Editing Hair removal (section)

==Clinical comparisons of effectiveness==
A 2006 review article in the journal "Lasers in Medical Science" compared intense pulsed light (IPL) and both alexandrite and diode lasers. The review found no statistical difference in effectiveness, but a higher incidence of side effects with diode laser-based treatment. Hair reduction after 6 months was reported as 68.75% for alexandrite lasers, 71.71% for diode lasers, and 66.96% for IPL. Side effects were reported as 9.5% for alexandrite lasers, 28.9% for diode lasers, and 15.3% for IPL. All side effects were found to be temporary and even [[pigmentation]] changes returned to normal within 6 months.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Toosi P, Sadighha A, Sharifian A, Razavi GM | title = A comparison study of the efficacy and side effects of different light sources in hair removal | journal = Lasers in Medical Science | volume = 21 | issue = 1 | pages = 1–4 | date = April 2006 | pmid = 16583183 | doi = 10.1007/s10103-006-0373-2 | s2cid = 10093379 }}</ref>

A 2006 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that alexandrite and diode lasers caused 50% hair reduction for up to 6 months, while there was no evidence of hair reduction from intense pulsed light, neodymium-YAG or ruby lasers.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Haedersdal M, Gøtzsche PC | title = Laser and photoepilation for unwanted hair growth | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | issue = 4 | pages = CD004684 | date = October 2006 | pmid = 17054211 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD004684.pub2 }}</ref>

===Experimental or banned methods===
* [[Photodynamic therapy]] for hair removal (experimental)
* [[X-ray]] hair removal is an efficient, and usually permanent, hair removal method, but also causes severe health problems, occasional disfigurement, and even death.<ref name="milday">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oAFSBBLU_UUC&q=x-ray+hair+removal+banned+fda&pg=PT250|title=Milady's Hair Removal Techniques: A Comprehensive Manual| vauthors = Bickmore H |access-date=2014-02-10|isbn=978-1401815554|year=2004|publisher=Thomson Delmar Learning }}</ref> It is illegal in the United States.

===Doubtful methods===
Many methods have been proposed or sold over the years without published clinical proof they can work as claimed.
* [[Electric tweezers]]
* Transdermal electrolysis
* Transcutaneous hair removal
* Microwave hair removal
* [[Food]]s and [[dietary supplements]]
* Non-[[prescription drug|prescription]] topical preparations (also called "hair inhibitors", "hair retardants", or "hair growth inhibitors")