Information in this site is solely provided for informational and educational purposes only. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.
You’ve known about hair removal via laser for quite some time. It’s something that you’ve been wanting to do, maybe saving up for. They say it’s painless, but you’ve heard horror stories about burnt skin, swollen pits and legs scarred for life. And then, there’s that girl who’s gone on 10 hair removal sessions and still has a bush to show for it. So should you or shouldn’t you go for it?
Here are some little facts about laser hair removal that can help make your choice.
• You can essentially remove hair anywhere from your body: your underarms, legs, arms, bikini line, chest, stomach and lipline. The only body parts where laser should not be used are areas near the eyes such as the eyebrows and the space in between, as laser rays can be very damaging to the eyes.
• Not all laser machines are created equally. Some beauty clinics use machines that aren’t really intended for hair removal — hair falling out is only a consequence or side effect of other treatments. Which means, the hair follicle isn’t completely destroyed, making the removal of hair a longer, more tedious, sometimes even useless, procedure. Beverly Hill’s 6750 Permasilk treatment uses a Comet machine, a laser platform specifically created for the sole purpose of ridding your body of unwanted hair.
• The Comet technology used by the Permasilk treatment combines radiofrequency, the thermal element, and the diode, said to be “the gold standard” for hair removal. It is this diode which specifically targets the pigment found in the hair bulb. The pigment is destroyed and, in effect, the hair follicle as well.
• Hair growth follows a cycle so it is very important to honor hair removal appointments. Otherwise, it will take longer to complete the treatment.
• Burns, scars, discoloration of the skin, swelling, and redness usually occur when the doctor performing the hair reduction treatment is not qualified or properly trained. It need not be stressed more: go to a clinic that has a good reputation and licensed practitioners.
• Smoother, whiter skin can really be achieved through laser hair reduction. However, this is due to the reduction of skin trauma caused by shaving, waxing or plucking, not necessarily because of the treatment or the machine used.
Beverly Hill’s 6750 multi-specialty aesthetic institute offers hair reduction and removal with their Permasilk treatment which uses the Comet technology. For more information, call 893-8888 or 893-5924, or visit www.bh6750.com. —Soucre: Ana Kalaw, Philstar.com
If dark armpits are spoiling your wish to show off the sleeveless dress or jazz up the oomph factor with spaghetti tops, don’t worry. There are some sure shot remedies to banish them forever. Here are the common causes and solutions to your problem.
Cause Number One: Shaving. When you shave you cut the hairs off at, or just below, the surface of the skin. If your hairs are slightly darker than your skin color, they can give the appearance that your skin has a dark stain when it’s really just sub-surface hair.
What To Do About It: Stop shaving and try waxing instead so you get rid of the hair below the skin surface. Since the hairs aren’t lurking so close to the top of your skin, they won’t be as visible.
Cause Number Two: Buildup of dead skin cells. Dark spots under your arms are the result of dead skin cells that are trapped in your skin.
What To Do About It: Exfoliate, preferably with a product containing lactic acid.
Cause Number Three: Antiperspirant and deodorant usage. In theory, some ingredients in these products (perhaps the fragrance) could be reacting with the skin to cause discoloration.
What To Do About It: Try switching brands or use a deodorant instead of an antiperspirant. Or, better yet, a deodorizing powder.
Cause Number Four: A medical condition called acanthosis nigricans. This condition causes light-brown-to-black markings on the neck, under the arms, or in the groin. It can be related to insulin production or to a glandular disorder and it typically occurs in people who are overweight.
What To Do About It: Watch your diet to control insulin production.
Cause Number Five: Hyper-pigmentation. This condition causes your skin to produce excess melanin pigment. It doesn’t usually affect armpits, so it’s a less likely cause.
What To Do About It: Use a skin bleaching cream to destroy the excess melanin. You can also try laser treatment to destroy the pigment.
Waxing is the best hair removal option for the area under the arms and other parts of the body with unwanted hair. While many people haven’t gotten out of the habit of shaving (cheaper and can be done at home), waxing is slowly entering mainstream consciousness, with hair removal products on the market like Veet.
Two products, Veet Hair Removal Cream and Veet Ready to Use Wax Strips, are easy alternatives to salon waxing. The former dissolves hair at the shaft, promising hair-free days twice as long as when one shaves. The wax strips, meanwhile, pulls out hair from the roots, with hair regrowth taking up to four weeks. It can also remove hair as short as 2 millimeters and is easy to use in small, hard-to-reach areas such as the eyebrows, upper lip and armpits.
Both products are developed with skincare ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, almond oil and vitamin E, leaving skin fuzz-free, smooth and moisturized.
In terms of professional treatment, markets are flooded with various options starting from the permanent hair removal treatment to body peel and from botox treatment to some skin lightening treatments.
According to experts, laser is the best option because this results in permanent hair removal and improves the skin tone of the area as well.
While many people are opting for these treatments, there are many who still stick to home remedies and prefer simple and easy-to-use hair removal products.
The new generation of modern women is never scared of change. In fact, they have embraced physical change and treat it as a start of a more fabulous and empowered version of themselves. That’s why summer or no summer, the rules are easy: Makeovers always start with the hair — down there.
Good thing Veet Hair Removal Cream zeroes in on the problem of unwanted hair on the legs. Truly a crucial part of the makeover process, nobody would want to don a skimpy bikini or a mini skirt with hairy legs.
Veet Hair Removal Cream has three variants — normal, dry, and sensitive. Whatever your skin type, Veet makes your pair touchably smooth and sexy.
Using Veet Hair Removal Cream allows you to stay hair-free longer as compared to other hair removal methods. It contains more moisturizers that leave skin smooth, effectively moisturized, and luxuriously soft.
Veet Hair Removal Cream dissolves rather than cuts hair so you can have smooth sexy legs without painful nicks and bleeding. With results lasting longer than other hair removal methods, your legs will stay beautiful longer.
Removal of unwanted body hair is of major importance to many women and to increasing numbers of men. Tremendous sums of money and much time and energy are spent in pursuit of the smooth, hairless look. Although there are diseases or conditions where there is an increased hair growth, most unwanted hair is a cosmetic rather than a medical problem.
Treatment options for hair removal
Shaving: This is the most common method of hair removal and possibly the most convenient. Shaving is not, however, a long term hair removal treatment because it does not impair hair growth.
Depilatory Cream: This method is extremely tedious and time-consuming since the cream must remain applied until the hair is fully dissolved, and hair can return as quickly as within a week. Many people find the cream to have an unpleasant odor, and the process to be very messy.
Waxing: A popular method as it is intended to last anywhere from two to four weeks. Some people find this method painful, and it can cause skin irritations and pimples.
Electrolysis: By passing an electric current through the fair follicle, this technique damages some follicle beds and slows hair regrowth. However, it can be painful, time-consuming and expensive, as each follicle must be treated individually. Multiple treatments over a period of months to years are usually necessary, and scarring and skin irritations often result.
Lasers: New and improved laser systems are being used for hair removal with varying effectiveness and results. Since the laser’s single wavelength requires a certain amount of contrast between skin color, hair color and absorption ratios, several devices are less effective for treating lighter colored hair and darker skin tones.
MultiLight Hair Removal System: Is ESC’s proprietary intense pulse light technology that allows physicians to customize treatment parameters to allow for successful, longer lasting removal of unwanted hair from all parts of the body on a wide range of skin types, ranging from light to dark complexions, while protecting the overlying skin from burns and their resulting scars.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is actually meant by Hair Removal ?
The term “permanent hair removal” is probably misleading since it would imply 100 percent hair removal and that hair would never grow again. The truth is there is a minimal number of hair follicles that may remain after the complete course of treatment. Hence the proper term should be “permanent hair reduction” and anyone who claims they can remove ALL hair permanently probably don’t know what they are saying.
2. How is MultiLightTM different from conventional lasers?
The MultiLightTM system is a non-invasive, broad spectrum device that operates on the principle of selective photothermolysis in which intense pulsed light is used to selectively destroy target tissue. Its revolutionary technology enables physicians to effectively treat a variety of skin types and hairs of every color and rooted at various depths of the skin. Another difference is MultiLight’s flexibility . The treatment parameters can be selectively chosen to allow the epidermis to cool, this minimizing damage to surrounding tissue. In addition, MulitLightTM has a much larger spot size (8 x 35 mm) than a laser, enabling it to quickly cover extensive areas of treatment and reduce treatment time.
3. How does MultiLightTM remove hair?
The HR capability of MultiLightTM uses intense pulse light to eliminate unwanted hair of all colors from all parts of the body in skin. When the light is absorbed by the melanin pigment found in the hair follicle, hair shaft, or bulb, it raises their temperature to a high enough level to destroy the targeted hair structures and stunt hair growth. MultiLight’s unique method of hair removal, called photo-epilation, enables the physician to harness the pulsed light so that it penetrates deeply enough and with sufficient energy to destroy the hair follicles without harming the surrounding tissue.
4. Can all hair colors and parts of the body be treated?
The system’s unique design offers customized treatment, according to the patient’s hair color, texture and location on the body. MultiLight removes all hair colors from all parts of the body including the chin, upper lip, cheeks, legs, arms, underarms, and back – as well as sensitive area like the ears, nose, chest, and bikini line.
5. How does MultiLight compare with other hair removal methods?
Shaving, waxing, and depilatory creams are all temporary methods that must be repeated on a regular basis. Hair removal with the Multilight process offers longer lasting results even when compared to some of the laser products.
6. What is treatment like?
Treatment sessions are done on an out-patient basis at the clinic. First a cool gel with the hand held treatment unit is applied to the skin. The actual pulse involves a pulse of intense light similar to a flash of a camera. One may feel a mild sting similar to the snap of a rubber band. No local anesthesia or pain medication is required. Each session lasts for about 15-30 minutes.
7. How does MultiLightTM compare with electrolysis?
Electrolysis is a tedious, invasive and painful process that involves inserting a needle into each hair follicle and delivering an electrical charge to destroy them one at a time. Electrolysis often requires years of treatment at regular intervals, and its success is highly dependent on the operator. MultiLight non-invasively treats hundreds of hair follicles spontaneously.
8. What are the side effects of hair removal with the MultiLight?
Potential side effects are generally few and temporary. There may be redness or swelling at the treatment site, and this usually disappears within a day. Occasionally, changes in pigmentation can be observed, but typically these go away in several weeks. Other seldom seen side effects may include blistering and purpura.
9. Who are the candidates for treatment?
Most people, including children, can be treated with the MultiLight process; however, a doctor should determine if a person’s condition is suitable for these treatments. This may require a consultation visit.
10. How many treatments are required?
The number of treatments required for hair removal varies depending upon hair color and location on the body. Several treatments maybe required, with each session lasting 10-30 minutes.
11. Are there restrictions on activity after treatment?
Patients can return to work the same day and resume all regular activities. One should limit exposure to the sun, which is always a good idea.
12. Is MultiLightTM cleared by the USFDA?
Yes, ESC Medical Systems received clearance on June 1998, from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market MultiLight, a new version of its PhotoDerm and EpiLight intense pulsed light system.
Shaving has been the most common method of hair removal for women because it is cheap and easily done at home. The commercials make it look so easy — slather on the shaving cream, grab a razor and shave it all off.
But what they don’t tell us is that no matter how advanced shaving technology has gotten, we still have the same age-old problems: razor nicks and cuts, unsightly chicken skin and fast growing stubble.
Since shaving cuts hair at the surface, the edges are cut off straight, resulting in stubby hair that is coarse and rough. Because it is difficult to maneuver the razor around the curvature of the female body, shaving against the grain is a common pitfall. It causes painful, reddish razor burns, and ingrown hairs, which give the skin that dark and unsightly chicken skin appearance.
There’s good news. More and more women have discovered easier and more convenient ways to get rid of unwanted body hair — Veet’s line of hair removal products.
The brand offers the modern woman faster and more efficient ways to soft, smooth skin. Its skin-type specific hair removal products are suitable for use on legs, arms, underarms, bikini line and the face.
Debutant Abigail ‘Abby’ Antonio.
Veet Hair Removal Cream and Veet Ready to Use Wax Strips are developed with skin-care ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, almond oil and Vitamin E, leaving skin fuzz-free, smooth and moisturized.
Veet Hair Removal Cream dissolves hair at the shaft with results that last twice as long as shaving. Meanwhile, Veet Ready to Use Cold Wax Strips pull out hair from the root, resulting in hair regrowth that takes up to four weeks. It is easy to use in small, hard-to-reach areas such as the eyebrows, upper lip and armpits.
Many products on the market have proven fraudulent. Many other products exaggerate the results or ease of use.
Temporary
“Depilation”, or removal of hair to the level of the skin, lasts several hours to several days and can be achieved by
* Shaving or trimming (manually or with electric shavers)
* Depilatories (creams or “shaving powders” which chemically dissolve hair)
* Friction (rough surfaces used to buff away hair)
“Epilation”, or removal of the entire hair from the root, lasts several days to several weeks and may be achieved by
* Tweezing (hairs are tweezed, or pulled out, with tweezers or with fingers)
* Waxing (a hot or cold layer is applied and then removed with porous strips)
* Sugaring (similar to waxing, but with a sticky paste)
* Threading (also called fatlah or khite in Arabic, or band in Persian in which a twisted thread catches hairs as it is rolled across the skin)
* Burning off with hot wax can damage the cells and prevent hair from ever growing in the unwanted spot again.
* Use of Turmeric along with other ingredients like besan powder and milk
* Epilators (mechanical devices that rapidly grasp hairs and pull them out)
* Prescription oral medications
* Drugs that directly attack hair growth or inhibit the development of new hair cells. Hair growth will become less and less until it finally stops; normal depilation/epilation will be performed until that time. Hair growth will return to normal if use of product discontinued. Products include the prescription drug Vaniqa, with the active ingredient eflornithine hydrochloride inhibiting the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase, preventing new hair cells from producing putrescine for stabilizing their DNA.
Permanent hair removal
For over 130 years, electrology has been and remains the only 100% permanent hair removal method recognized by government regulatory agencies such as the FDA. This technique permanently destroys germ cells responsible for hair growth by way of insertion of a fine probe in the hair follicle and the application of a current adjusted to each hair type and treatment area.
Permanent hair reduction
* Photoepilation
o Laser hair removal (lasers and laser diodes)
o Intense pulsed light (high-energy lamps)
o Diode epilation (high energy LEDs but not laser diodes)
Contrary to what is often announced, Photoepilation is not a permanent hair removal method but a permanent hair reduction method. This means that although laser treatments with these devices will permanently reduce the total number of body hairs, they will not result in a permanent removal of all hair.
Experimental or banned methods
* Photodynamic therapy for hair removal (experimental)
* X-ray hair removal is an efficient, and usually permanent, hair removal method, but also causes severe health problems, occasional disfigurement, and even death. It is illegal in the United States.
Doubtful methods
Many methods have been proposed or sold over the years without published clinical proof they can work as claimed.
* Electric tweezers
* Transdermal electrolysis
* Transcutaneous hair removal
* Photoepilators
* Microwaves
* Foods and Dietary supplements
* Non prescription topical preparations (also called “hair inhibitors”, “hair retardants”, or “hair growth inhibitors”)
Advantages and disadvantages
There are several disadvantages to many of these hair removal methods. Most are not permanent, can cause medical problems and permanent damage, or have very high costs. Some of these methods are still in the testing phase and their methods have not been clinically proven. One should seek the advice of a doctor-supervised facility when choosing these hair removal methods.
One issue, that can be considered an advantage or a disadvantage depending upon an individual’s viewpoint, is that removing hair has the effect of removing information about the individual’s hair growth patterns due to genetic predisposition, illness, androgen levels (such as from pubertal hormonal imbalances or drug side effects), and/or gender status.
Hair removal is the removal of body hair, and describes the methods used to achieve that result.
Hair typically grows all over the human body during and after puberty. Men tend to have more body hair than women. Both men and women tend to have hair on the head, eyebrows, eyelashes, armpits, pubic region and legs; and men also have hair on their face, abdomen, back and chest. Hair does not generally grow on the palms of the hands, the lips, certain areas of the genital structure, or the soles of the feet.
Forms of hair removal are practised for a number of reasons, including cultural, sexual, medical and religious. Forms of hair removal have been practised in almost all human cultures. The methods used to remove hair have varied in different times and regions, but shaving is the most common method.
You’ve known about hair removal via laser for quite some time. It’s something that you’ve been wanting to do, maybe saving up for. They say it’s painless, but you’ve heard horror stories about burnt skin, swollen pits and legs scarred for life. And then, there’s that girl who’s gone on 10 hair removal sessions and still has a bush to show for it. So should you or shouldn’t you go for it?
