Interesting thread on the Hair Tell Forum which starts out by providing a link to an article about hair removal and then moves onto a discussion about the media portrayal of laser hair removal as being so much better than electrolysis even though electrolysis is the only method of hair removal to really work permanently.
HairTell Hair Removal Forum: Feeling plucky? Options abound for hair removal
This is the story of a guy who sprouted a hairy back once he reached 30 and whose wife fondly calls him “Chewbacca” as a result.
He has taken the plunge with laser hair removal to increase his body confidence.
Though laser hair removal isn’t a fully permanent solution for hair removal it will reduce hair permanently and can be managed from then on with maintenance sessions. And if you can afford it, it is a good alternative to waxing. ( Phil, the guy in the story, did not find that waxing helped
a) due to the pain of the treatment
b) due to itching and stubbly regrowth after a few days).
Is laser hair removal in Chicago any different from laser hair removal in London? I don't think so. Essentially the same equipment is available both sides of the Atlantic – yet very different rules control what you can CLAIM about the process.
In London and the rest of the UK laser hair removal clinics are able to claim that the process will permanently remove hair and that it is pain free. Yet in Chicago or New York (or any other US state or city) companies who advertise laser hair removal in this way will be in trouble with the FDA.
And the truth? Laser hair removal is neither permanent nor pain free wherever you have your treatment. No doubt the UK authorities will be on the case soon.
Things change over the years and I have had to update this site concerning home laser hair removal to cover advances in technology in recent years. First, laser hair removal treatment could only be carried out by medical practitioners. Then it was allowed by trained technicians in beauty clinics and spas. And now a home laser hair removal machine or two such as the Silk’n have been approved by the FDA as safe for you and me to operate – and buyers are having good things to say at last!
This means that you no longer need to use an expensive clinic if you don’t have the budget or the time to attend. However you still need to use caution when considering purchasing laser equipment to remove hair.
These portable laser hair removal machines use more or less the same technology as those used in many clinics so you need to consider the same factors before embarking on treatment.
Most of all be aware of the type of skin you have – the more contrast between skin and hair the better you will get on with one of these systems and if you have dark skin then it is best to consult a professional rather than risk using home laser equipment. Some clinics have particular equipment which is better for use on dark skin – see previous post Laser Hair Removal Machines. If you have any doubt at all contact a medical practitioner before you treat yourself.
Read and follow the instructions carefully and start off with a small area to be treated on a non-sensitive area of the body such as your legs or arms. If you’re unsure book one professional laser treatment at a clinic so that you know what to expect before you start. Also see our articles on what to expect before, during and after laser treatment – you’ll find them in the Laser Hair Removal section.
For your safety always wear goggles when operating a laser and stop using the laser hair removal machine immediately if you notice adverse side effects on your skin.
Advantages of Using a Home Laser Hair Removal Machine
One advantage is that you can carry out treatment for a significantly lower cost than that involved in going to a specialist clinic. This is especially significant if you are going to treat large areas of your body considering that whether you use a home or professional treatment you will need a number of sessions and often top up treatments every few months (reducing over time). See Cost of Laser Hair Removal for typical costs.
A second advantage is the sheer flexibility of when you carry out your treatment. There is no need for an appointment – you can fit in your treatment at any time in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
Another advantage is that you will probably decide to treat areas of your body that are not so “hairy” that you would have considered paying large sums of money for professional treatment. You will end up with beautiful, smoother, more hair-free skin as a result of owning a home machine.
Finally in favor of these machine is that as you perform your treatment you can regulate the intensity yourself so that you get the right balance between your threshold for discomfort and the efficiency of the hair removing process. And you can increase the intensity of the treatment as you get used to it entirely at your own pace.
Disadvantages of Home Laser Hair Removal
The machines currently on the market for home use are not for everyone – if you don’t have a good contrast between your (dark) hair and (fair) skin you need a professional opinion on whether laser treatment is for you and potentially a more specialist laser hair removal machine only available in salons.
If you are not confident in your ability to withstand a little discomfort for the sake of beauty, visit a professional laser hair removal clinic where you will feel better in the hands of a technician trained to deal with pain reduction and nervous clients.
If you want to perform hair removal on your face you are advised to use a professional clinic. (Actually I would advise electrolysis anyway for permanent hair removal on a small area such as the face).
A laser hair removal machine may not be sold unless it has received the approval of the FDA so you know they are safe however you do need to follow the instructions – so if you are the type of person that doesn’t do that – use a clinic!
Once You Decide
If you do decide to go ahead then read what independent buyers thought (good and bad – though generally favorable) about the most popular home laser hair removal machine : Silkn Reviews
How feasible is permanent hair removal at home?
Well, it is becoming a lot easier than it used to be even a few years ago.
Of course, we would all love to remove hair and have it disappear for good with one little treatment – an application of depilatory cream or a quick waxing session – but that isn’t going to happen anytime soon. There are really only two methods of permanent hair removal and each of them requires more than one session to get rid of hair for good – but they are worth it in the end.
To remove hair permanently you can use either electrolysis or laser hair removal. It used to be that each of these had to be performed in a registered salon by trained operators but now there is hair removal equipment which you can buy and use at home which has been approved by the FDA for each of these procedures.
Having looked at all the equipment out there, two home hair removal systems seem to have the edge over the others in terms of being effective and easy to use.
Laser Hair Removal
The Silkn hair removal machine is a system which has been clinically proven for long term hair removal by physicians and has been approved by the FDA for safe use in the home. It is costly to buy the machine but it will save you money compared to professional laser treatment or even waxing or shaving over the long term and of course you get all the convenience of removing hair in the privacy of your own home. Click here
Electrolysis
The One Touch electrolysis hair removal system is a portable system that works if you have a bit of patience and use care in operation. Start off at a low setting until you get used to the product and remain at a moderate setting throughout for best results. It has a very low cost compared to the Silkn and you will find that your costs are covered by even one or two electrolysis treatments at a salon. You can use it to treat hair almost anywhere on your body and face. To see what buyers have to say and the latest prices click here
Of the two the One Touch takes more skill to operate but after practicing on your arms or legs you could use it with great care on your face. It takes longer to treat each section of hair than the Silkn system but it is likely to result in permanent hair removal faster than a laser hair removal system if you have the patience to work on each hair one at a time.
The Silk’n laser hair removal system comes into its own if you want to treat large areas of your body such as chest, arms or legs as you can treat a lot of hair in a short amount of time.
I have to warn you that some people are disappointed when they try these hair removal machines . I think it’s a case of false expectations as they do work effectively – but they take time to work. If you want to achieve permanent hair removal remember that it will take a bit of time to build up your skill levels in using theses machines and that you have to treat each hair at the right stage in its growth phase before the hair follicle is permanently destroyed so it may take a few sessions to destroy each hair.
If you are motivated however and take the time to use the equipment properly you will achieve permanent hair removal at home and that is a fantastic move forward for many with unwanted hair problems.
Removing hair at home is great if you know what you are doing and there are quite a few methods of home hair removal to explore. With a whole body to care for you, will probably find yourself using quite a few of these methods to suit not just particular parts of the body but also particular times of the year (different methods for summer and winter) and different stages in your life (you may need a different method of hair removal when you suddenly get ultra busy with a new job or a new baby).
Also your budget will have a big impact on the methods you can choose. Some methods are a buy it once and then you’re set for a good long time while others you need to continue to buy strips and creams and refills. In any case you will removing hair at home cheaper than comparable methods at a salon.
| Shaving | This method is usually used for underarms and legs and is quick, easy and cheap but you will get a problem with stubbly regrowth which will mean dealing with your unwanted hair almost daily. |
| Waxing | This is a great way to remove unwanted hair for weeks at a time. With a home hot wax kit you will get almost professional salon results if you are prepared to practice a bit until you get it right. If you want something quick you can get cold wax strips which come with a paper backing. You cut a strip the right size then just peel and stick. As you remove wax strips (whether hot or cold wax is used) it feels like pulling off a sticking plaster so you need the courage to do it quickly! |
| Epilators | These little machines are the unsung heroes of the home hair removal world. I would not be parted from mine. They look like an electric shaver and you move the machine in the same way over your skin but a moving tweezer like action or rotary disks pull the hair out from the roots. Painful? a bit though modern machines have inbuilt pain relief mechanisms and you become accustomed to it over time. The action has a lasting effect like waxing leaving you looking smooth for a few weeks at a time. I have also found a reduction in hair growth over several years. |
| Depilatory Creams | Depilatory creams are a bit messy and despite attempts at disguise still a bit smelly because of the hair dissolving chemicals used. But they are effective at leaving your skin smooth and hair free with no nicks or razor bumps and the smoothness lasts a little longer than shaving as the hair is dissolved a little way below the surface. |
| Laser Hair Removal | Until recently a no-no for dealing with hair yourself but now finally possible due to home laser hair removal machines. Still only for those with deep pockets but worth thinking about. |
| Electrolysis | Another method where you probably get better and quicker results from a professional but a home hair removal machine like a One Touch does make it possible to treat yourself provided you are in the right frame of mind to build in skill and spend the time. These machines are actually low cost but you do have to be careful and go easy so that you don’t damage your skin. |
You may need to persevere a bit to find the methods of home hair removal that are right for you. I have certainly tried most things in my time. You might try using one method for under your arms, one for legs and another for your face. If you’re a guy, home hair removal might mean leaving your legs well alone but waxing your chest and getting a friend to help with your back. And then if the first way is not for you try something else. Getting a satisfactory method of home hair removal is all about experimentation.
Going for laser hair treatment is not like going for a facial and massage or getting highlights at the salon. It is a medical procedure in many ways which can be likened to cosmetic surgery, although thankfully there is no knife or incision.
If you go for a consultation be sure to disclose everything that is relevant even if the consultant or technician does not ask.
What information should you give to the laser hair removal center so that they give you the correct hair removal treatment?
Tell the consultant
1. About any skin conditions you have
This can be terribly important to your treatment as it can prevent damage to your skin, even permanent damage by the laser light technology. Make your technician aware of any allergies or problems you have had with your skin in the past or ones you are suffering in the present.
2. Any medical conditions you have
It is always worth mentioning any medical condition that you have even if you have not heard that it might affect your treatment or you don’t think it is serious. It does no harm to ask whether there are any contra-indications which might affect you and mean it is better not to start these hair removal treatments. If you go to a laser treatment clinic they operate under medical supervision and they are the best people to know about any ways laser treatment might harm you.
3. About any sunbathing you have done or plan to do
Any laser hair removal clinic worth using will REFUSE to treat you if you have a suntan or plan to go in the sun or on vacation shortly after treatment (that is within two weeks). Postpone your treatment until your tan has faded for the sake of your skin. The better the contrast between hair and skin the more effective the treatment will be and the less danger of damage to your skin.
Ask all the Questions you need to for Your Laser Hair Treatment
4. Any concerns or questions
Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you like about your situation in particular and laser treatment for hair removal in general. You are paying for the treatment and you deserve to be fully briefed about what to expect from it. Ask for
Many hair removal clinics will give you written notes on how to prepare for laser treatment and what you need to know and watch out for but if you think of anything you forgot to disclose or want to ask something else about your laser hair treatment don’t hesitate to contact your consultant again.
