Unwanted hair on the face and body has been a perennial problem especially among women through the years. It is very fortunate that there are now permanent hair removal treatments such as laser hair removal through Intense Pulsed Light Treatments (IPL) even here in Tampa.
What other hair removal options did women have before?
Temporary hair removal methods include cutting, shaving, threading, tweezing, using rotary epilators, waxing and using chemical depilatories.
Cutting unwanted hair with scissors is one of the most temporary methods since it does not allow cutting very close to the skin and the hair growth is quickly visible again.
Shaving is very similar to cutting but a shaver gives a much closer trim and hair growth is, therefore, not immediately visible. Shaving can, however, cause redness and irritation. It also causes ingrown hair which can be itchy and uncomfortable. This makes the skin look bumpy, often referred to as “chicken” skin.
Threading is also called fatlah or khite. A woman needs to have someone do this for her, and special skill is required. Cotton thread is looped over the fingers and twisted so that it catches the hair which is then pulled off the skin. Threading is usually done to shape eyebrows and remove other facial hair such as those on the upper lip.
Tweezing is something a woman can do by herself. A tweezer is used to pluck individual hairs. This is usually done to shape the eyebrows, to remove unwanted facial hair or even to remove hair from underarms.
Rotary epilators have the same effect as threading and tweezing except that a device is used which has rotating coils that trap and pull off hair. This is not very effective on fine hair, though. Painful skin pinching can also occur.
The results of threading, tweezing and rotary epilator use can last for two to four weeks before new hair growth is visible because hair is pulled off from the root. These procedures can be painful, though, and can cause itching, redness, puffiness and skin discoloration. Another possible side effect is folliculitis or bacterial infection in the hair follicles.
Waxing also pulls hair off from the root. A hot or cold layer of wax is applied on the area that needs to be hair free, covering all the unwanted hair. A piece of cloth is then pressed over the wax. Once the wax has cooled and entrapped the hair, it is pulled off abruptly, taking off all the hair with it. This is very painful and even grown men have been known to scream while undergoing waxing. Hair has to be at least half an inch long, too, for waxing to be effective. In many cases, women do not want to wait for hair to be that long before removing it.
Chemical depilatories are formulated to dissolve hair. They are simply applied, left for a few minutes and then wiped and rinsed off. Allergic reactions are common, though.
Previous permanent methods of hair removal include electrolysis and the use of topical preparations such as Vaniqa. Electrolysis uses electric current to kill the hair follicle but can cause scarring, irregular pigmentation, infection, acne and herpes simplex. Topical preparations are not always effective.
Nothing has ever been as safe, pain-free, convenient and effective as permanent hair removal through Intense Pulsed Light Treatments (IPL). Luckily, this laser hair removal treatment is available here in Tampa.
Intense Pulsed Light Treatments (IPL) are used not just for permanent hair removal, though, but also for skin rejuvenation and the removal of spider veins without the need for plastic surgery. In this regard, it is much like the new VelaShape technology which provides safe and effective cellulite treatments without the need for liposuction. Technology is amazing indeed.