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Excessive body hair can be a cause of embarrassment for many men and women. With so many products available in the market these days, to get rid of unwanted body hair on any part of the body had become very easy. It is very important to feel good about yourself. If you love your body, you will have higher self esteem.
We think of permanent as lasting forever. But, it might not be the case. In case of hair removal, permanent is when there is no hair growth in the treated area one year after the completions of hair removal treatment. One must not use other method of hair removal in the mean time.
Some of the methods for temporary hair removal are:-
- Epilators
- Depilatories
- Waxing and sugaring
- Shaving
Following are some methods used for permanent removal of hair from body:-
Electrolysis- This method involves inserting a needle under the skin. Electric shock is then passed through this needle to the hair follicle hence destroying it. This method provides long lasting results. But at the same time, it’s an expensive and time consuming procedure. One must go though several visits before desired results can be obtained. It’s also quite painful. It may cause scars and infection. It is suitable to work on smaller areas as it treats one hair at a time.
For ages, electrolysis was seen as a costly method of hair removal which could be done at doctor’s office. But now, portable and easy to use electrolysis systems are available in the market. One can enjoy all the benefits of electrolysis and get rid of unwanted hair in the privacy of their homes.
Laser- Laser is a single wavelength light which penetrates the skin and is selectively absorbed by the hair follicle hence sending it into dormant phase. This procedure is less painful and less time consuming than most of the other methods.
Prior to the treatment, it is important to meet the physician to find out if this treatment is suitable for you. He/she will evaluate your skin tone, hair color, thickness and coarseness, and any kind of medical history. After the initial evaluation, if the physician does not see any problem, the appropriate laser treatment setting can be discussed.
It is advisable to not use tan the skin 4-6 weeks prior to the treatment. No other method of hair removal should be used prior to laser treatment. Shaving can be done, which makes the laser procedure less time consuming.
Prior to the treatment, keep the area to be treated absolutely clean and free of any cosmetics. Physician and you will be wearing the protective glasses during the treatment to protect the eyes from accidental exposure to the laser beam.
The physician will hold a hand held device against the skin. There is a cooling gel on the tip of the machine to protect the surrounding skin from discoloration. There will be a strong odor of singed hair which is normal.
Some skin tones and hair types respond better to the treatment. Few sessions are required before the desired results are obtained.
Some temporary side effects could be swelling, redness or blistering in the treated area. Ice can be applied to this area to soothe the skin.
Laser treatment works best for the people with dark hair and light skin. Though, new techniques are coming which are suitable for any type of hair and skin tone.
Flash lamps/Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) - Non-coherent and low range infrared radiations are filtered to allow a specific range of wavelengths. A hand piece is then used to deliver this filtered light into the skin targeting pigment in the hair. This heat causes thermal damage to the follicle. This procedure must be done very carefully and is suitable for treating larger areas. Not enough study has been conducted regarding safety and results of this method.
Whenever considering permanent hair removal, the most important thing is to keep the expectations realistic. One technique might be perfect for someone, but may not be best for the other person. Several sessions maybe required before you see the desired results. Such treatments are not usually covered by the medical insurance. These methods of permanent hair removal can be expensive. Spend your money wisely.
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