Every year, millions of people worldwide routinely undergo hair removal for cosmetic and hygienic reasons. Hair removal procedures are performed by licensed salon professionals such as waxing, lasering, chemical, or threading. It can also be done at home with a handheld epilator, laser devices, pre-made waxing kits, razors, or depilatory creams.
While these are all routine, some confusion and misinformation in the aesthetic world have led to several myths about hair removal. Some you may have heard before, some you might roll your eyes at, and some may surprise you. It’s worth reading before you book your next hair removal appointment or purchase your next kit. Don’t fall for these myths!
Myth 1: Laser Hair Removal is Permanent
“Once it’s lasered, it’ll never grow back!” That’s a tagline for hair removal salons and a worry for customers sometimes. Laser hair removal completely ablates (burns) the hair follicle so it won’t ever grow again, but that doesn’t mean your hair is gone forever.
Laser hair removal will significantly reduce the amount of body hair in the region being treated. The regional hair will be unlikely to go away forever. This is because hair grows in “waves,” so if you remove hair follicles one month (even with other techniques like shaving, waxing, or depilatory creams), you’ll probably notice hair growing back in a few weeks or about a month.
Complete hair removal from the body requires several rounds of laser treatment. And even afterward, there will still be some surviving hair follicles or ones that heal. That’s why laser treatment causes the hair to be much thinner and finer. Laser hair removal is “mostly” permanent and the hair will grow back, but finer and lighter to not be noticeable.
Myth 2: Hair Removal is Painful
“But it’ll hurt, won’t it?” We’ve all seen that scary headline or horror story from a friend. On paper, it’s valid. The lasers used in hair removal are relatively high-power, and the agents in creams like Nair are intrinsically harsh. But that doesn’t mean it has to hurt.
The lasers used in hair removal fire in brief pulses, delivering enough energy to deactivate the hair follicle. Aestheticians can apply gels or sprays of lidocaine or menthol to help “cool” down the treated area. Some light inflammation can often follow treatment, but this is similar to a mild sunburn. It usually fades away in a day or two.
Admittedly, waxing and epilation can be a little painful, especially in the beginning. With more frequent use they become less painful, and can also benefit from cooling and numbing gels. Before using wax or cream like Nair, always test it on a small area first and follow the kit’s instructions!
Myth 3: Laser Hair Removal Only Works on Fair Skin
“Dark skin just absorbs the laser, it won’t work!” This was true…15 years ago. Back then, laser technology wasn’t as effective. It was true that it worked better on fairer skin with darker hairs. Currently, new developments have made laser hair removal an option for all skin colors! Most hair removal salons should be able to accommodate any skin color. It never hurts to double-check, though. And the same goes for handheld, self-use laser devices, too.
More important is the color of the hair being treated. After all, it’s the hair follicle that’s mainly getting lasered. The laser works on hair by destroying the pigment (called melanin) naturally found in hair and skin. More melanin means a darker hair color. Lighter hair like blonde might require different lasers or more sessions of treatment. Be sure to consult with a qualified hair removal aesthetician, to see what’s right for your hair color.
Myth 4: Waxing Causes Skin to Sag
“Pulling the skin and hair causes wrinkles and makes it sag, doesn’t it?”
Chances are you’ve seen (pretty hilarious) videos of people getting waxed. The aesthetician pulls forcefully to remove the hair in one clean sweep. It’s not unreasonable to think that this could lead to saggy or wrinkled skin longer down the road.
There hasn’t been any evidence published on waxing causing skin to sag. Still, it’s good to use a proper technique when waxing to protect your skin. Whether you go to a salon or DIY wax, always make sure it’s a reputable wax. Aestheticians are trained to pull and press your skin to keep it taut. This ensures that the hair is removed cleanly and without harming the skin. It’s normal for the area to feel sensitive and turn red after waxing, but it shouldn’t wrinkle or sag in the future.
Myth 5: Hair Removal Services are Too Expensive
“They’ll cost a fortune because you have to keep going back!” This one is the truest of the lot. Laser hair removal can get pricey, depending on how many sessions and how much hair is involved. Some people simply have more hair, which means more sessions. These sessions vary in price, depending on how much of the body the customer wants to be treated.
Lasing and waxing larger surfaces like the back may take longer or more sessions than the bikini area. Smaller surfaces like the armpit may have thicker hair, requiring more sessions. The number of treatments depends on the person’s anatomy and hair. In general, more hair and additional surface areas will cost more to be treated. Salons like Evello will always be upfront about how many sessions and the total cost of treatment for a client’s needs.
If prices concern you, there are alternatives to laser treatment. You can try at-home laser devices and wax kits; however, they may not be as effective as those performed by a trained aesthetician. Depilatory creams and epilators can also work at home if your skin tolerates them. Do your research and what’s best for you and your budget, and shop around.
