Long Term Hair Removal Methods

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long term hair removal

Unwanted hair unfortunately plagues most individuals at some point. For some, these undesired hairs sprout earlier in life, while others find them as they age. Instinctively, it may seem easiest to reach for a nearby razor and shave them off. But this simple gesture automatically signs you up for a prickly problem that requires ongoing attention.

Shaving hairs leads to quick regrowth and a constant stubble that is anything but soft. Rather than getting stuck in the cycle of shaving, it may be beneficial to seek out a long term hair removal method.

 

Long Term Hair Removal Methods

 

 

There are a variety of long term hair removal treatments that are currently available. Some yield hair-free results. Others reduce hair growth significantly. Despite the different processes, some methods are more suitable for certain hair problems than others. And the cost factor is definitely a big one with these procedures. Read on to find out if permanent hair removal is best for your hairy situation.

 

Electrolysis

How it works

During electrolysis a professional electrologist essentially zaps the unwanted hair. They do this by inserting a very fine needle (about the width of a hair) into the follicle of the hair being removed. Then a small amount of electrical current is shot through the needle. The purpose is to destroy the hair at the root.

 

Cost Factor

The price of electrolysis is usually based on the length of time in the session. A fifteen minute session costs approximately $20 – $40, while an hour long session runs $60 – $90. The more hairs there are and the larger the area of hair removal, essentially means a higher price to pay.

 

Pain factor

When it comes to electrolysis, the old saying, “beauty is pain,” is definitely applicable. In fact, it may be wise to repeat this mantra continually during a treatment so that you direct your attention on something other than the pain. Since the skin is penetrated during this treatment this often results in a painful sensation. Additionally, since the hair root is targeted and is close to sensory endings, this adds to the unpleasantness factor as well. When being compared to laser hair removal, most agree that electrolysis is the more painful treatment.

 

Permanency

Since the cells of the hair follicle are destroyed in electrolysis, this treatment is intended for permanent hair removal. However, because the growth cycles differ for each hair, a client usually needs to go more than once. The electrologist needs to zap hair in the same area at a few different spaced out appointments in order to establish a hair-free zone.

 

Drawbacks

During electrolysis only one hair can be targeted at a time. As a result, this method of hair removal takes quite some time. If you have a lot of hairs concentrated in one area, this will obviously take a lot of time. And since this process is billed by time, it gets to be pretty expensive.

Many would also argue that a major drawback of electrolysis treatments is the pain factor. The zapping of the hair itself is not enjoyable, and there is usually some tenderness to the area afterwards as well.

 

Best For

Electrolysis is effective for all types of hair and all skin types. Since not every person is an ideal candidate for laser hair removal, many opt for electrolysis. Although not entirely comfortable, it is a safe and proven way to permanently remove hair.

 

Laser hair removal

How it works

Even though laser technology was shown to be an effective long term hair removal method in the 1960’s, the FDA didn’t approve this method of long term hair removal until the mid 1990’s. In this treatment a licensed esthetician aims a special laser at the designated area. The laser beam then seeks out the dark hair area, or melanin, on the skin. The laser light then is absorbed into the dark hair follicle but not the rest of the skin. By absorbing the laser the intent is to damage the follicle significantly; thus the follicle will hopefully not be able to sprout future hairs.

 

Cost Factor

The cost of laser hair removal typically depends on the size of the area being targeted. For example, an area on the face will range from $100 to $350 a session. The bikini area generally runs for $150 to $500 a time. Doing a larger area like half the legs costs $300 to $700 for a visit. Keep in mind that the price is her session; in order to establish an area that is free of hair long-term will take multiple sessions.

 

Pain Factor

Compared to electrolysis, laser hair removal is far less painful. Laser hair removal is not invasive and no tangible object gets inserted into the skin. However, those undergoing laser hair removal say that the process feels like a rubber band snapping against the skin. Additionally, some areas of the body are more sensitive than others.

Even after a laser hair appointment some discomfort can occur. The laser should only target the hair follicle, a feeling of being sunburned is typical afterwards. Applying a cooling gel or aloe helps alleviate this. If there is severe burning afterwards, the esthetician should be notified. In following treatments the esthetician should then adjust the laser level to reduce burning of the skin.

While not exactly painful, some do get bothered from the odor of laser hair removal. Even though clients should shave the area prior to the appointment, the smell of burning hair is not atypical. Even though this unpleasant smell is common during treatments, it’s a sign of a treatment that is working.

 

Permanency

Laser hair removal is intended to remove hair permanently. However, this usually will not occur after just one session. It generally takes 6 sessions to remove 70 percent of the unwanted hairs permanently within one area.

 

Drawbacks

Because laser hair treatment is most effective on those with light skin and dark hair, candidates with this combination see more optimal results. Even those who mostly have this combination may have a few blond hairs that won’t get sought out by the laser. For those that want to completely eradicate any hair growth may need to do a combination of laser hair removal and electrolysis.

 

Best for

As mentioned above, laser hair removal works best on those who have light skin and dark hair; the contrast is ideal for the laser to detect melanin. However, there have technological advances made so that those with other skin and hair combinations can benefit from this hair removal process as well.

Those who have dark hair and darker skin may benefit from an esthetician that uses a YAG laser. This light absorbs less melanin making it ideal for those who don’t have light skin. However, because it absorbs less melanin, this usually means more treatments are required long term hair removal.

For those that have light skin and light hair a Ruby laser is probably more effective for this combination. This laser has a higher level of absorbing melanin. Unfortunately, those who do not have very pale skin, or are sporting a tan, may experience burning and discoloration of the skin afterwards.

When pursuing laser hair removal it is generally advised to schedule a consultation appointment with a licensed esthetician. He or she will analyze your skin and hair growth and assess which laser is best for you. They will also be able to give you an idea of how many sessions will be required in order to achieve hair-free permanent results.

 

Getting the most for your money

Long term hair removal is very costly for most. Even though electrolysis and laser hair removal require multiple sessions, many clients can’t afford to continue with an entire series of treatments. Below are a few tips on how get the most bang for your buck:

 

Schedule a couple consultations

Even though scheduling these visitations is time-consuming, it may be worth it. First of all since the process itself is expensive and time-consuming you want to be sure it will work for you. An esthetician will be able to assess if you are a good candidate for a procedure and what your expectations should be. And it’s nice to compare the prices of different venues to get the best rate.

 

Schedule a series of appointments

Because hair grows in a cycle, it is best to work with the esthetician to schedule appointments effectively. Some offices recommend that hair removal treatments take place every six weeks to account for this. When scheduling a series of appointments, it may be beneficial to ask if a discount is possible. Some offices will knock off a percentage of the total price if a client commits to a series of appointments.

 

Special offers

Keeping an open for special offers is another easy way to save money. Many spas or hair removal clinics will give you a great deal if you are a new client. Many of these venues will also give you a discount if you refer a friend.

Other offers might appear as part of a seasonal mailer that showcases advertisements and coupons – more commonly known as “junk mail.” But if you are contemplating permanent hair removal, taking a minute to flip through these ads can save you a bundle in discounts.

While many offers arrive via postal mail, an increasing amount are also available online. Signing up for a group-on or a daily deal is another great way to get savings on hair removal procedures. Just be sure to pay attention to the fine print. Many times they are good for a limited time only. Starting the process generally takes a bit of research and effort. However, if a year later you no longer reaching for a razor, it just may be worth it!

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Long Term Hair Removal Methods

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