Laser technology can be used to remove unwanted hair from almost any part of the body, except areas near the eye. Some of the most frequently treated areas include the face, upper lip, neck, chest, underarms, and legs.

Electrolysis (ee-lehk-TRAWL-oh-sihs) and waxing are two methods of epilation (ep-ih-LAY- shun), or removal of hair below the skin's surface. So far, electrolysis is the only hair removal procedure that's considered permanent by the FDA (F-D-A).

There are three general stages of hair growth: anagen (AN-uh-jihn), or the active growth phase; catagen (CAT-uh-jihn), in which the follicle begins to shrink; and telogen (TEHL-oh-jihn), the dormant or resting phase.

Lasers are devices that use electrical energy to convert various substances like argon gas into high-intensity light. Depending on the substance used, a specific wavelength and color of light is generated.

Laser hair removal can't be designated as "permanent," because the technology hasn't been in use long enough for scientists to evaluate its effects over time.

The growth of hair is an extremely complex process that's controlled primarily by your endocrine (EHN-doh-krihn) system, which produces hormones. Hair arises from tube-like structures in the skin called follicles.