What is the general term for the removal of hair by the roots?

The term that refers to the removal of hair by the roots is epilation. This process involves extracting hair from the follicle, which can be achieved through various methods such as waxing, tweezing, or using an epilator device. Since epilation removes the hair entirely from the root, it generally results in a smoother finish and longer-lasting results compared to methods that only cut the hair at the skin surface.

In contrast, depilation refers to the removal of hair at or near the surface of the skin, such as through shaving or the use of depilatory creams, which do not affect the hair root. Shaving is specifically the act of cutting hair with a razor and does not provide the same longevity as epilation. Trimming is merely shortening the hair without removing it from the root. Thus, the correct choice reflects the complete extraction of hair from the follicles, defining epilation as the appropriate term.