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Available Options
1
- Creams:
these creams also known as the « chemical
razor » are used to melt hairs. They work fast and are generally
cheap. They may irritate the skin, smell bad and can, if used without
care, stimulate hair growth outside the original area. The big issue
is that they don’t last long. Just a few days and applications need to
be repeated constantly. In the end a fortune is spent on these creams.
2 - Wax:
it’s fast, very expensive over a lifetime, painful and needs to be
repeated over and over again! This technique leads to ingrown hair and
skin irritations. You need to wait until hair has significantly grown
back (doesn’t look pretty) to do it again. Results usually last 4 to 6
weeks. Not recommended between 2 laser sessions.
3 - Tweezers:
cheap. It’s often painful, slow and can
cause irritations and ingrown hair as well as hair discoloration. You
must wait the hair is well above skin to pull it off successfully. The
main problem is that it only lasts a few days and can cause hair
stimulation in that area. Results don’t last long and more will come
in the treated area.
4
– Portable Electric Hair Remover:
hair is pulled in a circular motion, it’s a process similar to
tweezing but it’s more efficient because it pulls many hairs at once.
It’s quite painful, often expensive leads to folliculitis (bulb
infection with big red sore spot) and sometimes to modifications in
skin pigmentation (color).
5 - Electrolysis (electric needle):
a low voltage electric shock is sent through a needle planted in the
hair follicle. The expected result is the destruction of the hair root
via electrolysis (destruction through electricity). This is one of the
two permanent hair removal techniques currently available, the other
being the laser. Electrolysis is slow, each hair is treated
separately, then with tweezers the operator pulls each hair, one by
one, it’ quite painful and very inefficient. Many sessions are
necessary to perform the first pass at a large area such as full legs.
So, it’s very expensive. This method could be OK for a small area
where hair is blond or transparent (i.e. upper lip). It can be
discouraging; the end is never in sight if you need to treat a back or
legs. One major side effect can be seen on facial areas treated with
needles: scars. If laser is not contra-indicated for you, it will be
much more cost-effective than electrolysis.
6
– Intense Pulsed Light (IPL):
should not be mistaken with a laser. It’s not even close in physics
terms. Some IPL equipments could, possibly, yield to long-term hair
removal. These lights are less efficacious than lasers, but they could
be used for individuals who can’t qualify for laser treatment.
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