Imagine how wonderful it would be if you could wear whatever you wanted, whenever you felt like, without having to worry about unsightly body hair! Smooth, hair-free skin that stays that way is the stuff that most beauty dreams are made of. And this dream has been made a reality thanks to advanced technology that enables us to achieve an almost permanent hair removal.
The benefit of being better groomed for good is difficult to resist, and the last few years have seen more women, and even men in Melbourne increasingly seek out these treatments for getting rid of unwanted hair. We can see a variety of options for hair removal, that are used to remove unwanted body hair in the long-term, and each of these will have its own pros and cons. Some could be painful, and some can be more effective at preventing re-growth. While you might easily find a lot of skin clinics offering one or some of these options, it can sure get confusing to decide on which one is the best for you. But to make this easier, we’re going to spotlight three of the most popular permanent hair removal methods today, and look at how they really work.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
In this treatment, different wavelengths of broad spectrum light are focused onto the areas to be worked on. This light energy is absorbed by the papilla at the bulb of each follicle. As you can not select a specific wavelength this makes it a riskier procedure as you can damage the epidermis as it will also absorb the heat. Consecutive sessions of IPL can cause damage to the roots of the hair follicles and achieve in reduction in hair. This technique works best for dark hair.
Pros:
- Can be used anywhere on the body
- Ideal for those with dark hair and light coloured skin
Cons:
- Said to be more painful than laser
- Will not be very effective for those with light hair and dark skin
- Higher risk of side effects to skin
- More treatments required compared to laser
How soon will it show results?
It might take anywhere between 10- 12 sessions to achieve long-term results, and will require a touch-up every 6 – 12 months.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is another type of permanent hair removal. This is a comparatively invasive method, in which tiny needles are inserted inside each hair follicle to destroy the root of the hair follicles with an electric current. As working with individual hair follicles is a comparatively slower process, it will need a lot of sessions before you can start seeing results, making this more expensive and time-consuming.
Pros:
- Unlike IPL and laser, electrolysis works well for all hair and skin types
- A fairly permanent method of hair removal
Cons:
- A mild stinging / rubber snapping experience
- Doesn’t work well for dark skinned people or those with lighter hair
How soon will it show results?
Most need to get a session every 1 – 2 weeks and between 15 – 30 sessions in all, till all the hair is gone
Laser
Laser is one of the most popular choices for those who want to achieve permanent hair removal today. It is similar to IPL, but the main difference being that laser treatments use a single wavelength to target the hair follicles, which is a lot more precise than the broad spectrum used in IPL and more safe. This also gives faster results, as the melanin in the hair follicles tend to absorb more heat, destroying the hair follicle in the process.
Pros:
- Gives faster results
- Has epidermal cooling
- Works great on lighter skinned people with darker hair
- Higher chance of permanent result
Cons:
- Can be uncomfortable
How soon will it show results?
Around 6 – 12 sessions for good results, along with an annual touch-up
At Victorian Laser & Skin Clinic, we recommend laser hair removal for those looking for a permanent hair removal solution in Melbourne. We are a certified skin clinic with experienced technicians for all our procedures. We would love for you to experience the freedom and joy that comes with permanent hair removal, and look forward to helping you enjoy beautiful, hair-free skin wherever you want!
