Permanent hair removal: know the main options to get rid of hair

Waxing is part of most women’s beauty routine. At least once a month you have to go to the salon, or have the professional at home, to remove those unwanted hairs that grow in the groin, legs, armpits and, in some cases, the upper lip.

And as waxing can be considered “a necessary evil”, many no longer complain about the pain that the method – made with wax – causes. But it is also true that most women “suffer” just thinking about lying on the hair removal stretcher and waiting for the professional to remove the hair!

That’s because the way each woman faces waxing is different: for some, the pain is bearable; for others it is quite unpleasant. In addition, the amount of hair also varies from person to person – which automatically influences the issue of pain – and there is also the problem of ingrown hairs, which affects most women and makes the waxing process much more boring.

The good news, however, is that for those women who face waxing as a problem, there is already an alternative: the so-called permanent hair removal – which is divided into two methods, laser hair removal and photoepilation.

Below you know the advantages and disadvantages of each method, as well as the general benefits of betting on permanent hair removal.

What is permanent hair removal and what are its types?

As already mentioned, there are two methods of permanent hair removal. Laser hair removal, which is the best known, and photoepilation. Below you know the particularities of each technique:

Laser waxing

Daniella Curi explains that laser hair removal consists of removing hair with devices that emit lasers.

Laser hair removal works, in general, as follows: the type of light used in lasers is absorbed by the brown pigment found in the hair and the heat generated has the power to “toast” the follicle, causing permanent damage or not ( depending on the intensity of the energy that hits the hair).

It is worth noting that the result of the sessions depends on the person’s skin type, with hair color and skin tone being important factors. People with fair skin and dark hair, for example, tend to have better results, as light tends to be absorbed preferentially in the hair. In individuals with dark skin, treatment should be more careful, because the skin around the fur also has brown pigment and can absorb light.

Photoepilation (pulsed light)

When talking about permanent hair removal, people usually think of laser hair removal. But it is worth stressing that there is still photowaxing, which also aims to remove hair.

Daniella Curi explains that the difference is in the type of device used. “Photoepilation is done with pulsed light devices, unlike lasers. In terms of results, laser hair removal has good results with fewer sessions compared to photoepilation,” she explains.

Photoepilation is done through an equipment that emits the so-called Intense Pulsed Light. It “destroys” the germ cells of the fur, which makes it only grow back when these cells regenerate. It is worth noting that this may never happen again or take a few months or even years to happen.

However, despite photoepilation being known as a definitive hair removal method, it is worth mentioning that it requires “retouching” (although its results are, yes, lasting), because, as the hair is nothing more than a protection of the human organism , many factors can influence its growth.

Benefits of laser hair removal

Below are some benefits of laser hair removal:

• As already mentioned, laser hair removal is an excellent option for those who have a lot of hair or simply don’t like hair;
• It is a good option for treating ingrown hairs and folliculitis;
• This type of hair removal promotes longer-lasting treatments than conventional methods, as highlighted by Daniella Curi;
• In addition, explains Daniella, the continuous use of wax and blades can lead to darkening of the skin. With laser hair removal, there can be whitening of the region.
• Compared to photoepilation, laser hair removal has better results with a smaller number of sessions.

Benefits of photoepilation

Below you can see some benefits of photoepilation:

• Photoepilation is also indicated for cases of folliculitis and for people who suffer from unwanted hair in any region of the body.
• Photoepilation also promotes long-lasting results if compared to conventional hair removal methods.
• Photoepilation is considered less aggressive to the skin if compared to laser hair removal.
• The method, unlike laser hair removal, is considered painless by most people.
• The cost of the session is lower compared to laser hair removal. It costs around R$60 per session, but varies greatly according to the location and city where the treatment will be performed, and also according to the area of ​​the body that will be treated. The laser hair removal session, for example, in the groin area costs about R$200.

How many sessions are needed?

This is usually the main doubt about permanent hair removal techniques. It is worth emphasizing that the results vary according to the characteristics of the skin and the amount of hair of each person. In addition, they also depend a lot on the device used.

Laser waxing

But according to Daniella, an average of five sessions generally gives good results.

Laser hair removal can be done on any part of the body with hair, as Daniella explains, however, some areas deserve more care, such as areas close to mucous membranes and exposed areas.

photoepilation

In general, more than six photoepilation sessions are needed for significant hair reduction. However, you can usually already see some results three weeks after the first session.

Can anyone do permanent hair removal? Are there risks?

Daniella Curi explains that there are some contraindications to laser hair removal. “Diseases like vitiligo, lupus, keloids, use of medications like Roaccutane are contraindications to this treatment,” she says.

In addition, adds the professional, those who have hormonal changes that increase pilification (amount of hair on the body) should first treat the change, and then apply the laser. “This so that the treatment can have better results”, he says.

In the case of black skin, according to Daniella, it is not an absolute contraindication, but there are more suitable lasers. “The number of sessions is greater and the risk of spots is also greater, due to the greater concentration of melanin in the skin”, she explains.

In the case of photoepilation, the contraindications are: pregnant women, people with vitiligo, tanned skin or active infections at the site to be treated (as hypochromia or hyperchromia may occur, that is, changes in skin color). People who are taking medications that increase photosensitivity, such as some antibiotics and acne medications, should also avoid treatment.

Is permanent hair removal a painful method?

Pain tends to be a very individual characteristic. Some people say they can’t stand laser hair removal sessions, while others go through them without major trauma. In the same way that some women do not see problems with waxing while others suffer from the technique.

It is also worth noting that the same person may have different perceptions of pain in different areas of the body where laser hair removal can be performed.

Daniella adds that the issue of pain also depends on the device used. “The alexandrite laser, for example, is less painful than the diode laser, but it cannot be applied to all skin types,” she says.

In the case of photoepilation, as already highlighted, pulsed light is usually very well tolerated by most patients, who even consider the procedure painless.

Testimonials from those who have had permanent hair removal

Karina Silva, 33, a secretary, says she had about eight laser hair removal sessions. “I had a lot of hair in my groin and they kept getting ingrown. My own epilator recommended that I look for a laser hair removal treatment and it was really good for me. Now, after a year, few hairs grow in my crotch, they are fine and no longer ingrown,” she reports.

Letícia Fernandes, 28 years old, self-employed, underwent three to four sessions of photoepilation in the armpits. “It was a slightly more accessible treatment, so I decided to give it a try. It has really reduced the amount of hair in my armpits, but it hasn’t completely gotten rid of them. However, they take longer to grow now and ingrown much less than before. I think if I had continued the treatment, doing about eight or nine sessions, I would have achieved great results, but I ended up giving up early,” she says.

Regarding the pain, Karina confesses that she finds laser hair removal somewhat unpleasant. “But it is bearable pain. After all, I also suffered when I waxed with hot wax, especially when my crotch was full of ingrown hairs,” she reports.

Letícia adds that another factor that made her choose photoepilation was the fact that the technique was painless. “I was told that I would need two or three more sessions to achieve the same results as the laser, but, on the other hand, the method was painless. I thought it was a great idea,” she says.

Necessary care with permanent hair removal

Daniella highlights that avoiding sun exposure is essential. “The laser targets the melanin pigment, which gives color to the hair. When we are tanned, the amount of melanin in the skin increases a lot and with this increases the risk of burning the skin and not the fur, increasing the side effects”, she explains.

The professional adds that people using photosensitizing drugs, such as Roaccutane, for example, should wait at least three months after the medication has finished before applying laser hair removal.

In the case of photoepilation, the necessary care is not very different: the skin must not be tanned and the hair must not have been removed from the root (with wax or tweezers) in the last month. Also, there should be no redness or bruises on the area of ​​skin that will be treated.

Permanent hair removal at home

The success of permanent hair removal is not limited to aesthetic clinics. Many women have chosen to do the procedure at home, using devices and techniques available on the market.

It is worth mentioning, however, that appliances for home use do not have the same power as professionals. In the case of white skin with black hair, waxing at home can work, but in other situations, evaluation and follow-up by a professional is necessary.

That way, the best way is always to consult a dermatologist before making any decision (and even spending money buying a device to have at home).

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