Depilation is the process of removing unwanted hair from the body chemically or mechanically. It is also known as hair removal or epilation. Hair grows all over the human body and can vary in thickness and length across human populations. Hair becomes more visible during and after puberty, and men tend to have thicker, more visible body hair than women. Both males and females have visible body hair on the head, eyebrows, eyelashes, armpits, genital area, arms, and legs. Males and some females may also have thicker hair growth on their face, abdomen, back, buttocks, anus, areola, chest, nostrils, and ears.
Depilation methods include waxing, sugaring, and the use of depilatory devices. Depilation is the removal of hair using these methods, which involve mechanical pulling of hairs from their roots. Depilation is different from epilation, which is the removal of the entire hair, including the part below the skin, and lasts longer than depilation. Hair removal may be practiced for cultural, aesthetic, hygienic, sexual, medical, or religious reasons.
