Comparison

SHAVING
A simple depilatory hair removal method that is most commonly used. They don’t have a permanent result and you will see stubbles even from the second day you shaved.

PROS: Quick, inexpensive, an especially close shave, refreshing and reinvigorates the skin with use of shaving lotions.
CONS: Stubble reappears quickly, risk of cuts and nicks to the skin, risk of ingrown hair if blade is not sharp.

SUGARING/WAXING
Using a technique which originated in Egypt, a paste made primarily of sugar is applied to the surface of the skin. The paste is then removed using a taking the hair along with it. A wax combination is spread thinly over the skin. A cloth strip is pressed on the top and then ripped off with a quick movement removing the wax along with the hair and dead skin cells leaving the skin smooth.

PROS: Hair growth is slower, cheap over-the-counter.
CONS: Painful, tedious & messy, hair regrowth will be faster through time.

DEPILATORY
A depilatory is a preparation in the form of a powder, liquid or cream that is used to remove unwanted hair from the body. A depilatory removes hair on the skin’s surface in comparison to epilatory method that removes hairs from the root.

PROS: Easy to apply, widely available over the counter, quick.
CONS: Possible allergic skin reaction to the strong chemicals, messy application, unpleasant odor, results vary widely.

ELECTROLYSIS HAIR REMOVAL
Electrolysis refers to the destruction of hair roots with an electric current. Very fine metal probes are inserted into the hair follicle. A small electric current is then applied which destroys the hair root. Each hair has to be treated individually.
PROS: Permanent results.
CONS: Painful, expensive, might take years to achieve permanent result.
If the procedure is not carried out by professionals, there is the risk of permanent skin damage resulting in a scarring or pitting of the skin.

LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Laser systems emit a gentle beam of light that passes through the skin to the hair follicle.
The hair absorbs it, the energy from the laser is transformed into heat and the hair follicle is disabled.
PROS: Permanent, less painful than electrolysis, faster result.
CONS: Expensive, semi-permanent result, NOT SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE.
Persons with light skin are the easiest to treat, requiring less sessions as the results are faster. Persons with dark skin or sun tanned skin take longer to get results because melanin, the dark pigment in hair, is also present in skin. Melanin absorbs some of the laser light. There is the danger of dark skin being burned in these instances so a laser beam with a lower energy level is used. For this reason also a higher level of expertise is required on the part of the clinic.

Cost Comparison Estimates based on full leg treatment