Treatments

All You Ever Wanted To Know About Hair Removal

Removing body hair is not new, but the amount of body hair we're taking off and methods that we use to eliminate problem or unwanted hair are becoming increasingly sophisticated as technology advances. This section focuses on hair removal treatments that your trained and experienced beauty therapist can provide.

Unwanted hair can be removed in the comfort and privacy of your own home using methods such as shaving, waxing or depilatory creams, but many people choose to visit a beauty therapist instead, for convenience and efficiency. The beauty therapist is an expert at hair removal. A large percentage of a therapist's training focuses on hair removal and methods used such as waxing and electrolysis. Professional and hygienic, your beauty therapist is a specialist in the removal of unwanted hair and will attend to your needs in a discreet and efficient manner.

Waxing

Waxing is a method of hair removal that goes as far back as ancient Egypt and is a temporary method of hair removal, which lasts about 4-6 weeks. There are two methods of waxing, both utilising hot wax. The first is called 'hot wax' where a thick layer of wax is applied to the skin, allowed to cool and then removed along with the hair. Hot wax achieves good results, and is particularly recommended for underarm and bikini line hair removal. The most important thing to note about the hot wax method is that the wax should not be re-cycled but thrown away after use. The other waxing method is known as 'strip waxing', where a thin layer of hot wax is applied to the skin and a cloth strip is placed on top. The cloth strip is then removed (with the wax and hair attached) and thrown away. All waxing techniques are hygienic and the result is perfectly smooth hair-free skin, as the entire hair is removed from the follicle. Shaving merely cuts the hair, leaving a blunt end when it regrows.

Clients have hair removed from their bodies for all sorts of reasons, from the aesthetic, - just wanting to look good and have smooth skin, to correcting a problem where there is simply too much unwanted hair in a particular area. Where a few years ago half leg and bikini waxes were commonplace, today women are waxing more areas of their bodies such as forearms, underarms, eyebrows, and the infamous Brazillian wax. Men too, receive wax treatments to their back, shoulders, chest and legs and arms. Apart from feeling smooth and being fashionable, regrowth from waxing is not as prickly as it can be from shaving, and muscles tend to look more defined without body hair - the reason the hairless look is so popular with bodybuilders.

Waxing can be used for hair removal on all areas of the body, but is recommended for secondary sex characteristic hair (the hair that grows during puberty) - underarms, bikini line, women's lower leg and male body hair. Electrolysis, Laser, IPL (intense pulsed light) and VPL (variable pulsed light) are recommended for other areas of the female body (face, upper lip, forearms and stomach).

The reason for this is that waxing secondary sex characteristic hair does not change regrowth for the worse. In fact, in some individual's, regrowth can become sparse over time. Waxing other areas of the body (such as face, upper lip, thighs, and other non-secondary sex characteristic sites) can result in accelerated hair growth after a number of waxes. Factors like the ageing process, (hormonal changes at puberty and menopause) and pregnancy, affect hair growth rate changes, so it is important to choose a method of hair removal which does not accelerate hair growth.

The Low Down On Brazilian Bikini Waxes

The Brazilian bikini wax is the hottest (or smoothest) trend in unwanted hair removal. For the unfamiliar, this is where the pubic hair is all but waxed out of existence, except for a tiny piece, eloquently termed 'the landing strip'.

The growth in the number of women wanting Brazilian waxes is phenomenal. Women from all walks of life and of all ages are having them. Women often experiment with a Brazilian as a bit of fun, and then find that they enjoy the convenience, look and feel of the Brazilian.

Does it hurt?

Depending upon your pain threshold, waxing can hurt a little. Liken it to a large plaster being removed, it is going to uncomfortable, but the discomfort is fleeting and worthwhile when compared to the result. One way to minimise the pain from waxing is to time your visit for the week after your period, as waxing is more painful pre and during menstruation. Ingrown hairs are another possible side effect with waxing treatments and your beauty therapist can tell you how to reduce the impact of ingrown hairs, and offer advice on post waxing care.

For most waxing treatments it is necessary to remove some of your clothing. For a Brazilian treatment, disposable g-strings are available, but many patients and therapists prefer not to use them. If the therapist's hands come in contact with the client's skin during the waxing treatment, then it is appropriate from both a hygiene and professional standpoint for the therapist to wear sterile, disposable gloves.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis is considered a permanent method of hair removal, though hormonal changes and the ageing process may stimulate hair growth in an area that has been previously (successfully) treated. There are three methods of electrolysis treatments; Galvanic (DC), Diathermy (HF) or a blend of DC & HF. Electrolysis works by destroying the hair follicle, preventing the hair from regrowing. The beauty therapist inserts a needle into the hair follicle and an electrical current is applied into the hair follicle. Electrolysis is effective on all hair and has a re-growth rate of approximately 10% - 20%.

Any area of the body can be treated with electrolysis but it is typically used to treat facial hairs, hairs around the nipples and between the breasts, the navel, bikini line and thighs. Electrolysis can be used on any area except where there has been skin cancers, fresh scars or open wounds, when using some topical treatments from either a Doctor or specialist or when pregnancy could be at risk. If in doubt, check with your Electrologist or beauty therapist before commencing a course of treatment.

Pain factor?

The sensation is much like a bee sting, that you are aware is going to happen. For people with extremely low pain thresholds an anaesthetic cream can be applied 30 minutes prior to the treatment. Pain tolerance is influenced by pre-menstrual tension or during a woman's period and by factors such as stress, stimulants such as coffee, tea, alcohol, nicotine, or after exercise.

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments required is dependant upon certain factors: the accuracy of the operator, the strength of the hair being treated, the length of the hair when treated and the distortion of the hair follicle from previous electrolysis treatments. Like waxing, hair is best treated at a length that equates to 6 week's growth. Some hairs may require multiple treatments and others may need only one. You may experience mild skin reactions such as redness, small welts or swelling. These are generally temporary and disappear after a few hours. Your electrologist (therapist) will also advise you on post treatment care. Many beauty therapists also stock products that help to retard hair growth.

Hygiene

You should expect the following professional standards: Disposable, unused needles, sterilised tweezers for lifting out hairs. The therapist should wash her hands prior to commencing treatment and she may use sterile disposable gloves. The bed or reclining chair that you are placed on for treatment should be covered in a clean towel or a disposable sheet, and a paper towel should cover the headrest.

Laser For Hair Removal Therapy

Laser for Hair Removal Therapy may only be conducted under the auspices of a medical provider, and as such is not a treatment offered at beauty therapy clinics, though many laser therapist operators are also qualified beauty therapists. Your beauty therapist may refer you on for laser assisted hair removal or conduct electrolysis treatment in conjunction with laser assisted hair removal.

Laser therapy is a heat radiation treatment based on light and is a very specific method of hair removal. It targets the area of treatment based on the wavelength of the light, by using the melanin in the hair and skin to penetrate to the base of the follicle. Laser then destroys the base of the follicle, the blood supply to the follicle and the dermal papillae, which grows the new hair. Laser for Hair Removal performs well with clients who have dark hair and light skin.

Laser For Hair Removal is (like electrolysis) a 'permanent reduction' method of hair removal. Its big advantage (like electrolysis) is that with repeated treatments the hair in the treated area ceases to grow. More hair can also be treated in a single session. There will always be hair that is difficult to treat, (hair that is too light, or skin that is too tanned or too dark). Like waxing and electrolysis, there is a small element of pain in the treatment process, similar to being lightly flicked with a rubber band. If pain is a problem, then the fluency (intensity) of the treatment can be adjusted. The higher the intensity the fewer treatment sessions will (generally) be required.

What areas can laser treat?

Any area of the body can be treated with Laser for Hair Removal, with Electrolysis recommended as a follow up and "add on" treatment for hair growth which has not been targeted by laser (ie., unpigmented - blonde, grey, red or light blonde hair). Generally the larger the area, the longer the treatment session and the greater the number of sessions required.

Treatments are usually 6 - 8 weeks apart depending on hair growth and the area treated. (Face treatments 6 weeks, bikini line 8 weeks and full leg 8 - 12 weeks). Cost is dependent upon what the individual requires.

Hygiene

As there is no invasion of the skin the risk of infection is minimal, but your therapist should use sterile utensils and equipment, and may wear gloves. Goggles will be provided for eye protection. Clothing will need to be removed from the area being treated. For best results, the skin should not be suntanned before treatments, with makeup and deodorant removed from the treatment area. Side effects may include mild redness and welting - both of which are only temporary. Your laser therapist will advise you on post treatment care. Another possible side effect is changes to the pigment of the skin - where the treated skin can end up darker or lighter than untreated skin around it. This is totally dependent on the amount of skin colour due to tan or ethnicity. The therapist should advise on the likelihood of occurrence at the initial consultation. These effects are generally reversible.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

IPL is the latest development in clinic based hair removal and is similar to Laser for Hair Removal Therapy, except that it doesn't need to be performed under the auspices of a medical provider.

IPL works by producing beams of highly concentrated light impulses that are attracted to the melanin in the hair's matrix. Like laser, IPL works best on dark hair, so would need to be paired with Electrolysis to treat any blonde or grey hairs.

The main advantage is that IPL has a lower risk profile, and (as it has a wider light beam than laser), is faster, therefore a bigger surface area can be treated.

VPL (Variable Pulsed Light)

VPL is the latest generation in effective hair removal and skin rejuvenation technology. The VPL is designed so that each shot of light comprises a sequence of rapid pulses. These variable pulses ensure more controlled absorption whilst minimising heating of the surrounding skin. This means that a greater range of hair and skin types can be treated effectively.

What conditions can be treated?

Unwanted hair can be removed from almost all parts of the body, including: beard sculpturing, back, chest, abdomen, legs, chin, upper lip, bikini and underarms. Also, skin rejuvenation can address many skin complaints caused by ageing and sun damage. These conditions include: redness, rosacea, age spots, freckles, pigment changes, skin texture, fine lines and acne problems.

Who can be treated

VPL provides safe effective treatment for both men and women for most skin and hair types. A consultation with a trained professional skincare therapist will provide a complete treatment programme tailored to the individual. Treatments have little or no visible side effects, thus effective procedures can be performed quickly with no downtime.

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