It's not just the ladies among us who know how annoying it can be to constantly remove body hair. Many men also resort to various means to get rid of unwanted hair. And if you are lucky enough to be lazy in winter and hide your hair with long clothes, this is not the case in summer. There are epilators or waxing, but this takes a lot of time or costs money in the beauty salon. So it's no wonder that many people are interested in and decide to have permanent hair removal. However, many people still don't really trust the whole thing and are looking for more information. This is what we would like to offer you today. Find out how laser treatment works, what costs to expect and how many sessions are necessary to finally enjoy smooth, beautiful skin for the long term.
Permanent hair removal – what options are there?
There are two options for successful and permanent hair removal. The most well-known method is laser treatment for hair removal. Light is used to remove hair. IPL treatment is also known. A newer variant is the SHR. We would like to introduce you to all three options below. You will now find out what the difference is between them, how many sessions are necessary and which permanent hair removal of the three is best.
The laser method
Permanent hair removal with laser is the best known.Although light is used here, it is converted into heat. This penetrates into the hair roots, causing them to die. When using the laser, effective and more precise hitting is possible.When using light to remove hair, something called melanin is used. This is a pigment found in dark hair that helps conduct the heat from the laser to the roots. Lasers are only used by doctors and are only approved for them.
Good news is that the process is relatively painless. All that is to be expected is a slight tugging sensation, which is of course especially true when used in pain-sensitive areas such as the intimate area or theSkin on the faceis very beneficial.
IPL treatment
With the IPL laser, the treatments for permanent hair removal may not only be carried out by doctors but also by other people. The abbreviation means “Intense Pulse Light”. Light pulses are emitted, which, like the laser, use heat to shed the roots and prevent the hairs from growing back. Here too, melanin contributes to the removal of hair. In contrast to laser treatment, a larger light spectrum is used here. This means a larger area is treated at once. However, again, this should be avoided on areas with many moles.
The hairs are only successfully removed during their growth phase. However, since it is impossible for all hair to grow at the same time, it is necessary to carry out several sessions. You have to expect up to eight applications, but this can vary from person to person and depends on skin and hair type. After the first treatment, it takes up to 20 days until the first hairs begin to fall out. There should also be several (at least four) weeks between individual applications.
IPL is currently the most popular and widely used method for permanent hair removal. The costs are 50 to 200 euros per session, so it is quite expensive. Laser treatment prices are similar. However, it is a one-time investment because once the roots are destroyed by the heat, they cannot renew themselves.
Disadvantages and risks of laser and IPL hair removal
Every treatment with light and heat has the same disadvantage. Both methods require pigments for permanent hair removal. These are hardly or even absent in light hairs such as blonde, gray or red hair, so neither IPL nor laser can contribute to permanent hair removal. The treatment is also difficult to carry out on people with dark skin because burns can quickly occur.
Side effects do exist, but they usually disappear over time. Of course, this includes redness, which also occurs when epilating or waxing. In the worst case scenario, crusts will form, but these will only be a temporary problem. If dark-skinned people decide to undergo treatment with light, a so-called pigment shift can be expected. What sounds quite bad at first is, however, only a temporary side effect if it occurs at all.
It is important that you consult a dermatologist before treatments. You have to do this forSkin diseaseslike examining skin cancer. If this tests positive or a predisposition is determined by a specialist, treatment with laser or IPL must be discouraged. These methods stimulate cell growth.
SHR as permanent hair removal
The abbreviation stands for “Super Hair Removal”. This technique for permanent hair removal is a combination of the laser method and the so-called pulsed light procedure. The result is that warming occurs slowly. This not only has the advantage that dark skin types can be treated. Even the light hairs that cannot be removed with the laser variants are no longer a problem here. The SHR treatment is gentler, which means the skin is better protected, and is also painless.
As with IPL, the costs vary greatly and depend on the part of the body to be treated or the size of the area. Small areas on the face can be treated for as little as 40 euros per session, while the entire legs, for example, cost around 250 euros. Practical packages are usually offered in which several body areas are combined at a cheaper price. The prices also vary for men and women. It's best to find out what's cheapest in your area.
Perform permanent hair removal at home
Many are willing to invest in a home device to save money on many treatments. Anyone looking for permanent hair removaldo it YourselfIf you would like to, you should know that IPL devices are certainly available. These are available at a variety of prices, so you should find out in advance which is the better option. Ultimately, however, one can assume that the result will not be as satisfactory because permanent hair removal uses devices that are less effective than those used by specialists. Small burns can also occur quickly.
If you still decide to treat at home, follow the manufacturer's instructions only and try the device out on a small and invisible area first before moving on to larger areas of the body. You can and should also consult a doctor in advance. They can give you further tips and safety instructions and may also recommend a device to you.