Hair Removal Methods Online

Dreaming of a beautifully shaved skin? We know, that watching the beautiful girls with shaved skin, legs, bikini area or else on television makes you green with envy. We’ve felt it. Until we did something about it!


We proudly introducing brand new innovative hair removal products and different hair removal methods that makes your life more beautiful. You have problem with anoing hair? Its no problem. Get hair removal methods are available here, but first please study our website and find the best hair removal method what suits you.

We will bring you information from all well known hair removal methods, like laser hair removal, brazilian wax, hair removal shaving, bleaching hair removal, electrolysis hair removal and also plucking hair removal. There are also different hair removal lotions available, so stay toon.

If you do not find the hair removal required information you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact our specialists for more information.

We hope that with our help your body will look smoother and more beautiful soon as possible.
Now men and women are making unwanted facial and body hair a thing of the past, thanks to the latest laser hair removal system. No more painful waxing or electrolysis!

Our system delivers 21st century technology for treatment of this distressing problem. FDA approved for permanent hair reduction, we can now treat men and women of most skin tones safely and effectively. Dr. Wasserbauer performs all treatments on nearly all skin tones, from light to dark.

How many treatments will I need? Most areas require 3-6 treatments, but the number of treatments you may require for optimal long-term benefits depends on various factors such as your hair's thickness, the area treated, and your hair's growth cycle.

Interestingly, not all hairs are actively growing at the same time, but actually go through three distinct phases: growth, regression, and resting. The laser works by disabling the hair that is principally in the active growth phase at the time of treatment. Since other hairs will enter this active growth phase at different times, additional treatments may be necessary to disable all of the hair follicles in a given area.


What areas can be treated? We can remove hair from all parts of the body including the face, legs, arms, underarms, and back. It can also treat sensitive areas like the chest, nipples, and bikini line.

What do treatments feel like? When the pulse of light is delivered, some patients experience a mild pinching or stinging sensation. No local anesthesia or pain medication is typically required; however some patients may prefer to use a topical anesthetic when sensitive areas are treated.

How does laser hair removal compare with Electrolysis? Electrolysis is a tedious, invasive, and painful process that involves inserting a needle into each individual hair follicle and delivering an electrical charge to them one at a time. Electrolysis often requires years of treatments at regular intervals. By delivering light energy to hundreds of hair follicles at a time, we can effectively treat an area in just seconds that would take much longer with electrolysis.

Why choose Dr. Wasserbauer over other hair removal groups? Unlike most spas or clinics Dr. Wasserbauer, not a technician performs all treatments. Using the latest technology in hair removal, Dr. Wasserbauer can rapidly treat large areas without the limitations of older laser technologies. Unlike other systems, Dr. Wasserbauer can treat the fine hair on a woman's upper lip just as easily and effectively as the coarse hair on a man's back.

What happens after the treatment? Immediately following your treatment, the area may appear a bit red and swollen. Three to seven days after treatment you may experience what seems to be re-growth of hair. Actually, most of these hairs are being shed as a result of your treatment, and are not regrowing. Between treatments you should not wax or pluck your hair, but it is permissible to shave.

Are there any restrictions on my activity after treatment? Following the treatment, you can return to your normal activities right away. Occasionally some redness may occur. If this happens, you may want to plan your work or social engagements accordingly. The use of sunscreen is recommended on any treated areas exposed to the sun. As always, it is a good idea to limit your sun exposure.

What are the possible side effects? Slight reddening and local swelling of the skin, similar to a sunburn may occur in some patients. These effects typically last for several hours or less. In rare instances, blistering may occur. Dr. Wasserbauer will reveiw the benefits and risks of treatment during your free consultation.

Hair Removal - Laser

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a gentle and effective way to permanently reduce unwanted hair from virtually any area of the body. Locate a laser hair removal clinic in your area and acquire information on the latest laser hair removal options for men and women by reading the sections below.
Laser Hair Removal Procedure

Laser hair removal is most effective when hair is in the growth stage. Because hair grows in cycles, laser hair removal patients typically require a series of four to six sessions spaced approximately one month apart for maximum results. Learn more about the number of laser hair removal sessions you will need and what to expect during laser hair removal treatment.
Laser Hair Removal Treatable Areas

Almost any area of the body where unwanted hair is a problem can be treated using the latest laser hair removal systems. Common laser hair removal areas for men are the back, chest, and legs, while common laser hair removal areas for women are the face, bikini area, and legs. Learn more about laser facial and body hair removal areas.
Benefits and Risks of Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal can be an extremely pleasing and gratifying procedure for many patients who wish to get rid of unwanted or excessive body hair. However, as with any other cosmetic procedure, laser hair removal inherently provides both benefits and risks; even the latest laser hair removal systems, while safer than conventional methods, cannot provide completely risk-free procedures. Learn more about laser hair removal benefits and the risks of laser hair removal.
Latest Laser Hair Removal Systems and Technology

The latest laser hair removal systems and technologies have proven to be great improvements over older, more conventional methods of hair removal. All laser hair removal systems carry their own sets of advantages and disadvantages. While each laser hair removal clinic typically has a preferred hair removal system, some clinics may offer patients multiple hair removal technologies.
Laser Hair Removal FAQs

While the popularity of laser hair removal has increased, many people are still left with questions about the procedure. As with any other cosmetic treatment, it is in the potential patient’s best interest to become as well-educated as possible about the procedure and technology. DocShop provides answers to many frequently asked questions about laser hair removal.
Laser Hair Removal Cost and Financing

The cost of undergoing any of the latest laser hair removal procedures is consistently one of the highest concerns for potential patients. The cost of laser hair removal will undoubtedly vary from clinic to clinic. However, there are a number of financing options available for those who wish to undergo laser hair removal but can’t afford to pay for the whole procedure up front.

Make It Best

Hair grows in 3 cycles: Active, dormant and shedding/falling out stage. Laser hair removal is effective during the active stage, which is why multiple treatments are necessary to achieve desired results. The hair follicle absorbs the laser light and then converts to heat. The heat damages the follicle and destroys its ability to re-grow. Significantly less hair grows back with each treatment… ultimately resulting in your goal of permanent hair reduction. This treatment may not be performed during pregnancy
How Many Treatments Do I Need?
The number of treatments varies from person to person. Hair growth cycles differ on different parts of the body. Your skin, hair color, coarseness of hair as well as age and metabolism all influence hair growth.

Benefits

* Hair is permanently removed
* No more shaving, tweezing, waxing or bleaching required
* No downtime
* Non-surgical

Things To Know

* Redness may occur but will go away 30 minutes after treatment Hormones, pregnancy, and menopause may stimulate additional hair growth. Additional treatments may be necessary
* Must stay out of the sun
* You may ONLY shave between treatments.
* Blonde hair can not be treated
* 4 to 6 treatments may be necessary

Unwanted Hair

Unwanted hair is a problem shared by both men and women. In many cases the condition runs in families. Race can also be a factor — whites are more prone to having excess facial hair than are Asians and blacks. Some people experience unwanted or excess hair from the time they reach puberty; others find it to be a condition that gets worse with age. Some women experience additional hair growth during pregnancy or menopause. Women who experience sudden hair growth should consult with their physicians, as this may be a sign of other medical conditions.

Hair does not come in any one size or type. Follicles in different parts of the body produce differing types of hair. Hair can grow in thick, bushy patches or in long thin strands. In addition, hair is produced in follicles that can be found at different depths and densities — as close to the skin's surface as a millimeter or as deep as five millimeters or more. Until recently, this great variety in hair types and body locations made long-lasting hair removal a significant challenge.

Remove Hair

More than ever before, both women and men are taking notice of trends in laser technology and new grooming norms, leading to a booming interest in permanent body hair removal. Today's laser hair removal treatments can safely, swiftly, and completely remove unwanted hair virtually anywhere. All it takes is the desire to move beyond the daily grind of razors and waxes.
Popular Areas for Body Laser Hair Treatments

Bikini Laser Hair Removal
Easily among the most popular types of laser body hair removal, Brazilian bikini and pubic hair removal treatments allow people to don the latest swim wear, athletic attire, and intimate fashions with complete confidence. Bikini laser hair removal is also a great treatment for ingrown hair.

Leg Laser Hair Removal
This is the area of body hair removal that women typically spend the most time and money on. But whereas most commercial leg hair removal products will only provide a few days of smoothness, leg laser hair removal procedures deliver amazing results for the long haul.

Underarm Laser Hair Removal
One of the great things about underarm hair removal is that it's a great place to start for anyone new to laser treatments for body hair removal. Most underarm laser hair removal treatments are quite quick and easy, and the results can pay big dividends for men and women, alike.

Chest Laser Hair Removal
Not just the territory of swimmers and body builders anymore, chest hair removal is now a normal part of modern male grooming. Laser chest hair removal treatments can take a few extra visits to permanently reduce hair regrowth, but as body hair removal goes, it's a huge step up from the ball and chain called shaving and waxing.

Back Laser Hair Removal
As the largest area for body hair removal, the back can be near impossible to treat with traditional methods. Fortunately, back laser hair removal can permanently eliminate much of that unwanted hair in just a handful of sessions.
Body Hair Removal Pricing By Area

Looking at laser hair removal costs by body area, it's easy to see that the size of the area being treated will play a major role in the bill you end up receiving for any body hair removal treatment. Smaller procedures like underarm or bikini line hair removal may cost around $300 per session, while the chest, back, or legs may run closer to $700. Regional and corporate rate differences can affect laser hair removal body area pricing, too. Among the biggest factors in body hair removal prices, however, are hair density and skin tone. Obviously, the more hair you need removed, the more sessions might be required to completely remove it, and thus, the higher the cost will be. Similarly, laser treatments for dark skin may take longer, as even the best modern hair lasers will usually need extra sessions to compensate for the melanin in darker skin tissue.

Full Body Hair Removal: Pricing Incentives & Discounts

If you're considering treating multiple areas of the body, many hair removal specialists offer special discounts on laser hair removal costs to customers who purchase procedure packages in bulk. It's an excellent incentive for anyone interested in full body laser hair removal, and you can learn about available offers in your area by contacting one of Hair Removal Forum's helpful guest service liaisons.
Other Body Hair Removal Methods

Electrolysis
Though approved by the FDA as a permanent hair removal treatment, electrolysis is also notoriously painful and time consuming. It can be effective on small areas like the lip and chin, but for larger body hair removal procedures, electrolysis is not a practical alternative to laser treatments.

Waxing
For many people, body hair removal waxing is a normal part of their personal aesthetic routine, but it certainly can hurt, and the results will always be temporary.

Depilatories
There are many body hair removal depilatory products on the market these days, such as Nair and Veet, which are basically chemical creams designed to melt away hair. Though not painful, the process can be messy, and the results, again, are temporary.

Vaniqua®
A little different from depilatories, Vaniqua® hair removal cream isn't a body hair removal treatment so much as a body hair prevention treatment. The enzyme inhibitor can help reduce hair regrowth, but the cream alone won't get rid of the hair in the first place.

Hair Bleaching
Facial or body hair bleaching is a common practice for many women, but it's purpose is more visual, masking the appearance of hair, rather than removing it.

At-Home Hair Removal Systems
There are a wide assortment of home hair removal systems available, including everything from at-home electrolysis kits to one of the newest developments, an at-home laser hair removal system. If you're considering trying one of these systems, please remember that your wisest move is always to put your body hair removal treatment in the hands of an experienced hair removal professional.

Laser Parameters

Several wavelengths of laser energy have been used for hair removal, from visible light to near-infrared radiation. These lasers are usually defined by the lasing medium used to create the wavelength (measured in nanometers (nm)):

* Argon: 488 or 514.5 nm (no longer used for hair removal)
* Ruby: 694 nm (no longer used for hair removal; not safe on most skin types as it frequently produces side effects such as pigmentary changes (lightening or darkening of the skin) or worse for patients of all but white skin.[citation needed]
* Alexandrite: 755 nm (most effective, but safest on light skin)
* Pulsed diode array: 810 nm (for light to medium type skin)
* Nd:YAG: 1064 nm (for darker skin; Yag is capable of treating all six skin colors. However, there is not sufficient evidence that this laser can produce effective long-term hair removal)

Pulsewidth is an important consideration. It has been observed in some published studies that longer pulse widths may be safer for darker skin. However, shorter wavelengths may be more effective in removing hair.

Spot size, or the width of the laser beam, affects treatment. Theoretically, the width of the ideal beam is about four times as wide as the target is deep. Hair removal lasers have a round spot about the size of your finger (8-18 mm). Larger spot sizes help make treatments faster and more effective.

Fluence or energy level is another important consideration. Fluence is measured in joules per square centimeter (J/cm²). It's important to get treated at high enough settings to cause permanent damage to the hair follicles.

Repetition rate is believed to have a cumulative effect, based on the concept of thermal relaxation time. Shooting two or three pulses at the same target with a specific delay between pulses can cause a slight improvement in the heating of an area. This may increase the "kill rate" for each treatment slightly.

Epidermal cooling has been determined to allow higher fluences and reduce pain and side effects, especially in darker skin. Four types of cooling have been developed:

* Clear gel: usually chilled
* Contact cooling: through a window cooled by circulating water or internal cryogen.
* Cryogen spray: immediately before/after the laser pulse
* Air cooling: forced cold air at -34 degrees C (Zimmer Cryo 5 unit)

Multiple treatments, usually 6-8, but as much as 12 depnding on the type of hair you have and skin color have been shown in numerous studies to provide long-term reduction of hair. Current parameters suggest a series of treatments spaced at 4-6 weeks apart for most areas, although the timing of treatments has still not been standardized.

Electrolysis

Electrology is the practice of electrical depilation to permanently remove human hair. The actual process of removing the hair is referred to as electrolysis. The practitioner slides a hair-thin metal probe into each hair follicle. Proper insertion does not puncture the skin. Electricity is delivered to the follicle through the probe, which causes localized damage to the areas that generate hairs, either through the formation of caustic lye (galvanic method), overheating (thermolysis method), or both (blend method).
Three methods or "modalities" are used in electrology. Galvanic, Thermolysis, and Blend all have their own merits, and one method is not better than another. The success depends on the skill of the electrologist, the type of hair being removed, the condition of the skin and the pain threshold of the client. All three methods, when properly performed, can be thorough at destroying the hair matrix cells, and leaving follicles incapable of regrowing hair.
Galvanic

This modality is named after Luigi Galvani and uses a person's body as an electrolytic cell. Galvanic electrolysis was first reported in the medical literature by ophthalmologist Charles Michel in 1875 to remove ingrown eyelashes in patients with trichiasis. [1] A galvanic epilator is essentially a positive ground power supply that delivers 0-3 milliamperes through the body. The follicular probe is the cathode of an electrolytic cell. Sodium hydroxide formed at the cathode by the process of chemical electrolysis kills the hair matrix cells. Modern galvanic epilators automatically adjust the voltage to maintain constant current.

Thermolysis

Another method is known as thermolysis, RF, shortwave or diathermy. Thermolysis was developed in the 1920s and first reported in medical literature by Henri Bordier. [2] A thermolytic epilator is essentially a radio transmitter, usually with an output of about 0-8 watts at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. RF energy emanates from the probe tip to tissue within about a millimeter. Thermolysis works by heating the hair matrix cells to about 48°C (118.4° Degree Fahrenheit), causing electrocoagulation.
Blend

Galvanic and thermolysis are often combined in a method known as blend, developed by Arthur Hinkel in 1948, which uses both RF and direct current, combining many of the advantages of galvanic and thermolysis. [3] All three of these methods use a metal probe 50 to 150 µm (0.002 to 0.006 inches) in diameter which is inserted into the hair follicle to the depth of the dermal papilla or hair matrix, which is the site of formation of hair from highly mitotic and keratinized cells.

Sugaring

Sugaring is a method of hair removal that has been in use for thousands of years This ancient art goes back to 1900 BC when a hairless and smooth body was considered the standard of youth, beauty and innocence for women in Egypt. Today, this art has been revived because of new styles, sports and trends where smooth hairless skin is desired.[citation needed]

Two main methods exist. The Strip Method, uses a paper or fabric strip to remove the sugar (and hairs). This is very similar to waxing. The Hand Method, does not use any paper or fabric strips to remove the sugar, rather a flicking action is used by the therapist to remove the sugar and hairs.

Sugaring can be less painful because it only sticks to the hair (wax will also attach to the skin.) Nevertheless, as with other hair removal methods, there is some risk of skin irritation, sensitivity, or reaction. Though the process can leave a sticky mess, sugar is soluble in water and therefore sugaring involves a relatively easy cleanup with warm water.

Hair Removal - Forums

Hair is normally removed for social and sexual reasons related to the social role of hair in human society. Many cultures have an aesthetic "ideal" amount of hair for males and females. People whose hair violates such standards may experience real or perceived problems with social acceptance.

Many men in Western cultures shave their facial hair, so only a minority of men have a beard, even though fast-growing facial hair must be shaved daily to achieve a clean-shaven or hairless look. Some men shave because they cannot grow a "full" beard (generally defined as an even density from cheeks to neck), because beard color is different from scalp hair color, or because it grows in many directions, making a groomed look difficult. Some men shave because their beards are very coarse, causing itchiness and irritation. Some men grow a beard from time to time to change their appearance.

In many cultures, particularly North American and Western European, it became increasingly common during the 20th century[2] for women to remove some or all of their body hair, due to societal values that consider it unattractive and/or not feminine (see gender role), or as a matter of practising good hygiene. People may also remove some or all of their pubic hair for aesthetic or sexual reasons. Adult film stars are well known for this practice. Men may also practice this, but not as commonly. In a sexual context, pubic hair removal is done to increase visual exposure of the genitalia and/or facilitate access to the genital area by removing the barrier of hair.

Some women in Western cultures choose not to remove hair from their bodies as an act of defiance against what they believe to be an oppressive ritual. Others choose not to remove hair simply because they have no desire to.

Some men shave their heads, either as a fashion statement, because they find a shaved head preferable to the appearance of male pattern baldness, or in order to attain enhanced cooling of the skull (particularly for people suffering from hyperhidrosis). A much smaller number of women also shave their heads as fashion or political statements.

Some women also shave their heads for cultural or social reasons. In India, tradition required widows in some sections of the society to shave their heads as part of being ostracized, the outlawed custom is still infrequently encountered mostly in rural areas, the society at large and the government are working to end the practice of ostracizing widows.

In art paintings or carvings from ancient times, one can often see women portrayed with no pubic hair: pubic hair was linked to sexual acts and desires in the general mindset, and thus it was deemed improper and impure in a public painting. This may have influenced aesthetic views regarding the matter as well.

Hair Removal Types

* Depilation affects the part of the hair above the surface of the skin. The most common form of depilation is shaving. Another popular option is the use of chemical depilatories, which work by breaking the disulfide bonds that link the protein chains that give hair its strength, making the hair disintegrate.

* Epilation is removal of the entire hair, including the part below the skin, and is therefore longer-lasting. Methods include waxing, sugaring, epilation devices, lasers, threading, intense pulsed light or electrology. Hair is also sometimes removed by plucking with tweezers.

Hair Removal Care

For women, laser hair removal is an easy option to remove unwanted hair. This procedure works equally well for men, and is definitely preferable to smelly hair removal creams, painful waxing, or constant shaving. If you've ever wanted to rid yourself permanently of unwanted hair, this is definitely a great way to accomplish your goal.

Safe for Large Areas of the Body
For most men, the areas where they want to have hair removed are large ones; the back, chest, and perhaps the legs. With laser hair removal, these large areas can be done quickly and easily. The laser procedure combines the precise accuracy of shaving with the long lasting qualities of electrolysis, making it much easier to keep large areas smooth and free of unwanted hair.

Since the laser systems work with cool lasers and lights, the procedure itself is less painful and uncomfortable and finished more quickly than with the needles used in electrolysis. This is important, since areas like the chest and back can be very sensitive. Since the lasers are not as invasive as needles, you are far less likely to suffer any real pain during and immediately after laser hair removal. While there will be some discomfort, most reputable doctors or practitioners offer a topical pain relieving cream to be applied before the hair removal begins, providing immediate relief.

Finding a Practitioner
While conducting your search for a doctor to do your laser hair removal procedure, call the offices of those doctors you are interested in and ask if they have worked with many male patients. When you find one who has, ask if you can then make an appointment to go in and talk to him, to ask any questions you may have about the procedure. Make sure you feel comfortable with the person performing the actual laser hair removal, as this will help to keep you calm before and during the procedure.

If you know any buddies or co-workers who have had laser hair removal done, ask them about their experiences and if they would recommend their doctor. Word of mouth is the best way to find really great services and those who offer them, so take advantage of others' experiences.

Justifying the Expense
While women seem to understand that beauty comes at a price, men are, by nature, more logical and practical creatures. Laser hair removal treatments can vary in cost, but the fact of it is that you'll be making an investment. And since this investment is such an important one, consider the fact that you are absolutely worth it!

Sit down and add up the costs of the alternative methods of hair removal. How many jars of hair removal cream, packages of razors or razor blades, or home waxing kits will you be purchasing over the course of your life? Not to mention the skin care creams and soothing balms you'll have to pick up to keep your skin feeling smooth after all of this abuse. Now look at the cost of laser hair removal. After just two or three treatments, you will have softer, smoother, hair free skin. Permanently. Compare the two price tags, and you'll agree that this one time investment in yourself is well worth the price.

After Care
Perhaps the most attractive selling point of laser hair removal is that your skin will require very little care after the procedure is done. The area that has been treated will be slightly red and very mildly uncomfortable, much like a mild sunburn. It is recommended that you wear sunscreen on the area for at least 48 hours after the treatment. You should also avoid tanning, either outside in the sun or in a tanning salon, for a minimum of two weeks after the procedure.

There won't be any oozing or bleeding or any open sores to look after, and there is no chance of nicks or cuts like those from a razor blade. Within two weeks, you'll notice that your skin is back to normal, but even better; it will be softer and rid of the unwanted hair!

Rest assured that many men have had this procedure done and been thrilled with the results. If you're still unsure, do a quick search online for "laser hair removal for men" and check out the articles and forums that are available to you for more information. Go into the procedure well-informed, knowing that you're taking care of yourself and your body with pride.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), is most commonly employed by medical practitioners and aestheticians working under the guidance of a physician, is a method of hair removal from the body involving the use of a specially constructed xenon flash lamp and focusing optics.
The Intense Pulsed Light hair removal process has become very popular due to its cheaper and faster procedure compared to laser hair removal, which is often more costly and time consuming. The comparison of effectiveness between Intense Pulsed Light and Laser Epilation is debated by scientists, equipment manufacturers and practitioners, but results are generally accepted to be roughly equivalent. IPL is generally advertised as "permanent hair reduction" as opposed to "permanent hair removal" (these phrases are misnomers when applied to laser or IPL hair removal). It is also used for the treatment of the skin in a process known as photorejuvenation.
Hair removal mechanics: The focused, broad-spectrum light is applied to the surface of the skin by way of either a hand-held wand, or by an articulated arm. The intense light travels through the tissue of the skin until it strikes the hair shafts or the bulb (root) of the hair. The bulb is usually where the highest concentration of melanin is located, as opposed to the rest of the hair shaft. The light is converted to heat energy. The bulb and most of the hair shaft are instantly vaporized. The intense heat radiated by the hair also destroys the hair-producing papilla or the entire hair follicle. It is also claimed that direct light-heat conversion occurs directly in the darker colored capilaries that bring nourishing blood to the follicle.
IPL technology is also employed in the treatment of medical disorders of the skin including sun damage induced dyspigmentation and vascular changes; poikiloderma of Civatte; acne Rosacea; broken capillaries/telangiectases; vascular and pigmented birth marks. In terms of rosacea, IPL offers one of the few effective treatments to relieve the facial redness associated with the disorder. Such treatment is best administered by a specialist dermatologist. This new technology incorporates 'dual mode filtering' and other important advances which result in safer and more effective treatment than the older systems; which were initially designed for simple processes such as hair removal.
The pulses of light produced by IPL equipment are very short in duration, so discomfort and damage to non-target tissues is minor. Most people who undergo IPL epilation only experience slight irritation similar to that of a minor sunburn though under certain circumstances, blisters may occur. Men undergoing the procedure experience greater discomfort as male body hair is generally thicker than women's. Depending on the instrument settings and intensity, treating sensitive areas such as the chest and face can result in pain comparable to waxing the same areas; however this pain dissipates immediately. The light that emanates from the IPL wand is filtered to remove any ultraviolet components, eliminating the possibility of UV skin damage.

Laser Removal

When a child reaches adolescence, many changes take place in their body. Hair growth is one of the most noticeable of these changes, and can often be annoying for some teenagers. Teens have a tendency to be overly sensitive about their hair growth, especially when it appears in a less desirable area of the body such as the face or arms. Girls are usually more sensitive about this than boys. What can they do about it? Laser hair removal might be an option.

How Laser Hair Removal Works for Teenagers
A teenager with unwanted hair might not want to shave just yet, or use wax and other methods because these methods can encourage more rapid hair growth in a teen whose body is not fully mature. Laser hair removal is an option to consider, but should be decided by both the parent and the teen. All laser hair removal clinics require a parent or legal guardian's consent to perform the procedure on a child under 18 years of age.

Laser hair removal works the same for teens as it does for adults. In the latest technology, a laser light called intense pulsed light (IPL) is used to destroy hair follicles where the unwanted hair appears. The procedure is safe for teens, but they should be aware of how the procedure works beforehand. Knowing what to expect will make the visit more pleasant.

Possible Side Effects for Teenagers
The side effects of laser hair removal have been lessened tremendously with the latest IPL technology. However, teens should be aware of the possibility of side effects. A reddening of the area treated can occur for several days after a laser procedure so the patient will want to plan the days after carefully. Having the procedure during a school holiday week or the summer months might be a good idea. Also, the hair will not disappear immediately. It will usually thicken first, then fall away within a week or two, so expectations of the actual visit should not be set too high. Swelling in the treated area can also occur for several hours after treatment.

Teens should also understand that several visits might be required to remove all the unwanted hair. Four visits are the average, but it might take less depending on the amount of hair that needs to be removed, and the color of the patient's hair and skin.

Drawbacks of Laser Hair Removal for Teenagers
Laser hair removal might not be the best option for some teens. One reason is the cost. Laser hair removal can be expensive for teens because it is not permanent. A teen's hair growth process is usually not mature, so more treatments might be required soon to keep the unwanted hair away. After a treatment or session, hair will usually stay gone for around six months. After this period, hair begins to grow again. A teen's hair growth is sometimes more rapid than an adult's, so the laser hair removal procedure might have to be repeated.

Another reason is laser hair removal doesn't always work with every type of hair or skin. The affects are usually best with the combined light skin and dark hair. Blond, white and gray hairs lack pigment, so the treatment is not effective or success rates can be very limited. The teen and parent(s) should consult with a laser hair removal specialist to decide if treatment is best.

Tanning and Laser Hair Removal
Another thing to consider for teens is whether or not they tan their body frequently, either in the sunlight or a tanning facility. A tanned body does not react to laser hair removal positively in many cases. The reason? Tanned skin can prevent some of the laser energy from reaching the hair follicles because the darker the skin, the more light energy it absorbs. When the skin absorbs much of the light, the hair follicles are deprived of the light, and the skin might also be burned during the procedure, causing discomfort. Before the procedure, teens should avoid tanning for as long as possible by wearing strong sunscreen while outdoors.

Fortunately, there are new methods coming on the scene to help those with tanned or dark skin as well. As technology and techniques improve, so are more positive results for people of all skin and hair types. One example is super long-pulse technology, which spreads out the light energy over a longer period of time instead of using intense, fast treatments. The skin is not affected, and more hair follicles can be reached successfully. There are many types of lasers and treatment methods on the market, so the right type of specialist and equipment should be sought out before considering treatment.

Teens can benefit from laser hair removal if they are prepared for the procedure and possible side effects. A successful procedure can help build confidence and provide a safe, simple way to get rid of unwanted hair.

Hair and Modern Life Style

Hair is your crowning glory. It is also your body’s barometer indicating good health or the lack of it. Hair’s primary function is protection but in today’s modern day world, we are living in an era of diminishing returns as far as hair is concerned.

Fashion and stress have become the modern day barometers. Modern lifestyle has its own unique consequences on hair.

Travel

World has become a very small place to live in. Since the airfares have reduced drastically people have started air travel very frequently.

This takes a toll on the hair due to increased humidity levels. While most of us commute to work or college everyday, our work often takes us far from home.

Our hair may be the first to react to climatic changes. Travelling in air-conditioned buses and trains and living in the comfort of A/C hotel rooms might add that extra luxury to your trip but it can take its toll on your hair due to the increased humidity levels.

If you find that your hair has suddenly become sticky and hard to dress, the problem could lie with the water you are washing it with. Hard water causes calcium and magnesium deposits to cling to the hair shaft. To remove hard water deposits, add a little lemon juice to the water while rinsing.

Smoking

According to recent studies, smoking can increase almost all the major androgenic hormones, which are closely linked to hair loss. If you are not predisposed to losing hair, you needn’t worry. But if you are, smoking will increase the rate at which your hair falls.

Diet

The current obsession with losing weight might wreak havoc on your hair. Our hair is often the first to be affected by a lack of some nutrient. It may be the only sign that something is wrong. So, we may feel quite healthy, but if we find our hair suddenly looking dull or falling excessively, we should not ignore it. It could simply be our body telling us to eat better. Since our hair is made up primarily of proteins, make sure you include enough proteins in your diet, whether in the form of fish, meat or pulses. Our hair also requires minerals like zinc, magnesium, iron etc in the right proportions. Of course, only a trichologist could tell you which minerals your hair is lacking in.

Fashion

Tough as it is, hair cannot cope with some of today’s beauty treatments and most of the commercial treatments can ruin you hair.

Hot rollers and dryers destroy the hair’s elasticity and strength. Metal combs and sharp bristled brushes displace the cuticle plates, making hair dull. Permanent chemical dyes damage hair by breaking through the cuticle to invade the cortex.

Petroleum-based jellies; sprays and permanent waves depend on distorting the hair’s keratin structure to succeed. Chemical processes such as perming, colouring, bleaching and straightening, remove all protein and moisture out of hair, leaving it fragile, porous, brittle; the scalp irritated and flaky.

Stress

Hair follicles are surrounded by and invaded by a network of nerve cells. Potentially, any adverse chemical activity in the nervous system might send adverse signals to the hair follicles. Hair loss may develop and become noticeable a few weeks to four months after the initial stress episode. Stress increases the cortico-steroids level in the body which leads to auto immune disorder ‘Alopecia’.

Heart Problems

The link that has been established between hair loss and heart disease is not new. The amount of hair loss seems to coincide with the likelihood of a heart disease victim.

But there are other causes of hair loss, so don’t panic - just because you may be suffering from male or female pattern hair loss does not mean that you will suffer a heart attack. As per a research, it has been found out that men who are balding from the vertex region are seventy times more susceptible to cardiac diseases.

One should learn to maintain a healthy lifestyle to have healthy hair which includes healthy hair food like Almonds, milk palak and paneer, one should have atleast 2 litres of water everyday, to maintain a healthy scalp one needs to oil the scalp regularly atleast 2-3 times a week and de-stressing activities like yoga, listening to music and meditation.

In this modern world, like one does a regular body check similarly one has to do a regular Hair check up. You never know what you will discover.

Hard hair wings

When I talk about hard hair I both mean hair that's hard - like squirrel and polar bear - and hair that's hard to tie in on the hook. We all know the problem: not only is squirrel wings hard as #"¤%&/ to place properly on top of the shank, but they also sometimes seem to fall off for nothing. Take an old squirrel hair streamer and pull the wing. It's very likely that it will come off easily. Mine used to do that. And If I didn't pull them, a bit of fishing could do the job. A couple of casts and the wing would come apart.

A little routine
I have come upon a little routine that almost eliminates this problem. It uses a couple of tricks to accomplish two things: keep the bundle of hair neatly together and secure it fairly well on the top of the shank.


The procedure is as follows:

1. Cut a bunch of hair.
2. Remove underfur
3. The bunch should not exceed approx. the double shank diameter when it's hard compressed
4. Stack the hair if needed
5. Trim the hair to a suitable length
* Either trim to excact length leaving nothing to cut afterwards
* Or cut a bit longer than needed and trim afterwards
The first method makes tying in the wing a bit harder, while the second leaves the very hard and dense stumps to cut when finished. Use the methods according to taste and application.
6. Wind the thread to the spot where the wing is to be tied in
7. Spin the thread in a counterclockwise direction giving it a tendency to coil backwards
8. Grab the hair over the point where it will be tied in
9. Hold it a bit above the shank to the back of the hook
10. Pass the thread over the bunch
11. Pass the thread under the bunch but over the hook shank back to your own side
12. Now pass the thread once more over the hairs. The thread coil should keep the thread pressed against your left hand fingers and keep it from 'falling over the edge' of the hair bases
13. You might want to repeat the step above and make one more turn over the hair and over the hook shank as shown
14. Now guide the hair and thread lightly down to the shank while slowly tightning the thread.
15. Hold the hair firmly on your side while pulling the loop tight
16. The hair should now be one tight bundle on top of the shank, pulled slightly towards you
17. Now pass the thread over the hair again and under the hook shank in the normal manner. This should gather the few hairs on your side of the hook shank
18. Take the thread under the shank and tighten on the upwards movement on your own side
19. Spin the thread and flatten it again to remove the coil
20. Make shure that the wing is properly placed and take a couple more tight turns in front of the first. Leave a bit of the hair bases uncovered.
21. Varnish the visible basis of the hairs. Thin cellulose based or flexible varnishes like Dave's Flexament work well.
22. Trim the stubs after the varnish is dry if needed.

A Dermatologist Comments on Hair Removal Methods

Question 1: I am a 55-year-old woman with facial hair. Originally, I used depilatories (like Nair), but they irritate my light, sensitive skin. I don't think shaving is practical and I'm concerned that electrolysis would be painful. What do you suggest?

Question 2: I'm tired of shaving my legs. In a previous column, you answered a question about electrolysis. What about laser? Is one better than the other? If I try laser or electrolysis, will the hair just grow back thicker anyway?

Dr. Mitchell answers:
Thick, dark hair above a woman's lip or on her chin can sometimes run in families. However, this nuisance should first be distinguished from abnormal hair growth due to a medical problem like polycystic ovary syndrome or a testosterone-producing tumor. Treating the underlying medical problem, when it exists, will treat the excess facial hair.

If you do indeed have a benign form of hair overgrowth, Dr. Janet Fairley, a Medical College of Wisconsin Professor of Dermatology who practices at the Zablocki VA Medical Center, lists several options: shaving, tweezing, waxing, chemical removal like depilatories, and permanent removal (electrolysis or laser). A prescription cream called Vaniqa (eflornithine) can also chemically inhibit hair growth. Remember that for any product applied to the skin, be it wax, depilatory, or prescription cream, first test the product on a small area to be sure you do not have an allergic reaction or display hypersensitivity and, of course, follow the package directions.

Electrolysis applies electric current to individual hairs and destroys the hair root. However, because sometimes the electrolysis needle isn't on target, you often need several treatment sessions to completely remove all hair in a particular area. If you are using electrolysis for a large area, like your legs, you may require many months of weekly appointments. Dr. Fairley warns that this may become costly.

For a small area like your face, electrolysis may be an option. Make an appointment to discuss what your treatment plan would be. Choose an electrologist wisely to minimize risks of infection and scarring. In Wisconsin, electrologists must be licensed by the state board of cosmetology, but there are no national standards. Look for members of the International Guild of Hair Removal Specialists, the American Electrology Association or the Society for Clinical and Medical Hair Removal.

Dr. Fairley tells me that laser is a more effective way to remove hair from large areas such as the legs. Laser works by killing hair follicles with heat. First a black-colored solution is applied to the legs, and this solution is absorbed by the hair follicles. The laser then targets its heat to the black spots.

But laser is relatively more expensive, and it still isn't perfect. A recent study showed that laser therapy removed about 30% of hair in about two-thirds of people undergoing treatment. So again, multiple visits may be necessary. Most people decide how to treat excess hair based on cost, convenience, and/or a nearby or recommended practitioner.

Dr. Fairley also clears up a myth: no method of hair removal has ever been shown to result in an increase in hair growth. Shaven hairs sometimes appear thicker than hair that has been allowed to grow, and thus, with time, have a weakened shaft and softer ends, but they aren't actually any thicker.

Oral Medications inhibit hair growth

If none of these hair removal methods seem to address your particular problems, ask your doctor about oral medications to inhibit hair growth.

There is a topical cream called Vaniqa, recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the slowing of facial hair growth in women. This cream slows growth, but will not remove the hair.

Razor to Laser

Hair Removal

Woman's LegsFor many years the beauty industry has been offering a variety of hair removal or depilation treatments, ranging from waxing and sugaring to electrolysis. However, the biggest revolution in the field of depilation came with the introduction of light-based devices, such as laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL); designed to effectively and safely target the hair and literally ‘zap’ it away.

Now, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), almost 1.5 million laser hair removal procedures were performed in clinics and salons in the USA in 2006, making it the 3rd most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment behind Botox® and dermal filler injections.

According to sk:n, the UK’s largest chain of specialist laser clinics, nearly 70,000 people were treated with laser hair removal in their clinics in 2004-2005, rising to over 110,000 in the period 2006-2007. Jane Lewis, Development Director for sk:n, notes; “Of the 20,000 clients treated every month at sk:n’s 25 clinics nationwide over 50% have laser hair removal. The male:female split is 60:40 and women aged between 18-50 tend to make up most of the client base.”

“Women tend to be motivated primarily by facial hair and once they’ve seen the results move on to other areas, particularly the underarm and bikini line areas. Men tend to be aged between mid-twenties to mid forties and the most popular treatment areas are backs and chests”; concludes Jane Lewis.

In this month’s feature article we look at the evolution of light and its use for hair removal, some of the new and advanced machines now available and discuss the impact of home use devices now being launched in the UK.

Background on the Use of Light for Hair Removal

The general rule for light based treatments for hair removal is that the hair colour should be darker than the skin colour, due to the absorption of light by the melanin or pigmentation (present in both skin and hair), which acts as the chromophore or target of the light. Treatment is most effective where there is a good contrast between the skin and hair colour, making dark hair on pale skin an ideal candidate and making the treatment of lighter hair colours and darker skin tones somewhat trickier if not contraindicated in some cases due to non-responsiveness and an increased risk or scarring or burns.

The effect of light based hair removal is most obvious during what is known as the ‘anagen’ phase of hair growth. That is when new hairs start to grow. During this period of growth, the hair follicle has increased pigmentation or melanin and growth of new cells that makes it more open to damage from light treatment. Hence, due to this natural growth cycle, treatments with any light based device will be scheduled into several repeat sessions, at frequent time intervals, to catch each individual hair at its optimum growth phase.

The absorption of light by melanin (without absorption of the light by other surrounding tissues such as haemoglobin or blood) is best created with wavelengths or colours of light between 650 – 1200nm, i.e. from red light to infra-red light.

The first light based devices to be used for hair removal were lasers (Light Amplified by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation), and specifically the type of laser known as a Ruby laser (a 694nm wavelength with a deep red light). However, later research proved them to only be safe for use on light skin tones, making them much less popular for hair removal treatments nowadays due to the variety of skin types in this country.

Then came the Alexandrite laser (a 755nm wavelength with near infra red light) which was safer for use on darker skin types than the Ruby laser, and which proved to be very effective, despite the unreliability of early models.

Further developments came along with the Nd:YAG (a 1064nm wavelength with near infra red light) and Pulsed Diode (an 810nm wavelength with near infra red light) lasers which although slower, and often with a smaller treatment zone, had the advantage of being able to safely treat darker skin as well as light to medium tones. These two lasers were subsequently heavily marketed for hair removal treatments in clinics and beauty salons.

In the late 1990s, the LightSheer™ from Lumenis, a pulsed diode laser with an 800nm wavelength became the first laser to receive FDA approval in America for ‘permanent hair reduction’. Since then, many more devices have been approved for this treatment and this ‘qualification’ has proved to be the gold standard in light-based hair removal, as to date no light-based device has been proved to produce ‘permanent hair removal‘, hence device claims are strictly vetted, both in the US and UK.

Following on from lasers came the development of IPL or Intense Pulsed Light technology. Unlike lasers which deliver one single wavelength or colour of light, an IPL device which is based on a flash lamp can produce a wide spectrum of wavelengths which can then be filtered to produce the same wavelengths as the different laser types. This allows the operator to treat a variety of skin types by switching the filters to create the best wavelength type for the skin type that they are treating, although caution is still needed with IPL and very dark skin types due to the risk of hyper- or hypo–pigmentation. IPL devices are also marketed using terms such as broadband light or Light Heat Energy (LHE) which uses a longer pulse of light to create a thermal effect but is still pulsed light.

Most large medical aesthetic clinics offering laser hair removal tend to favour having a multi-device offering including an Alexandrite and Diode laser and an IPL system. This way they are able to target many of the skin and hair types of those who request treatment with the most effective modality.

Many smaller clinics and beauty salons however tend to opt for an Intense Pulsed Light system, primarily due to cost constraints, as a single IPL device still enables them to treat a variety of different patient types safely and relatively effectively.

The increase in the availability of laser/IPL hair removal treatments, primarily due to the increased uptake of IPL devices within the beauty salon trade, has lead to the cost of treatment falling for the consumer due to this increased competition. In fact, according to results from the Guild News magazine’s Beauty Industry Survey, (carried out annually based on a poll of its subscribers), the average price of a laser/IPL hair removal treatment has fallen from £128.88 in 2002 to just £39.10 in 2005; although this has seen a rise again in 2006 to an average of £59.22, demonstrating a drop in the cost of laser/IPL treatments of 46% over 4 years. Good news for the consumer!

“Hair removal has come of age; it is no longer seen as a ‘space-age’ treatment sold as a novelty and based on the perception of the ‘laser’ as a Tomorrow’s World miracle available only to the jet-set. 21st century hair removal is now seen as a scientifically based, clinically demonstrated and publicly accepted solution for the age-old problem of unwanted hair”; comments Paul Stapleton, Managing Director of The Mapperley Park Clinic in Nottingham.

Combining Modalities for Improved Treatment

More recently manufacturers have been combining different light and electrical modalities in an attempt to produce better and longer lasting results for hair removal treatments, along with the ability to treat a wider variety of hair and skin colours, including red, blonde, grey and white hair, which as they do not contain any pigment for the light to target have historically been unresponsive. Additionally the holy grail of pain-free treatment is sought by many device manufacturers.

Syneron mode of actionSuch examples come from Syneron, who have combined both a pulsed diode laser (810nm) and an IPL system (680-980nm) with bi-polar radiofrequency (RF) to produce their eLaser™ and eLight™ systems based on proprietary elos™ (electro-optical synergy) technology. By combining the light source with RF the devices are able to preheat the hair follicle using the light or optical energy, which creates a thermal path for the bi-polar RF to travel along, thus meaning that the RF travels directly to the hair follicle which then cannot further conduct the energy to the surrounding skin etc. This build up of energy in the hair follicle causes it be become terminally disabled and damaged. Unlike with laser where the hair is effectively ‘singed’ away at the root, the RF energy simply disengages the follicle at the root, leaving the hair shaft itself intact which will then shed over time or can indeed be pulled out without resistance.
Although these devices claim to treat white, blonde, grey and red hair they do require multiple passes of the device set at maximum RF energy settings to achieve results, compared to darker hairs. Coarse white, red and grey hairs seem to respond better than fine blonde hair with this device, as the company notes that approximately 3 in 10 patients may not have a reduction on blonde hair, which is normally confirmed after 3 treatment sessions.

At this time there is little in the way of robust theory or clinical evidence to suggest that RF mediated devices are any better than the same device without the RF component.


PPX Photopneumatic Therapy - mechanism of action

PPX Itellitip
PPx™ Photopneumatic Therapy from Aesthera combines IPL (400-800nm) broadband light (“photo”) with pressure (“pneumatic”) modalities in a device which draws the area of skin (and hair) being treated up into the treatment tip to bring the hair follicles closer to the surface of the skin and reduce the blood concentration in the area, before the light energy is applied. This means that the energy applied is concentrated in the target area only thus eliminating the heat spread to surrounding normal tissues. The manufacturers state that by using this combination they are able to use a reduced amount of light energy leading to a gentler and pain-free treatment compared to existing laser/IPL devices.

The downside for clinicians and consumers alike, who will share the cost, is the per-patient disposable treatment tips or Intellitip™, available in various sizes for treating different areas of the face and body.

What’s New in Lasers & IPL?

Despite the relative usefulness of an IPL based device in being able to treat a broad range of skin and hair types, it is still considered to be somewhat of a compromise over a more targeted laser device producing one particular light wavelength; hence manufacturers are now investing more and more in the development of yet more powerful and less painful lasers, along with improving the existing IPL technology to compete with the laser platforms. The Holy Grail as such has yet to be found it seems but here are some of the newest laser and IPL technologies now available to treat unwanted hair.

The Soprano™ XL continuous wave long pulse diode (810nm) laser from Alma Lasers markets itself with the line “virtually painless laser hair removal”, due it says to its revolutionary new delivery method which dramatically changes the way laser hair removal has been performed for the last 15 years. Soprano

The device offers a dual mode application of pulse diode laser energy for hair removal, known as Hair Removal (HR) and Super Hair Removal (SHR) modes. The HR mode offers treatment with the standard technique employed for this type of laser, whereby a single pulse of high fluence (energy) laser light is delivered to target the hair follicles. The SHR mode meanwhile uses a lower fluence, high repetition pulse rate, (10 pulses per second – the fastest on the market) which is applied to the treatment area with the hand piece in motion. It is this new technique, whereby the hand piece is constantly being moved by the operator whilst the laser energy is fired, which results in a more gradual heat build up and a less painful treatment. The in-motion delivery use the chromophores in the surrounding tissue as reservoirs to effectively heat up the hair follicle, along with the heat energy which is actually absorbed in the normal way directly by the hair follicle itself. This combined gradual heating damages the follicle and prevents re-growth, without damaging the epidermis (skin’s surface). Alma Lasers state that the Soprano is safe and effective for all skin and hair types, including tanned skin, which is often noted as a contra-indication for laser hair removal treatment, due to the absorption of heat by the epidermis.

In 1998, Deka was the first company to launch a long pulse (LP) Nd: YAG (1064nm) laser device for hair removal. Now in 2007, they have launched a new multi-laser/IPL platform called the Synchro HP which offers the same LP Nd:YAG but uniquely with a spot (or treatment area) size of up to 20mm – the largest on the market today – which allows for much quicker treatment times. The manufacturers state that this laser is ideal for treating all skin types, especially darker tones, and also claims to treat all hair colours, except white.

iPulse i300 unitClaiming to be a major breakthrough in Intense Pulsed Light technology is the iPulse™ (530 – 1200nm) from Cyden Ltd. This is due it says to a unique and patented way of delivering the micro-pulses of light, known as the ‘square pulse’, which produces an effective clinical performance but with a lower energy requirement, leading to a lower running cost for clinics and less painful treatments for consumers.

In conventional IPL devices, the electric current surges through the flash lamp in a wave and the wavelengths of light vary during this pulse. At its peak, the energy is too high and produces more blue light that must be filtered out. Much of the energy is therefore lost so to be effective treatments are carried out at wastefully high energy levels that can be uncomfortable, as well as costly. iPulse technology solves this problem with unique circuitry that creates a constant input current of energy to the lamp generating a constant wavelength of light, in a ‘square pulse’, meaning that effective treatment can be carried out at lower energy levels (which also means that it requires less contact cooling than other IPL devices) and without the need for additional filters for the device for treating different skin types. Additionally, the iPulse device used multiple lamps which allow it to have a large spot or treatment size leading to much quicker treatment times, especially for large areas. For clinicians this technology also means that the device is much smaller thus taking up less room within a clinic.

Home Use Lasers

In December 2006, Palomar Medical Technologies announced that it had become the first company to receive US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval for an over-the-counter, home use, light-based hair removal device, allowing the device to be sold directly to consumers in the United States upon launch. The device, registered with the FDA as the ‘ABC Hair Removal System’ is composed of a base unit, umbilical cord, hand piece, chiller system with chiller coolant, cleaning wipes, ABC lubricant, power supply and safety components. It is rumoured to be a diode laser which will cost in the region of $1,200 (approx. £600) and is being developed by Palomar and commercialised in conjunction with The Gillette Company, already famous as the leading manufacturer of razors. So far, no device has actually been launched but is anticipated sometime in 2008.

Tria - at home laser hair removalIn 2003, a team of American dermatologists, engineers, and executives, who were previously behind the development of the Lumenis diode laser LightSheer™ back in the early 1990s, went on to found SpectraGenics. They then began the development of its flagship diode laser device for home use, TRIA™, which was subsequently launched in the UK in early 2007.

The device which is compact, hand-held and rechargeable offers 3 settings (high, medium and low) for the level of energy delivered, which can be chosen by the user based on their own comfort levels, although the higher setting is likely to produce the better results. There is no requirement for gels or chilling components.

So far TRIA™ is only available in the European countries of Italy, Spain and the UK, plus in Japan where it has sold over 12,000 units in the last year under the brand name i-epi™. The company report that product acceptance in both Asia and Europe has been positive to date and they plan to commercialise the product in the USA soon.

A recent clinical trial showed that the device was not only safe and effective for home use, but that users experienced both excellent short-term, single-treatment hair removal and excellent sustained hair removal with periodic treatments. The only observed side effect was mild-to-moderate redness, which typically resolved in less than 30 minutes, and slight pain during treatment.

The TRIA™ currently retails in the UK for £695.00. Although, when The Consulting Room™ recently conducted a small online poll of 75 people and asked them how much they would be prepared to spend on an at-home laser hair removal device, we noted that the majority, 40%, were only prepared to invest less than £100, with 29% prepared to go up to £250, and 23% up to £550, with few willing to pay above that price. It seems that the public will still need some convincing as to the long-term cost savings available with this device. However, Spectragenics claims that based on national averages, a woman can expect to spend between £1,500 and £4,500 for hair-free underarms, bikini line, upper lip and chin over the next ten years, making the TRIA™ a cost effective solution to unwanted hair. TRIA™ can also be effectively sold by clinics to patients as a method of managing unwanted strands of re-growth following a hair removal treatment course.

Body Hair Removal

Body Hair Removal is a personal choice made by both male and female. There is no right or wrong area for wanting to rid yourself of un-wanted hair rather, it is a matter of where you would like to stop the hair from growing which can be practically anywhere on the body from the top of your toes, legs, fingers, groin or pelvic area, face to on top of your head!

To start, there are many Laser Hair Removal treatment guidelines. The most important of these guidelines is determining the type of skin you have as well as the type of hair. In doing this you will have more awareness of what to look for in shopping for a clinic and what your price range will be. A practical way in which you can establish your settings for the Body Laser Hair Removal process is by searching online to find a clinic of interest and filling out the online evaluation form which will provide feedback from a laser specialist given the information you have entered. For example, if you are light skinned and have relatively dark hair and you explain what part of the body you would like treatment; our specialist will know what category you fall in (type I, II or III) and have the ability to better choose the right laser machine specifically for you. There are a series of questions you will respond to concerning your nationality/race, if you tan or burn easily and what your hair color is.

These common questions fit into a scale known as the “Fitzpatrick Phototype” which is broken down into type I, type II type III, type IV, Type V and type VI. Types I- III are most likely going to achieve the best results since they are fair skin and dark hair. Melanin needs to be absorbed by the laser in the hair follicle where there is pigmentation (melanin). Worst results occur when types V –VI are candidates with black skin and/or gray hair in which case the laser cannot depict the melanin in the hair’s root since the pigment of the skin also carries melanin which distracts the laser light and gray hair is so light it will not indicate any traces of melanin. However, do not be discouraged if you are darker toned, there is a machine known as the yag that may be able to work fairly on this skin type.

Facial Hair Removal

Facial Hair Removal is a universal procedure for men and women equally. For some women, facial hair can be seen on the surface as very thick and dark hair. Sometimes this is hereditary; it can however be a hormonal or a distinct cultural representation and for many it is embarrassing. Men also have facial hair which is mostly common, but can be demanding and at times painful to maintain with methods such as shaving and/or waxing. All points lead to ridding the face of unwanted hair. Laser is a popular way in which one can achieve this desire in a short, safe and very effective way.

Generally, laser treatment can be applied to all parts of the body excluding the eyelashes and for some clinics, the brow area. Rather than putting your skin through a tremendous amount of ‘guinea pig’ work using harsh methods like waxing, tweezing, bleaching or shaving and resulting in a denser re- growth of hair, painful irritations and damaging the skin in some cases, why not be good to your skin and consider laser facial hair removal?

The effects are profound for removing the unwanted hair. Side effects may involve something comparable of a mild sun burn which takes very little time to subside. The most fashionable areas for treatment on the face are: the chin and upper lip. Although these are common areas, the brows, forehead, sideburns, jaw line and space in- between the brows also referred to as the glabella are other treatable locations. We, as laser specialists are aware of your personal needs such as confidentiality and do what we can to ensure your privacy as well as address any concerns you may have before beginning a procedure. As a patient, you will be guided through the process and we will share in the joy of your life changing appearance as you find your skin to be smooth and more defined. Each individual consultation will include the safest and most effective FDA approved machine to use with regard to your own personal needs.

Pubic Hair Removal

Pubic Hair Removal is a new trend which has superseded its taboo. Many women and men are enjoying the freedom of removing unwanted hair in this private area. Pubic hairs are generally thicker, coarser hairs which can be unmanageable for some or simply undesired for others. Today, there is a new procedure known for making shaving, sugaring or waxing a thing of the past. This new and highly favored procedure is known as Laser Hair Removal! Pubic Laser Hair Removal is safe and virtually painless.

The procedure is done with a laser machine which has undergone tremendous research in finding an effective, secure ray of light to be used in firing or “pulsing” through a piece of glass attached to a comfortable hand piece onto the skin’s surface for a quick and easy method in removing unwanted hair from just about anywhere on the body. With that said, there are many who want to liberate themselves and have fun with decorating this area for their significant other. Laser is the way to go! Razors are time consuming and can leave irritated bumps, cuts and itchiness from the hair re- growth. Lasers work to give whatever effect you want such as the full or partial “Brazilian” for both men and women which is far less painful that a “Brazilian” wax, the “landing strip”, bikini line (a popular procedure) and the infamous heart shape.

Some may wonder why you would want to spend forty or up to fifteen hundred dollars on a procedure just to remove hair? The answer is really quite simple; laser has long-term results and gives a spotless look. In the event of sensitivity in working with the laser in this area, there are creams and anesthetics recommended by treatment centers to apply to the skin for reducing any sensations during the procedure. Side effects to this area are the same as any treated area consisting of redness and sensitivity for a couple minutes to hours or possibly a few days depending upon your skin type.

There is no reason to feel humiliated or embarrassed, some men may experience an erection and both men and women may have uncontrolled gas, which is something your laser professional is aware of. In some locations, clinics do not offer or perform this type of hair removal procedure. Therefore, you should inquire about it before setting up your first scheduled visit.

Permanent Hair Removal

Hair Removal has been an ongoing pandemic for centuries. There have been many techniques in ridding the body of un wanted hairs in areas such as the brows, armpits, bikini area, and face just to name a few. Men and women have been fighting this battle using repeated methods encompassing threading, waxing, plucking, shaving and a popular procedure referred to as electrolysis. Most of these sources for abolishing hair are very time consuming and becoming outdated. A new clinical advance on the market has emerged the Laser beam. In many developing studies, research shows laser light to be secure and valuable in treating persons with removing un-wanted hair from the body.

To better understand Hair Removal we must first recognize the basics of hair. Hair comes to us in different types known as vellus and terminal. Vellus hair is consistent mainly on women working to manage the body’s insulation and assisting in the regulation of a steady body temperature. These hairs are commonly fine, short and soft. In addition, vellus can be seen on the chest, face and back. Second, terminal hair is much coarser, darker and longer generally located on the top of your head, armpits as well as in the pubic area. Terminal hair serves as a protective cushioning in these regions mentioned along with growth on the chest, legs and back. For some, man or woman can experience an extreme hair spurt referred to as hirsutism and may in fact be the result in a medical condition. Certain medications such as steroids will also play a role in this condition creating a hormonal disorder making way for a surge of hair to grow in an unwanted area. Fortunately, there are methods in which this problem can be treated securing a more confident self. Hirsutism does not have to be the only reason for utilizing hair removal. One can simply prefer to in no way desire to be bothered with hair on the surface electing toward a hair and hassle free life. Hair Removal is an exceedingly widespread theory many are finding to be beneficial towards enhancing their physical appearance creating a healthier emotional balance between the mind and body.

Before The Treatment

Try to avoid sun exposure. Hair can be more aggressively treated without a fresh tan. Having hair is essential to having a successful treatment. You can not wax, tweeze, thread or have electrolysis for 4 weeks before a treatment. The best way to manage hair before is to shave, trim, bleach or use cream depilatories. The day of your treatment the hair will need to have been freshly shaved. If you suffer from coldsores often and are having your mouth area treated you will need to get a prescription for Acyclovir or Zovarix and take as directed by your technician. Usually it is 2 days before and 3 days after the treatment. Purchase either Aloe, vitamin E gel or sunburn creams and keep them in your fridge ready to go for after your treatment.

Hair Removal in Ancient History

The pursuit of a hair-free body may be as old as the cavemen. Archaeologists have evidence that men shaved their faces as far back as twenty thousand years ago, using sharpened rocks and shells to scrape off hair. The Sumerians removed hair with tweezers. Ancient Arabians used string. Egyptians, including Cleopatra, also did it -- some with bronze razors they took to their tombs, some with sugar and others with beeswax. The Greeks, who equated smooth with civilized, did it, too. Roman men shaved their faces until Emperor Hadrian -- although Julius Caesar is said to have had his facial hairs plucked. Roman ladies also plucked their eyebrows with tweezers. Another primitive method of hair removal, actually used by women as late as the 1940s, involved rubbing off the hair by rubbing skin with abrasive mitts or discs the consistency of fine sandpaper.

As an alternative, there were lotion and cream depilatories (from the Latin d_pil_re: d_-, completely + pil_re, deprive of hair), which dissolved--and still do--hair above the surface of the skin. (It should be noted here that while the term depilatory has seemingly meant cream and lotion forms of hair removal, by definition it technically includes wax and sugar, as well.) Early depilatories were made from such choice ingredients as resin, pitch, white vine or ivy gum extracts, ass's fat, she-goat's gall, bat's blood and powdered viper. Evidence of depilatory use dates as far back as 4000-3000 B.C., when women used a depilatory ("rhusma turcorum") containing orpiment (natural arsenic trisulphide), quicklime (used to make cement) and starch made into a paste. Clearly, throughout history there have been drastic lengths to which people would go to eliminate body hair.

The Middle East

Among the ancient Egyptians, a clean-shaven face was a symbol of status. According to Herodotus, 'Egyptians are shaven at other times, but after a death they let their hair and beard grow.' They used depilatory creams, razors and pumice stones for this purpose. Both sexes shaved themselves bald and wore elaborate wigs. The practice of removing hair was not limited to the face and head. Egyptian women beeswaxed their legs. They also used depilatories made of starch, arsenic and quicklime.

This obsession with hairlessness probably had as much to do with hygiene as with ideals of beauty and fashion. The hot Middle Eastern climate encouraged germs and diseases to breed, and the removal of all body hair was a preventive measure against infection.

No doubt Middle Easterners used a hair removal process called body sugaring, involving the application of a natural, sugar-based paste (usually sugar, lemon and other natural ingredients cooked to the consistency of soft taffy) that was either rubbed or pulled off in the opposite direction of hair growth. The high sugar content inhibited bacterial growth in the region's hot environs. The method reputedly was born out of a Middle Eastern bridal ritual. The night before a wedding, Lebanese, Palestinian, Turkish and Egyptian brides had all body hair, except eyebrows and the hair on their heads, removed by the bridal party. According to lore, the bride maintained her hairless body throughout her marriage as a symbol of cleanliness and respect for her husband.

Not all eyebrows were left intact. Art and artifacts indicate that the Mesopotamians trimmed superfluous hair from their brows with tweezers. During the excavation of Ur, capital city of the Chaldeans, tweezers were found in a tomb dating back to about 3500 BC.

The hair removal process we call threading, comes from Arabia, where women laced cotton string through their fingers and ran it briskly over their legs to encircle and pull out the hair.

The Near East

In the Indus River Valley of Pakistan, hygiene was a religious imperative for the ancient Hindus. In ancient India, chest and pubic hair was shaved, and the chin and upper lip hair was shaved every fourth day.

Europe

An absence of body hair has been a European ideal since the Greeks and Romans. In Roman times, the first shave of a youth came to be regarded as the arrival of masculine adulthood and was offered as a token to his favorite god.

During the Middle Ages, upper class European women wanted to be pale. A 13th century French verse lists some of the requirements of a lady's toilette supplied by a traveling merchant; among the things are "razors and forceps."

The puritan element in the medieval church prevented most Englishwomen from using cosmetics. The Church believed that the use of cosmetics tampered with man's--and, therefore, God's--image. Indeed, in The Romaunt of the Rose, Chaucer personifies 'Beautee' as a woman who uses no 'peynte' and who leaves her brows unplucked.

Anglo Saxons did eventually use tweezers for plucking superfluous hairs from eyebrows and other body parts. By the mid-15th century, it was fashionable to have plucked eyebrows and a very high, shaved forehead.

High foreheads continued to be the fashion through Elizabethan times. If a woman didn't have a high forehead, she plucked her front hair to get one. It is said that mothers often used walnut oil on their children's foreheads in hopes of preventing hair growth. They also used bandages impregnated with vinegar and cat's dung.

It is also said that the Duke of Newcastle paid 40 pounds to have his wife's facial hair permanently removed, yet in a letter dated 1755, Horace Walpole refers to the Duke's retirement, saying that he can now 'let his beard grow as long as his Duchess's.'

There were many alternative methods of hair removal, ranging from pulverized egg shells to a mixture of cat's dung and vinegar. In the early 18th century (1700-1737) Lemery's Curiosa Arcana, published in 1711, gives a recipe for the complexion: To remove hair, one was instructed to 'Take the shells of 52 eggs, beat them small and distill them with a good fire.' Then, with the water, 'Anoint yourself where you would have the Hair off.' For ladies with more cats than chickens, Lemery recommended beating 'hard, dry Cats-dung...to a powder' and tempering it with strong vinegar for the same effect. Other homemade depilatories contained quick-lime.

It wasn't until the 18th century that the first instrument specifically designed as a safety razor appeared. Invented in 1762 by a French barber, Jean Jacques Perret, it employed a metal guard placed along one edge of the blade to prevent the blade from accidentally slicing into the shaver's skin.

North America

Native Americans tweezed their whiskers, hair by hair, between halves of a clam shell, and circa 1700 American women applied poultices of caustic lye to burn away hair.

There is evidence of the marketing of powdered depilatories in the United States by 1844. Writing about New York City in that year, Lydia Maria Child cited the case of the advertisements of a Dr. Gouraud, the maker of a depilatory powder, who promoted his product by linking it to the Queen of Sheba. Gouraud's ad claimed that Solomon, the Queen's famed paramour, invented a highly beautifying powder the secret of which died with Solomon until it was rediscovered by Dr. Gouraud, whose 'Poudre Subtile will effectually remove every appearance of beard from the lips.'

South America

Waxing has always been a rite of passage for Brazilian women, who used to use secretions from the Coco de Mono tree to remove hair. Today, mothers introduce their daughters at age 15 to the "aesthetic clinics" that do depilacao, using the cold wax method. Depiladoras (literally, wax women) even make house calls.

Q&A

Is it effective?
Yes, the technology is backed by world wide clinical research studies with proven results.
The most effective results have been achieved on fair skin and darker hair. It is not suitable for black or sun tanned skin. The treatment is also unlikely to work for blond or grey hair.

How many treatments are needed?
Laser only destroys hairs when they are in the growth phase. At any one moment 20% of hairs are resting or dormant. Repeated sessions will treat these hairs when they re-enter the growth phase. Generally all areas will require at least six to eight treatments.

This depends on many factors including your skin and hair type, ethnic background, hormonal balance and skin sensitivity. It is not possible to categorically state how many treatments an individual will need, however this will be discussed at your consultation.

What parts of the body can be treated?
Laser can treat all external areas of the body and face.

What does a treatment involve?
A cool gel is applied to the area to be treated. The Laser handpiece is placed gently against the skin and pulses of intense light are delivered into the hairs. At the time of the treatment some of the hairs are wiped off, however it can take up to two weeks for all the treated hairs to fall out.

Hair Removal Warning!

Any and all treatments for hair removal are contraindicated after any facial peel or laser procedure. It can take six to eight weeks for the skin to completely heal after a peel. Any trauma to the skin during the recovery period can cause discoloration or even scarring.

Hair removal is also extremely problematic if you are using AHAs, BHA, topical retinoids, azelaic acid, or taking Accutane. These treatments can make skin more susceptible to tears, wounds, and irritation. This can all prove damaging and uncomfortable.

Home Electrolysis

Technically, these devices work the same way as those for professional usage do (they also carry the same health risks). However, the risks for the home machines are not very great because the voltage is fairly low, which means they also aren't as effective. We've all seen the machines you can buy via mail order (for about $100) that claim to remove hair painlessly and permanently. The chances of operating these devices successfully are at best slim. You would probably end up just tweezing instead of zapping the hair because getting the device to work right is extremely tricky. Given the time it takes for a hair to grow back, it could take months before you knew if it was really working (Source: FDA Consumer magazine, September 1996).

Perhaps the most advertised at-home product is IGIA's Hair Removal System ($119). It is supposed to be a "painless home electrolysis system that helps keep hair from growing back! Unlike common [tweezing] and depilatory devices that can cause skin irritation, this system uses mild radio frequency pulses that is absolutely safe and is delivered through the tweezers to remove hair without touching the skin." Well that much is true. This overpriced machine delivers low-voltage radio waves through the hair shaft. Does that kill a hair follicle? There is no research indicating that these machines do anything but tweeze the hair. The low voltage makes these machines extremely low risk, but also ineffective. Still, in comparison to the other IGIA products, this one is the safest in the bunch.

Sugar Forms of Waxing

The best known "sugaring" method of hair removal is Nad's Gel Hair Removal ($29.95 for one kit). What makes this different is that it literally uses sugar instead of wax. Having a thick, caramel-like consistency, it works exactly like waxing, but instead of spreading a wax substance over the skin, you're spreading caramel.

This is one of the first products I've ever run into where the claim of being 100% natural and organic is 100% true. Nad's ingredients are honey, molasses, fructose, vinegar, lemon juice, water, alcohol, and food dye. Now that's what I call natural. But does that make it better than waxing, as the company claims? As far as hair removal is concerned the effect is identical. You spread Nad's gel over the hair you want removed, then you rip it off and out comes the hair.

Sugaring has two things going for it. First, sugaring's mess washes away while wax has to be peeled or scratched off. Second, sugar doesn't have to be heated while wax often does, and that is much less damaging to skin! Easy cleanup and a relatively easier application are the benefits of sugaring.

But before you jump on the sugaring bandwagon, you should know a few details about some of the untrue claims that accompany Nad's. Nad's states, "when you use Nad's, the hair is extracted, including the roots so re-growth is softer, finer and slower." That isn't true. Hormones and genetics determine hair growth and hair thickness. Anytime you pull hair out it is removed closer to the root so the new hair takes longer to grow back to the surface.

Nad's also claims sugaring will prevent ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs occur because a hair that has been removed sometimes has trouble finding its way back to the surface. That applies to hair removal in general, regardless of whether you shave, tweeze, sugar, or wax.

Another claim: "Because of the natural substances in Nad's, there is little chance of irritation." Natural or not, ripping out hair hurts, and for some skin types that can be a problem.

Is it Painful?

In one pulse, the GentleLase laser removes all the hair on a patch of skin the size of a nickel. The pulse, lasting only millionths of a second, is no more painful than plucking a single hair. It is important to choose only the highest quality laser treatment system. The GentleLase system uses a precise frequency of light that is finely tuned and optimized to effect only the hair shaft and root. The tissue surrounding the follicle is not irritated by the laser. The GentleLase system is manufactured to provide the highest degree of accuracy available to maintain the precise frequency of light beam to remove the entire hair root without heating the surrounding skin. Other models of laser hair removal systems, some more expensive than GentleLase, do not maintain the same level of precision. Even the smallest variations in frequency or duration of the pulse cause irritation to the skin and possible complications.

As an additional design benefit, the GentleLase system combines a pulse of cooling spray that dissipates the small level of heat generated by the laser. This makes GentleLase the most effective and most pleasant technique available for hair removal.

You will see and feel the real benefits to the GentleLase technique after the treatment. Unlike tweezers, chemicals or needles, no irritation occurs after the treatment. The skin is left smooth and silky with minimal side effects.

Remove Hair Growth

Hair Removal techniques involve a variety of methods to temporarily or permanently remove unwanted body hair.

About
There are a number of commonly used techniques for Hair Removal. A beauty therapist can advise people about and perform temporary and permanent Hair Removal. There are some methods of temporary Hair Removal which can be performed at home. The products required can be found in your Pharmacy and can be used safely and

These methods include:

SHAVING - Removing unwanted body hair with a razor is a quick and simple technique which is cost effective and requires little effort.
There are two main types of razors: electric shavers designed for use on dry skin and blade razors for use on wet skin after soap lather, shaving cream or foam has been applied to help soften the skin and provide a slippery protective barrier for the sharp blade to glide over.

Before using a blade razor, always keep the skin lubricated. Some women and men prefer to shave in the shower or bath for that reason. Apply a moisturiser to the skin before using a razor so that there is less risk of the blade catching on some dry skin which may cause a razor nick or burn. To successfully remove the hair, draw the razor against the direction of the hair. Razors are now being designed with flexible heads, in styles for both women and men, to follow the contours of the body and lubricating strips which dissolve a protective film onto the skin when wet. The razor blade should be kept wet during shaving to activate any lubricating strips to help stop the blade catching on and cutting the skin.

Areas of the body where the skin is usually more sensitive e.g., the bikini line and underarms can become red and irritated after shaving from the friction of the blade against the skin and tiny nicks that can be caused by the sharp blade. It is a good idea to use a moisturiser before shaving to help soften and protect the skin from the sharp blade and afterwards as shaving can leave the skin feeling dry. After shave lotion helps tone the skin while its antiseptic ingredients help combat infection which may be caused by razor nicks. It can be applied by splashing over the face after shaving.

EPILATORS - Epilators work like a pair of large tweezers. They are generally hand held electric devices with rotating metal spirals which twist a bunch of hairs together and pluck them out from the roots. The hair is removed from the root which can help to slow down the rate and lessen the amount of hair regrowth usually making it softer than before. This method can sometimes be quite painful.

WAXING - Waxing is another method of Hair Removal which plucks hairs out from the root. Each time a hair is pulled out by the roots its follicle, or bed, is slightly damaged which can result in the hair not regrowing or a weaker regrowth. There are two types of waxing treatments used for Hair Removal; cold wax and warm wax. The cold wax method involves the use of strips of wax which are laid on the skin over the hairs to be removed. The hairs then adhere to the wax and the hair can then be removed from the roots with a firm tug against the direction of the hair growth.

The warm wax method involves heating the wax until it becomes warm and is applied with a spatula in a thin film to the skin in the direction of the hair growth. A cotton strip is then placed firmly over the area, the skin is held taut with one hand and the other hand peels the cotton strip off backwards in a quick movement against the direction of hair growth.

This method is a little more complicated as it is necessary to monitor the temperature of the wax carefully as hot wax can burn the skin. Peeling the cotton strip off too slowly or upwards away from the skin may be painful and cause bruising. A soothing after-wax lotion or gel should be applied to the skin after the hair has been removed to help reduce any redness or irritation that may have resulted from the waxing.

It is best to not use any form of Hair Removal on the area for 2 to 3 weeks before the waxing treatment which allows the hair to grow long enough to stick to the wax.

DEPILATORIES - This chemical Hair Removal method is simple and easy to use and is available as a cream, foam or lotion. Before applying the depilatory to a large area of skin for the first time it is a good idea to try a 'patch test' first. Apply a small amount of the cream, foam or lotion to a hairless part of the arm and leave it on the skin for 7 to 10 minutes then wash it off. If there is no irritation after 24 hours it may be used on the rest of the body.

The cream, foam or lotion is applied to clean, dry skin in a thick layer over the hair that is to be removed. To protect hair that does not need removal the surrounding area can be covered with a barrier cream e.g., Vaseline. After 7 to 10 minutes the depilatory should be washed off with warm water. Finally, pat the skin dry trying not to rub it too hard and apply a soothing cream or lotion to the skin to reduce any possible inflammation that may have been caused by the chemical depilatory.

Monitoring Hair Growth

Monitoring Hair Regrowth


Day 1 - Shaving and Nair have a small amount of stubble, although it is barely noticeable. The waxing sections are still red, but hair free. The laser reduction and electrolysis sections show no change.

Day 2 - Shaving and Nair have more stubble. No hair in waxing sections, although I have little ingrown hairs in the at-home sections. No change in the laser hair reduction or electrolysis sections.

Day 3 - Nair and shaving have light-colored stubble. No new hair in waxing area, but bumps continue. No change in laser or electrolysis sections.

Day 4 - There is visible hair in the Nair and shaving sections. The hair missed by the wax that I did at home is making it hard to judge if there is new hair, but I have concluded that there is no new hair growth yet.

Day 5 - There is now stubble where I did the at-home cold wax on my leg. The Nair and shaving sections have longer hair that is not clearly visible unless looked at very closely. Neither hot wax area has stubble or any hair growth yet.

Day 6 -Shaving and Nair hair still growing, along with cold wax. Laser and hot wax (at-home and salon) have no changes that I can see yet.

Day 7 - There is no hair or markings in my laser, electrolysis and hot wax sections. Nair, cold wax, and shaving are all growing hair as usual.

Day 15 - Hair is growing back in all of the sections except for the electrolysis area. There is also some new hair growth in the laser area but hair has been reduced overall.

Treatment

To start my process, I called a salon, a laser treatment facility and an electrologist. I waited about a day after leaving a message and received no response. Deciding it must have been the words I used in the message, I left a second message at each place. I spoke to someone at a laser treatment place and someone at a salon, left my phone number and then waited about a week for a return call, but I never received one. Not one person called me back, which made me a little sad. I may be a teenager, but can't they take me seriously?

Disappointed, I went through the yellow pages again, and found other places to call, including the Berman Skin Institute on Welch Road that specializes in laser hair reduction, Cindy Greene, an electrologist, and another waxing place. I left a message at each office.

The first to call me back was Cindy Greene, and I set up an appointment with her for the upcoming Friday afternoon. The next to call me back was the Berman Skin Institute. I also set up a time to do a consult with them. The salon also called me back. However, they would not do the section of my leg reserved for the hot salon wax because they only treated whole legs. Two days later, we went to Longs and bought cold wax strips, hot wax, Nair, shaving cream and a razor (my mom loves these experiments).

I got to the Berman Skin Institute at 10:15 a.m. and was given some paperwork to fill out. After, I was taken to a room with a round table. I spoke with a nurse named Annabel and asked her some questions about laser hair reduction. She said that it was called reduction because the laser targets the dark pigments found in hair follicles, but doesn't completely get rid of it. Even if the majority of the hair doesn't come back, some new hair does grow, and so at least five treatments are necessary. She said that she didn't recommend laser hair reduction for anyone under 16; however, they had done the treatment on 14- and 15-year-olds teens before. Annabel also said that when you come in for laser treatments, you should have shaved the area you are treating because otherwise, the hair burns and could damage the skin. They use two lasers: one for people with lighter skin and one for people with darker skin. Because the laser can hurt, they use a cream that numbs the skin. Even so, there can still be burning and possibly blistering. She treated a small portion of my leg (near my ankle). It felt a little like a rubber band was snapping against my skin every once in a while, it was not that painful overall.

Next, I went to the electrologist's office, but I had to reschedule for another day, which I did. My mom and I stopped by another salon called NTT Skin (on Cambridge Avenue), and the lady there, Nellie, did a hot wax strip on my leg. It didn't really hurt much, but I was shocked when she pulled the wax off because I didn't expect it. When I got home, my mom, little sister and I completed the different at-home processes to remove the hair on my legs. First we did the cold wax strips, which made me jump with every strip causing my little sister to laugh gleefully each time. The strips also missed some hairs, so we had to redo several spots. It was pretty cheap, about $7, but you would need about 12 boxes to do both of your legs completely. Also, in the days that followed, I had ingrown hairs on this section of my leg. Ingrown hairs are little zit-like bumps that hurt.

The Nair is applied as foam from the can. I left the foam on my leg for about ten minutes and then wiped it off with a washcloth. The process is a little stinky, but effective. My leg was hairless. All of the hair had been removed from it, leaving the leg clean and smooth. Nair was painless, fairly easy to use, and inexpensive.

Then I shaved a part of my leg. Because my leg hair was long, the process took a long time. But when I finished, my legs were smooth. Because I used shaving cream and was careful, I didn't cut my leg or get razor burn. Razors and shaving cream can be either cheap or expensive, depending on what brand you use and where you purchase the items. In addition, shaving doesn't last long, a few days at most, so if you want your legs to be smooth all the time, you would have to shave every day.

The at-home hot wax really hurt when I peeled it off, and a lot of the wax was left over. There was a lot of hair left behind and my legs were sticky. The wax was tough to get off and the process was a little painful. After we waxed my leg with the hot wax, it was red and hurt a lot. There were also a lot of red bumps that annoyed me. The kit was about $10 and would have done both of my lower legs. Waxing is supposed to last a long time, so it might be worth it, but I couldn't do it again because it really hurt. Also, in the places where my skin rubbed against other skin, I got ingrown hairs.

Finally, I went to Cindy Greene, an electrologist, and had roughly a circular inch on my leg done with two different methods. Thermolysis (short wave), is used on fine or blonde hair. Blend, which uses a combination of two currents and requires the person to be grounded or holding onto something, is good for dark, course body hair. There is a third method, multineedle, which is an older method that is no longer common. Blend is a chemical reaction that destroys the hair and Thermolysis is a heat reaction that does the same. The number of treatments you have to get depends on how long your session is, how big the area being treated is, and many other variables. Also, the length of time in between treatments varies. If you are doing the same area, you might need to stick to weekly treatments, but if you are doing different areas, you can have daily treatments.

Some of the most common areas done with electrolysis include the upper lip, chin, chest, stomach and bikini line. Cindy said that most of her patients are women, although men are beginning to use her services more frequently. A topical anesthetic cream can be used to reduce the pain. She noted that the upper lip is the most common area the cream is used. Electrolysis lasts forever, so you never have to come back for retreatment for a specific hair follicle. However, due to the stages of growth that hair goes through, there may be new hair that begins to grow after you have had a specific area treated. Also, a drawback to electrolysis is that after you have the area done, you have to avoid direct sunlight on that area for about two days. A person must be at least 14 years of age to receive electrolysis treatments.

When I had the electrolysis, it hurt like there was heat under my skin and there were painless red bumps for a little while afterwards.

Prices for sessions vary depending on the area and the electrologist, but Cindy Greene's prices are:

15 minutes = $48
30 minutes = $60
45 minutes = $70
1 hour = $80

If you use an electrologist, he or she should be California licensed and have a framed certificate on the wall. In addition, he or she should use disposable probes. Whether or not the probes are gold does matter unless you are allergic or have a special preference.