Unwanted hair causes many problems. Women who suffer from hirsutism or hypertrichosis have embarrassing amounts of hair, sometimes in body areas not normally associated with hair. This causes a variety of psychological, social and cosmetic problems. Other people, both men and women, have hair in areas where they do not desire them. For example, on the upper lip or chin in women.

Unwanted hair is an intractable problem. While there are a number of ways to deal with unwanted hair on a temporary basis, no conventional method promises a permanent end to this problem.