Electrolysis is the only permanent method of hair removal. It's usually expensive and takes longer than you think. Don't expect one session to clear all your hairs for ever. Ask for an estimate if you want some idea on how long it is going to take some heavy growths of hair can take years to remove completely. Lighter growths, especially if you haven't plucked, creamed or waxed before, may need only five sessions. Choose your operator carefully because you can be scarred in the hands of an unskilful eletrolysist.

There are two main methods of treatment diathermy or galvanism, but diathermy or short wave is more widely used and is quicker. With this, an electric current is passed through a fine needle into the hair follicle to kill the hair at the root. With galvanism, each hair is destroyed with an indirect current and the needle is held in place for at least 10 seconds.

Does it hurt? That depends everybody's pain threshold varies but it is usually considered bearable. Sometimes just a stinging sensation is experienced. Small spots may appear after the treatment but with a skilled operator, you shouldn't get any permanent scarring. You can only go by reputation and recommendation. And if you aren't satisfied, don't continue with the same operator. Prices vary depending on the area, so 'shop around' before your first session.

After treatment keep the skin dry, cleanse with cream not water; don't use skin tonic; try to do without make up for 24 hours; use calamine lotion on any spots or rash.

In between sessions, electrolysists prefer clients to cut hair with scissorsnot to pluck, wax or use depilatory creams.

It's probably a good idea to have electrolysis on your face or for odd hairs on the body legs might prove too expensive or for the backs of your upper thighs, where it is difficult for you to reach.

Although there's a do it yourself ,electric pencil' on the market, it isn't advisable to use it because it takes skill to insert a needle into a hair follicle and you could cause scarring or other disfigurement.

Disguising hair on the face with cosmetics isn't successful and the ways to disguise leg hair are obviously dark, thick stockings or trousers. If you are embarrassed about hairy arms you can always wear long sleeves. But the real answer with. unwanted hair is not to disguise but, to remove with one of the above methods. Whichever you choose, don't worry and get a phobia about it... like the young girl who wore a thick scarf up to her eyes even in summer so she could hide the dark down on her upper lip.

Most people have it ... but you don't have to if you don't want it. That's one of the comforting aspects of modern science.