You’re tired of the exhausting battle with constantly growing hairs, and now you’re looking for a more long-term solution. Your first thought is probably searching for methods of permanent hair removal at home.
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Maybe it’s due to embarrassment, or perhaps you find the prices of salon treatments too high. So, let’s go over your options if you decide to go the DIY route for hair removal.
But if you happen to change your mind and want to give truly professional hair removal a try, we’d be happy to welcome you to our salon! We’ll even offer you a discount on your first treatment—just fill out a few fields in our introductory quiz!
Why do people go the route of hair removal at home?
The range of main motivations for home hair removal remains practically the same.
The most important motivation is traditionally money. People feel that they can easily deal with the hair themselves for a fraction of the price of professional hair removal.
After all, they won’t go to a salon and pay exorbitant amounts of money when they can do the same thing themselves with one of the commercial home epilators.
Another reason may be shame, especially when it comes to epilation of intimate areas. Many people are simply uncomfortable with the sight of strangers in these areas. So they look for a solution that won’t force them to leave the comfort and privacy of their home.
What hair removal methods you can try at home
IPL hair removal at home
The principle here is basically the same as for laser hair removal in a salon. The light beam, after contact with the hair pigment, turns into heat, the energy of which destroys the hair follicle. The damaged hair falls out and should not regenerate at all or only very slowly.
The day before epilation, the skin should be shaved smooth. It is also important to refrain from waxing, plucking and other methods of epilation for at least a month beforehand.
Then, when you epilate yourself, just follow the instructions of your device supplier. Devices have different modes and settings depending on the area to be treated, and each may work slightly differently. So follow the instructions really closely to avoid any side effects.
That all sounds good so far. But in reality, home epilators costing a few thousand can never match the effectiveness of professional lasers costing hundreds of thousands.
In fact, most over-the-counter epilators are not laser epilators, but so-called IPL epilators. Although they work on the same basis, IPL has a number of disadvantages compared to laser.
- It uses a broader spectrum of light that is less focused.
- It is not effective on lighter and blonde hairs.
- There is a risk of burns if mishandled.
- It does not offer the permanence of results as professional laser treatments.
Epilation with home devices is thus essentially an exchange.
Privacy and lower price on one side.
Lower efficiency, the need for more frequent repetition and, ultimately, the risk of burns and irritation in case of improper handling or unexpected skin reaction on the other hand.
Electric hair removal or electrolysis
It is a permanent hair removal method that involves sending an electrical discharge directly into each hair follicle via a thin needle.
The aim is to damage the root of the hair so that further growth is prevented. This method can be used on almost any area of the body and is effective for all types and colors of hair and skin. But that’s where the list of its benefits slowly ends.
Electric hair removal has several negatives that anyone considering this home treatment should know:
- Treating each hair individually is very time consuming, especially in larger areas such as the legs or back. A complete treatment may require many repeat sessions
- The procedure can be painful because a small needle is inserted into each follicle and sends an electric current through it. The level of pain depends on your pain threshold of the treatment area.
- Electric hair removal may cause temporary side effects such as redness, swelling or small blisters. More rarely, permanent side effects such as scarring or changes in pigmentation may occur.
- The total cost of an electric epilation device is even higher than that of an IPL epilator.
Mechanical epilators - forget about home epilation of intimate parts with them
Epilators of this type typically feature a head with a rotating cylinder equipped with tweezers. Their job is to pull the hair out by the root, giving you several weeks of smooth skin.
The problem with these types of epilators is that the hair follicle remains untouched, so it doesn’t truly qualify as permanent hair removal. After some time, the hair will start to grow back.
Another downside of these epilators is the considerable pain during the procedure, a higher risk of irritation, and the potential for ingrown hairs. Compared to other types of epilators, this one is considered a less favorable option, especially for sensitive areas, such as intimate regions.
Hair removal at home, with wax or sugar paste
These procedures are also not epilation in the true sense of the word. Waxing is a traditional method of hair removal that involves applying warm wax or wax strips to the skin in the direction of hair growth.
Once the wax or tape has set, it is quickly peeled off against the direction of hair growth. This removes the hair and the roots.
Sugar paste waxing is a very similar method. It differs from waxing in that, in addition to using a different mixture, the sugar paste is pulled off in the direction of hair growth. The advantage of both methods is their speed and low cost.
The disadvantages of both procedures are obvious.
- Similar to a mechanical epilator, it does not act on the hair follicle, so the regenerative ability of the hair remains intact. As a result, the procedure has to be repeated after a few weeks.
- It is also necessary to let the hair grow out a little before waxing, which can look unaesthetic for some time.
- But the main negative of these procedures is the high pain level. Tearing off the tape or sugar mixture is really not pleasant, especially if you have a low pain threshold. Thus, this method is not even suitable for more sensitive parts of the body.
Experience the effects of professional laser hair removal and never go back to home methods
What principles to follow if you decide to go the home hair removal route
Have you decided to go the home hair removal route? Then you should take a few more basic rules to heart.
- The use of epilators may have certain contraindications. It is not recommended for people with implants, pacemakers, certain chronic diseases or pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- Shave the skin smoothly the day before epilation. It should be at least a month since your last epilation or hair removal.
- Do not use the epilator on burnt or irritated skin. It is also not recommended to use on freshly tanned skin.
- Always follow the operating instructions for your device.
- When epilating, it is important to epilate evenly, i.e. apply the device to all areas for the same amount of time to avoid the risk of overheating, irritation or swelling.
- After epilation it is necessary to protect the skin from the sun and avoid places with a higher risk of irritation or transmission of infection, such as saunas, swimming pools or solariums.
You can't do laser hair removal at home. Try giving professional epilation a chance
Hair removal at home can (at least with some methods) be comfortable, relatively inexpensive and without the feeling of shame from strangers’ stares.
But there are also a number of reasons to go above and beyond and make an appointment for epilation at a professional salon.
- You really don't have to be ashamed. The staff at the epilation salon is extremely professional and discreet. Epilation is not a beauty contest and no one is judging your body. During the procedure, the specialist is only concerned with the procedure and striving for the best possible performance.
- The cost of laser hair removal at a salon may initially seem high, but keep in mind that professional laser treatment can eliminate hair for several years. Consider how much you would spend on other hair removal methods during that time!
- Professional lasers are not only significantly more effective than home epilators, but they can also adapt to all hair and skin types, including the most sensitive.
- Your safety is the top priority in a professional salon. The procedure begins with a consultation to discuss any potential contraindications and to choose the laser settings that are appropriate for your skin. Medical-grade laser hair removal devices come with built-in cooling and operate with precision, destroying only the hair without damaging the surrounding skin.
- When choosing a salon, don't forget to read the reviews of their laser hair removal.
