal that is performed in a salon.

It takes several sessions to be effective and can take 12 to 18 months to achieve desired results.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is used topermanently remove or reduce hair.

Laser hair removal should be performed by a professional.

It takes two to six treatments, spread out between four to six weeks, to be fully effective.

Noticeable results are usually seen after four to eight weeks of treatment.

You might have to try more than one to find the hair removal method that works best for you.

A Word From Verywell

Unwanted or excessive hair can negatively impact a person’s quality of life.

There are many ways that hair can be removed, from shaving and plucking to laser hair removal.

Each method has its pros and cons, but the best advice is to consult with a dermatologist.

American Family Physician.What should I know about removing unwanted facial hair?

Nemours.Waxing

American Academy of Dermatology.7 Ways to remove unwanted hair.

SugaringLA.Sugaring 101: How does it work?

Glow Up Studio.Brow threading.

Michigan Medicine.Electrolysis for removing hair.

American Academy of Dermatology.Laser hair removal: FAQs.

U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Eflornithine.

Food and Drug Administration.Vaniqa.

2016;23(5):1495-1501. doi:10.3109/10717544.2014.951746