Our consultant Svetlana Domanina, Ph.D., dermatologist, cosmetologist, talks about the pros and cons of all methods of removing excess hairs.
August 1 2017
Epilation
The term refers to the removal of hair with damage to the follicle. Usually, after five to six sessions on the treated area of the skin, the hair stops growing back. Such an effect is provided by hardware procedures – photo-, electro-, laser, cold hair removal.
Laser
The procedure only makes sense if the hairs are dark. And one more thing: the skin should be light. The dark one absorbs the laser beam, so the procedure is meaningless. Before the procedure, you need to shave off your hair. After the session, a moisturizer should be applied to prevent irritation. The break between treatments is four to eight weeks. New lasers have reduced hair removal time to 5-10 minutes in the bikini area and up to 20 minutes in the lower leg area. The sensations are similar to those of a vacuum roller massage: as if the skin is being pulled into a nozzle.
Contraindications: oncological, skin and infectious diseases, the presence of a pacemaker, pregnancy and lactation.
Photo
During the procedure, you will feel a series of tangible hot shots. It should be carried out once every 1-2 months. Hair growth will stop after four to six months. Photoepilation is not a cheap procedure, and if you want to save money, we recommend purchasing a device for home use. The new generation of these gadgets is suitable for both body and face. They still do not guarantee getting rid of hair forever, but they promise to reduce their amount by at least half. Household appliances, unlike salon ones, are not designed for blonde hair.
Contraindications: skin and infectious diseases, disorders of the endocrine system, malignant neoplasms, a tendency to form keloid scars, pregnancy, epilepsy, herpes. When performing epilation of the bikini area and armpits, it is recommended to do an ultrasound scan and get an endocrinologist and gynecologist’s opinion.
Elos epilation
During the procedure, the follicle is destroyed under the simultaneous influence of pulsed light radiation, which is used in photoepilation, and bipolar radio frequency radiation. A hot “pinch” lasts a split second, then heat comes.
Contraindications: skin and infectious diseases, endocrine system disorders, malignant neoplasms, pregnancy, epilepsy, herpes.
Electrolysis
A needle electrode is inserted into the follicle of each hair. A very painful procedure. An unpleasant sensation occurs every time the needle is inserted. Burn spots remain on the skin, which disappear after three to five days. You need to repeat the session every 1,5 months. Getting rid of hair completely takes about four to eight months of pain. Supportive procedures are not required. But after any hormonal changes, hair growth can resume.
Contraindications: the same as for laser, photo and Elos hair removal.
Depilation
This procedure does not destroy the follicle, and therefore the hair grows back. This takes from 1-2 days (when shaving) to a month (when depilation with wax or sugar).
Waxing (removal with wax strips and wax)
After depilation, the hair grows back, becomes thinner and lighter, and the skin becomes smoother. The reason is natural peeling. Use a scrub and moisturizer on the treated skin the day before hair removal.
For sensitive areas, hot dense wax is used, which the master applies with a spatula and removes after hardening. After the procedure, irritation and redness are possible, sometimes – the appearance of ingrown hairs, if the skin is dry and dehydrated.
Between treatments, use hair growth retardants with papaya extracts and fruit acids, shower gels and cream with emollient ingredients. On the day of waxing, all water and thermal procedures (bath, bath, sauna, pool, thalassotherapy, spa, solarium) should be canceled, with the exception of a hygienic shower, as well as physical activity associated with increased sweating.
Contraindications: disorders of the sebaceous glands, varicose veins, inflammation of the skin, diabetes mellitus, fever, oncology, hair length less than 4 mm.
Sugaring (depilation with sugar or honey)
The difference between waxing and sugaring is one – the method of application and the melting point of the product itself. Wax is applied to hair growth, and sugar is applied against. Many argue about pain. They say that waxing is much more painful to do. Nothing like this. Soreness depends on your personal pain threshold, the day of the menstrual cycle (the sensations will be less sensitive after menstruation or in the middle of the cycle), discomfort, etc. Some salons use a special oil or cream before the procedure to relieve pain. There is a little secret: in order to neutralize unpleasant sensations at the most painful moment, exhale.
It is very important to pay attention to which brand the master is using. As a rule, in the arsenal of proven brands there are sugar pastes for various hair and skin, as well as after-epilation care products. Do not skimp on the procedure, otherwise there is a risk that the specialist will use low-quality products, and this will lead to irritation, ingrown hairs, allergies, etc.
Contraindications: inflammation of the skin, diabetes mellitus, fever, oncology, hair length less than 4 mm.
homework
If you decide to wax on your own, apply the paste for hair growth and remove with paper strips already against the growth. Hot wax – for example, under the armpits – apply to hair along the hair growth and against, as in this area they grow in different directions.
Do not jump from one type of hair removal to another. If you go to wax for a long time, and then shave with a razor once, the next epilation will be more painful.
For the face, bikini area and décolleté, give preference to depilatory creams.