Pain level 4

To get your facial hair plucked, all you need is a fine pair of tweezers or a talented threading professional. Plucking or tweezing works best when restricted to smaller areas of hair growth, as the process is time-consuming and tedious.

Fast Facts: Threading, like shaving, can sometimes leave you with a green shadow, while electric epilators can be painful and hardly recommended for delicate areas like the underarms and the bikini line.Braun's Silk Epil (Rs.3400), Phillips Epilator and Panasonic's Ladies' Epilator (Rs.3990) are some of the epilator choices available in the market.

Waxing

Pain level 3

This is by far the most popular method of hair removal amongst Indian woman and ideal for those with thicker, more stubborn hair growth. You can choose from wax or sugar wax, which is applied warm and peeled off with cellophane waxing strips, or ready cold wax strips that are less messy and more convenient for self-use.

Image Courtesy: Bio Honey Cold Wax

Fast Facts: Kaya's Dr. Aparna Santhanam busts the myth that any method of temporary hair removal causes the hair to grow back thicker. But with constant follicle damage the hair growth may lessen with time. For a lasting, smooth result, the wax must be applied along the hair growth and peeled at one go in the opposite direction.

Electrolysis

Pain level 2

This method uses a mild electric current to burn each hair at the root itself, preventing re-growth.

Fast Facts: Unfortunately, electrolysis is a backbreaking 'blind procedure' that often triggers side effects, like allergic reactions and hyperpigmentation (discolouring of the skin), as one cannot see the targeted root. Moreover, there's a high risk of scarring.

Laser Hair Removal

Pain level 1

If you're looking for permanent reduction of hair re-growth and money is no constraint, then laser hair removal might be a good option. The Ndyag laser at Kaya is certified safe for darker Indian skin tones that might otherwise be damaged by a regular laser.

Fast Facts: This pricey procedure takes several sittings, and is ideal for targeting smaller areas on the face, the underarms or the bikini line. Getting just your upper lip done could cost you Rs 1700 per session or Rs.7800 (approx) for a seven-session package.