When will we have an easy way to deaden hair follicles?

I realize that laser hair removal works pretty well, but it is painful and very expensive. And waxing can cause infections and is only temporary, as are the other methods like shaving and depilatories. Why hasn't someone been able to invent some kind of tropical cream or liquid that kills hair follicles? It's not like you're messing with the sweat glands...we need those.