Efficiency of Hair Removal Techniques

When you are struggling with unwanted or embarrassing excess hair, there are a variety of options to consider. Should you pluck and tweeze? Wax? Try laser hair removal or IPL? It can be confusing. All you know is that you want it gone! Let’s take a look at some of the most common techniques so you can choose the option that works best for you.

Waxing

Waxing delivers smooth skin that lasts much longer than shaving (and you can cut down dramatically on your shower time!). It’s also good for those hard-to-reach areas, such as your bikini line.

However, there’s a small problem. It hurts! Even when done by a trained professional, there is pain associated with ripping hair off your skin. Another issue, the hair regrows. While it’s slower than with shaving, it will certainly come back, and often with in-grown hairs.

IPL

Intense pulsed light, or IPL, is a form of light therapy that can be used for hair removal, among other issues. This technique emits a wavelength into the skin that targets the pigment. When the pigment absorbs the light, the resulting heat kills the hair’s cells.

Unlike laser (which we’ll discuss in a moment), IPL produces multiple wavelengths. The light is more diffused, and thus less powerful. IPL for hair removal is typically only effective on those with fair skin and dark hair.

While IPL is effective for other skin conditions, such as treating visible blood vessels, it is not an optimal solution for hair removal.

Laser

Laser hair removal works in much the same way as IPL. But where IPL produces multiple wavelengths, laser’s have just one. This concentrated light is more powerful, and it targets hair cells more effectively and accurately. Trained specialists, for example, can adjust the wavelength to treat hair of varying shades on skin of varying shades.

Laser hair removal is also far less uncomfortable than IPL. Intense pulsed light essentially heats the skin, and it can cause pain during the procedure. Today’s laser techniques are virtually pain-free, and your downtime is minimal. After a complete course of six to eight treatments, you will see a permanent reduction in unwanted hair.

We recommend laser hair removal to help you achieve your goals. Schedule a consultation to learn more.