Answers to All Your Hair Removal Questions

Whether it’s under your arms, above your lip, or on your legs, you might have hair somewhere on your body that you’d like to get rid of. Fortunately, you live in what can only be described as the golden age of hair removal. There are more options for getting rid of unwanted hair today than ever before. But which method should you choose?

If you’ve got questions about hair removal, we’ve got the answers! Let’s take a look at some of the most common hair removal questions we get at our med spa.

What Hair Removal Options Are Out There?

You have plenty of options when it comes to getting rid of unwanted hair. You can shave it off, of course, using either a manual or electric shaver. Razors are available with one to more than five blades these days.

Another option is to wax the hair away, either at home or at a spa or salon. Waxing removes the hair from the root or follicle. The results usually last longer than the results you get from shaving. The trade-off (for many people, at least) is that waxing can be a bit more uncomfortable than shaving. It can also be difficult to wax certain areas, particularly places that are hard-to-reach.

You might also decide to chemically dissolve your hair, using a product such as Veet or Nair. A depilatory cream provides results that last for a couple of weeks but can be messy to use. Some people also find that these products irritate their skin.

Epilators had their heyday in the 1970s and some people still swear by them. They are essentially made up of rows of tweezers that pluck out your unwanted hair from the follicle. Like waxing, using an epilator can be a little uncomfortable.

Finally, there’s laser hair removal. Performed at a medical spa by a plastic surgeon or trained technician, laser hair removal uses the heat produced by a laser beam to destroy the hair at the follicle. The hair falls out and usually doesn’t grow back. 

Do Any Methods Provide Permanent Results?

How long the results from a hair removal treatment last depends in large part on the method used. Shaving usually provides the shortest results. Depending on how quickly your hair grows, you might notice new growth or regrowth after just a few hours or a day. You might need to shave daily or weekly to keep your skin smooth and hair-free.

Waxing, using depilatory cream, and using an epilator all provide results that last longer than shaving. Usually, your hair will grow back after a week or two. In the case of waxing or epilating you’ll need to wait for your hair to get to a certain length before you can repeat the process.

Laser hair removal can provide permanent results, but it’s important not to confuse permanent with instant. The hair that’s destroyed by the laser won’t come back, but you might need anywhere from six to eight treatment sessions before all of the hair is removed.

Why Do I Need Multiple Laser Hair Removal Sessions?

Your hair grows in phases. When it’s actively growing, it’s in the anagen phase. Hair in the anagen phase can be destroyed with laser hair removal. The other two phases are the telogen phase, when the hair follicle is resting, and the catagen phase, which is a transitional phase between active growth and resting.

Since some of your hair is likely to be in the catagen or telogen phase at any given time, you need to schedule multiple laser hair treatment sessions to fully destroy all of the hair in the treatment area.

Who Should Perform Hair Removal?

Who should perform your hair removal treatments depends on the method you’re using. You might feel totally comfortable shaving at home, on your own. Some people feel comfortable waxing certain areas of the body on their own but will go to a salon to have other areas waxed.

In the case of laser hair removal, you will need to have a medical professional perform the treatment. You want to work with someone who has ample experience performing laser hair removal and who can help you get the results you want from the procedure.

How Do You Decide Which Hair Removal Option is Best for You?

So, should you stick with shaving or waxing or try a more permanent hair removal option? It all comes down to your preferences, budget, and schedule, as well as the amount of unwanted hair you’re dealing with. If you don’t mind shaving or if your hair grows slowly, then you might be fine sticking with a less permanent hair removal option.

But if you’re interested in a solution that lasts longer and you have the time to commit to a series of in-office treatments, laser hair removal might be the best bet for you. After the treatment series, you won’t have to worry about shaving or waxing.

Want to learn more about your hair removal options?  Call Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique at (281) 810-9083 to schedule a complimentary consultation at our Houston, TX med spa.