What does it mean to be a woman? Women epitomise grace, elegance, gentility and beauty. In a celebration of womanhood, we care about ourselves and for our fearfully designed womanhood. Here at SOS Wellness, we believe that one such practice is the act of hair removal. As a woman there are still techniques that can be utilised to increase your confidence. One such practice involves the removal of hair in areas of the body where its least wanted. Let’s be honest, having hair on your body may seem aesthetically displeasing. However, hair removal is often fueled by more important reasons, including hygiene, comfort and overall confidence. When thinking about hair removal, most women automatically consider shaving as the easiest and most convenient option, but what if we could tell you about a method that’s as comfortable as it is hassle free? Let’s dive into the differences between laser hair removal, IPL, waxing, and shaving.

Let’s talk about Shaving

When we think about hair removal processes most women’s thoughts may automatically drift towards shaving. Some have argued that it is the oldest method known and, if you think about it practically, it does seem like the easiest method – it’s convenient, it’s quick, it’s easy, it’s painless, and it’s affordable. Not only this, but it’s perfect for a woman with a busy schedule. However, convenience isn’t always best as with shaving there comes:

  1. Ingrown hairs. Abscesses. Cysts. Need we say more? Chances are we have all experienced one of those little problems at least once in our life. These happen when the razor causes the hair follicle to change its direction, leaving it trapped under the healed skin. Not only can it be painful, but it could also lead to infection if left untreated.

  2. Shaving damages sensitive skin. During the shaving process a thin layer of skin is removed, leaving the skin feeling irritated or torn. Cuts and tears from shaving, specifically in the private area, may leave you susceptible to infections, such as MRSA, staphylococcus aureus or streptococcus.

  3. After shaving the hair tends to grow back faster and drier than before. As a result, the results of shaving could last less than a day. Hair is also said to grow faster right before or during your period.

  4. Shaving removes the hair on the surface and leaves the roots beneath the skin. This is why repetitive use of a razor over years may cause dark or red spots.

What about Waxing?

Second to shaving, many woman have tried waxing in an attempt to remove unwanted hair from the body. However, what waxing makes up for in convenience it pays for in the amount of pain it gifts the user with. This is because the hair is ripped out from the root, and what many don’t realise is that waxing may also lead to ingrown hairs. One benefit is that, unlike shaving, waxing removes the hair (albeit temporarily) from the skin for three to six weeks. Although, this is dependent on your hair type and thickness.

Did you know: Waxing requires some hair regrowth first in order to be effective? This is because the wax needs to adhere to at least a quarter inch of stubble. This means you’re going to have to be patient during the regrowth period before having smooth skin again. Another thing most women aren’t aware of is that waxing stretches the skin.

Why laser outshines the rest

Many of you might be wondering how exactly laser works and what makes it stand out above waxing or shaving. This treatment works by sending the light that is emitted from a laser directly through to the centre of a hair follicle. This light is then converted to heat and this heat is able to damage the follicle without causing pain to the recipient. The great thing about laser is that it works on all skin tones and usually takes about eight to twelve treatments to see the full result and, unlike other processes, eventually stops the hair from growing back altogether. The treatment usually only takes 20 minutes and limits the advent of ingrown hairs and skin irritation.

ILP versus conventional Laser treatment

Here at SOS Wellness we use an ILP Laser (Intense pulsed light) during your procedure. Unlike laser, which directs only one wavelength of light at the skin, IPL releases light from numerous wavelengths – similarly to a photo flash. This light is absorbed into the pigment cells, which then destroys the hair follicles, preventing hair from growing again. These wavelengths are able to penetrate right down to the second layer of the skin (known as dermis) without harming the top layer (known as the epidermis). This causes less damage to the skin than conventional laser treatment may have.

Quick Tips in Preparation:

  • To avoid the laser from reacting with the hair on the surface, it is best to shave the area beforehand. This will allow the light to travel directly to the follicle.

  • If going for a facial treatment it is best to remove all makeup first.

  • To avoid spots and blemishes it is best to avoid the heat from the sun, gym, saunas and hot showers, for up to 24 hours. This is how long it takes for the heat from the laser to leave your skin.

  • Avoid scrubs, retinol creams, and products high in sulphates and parabens at least 2 days before and after your treatment. You may even experience dry skin – it is therefore advised to utilise extra moisturisers. Try using rose water or frankincense hydrosol for a gentle and nourishing refreshment to the skin.

  • Avoid fake tan and chemical peels at least 2 weeks before and after a laser session.

After 6 treatments most women find that they have to go for a touch up twice a year, after that the hair usually stops growing back. Not only this, but it also protects the skin and tissue from stretching, cysts, abscesses and the pain and itchiness that arises from in-grown hairs. One thing to be mindful of is that hair removal should be approached from a health perspective and not only for its aesthetic or cosmetic benefits. Honour and care for your body, ensuring you are a good steward of what you were gifted with by your Creator who made you in the His own image.

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