Facial hair - the bare facts

Electrolysis: This procedure uses low-level electricity to kill, or render inactive, the hair follicles. On the upside, results last longer than with waxing and depilatories, but the process can be time consuming and costly. Finding a reputable practitioner is key because electrolysis performed incorrectly can cause scarring. Before you begin treatment, ask for referrals from former clients, and make sure that your practitioner uses a new needle for each session. Electrolysis has the best results on women with white or very blonde hair and for women who have isolated areas of unwanted hair.

Laser hair removal: This is the newest weapon for hair removal. The ideal candidate for laser work has fair skin and dark hair, but darker-skinned women can have good results with an experienced laser practitioner. Overall, laser hair removal is not very effective on light blonde or white hair. Before you begin laser treatment, you should consult a dermatologist to determine if you are a good candidate. You also want to make sure that the person treating you (whether it's a doctor, registered nurse or qualified beauty consultant) is experienced. The three most important questions to ask during a consultation are:

How many patients have you treated?
You'll want to find a doctor who offers this treatment regularly, and not just as a one-off.

What kind of results can I expect?
Make sure your doctor gives you a knowledgeable, thorough, yet realistic explanation of what's to come.

Do you own the laser or rent it?
If the doctor owns the laser, this indicates he or she has committed a significant amount financially and is more likely to use the laser as a regular part of his or her practice.

Although laser hair removal is often billed as permanent, a more realistic expectation is that you'll see a 50 to 70 per cent reduction of hair after three treatments, performed six weeks apart. On facial areas, maintenance treatments are usually necessary for complete removal. Depending on what part of the country you live in, charges for laser hair removal range. Most UK salons recommend four or five sessions, and almost all offer a discount for a course of, say, five or six treatments.

Finally, because laser rays can penetrate deeply, you should avoid this treatment on your eyebrows and in between your eyes. Instead, try tweezing, waxing or electrolysis for better results.