Hair removal is part of most women's beauty routine. At least once a month you have to go to the salon, or get the professional at home, to remove those unwanted by those who grow in the groin, legs, armpits and, in some cases, the fluff.
And since hair removal can be considered a "necessary evil", many no longer complain more about pain than the method? made with wax? cause. But is it also true that most women suffer? Just thinking about lying on the epilation stretcher and waiting for the professional to do the hair removal!
This is because the way each woman looks at waxing is different: for some, the pain is bearable; for others it is quite unpleasant. Also, does the amount of hair also vary from person to person? What automatically influences the issue of pain? And there is the problem of ingrown hair, which affects most women and makes the process of hair removal much more boring.
The good news, however, is that for those women who see waxing as a problem there is already an alternative: so-called permanent hair removal? which is divided into two methods, laser hair removal and photodepilation.
Below you know what are the advantages and disadvantages of each method, as well as the general benefits of betting on permanent hair removal.
What is permanent hair removal and what are its types?
As already mentioned, there are two methods of permanent hair removal. Laser hair removal, which is the best known, and photodepilation. Below you know the peculiarities of each technique:
Laser waxing
Daniella Curi explains that laser hair removal is the removal of hair with devices that emit laser.
Laser hair removal generally works as follows: the type of light used in lasers is absorbed by the brown pigment found in the hair and the heat generated has the power to "toast" it. the follicle, causing permanent damage or not (depending on the intensity of the energy reaching the hair).
It is worth noting that the outcome of the sessions depends on the person's skin type, with the color of the hair and the tone of the skin important factors. People with light skin and dark hair, for example, tend to have better results, since light tends to be absorbed preferentially in the hair. In individuals with dark skin, treatment should be more careful, because the skin around the fur also has brown pigment and can absorb light.
Photodepilation (pulsed light)
When it comes to permanent hair removal, people often think about laser hair removal. But it is worth stressing that there is still photodepilation, which also aims to remove hair.
Daniella Curi explains that the difference is in the type of device used. • Photodepilation is done with pulsed light devices, other than laser. In terms of results, laser hair removal has good results with fewer sessions compared to photodepilation ?, explains.
The photodepilation is done by a device that emits the so-called Intense Pulsed Light. Does it destroy? the germ cells of the hair, which causes it to be born again only when these cells regenerate. Note that this may never happen again or take a few months or even years to happen.
However, although photodepilation is known as a permanent hair removal method, it is noteworthy that it requires? Retouching? (although its results are lasting), because, because the hair is nothing but a protection of the human organism, many factors can influence its growth.
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
Here are some benefits of laser hair removal:
- As already mentioned, laser hair removal is an excellent option for those who have a lot of hair or simply do not like hair;
- It is a good option for treating ingrown hairs and folliculitis;
- This type of hair removal promotes longer lasting treatments than conventional methods, as highlighted by Daniella Curi;
- In addition, Daniella explains, continued use of wax and blades can lead to darkening of the skin. With laser hair removal, there may be lightening of the region.
- Compared to photodepilation, laser hair removal results better with fewer sessions.
Benefits of photodepilation
Here are some benefits of photodepilation:
- Photodepilation is also indicated for cases of folliculitis and for people who suffer from unwanted hair anywhere in the body.
- Photodepilation also promotes lasting results if purchased with conventional hair removal methods.
- Photodepilation is considered less aggressive to the skin if bought with laser hair removal.
- The method, unlike laser hair removal, is considered painless by most people.
- The cost of the session is lower compared to laser hair removal. It costs around R $ 60 per session, but varies greatly according to the place and city where the treatment will be performed, and also according to the body area that will be treated. The laser hair removal session, for example, in the groin area costs about $ 200.
How many sessions are required?
This is often the main question about permanent hair removal techniques. It is important to emphasize that the results vary according to the characteristics of the skin and the amount of hair of each person. In addition, they also depend a lot on the device used.
Laser waxing
But according to Daniella, an average of five sessions generally yields good results.
Laser hair removal can be done on any part of the body with hair, as Daniella explains, but some areas deserve more care, such as areas near the mucous membranes and exposed areas.
Photodepilation
In general, it takes more than six photodepilation sessions to significantly reduce hair. However, you can usually see some results three weeks after the first session.
Can anyone do permanent hair removal? Are there any risks?
Daniella Curi explains that there are some contraindications to laser hair removal. "Diseases such as vitiligo, lupus, keloid, use of drugs like Roacutan are contraindications of this treatment," he says.
In addition, adds the professional, those who have hormonal changes that increase hair loss (amount of body hair) should first treat the change, then apply the laser. "This so that treatment can have better results," he says.
In the case of black skin, according to Daniella, it is not an absolute contraindication, but there are more indicated lasers. "The number of sessions is higher and the risk of blemishes is also higher due to the higher concentration of melanin in the skin," he explains.
In the case of photodepilation, the contraindications are: pregnant women, people with vitiligo, tanned skin or active infections at the site to be treated (because hypo or hyperchromia, ie changes in skin coloration) may occur. People who are taking photosensitivity-enhancing medications, such as some antibiotics and antiacneics, should also avoid treatment.
Is permanent hair removal a painful method?
Pain tends to be very individual characteristic. Some people say they can't stand laser hair removal sessions while others go through them without major trauma. Just as some women do not see problems with waxing while others suffer with the technique.
It is also worth mentioning that the same person may have different perceptions of pain in different areas of the body where laser hair removal may be performed.
Daniella adds that the issue of pain also depends on the device used. "The alexandrite laser, for example, is less painful than the diode, but cannot be applied to all skin types," he says.
In the case of photodepilation, as already pointed out, pulsed light is usually very well tolerated by most patients, who even consider the painless procedure.
Testimonials from those who have done permanent hair removal
Karina Silva, 33, secretary, says she has done about eight laser hair removal sessions. “There was a lot of hair in his groin and they kept getting stuck. My own epilator indicated that I was looking for a laser hair removal treatment and it really was very good for me. Now, after a year, they grow little hair in my groin, are thin and no longer ingrown ?, reports.
Letícia Fernandes, 28, autonomous, had three to four armpit photodepilation sessions. “It was a little more affordable treatment, so I decided to give it a try. It actually decreased the amount of hair on my armpits, but it didn't totally end them. However, they take longer to grow now and jam a lot less than before. I think if I had continued the treatment, doing about eight or nine sessions, I would have achieved great results, but I ended up giving up early?
Regarding pain, Karina confesses that she finds laser hair removal somewhat unpleasant. But it is a bearable pain.After all, I also suffered when I was waxing hot, especially when my groin was full of ingrown hair ?, reports.
Leticia adds that another factor that made her choose photodepilation was the fact that the technique was painless. “I was told it would take two or three more sessions to achieve the same results as the laser, but in return, the method was painless. I found a great idea?
Care needed with permanent hair removal
Daniella points out that avoiding sun exposure is crucial. The laser targets the melanin pigment, which gives color to the hair. When we are tanned, the amount of melanin in the skin increases a lot and thus increases the risk of burning the skin and not the hair, increasing the side effects ?, explains.
She adds that people using photosensitizing drugs, such as Roacutan, for example, must wait at least three months to complete the medication for laser hair removal.
In the case of photodepilation, the necessary precautions are not very different: the skin must not be tanned and the hair may not have been removed at the root (with wax or tweezers) in the last month. Also, there should be no redness or bruising on the area of skin that will be treated.
Permanent hair removal at home
The success of permanent hair removal is not only within aesthetic clinics. Many women have chosen to do the procedure at home using commercially available appliances and techniques.
It is noteworthy, however, that home appliances do not have the same power as professionals. In the case of white skin with black hair, hair removal at home may work, but in other situations, evaluation and follow-up by a professional are necessary.
So the best way is to always consult a dermatologist before making any decisions (and even spending money buying a device to have at home).
You now have the key information about permanent hair removal, but what if you choose to do it? even in a clinic? Remember to talk well with the professional, taking all your doubts about the technique. It will also indicate the number of sessions required to achieve the results you want.
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