Hair removal… At a time when we have the opportunity to get a new skin, there are different techniques available to us to get rid of our hair: the most common ones like the razor and depilatory cream, the most efficient ones like the electric epilator and wax, or the more “long-lasting” ones that combine perfection and tranquility over the long term like thermolysis, pulsed light and laser. All techniques are very different. Which one works best and for the longest? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method? Today, Maison Magnifisens offers you to take stock of the situation in order to choose without making a mistake!
With the first three hair removal methods, you can be assured of permanently smooth and clean legs, a bikini area that is always impeccable…
These techniques take time, and the best time to start is now! When the weather returns next spring, you will be hair free.
Laser hair removal is now widespread. This technique has been democratized and its prices have dropped. The devices have been diversified, refined and improved.
Permanent laser hair removal remains an aesthetic medical procedure and should only be carried out by competent and qualified personnel. This is the only guarantee that the conditions for using the laser will be respected.
The laser uses a powerful light beam with a single wavelength to destroy the hair root in a targeted manner.
– The laser can be performed on all skin phototypes from 1 to 6.
– It can be done on a lightly tanned skin.
– Process security.
– Excellent effectiveness on light to dark hair (not effective on white hair and down).
– The laser is the solution to solve definitively the problems of ingrown hairs.
– Speed! Today, half legs can be treated in 20 minutes or underarms in 5 minutes, for example.
– Comfort. The technique has evolved well. The sessions are painless (even if it remains less comfortable on the delicate areas).
– The skin is immediately softer.
– The hair is finer in record time.
– It takes about 6 to 8 sessions to permanently eradicate your hair.
– Not effective on white hair and down.
– Painful sensitivity on certain delicate areas (variable from one person to another and may require the application of anaesthetic cream before the treatment on the area to be depilated).
– Impossible to do laser on tattoos, skin lesions and scars.
– Impossible to do laser if you are pregnant.
– Photosensitizing drug treatments are not compatible.
– It is important to respect the recommendations for exposure to the sun in order to avoid pigmentation spots.
Permanent laser hair removal must be performed under a doctor’s supervision. Before any treatment, a medical consultation must take place to answer all your questions, to check if there are any contraindications, to explain the procedure and to perform a test on a small area to evaluate your tolerance.
During the sessions, you must wear protective glasses.
The future will be with lasers. The latest generation of devices allow a better management, both in terms of skin phototype and tolerance threshold. Today’s laser is not what it used to be, it hurts much less (and is even almost painless).
The cost is still high compared to other techniques, even if it has already dropped significantly. But above all, in the long term, laser hair removal is a profitable investment. It is the only technique that can really be described as permanent hair removal.
The pulsed light device sends a beam of several wavelengths of low intensity energy with varying power. Some devices only weaken the hair and others are able to destroy it.
This technique can be performed either by a beautician or by a doctor. Intense pulsed light devices are available on the market, very practical and easy to use, to remove hair at home.
– Intense Pulsed Light is a non-invasive technique that is well tolerated as long as the safety instructions are followed.
– This technique is almost painless. One can feel a sensation of attenuated pain or even tingling, but it remains much less painful than waxing or electric depilation.
– Price. Even if Intense Pulsed Light is more expensive than a classical non-definitive hair removal, it is still cheaper than laser.
– Efficiency. Intense pulsed light gives a very good result, even if it is more of a semi-definitive hair removal (one or two sessions per year are needed for maintenance).
With Intense Pulsed Light, count on one session every 15 days for the first two or three months, followed by one session every 2 months for 6 to 12 months. The recommended number of sessions is usually more than 10.
– Intense Pulsed Light is ineffective on down, white hair and very light hair (Intense Pulsed Light is really effective on light skin and dark hair).
– It is necessary to avoid the sun during the treatment and 15 days after the last sessions.
– Even if the device is easy to use, it is essential to respect the safety instructions and to adjust the intensity of the light energy according to the colour of the skin to avoid burns or even hyperpigmentation of the skin.
– Pulsed light cannot be used on black skin.
– This technique is not recommended for teenagers (rather recommended from the age of 20).
– It is forbidden to practice this technique while taking certain light-sensitive medications.
– Intense pulsed light is also not compatible with anticoagulant treatment.
– Impossible to use pulsed light on recent scars or varicose veins.
– Impossible to do pulsed light if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Le principe de l’épilation par électrolyse consiste à détruire le poil en diffusant du courant électrique de faible intensité dans son bulbe. Cette méthode doit être pratiquée par un médecin expérimenté. En plantant une fine aiguille dans le bulbe, le professionnel brûle le bulbe du poil en actionnant une décharge électrique.
– This technique is effective on white hair and very dark skin.
– It is ideal for small areas such as the face.
– This is an old method that has been around for a long time.
– It is final.
– This method is long, because we burn hair by hair. A session can last up to 2 hours!
– Anything that comes in contact with the tip of the needle is burned. It is therefore essential that this technique be performed by an experienced physician.
– Pain also remains a barrier to this method.
The electric epilator occupies an interesting place among the tools used to remove hair. It remains a good compromise between the durability of the results, the ease of use (to do it yourself at home) and the price.
Its principle is simple: extract the hair with its bulb.
– More effective over time than the razor.
– Active even on short and fine hairs, unlike the wax which requires a certain length.
– Easy to use: to be done at home with an electric plug.
– Pain, especially in certain sensitive areas (variable depending on the individual).
– Not all areas are easily accessible.
– Risk of a no-go zone.
– There is also a risk of ingrown hairs.
Cold wax comes in strips with the wax glued on. The strips should be heated between the hands and then applied to the area and pulled out in the opposite direction of hair growth.
– Accessible and can be done at home.
– Duration of effectiveness from 15 days to three weeks
– Pain, especially in certain sensitive areas (varies from individual to individual)
– Poor hair extraction resulting in many broken and ingrown hairs.
– The sticky aspect of the wax which can leave traces (it is necessary to clean well after the session).
– Its ineffectiveness on fine hairs (a minimum length of 7 to 8 mm is required).
– The difficulty in reaching the back areas. Sometimes you have to do gymnastics to remove them and make sure you pull the strips off properly.
Hot waxing is the most common technique, both for individuals and beauticians. It is a refined, clean wax that lasts a good 3 weeks.
The dilation of the pores thanks to the heat of the wax allows a quality extraction. It can be used on all areas of the body.
It is advisable to have this hair removal done by a professional, especially for areas that are difficult to access (back of the legs) or delicate to do yourself (bikini line or face).
– Duration of effectiveness: three to four weeks.
– Hair growth is weakened, the hair becomes thinner and softer.
– The heat of the wax softens the skin and when the strips are removed, this leads to exfoliation. (Moisturizing is recommended at home to keep the skin soft).
– If the plucking is not done properly, bruising or erythema can occur after the hair is removed.
– Pain, especially in certain sensitive areas (variable depending on the individual).
– Risk of ingrown hairs with or without inflammation.
– Action possible with a hair length of 5 millimetres.
– Although this technique remains affordable, it represents a substantial budget in the long term.
Depilatory cream is a chemical cosmetic process that leads to the decomposition of the hair. Depilatory creams are very popular with people who want a quick and easy action, without shaving.
The hair is disintegrated during the time the cream is applied. All that remains is to rinse it off in the shower. The hair will grow back less quickly than with a razor and the skin will remain soft and silky for about 24 to 48 hours.
– The price and ease of use.
– Risk of reaction or allergy (test on a small area before venturing onto a larger one).
– Risk of irritation or even burns if the application time is not respected.
– The sulphurous odour remains unpleasant.
– No exposure to the sun after hair removal.
– No alcohol-based products on the treated areas.
– Depilatory cream cannot be used on damaged, inflamed or infected skin.
The razor is still the most widely used tool today, despite its old age! It has evolved according to women’s needs. And it has become more feminine!
We’ve gone from a one- or two-blade razor to a five-blade razor with a pivoting head and cut-prevention systems.
Nevertheless, the razor is not a hair removal technique in the strict sense of the word, since the razor does not remove hair, but rather… shaves. It’s better to use it as an emergency tool than on a regular basis.
– Speed.
– Ease of use.
– It’s painless.
– Strengthening of the hair and its regrowth since the razor does not remove hair, but… shaves.
– To achieve clear skin, the area should be shaved every other day, if not every day.
– Risk of cutting.
– Risk of infection.
– Razor blades wear out quickly and should be changed regularly.
Diode laser hair removal has been a revolution in cosmetic dermatology. This technology appears on the market to face the Alexandrite laser and, in principle, it seems to achieve and surpass it.
However, the diode laser has some peculiarities that you should be aware of to know if it is what your center needs. Here’s how to find out if this technology is right for your skin and hair.
Diode laser is a technology used for hair removal that uses monochromatic light to destroy the hair follicle. What makes this technology more advanced is its precision, as it can be directed to an exact location and regulate the power.
Currently, the diode laser is the most popular laser hair removal system because it works on both light and dark skin.
Its operation is technically very simple. The laser handpiece emits light that is absorbed by the melanin present in the hair follicles and the heat generated destroys them, permanently preventing their growth.
Diode laser equipment incorporates different options to adjust the intensity of the light beam to the area to be treated. Thus, for example, more sensitive areas such as the face or bikini area require less power. Also, the bikini and underarm areas tend to have coarser hair, so more sessions may be necessary. In any case, these are considerations that the specialist should detail before starting treatment.
Compared to other technologies, the diode laser offers the advantage of being a permanent treatment, as long as all the planned sessions are carried out, which may differ according to the type of hair and skin.
Other benefits include:
Whichever type of hair removal we choose, we are using a powerful technology that can be aggressive to our skin. Therefore, it is essential to know these machines before using them. Understanding what each piece of equipment can do and what we will achieve by modifying its settings not only enhances the safety of the machine, but will also make a difference in the success of the treatment.
If we focus only on diode laser technology, although it is very safe, we can list a few things to keep in mind:
It is always advisable to avoid sun exposure for a few days before a hair removal procedure to avoid exposing tanned skin to the chosen technology, as it is more susceptible to burns.
In addition, cutting the hair at the root with methods such as waxing or tweezing should be avoided because it interferes with the laser’s ability to remove follicles.
During the hair removal session, it is normal to feel some tingling and slight itching in the treated area. These are normal sensations that will be improved by moisturizing the skin with skin-softening creams.
In the days following hair removal, it is necessary to avoid abrasive and exfoliating products, as well as direct exposure to the sun.
Although the basic technology is the same, there are different types of diode laser machines on the market, which differ in individual specifications, such as power, treatment speed or targeting a specific skin type.
If you are still not sure which option is best for your center, in this article we analyze the differences and advantages of diode, IPL and Alexandrite hair removal technologies.