Final answer:
Depilatory creams are the only option listed that do not provide permanent hair removal; they work by breaking down the protein structure of hair above the skin surface through the action of chemicals like thioglycolic acid. Electrolysis, Laser hair removal, and IPL are more permanent solutions.
Step-by-step explanation:
All of the following are permanent hair removal methods except:
- Electrolysis
- Laser hair removal
- Depilatory creams
- Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy
The correct answer is c) Depilatory creams. The methods listed as a), b), and d) are known to be longer-lasting or permanent hair removal techniques. Depilatory creams, however, are a form of depilation, not hair removal. Depilation is the removal of the part of the hair above the skin's surface and does not have a lasting effect.
Depilatory creams, such as Nair, Magic Shave, and Veet, use chemicals to break down the disulfide bonds of keratin in the hair, making it weak enough to be wiped away. This process is temporary because it only removes hair above the skin surface, and it typically involves active ingredients like salts of thioglycolic acid. Despite breaking down the hair structure, depilatory creams do not destroy the dermal papilla that is responsible for hair growth; therefore, the hair will eventually grow back.