Laser Hair Removal And Pregnancy

June 25th, 2007 Hair Removal Specialist Posted in Laser Hair Removal | 1 Comment »

If you are pregnant, then you probably know that shaving is quite awkward. This is because it is difficult to bend down, plus you may also be experiencing increased hair growth because of the hormonal changes that your body is going through. Thankfully this will end once your baby is born. However, if you have had excess hair before you even became pregnant, then you may not be able to get rid of it so easily. For these various reasons, many women find themselves desperate enough to consider laser hair removal in the months that are leading up to the actual birth of their baby.

While laser hair removal can be extremely effective since it targets the hair’s pigmentation and thermally damages the hair follicles, it is difficult to tell whether or not this is safe for pregnant women to undergo. This is because there have not been any studies done to find out how laser hair removal will affect the fetus. For this reason, laser hair removal is not recommended for pregnant women. However, there are some people who still believe that laser hair removal is completely safe during early pregnancy as long as the bikini area is avoided. Nevertheless, with such limited information being available, it is best to wait to receive laser hair removal treatments until after the baby has been born. This will then allow the technician to do a proper consultation.

Pregnant women could consider using electrolysis instead of laser hair removal. In this procedure, the hair follicle will be destroyed by a probe that is inserted into it and then emits radio frequency. There are 3 ways in which this can work. These include both Galvanic, Thermolysis and Blend. The Thermolysis and Blend methods are not recommended for pregnant women. This is because in Thermolysis electrolysis sends the electrical current to actually pass through the person’s body. Since Blend electrolysis combines Galvanic and Thermolysis, it is also not recommended for pregnant women. Even with Galvanic electrolysis, pregnant women are usually required to get authorization from their obstetrician before this treatment can be performed. This is true even though this form of electrolysis has never caused any damage to the expectant mother or her fetus.

Pregnant women need to understand that there has only been limited research done on the process of electrolysis and how it can effect a pregnant woman and her developing fetus. This is why there are so many obstetricians who are hesitant to recommend this procedure at all to anyone who is pregnant. Those women who still choose to have electrolysis performed on them while they are pregnant, especially if these women are in their last trimesters, really should take some precautions. These precautions primarily state that pregnant women should really avoid having electrolysis done around their abdomens, which is where their developing baby is, and also avoid treatments on their breasts, because they are developing milk that will be needed if they choose to breastfeed their baby.

 

Note: This article is for informational purpose only. Please contact your doctor/dermatologist for proper guidance and information.


The Dangers Of Laser Hair Removal

June 15th, 2007 Hair Removal Specialist Posted in Laser Hair Removal | 1 Comment »

A lot of people believe that laser hair removal is simply a cosmetic procedure, which is wrong.  Laser hair removal is considered to be a medical procedure because of the risks, dangers and side effects that is associated with the procedure even though these risks, dangers and side effects may seem to be quite insignificant.

By now you probably have realized that laser hair removal is a very popular procedure.  Lots of people around the world have used this method on some part of their body.  As such, you will clearly see that the risks of laser hair removal are not deterring anyone from using this method of hair removal.  However, if you plan to have laser hair removal done, you should still know what the risks involved with this procedure are.  In order to do so, you must first understand the science behind this treatment.

Many people do not understand how this procedure works.  This is actually a quite simple procedure to understand though.  A light with special wavelengths is simply used to damage the end of the hair or the hair follicles.  The light’s strength is adjusted in order to target the high pigmented areas of the air in order to do this damage, which will prevent or reduce the amount of hair that grows back.  For this reason, you should stay out of the sun for a few weeks before you go for a laser hair removal treatment.  This is because having a tan can make it difficult, or even impossible, to have the laser hair removal procedure work properly.

It is also important to understand that some medications are not safe to use whenever getting laser hair removal done.  So, if you are on any medication, you should talk to your doctor before you begin receiving laser hair removal treatments.  In this way you will be able to ensure that you are not going to have any health problems due to the combination of the medication that you are taking and the laser hair treatment that you receive.

You should also know that while most people who have had laser hair removal done, there are some people who may feel a little pain.  This pain is comparable to that of someone pricking you.  Oftentimes this pain is manageable though unless you are getting your armpits or pubic hair treated with the laser, then it is simply inevitable.  If this pain is of concern to you, then you should talk to your doctor about possibly receiving anesthesia.

The risks that you should be most concerned about in association with laser hair removal are laser marks or skin burns.  Luckily, these risks are quite rare as long as the procedure is done properly by someone who has been trained to do it correctly.  If you do experience any laser marks or skin burns, then you can be almost certain that this procedure was not performed properly.  The best way in which to avoid this from happening is to check out the person or place before beginning treatment.

This article is meant for informational purpose only. It should not be considered as guidance or advice. We recommend you to contact your dermatologist / physician for more details it.


Waxing Pubic Hairs

June 7th, 2007 Hair Removal Specialist Posted in Waxing | No Comments »

If you are planning to wax your pubic hair, you should not take a shower prior to doing so.  This is because showering will cause your pubic hair to become soft as it will absorb any water.  Of course, when this happens you will find that your pubic hair will be less likely to adhere properly to the wax.  You will find that dry hair will also make the wax easier to pull off. However, you are still going to want to make sure that there are not any lotions or oils on your skin as these will prevent the wax from adhering close to your skin.

 

Steps To Properly Waxing Your Pubic Hair

If you are just beginning to wax your pubic hair, then you will want to make sure that you test a small area of your skin before doing the whole area.  In this area you will be able to make sure that you are not allergic to this type of hair removal.  You will also want to make sure that your pubic hair is at least 1/8 of an inch long.  Otherwise, you will want to wait until it reaches this length.

Once you make sure that the conditions are right for you to wax your pubic hair, you will want to prepare the wax.  In order to do so, make sure that you heat the wax carefully because you do not want it to overheat as it would then burn your skin.  The wax will be ready once its consistency is soft, not runny.  When this happens, you will want to test it on a small area of skin first so that you can be sure that it is not so hot that it is going to burn you.

Whenever you are applying the wax you will only want to use a thin layer.  Make sure that you apply it in the direction that your hair grows.  Once the wax dries on your skin you will want to peel it back with a quick movement of pulling back, not up or out.  If you are afraid of this being painful, you can purchase a pain reducing gel or cream from your local pharmacist.  You should apply this cream to your pubic region 30 to 60 minutes before you plan to wax the area so that your skin will be numbed before you wax your pubic hair.

After you have waxed your pubic hair, you will want to clean this part of your skin with a warm moist towel so that you are sure that all excess wax is removed.  You will want to avoid wearing tight clothes in this area right after you have waxed it so that you can minimize the risk of irritation and ingrown hairs.  Then 24 hours after you have waxed your pubic hair, you will want to ex foliate the skin with a Loofah sponge.  This will prevent any dead skin from accumulating in this area, which will cause your hair to become ingrown.

 

Positions For Waxing Pubic Hair

There are several different positions that you can be in when you are waxing your pubic hair.  The idea behind these positions is to keep your knees bent and your legs wide apart so that your pubic area is easy to work on.  Of course, you can also use a mirror to help you here.  These positions include:

  1. You can sit on a chair with your legs spread apart and your feet up above your waist.
  2. You can sit in a position that will allow one of your legs to be propped up above your waist while your other leg rests on the floor.
  3. You can lie down on your back with your legs being spread wide apart and raised in the air so that the skin in your pubic area is spread taut.
  4. You can lie on your side with your bottom leg straight out in front of you and then bend your top leg at your knee and tuck it behind your straight leg.

Please Note: This article is here for general information and should not be taken as medical advice. It is advised that you consult your doctor/dermatologist or seek professional help in such cases. Thank you!


Short Wave Diathermy

March 15th, 2007 Hair Removal Specialist Posted in Permanent Hair Removal, Short Wave Diathermy, Treatments | No Comments »

Thermolysis is also known as short-wave radio frequency diathermy, radio wave, or short wave. It was developed in the 1940’s when AC/DC current became much more common. This current is required because it is the electricity that kills the hairs.

This is a process of hair removal that began in the middle of the twentieth century. It works by inserting a probe into the follicle, like you also do in electrolysis. Once the probe has been inserted into the hair follicle, the water molecules that are present in the hair begin to move around and produce heat. This is how the base of the hair is destroyed so that no hair can re-grow there in the future. For this reason, some people have actually chosen to combine this method with electrolysis. This is known as the blend method.

The blend method is a lot quicker and it is also much more efficient, which is why it is becoming so popular. It also works a lot better on certain types of hair. For this reason, it is more ideal for these hair types. In this method, you would first use electrolysis and then use the heat from thermolysis to damage the hair follicle.

While this is a much easier and faster process than electrolysis, it is not nearly as effective. Nevertheless, some people still prefer this method because of the fact that the current does not travel through the whole body as it does with electrolysis. Another reason why some people prefer this method is because it is a lot quicker and does not cause a chemical reaction. Instead, what it does is coagulate the papilla, which is similar to cooking an egg white.

There is no evidence that any harm can be done to a pregnant woman’s fetus via this process. Nevertheless, you should still talk to your doctor before starting this treatment if you are pregnant. Some practitioners may even require your doctor write you a note saying that you can undergo this treatment.

It also appears that thermolysis will be safe for those who have pacemakers.ÂThis is not true in electrolysis though because of the metal plates in a pacemaker conducting electricity, which is what electrolysis is dependent upon. Therefore, this is another reason why some people would prefer this hair removal method.

Another thing that you should be aware of is that if you have an IUD, they are also made from metal. As such, electrolysis would not be a good choice for these people, whereas thermolysis would.

If thermolysis is not done properly, then your skin may be burnt and scarred. This is not something that commonly happens, but you should know that it does happen. When flash thermolysis is used on thick, deeply rooted hair, instead of shallow, thin hair, your risk is increased. For these reasons, it is very important that you find a qualified practitioner who has been performing thermolysis for several years. In this way, you can reduce your risk of scarring.


Electrolysis

March 10th, 2007 Hair Removal Specialist Posted in Electrolysis, Laser Hair Removal, Permanent Hair Removal, Treatments | No Comments »

Electrolysis is the only known method of permanent hair removal. This procedure can be very intimidating though since a needle has to be repeatedly inserted into each hair follicle. Another reason why a lot of people find this procedure intimidating is because of its cost. A treatment averages between $60 and $100 per hour. You will require at least 1 session per week for a period of several months to more than a year.

This procedure works by inserting a needle into the hair shaft and then sending an electrical current to the hair follicle. While the hair itself is dry, the surface that is located directly beneath the skin is wet and contains a lot of minerals. This wet, mineral rich area is where the electrical current is sent. When it reaches this area a chemical reaction occurs and the hair follicle is desolved in a permanent manner.

Usually you will need to have more than one treatment done because there will be some hair re-growth. This is not the same hair that was there but fresh hair that were resting when the original treatment was done. The reason why this occurs is because hair grows in cycles. So, you are going to need 3 to 4 months of treatments before all hair growth will stop. Each of these treatments should result in a noticeable 20% reduction in hair growth. Here are some estimated times that it will take to remove hair from each part of your body:

1. Upper Lip 4-10 hours

2. Chin: 2-12 hours

3. Sideburns: 4-8 hours

4. Eyebrows: 3-8 hours

5. Underarms: 4-12

6. Arms: 5-10 hours

7. Bikini Line: 8-16 hours

While electrolysis is a highly effective procedure, it does have some drawbacks, including:

1. Repeatedly inserting a needle into the skin can be quite painful. However, this depends upon your level of sensitivity. While some people say that this procedure is similar to using tweezers, others say that it is extremely painful. Your electrolysis technician will be able to tell you ways in which you can minimize this discomfort though.

2. You need to find a highly skilled technician to perform your treatments.

3. Due to the use of needles, there is an increased chance of infection. However, a new needle should be used so that no 2 patients ever use the same needle.

4. You will have little red spots, swelling, dryness and scabs temporarily appearing around the treated area after you undergo a treatment.

5. If you do not have your procedure done by a professional, then you will run the risk of having permanent skin damage.

Another thing that you need to be aware of is that while electrolysis is oftentimes viewed as a permanent solution for removing unwanted hair, it is important to understand that there are some cases in which hair will re-grow and thus you will need to return once or twice a year to get these areas cleaned up. Usually this occurs in the underarm, pubic and nipple areas. This is especially true during a woman’s reproductive years.

As with anything, you should make sure that you check your technician’s credentials before beginning treatment.


Electric Spring Rotator

March 8th, 2007 Hair Removal Specialist Posted in Electric Spring Rotator, Treatments | No Comments »

An electric spring rotator is a device in that has a tight vibrating spring which is held next to the skin to catch multiple hairs at once and pull them out. This spring was in the shape of a bow with the coils were on the one side of the spring. These springs would then hold tightly onto the hair while the coils were spread apart. The motor would then cause the springs to rotate and flex. When you moved this machine across the skin, your hair would be caught up in the springs and get pulled out. The way in which this is done is actually quite similar to waxing.

This procedure was actually first released by Epilady in 1986. Since then other companies have began selling this hair removal system. Two others are the Remington Lady Remington and the Smooth and Silky models. They use rotating discs instead of springs but work quite similarly to the Epilady.

This form of hair removal lasts for 1 or 2 weeks and it is very easy to use. However, this can be a painful form of hair removal if you have coarse hair since it involves pulling the hair out at the roots. This pain can be especially painful the first time that this procedure is done. The procedure itself can also cause some people’s skin to become irritated. For these reasons, some people actually prefer to have the area which they plan to use this procedure on professionally waxed before doing it for the first time. Then this tool can be used to remove any regrowth that occurs after waxing. This is great because due to the different phases of hair growth not a lot of hair regrowth will happen after you start using epilation. As such, it is a lot less painful than waxing and it will not be as painful after the first session. Plus, the number of broken off hairs will diminish with regular usage.

There are various types of electric spring rotators including powered, rechargeable and battery operated. The only part of your electric spring rotator that will need to be replaced regularly is the spring. They need replaced because they are continuously flexed and thus will occasionally fail to work. Luckily these are sold separately as a replacement part.

Besides electric spring rotators there are also tweezers types. These are actually the most modern type of this system. They have refined the system to the point that the plates are no longer complete discs. The head incorporates a series of metal plates that are mounted within a plastic case or housing. The ends of the plates are either exposed at one or both sides of this housing. Whenever the head rotates, the plates’ tips move together and apart one time per revolution. This is how the tweezers effect is created. The hair that is between the plates whenever they close is then pulled out as the plates rotate away from the skin. It is then released as the plates separate. As such, there is a continuous cycle of gripping, pulling, extracting and discarding of your hair as the epilator moves across your skin. Some hairs that are strong and brittle will simply snap off just above your skin’s surface instead of being pulled out.

Numerous different brands of this hair removal system exist. Even Epilady has discontinued their electric spring rotator machine and now they produce various tweezers type models instead.


Waxing

March 6th, 2007 Hair Removal Specialist Posted in Treatments, Waxing | 1 Comment »

One way in which you can temporarily remove hair from your body is by waxing it. This is done by spreading a wax thinly over the skin and then using a cloth strip that is pressed on the top of the wax to rip the hair off in one swift movement. In this way both dead skin and the hair is removed from the root. After which you should then apply a soothing skin healing cream so that the red bumps will disappear quickly. You will not have any new hair regrow in this area for between 3 to 8 weeks at which time soft, fine new hair will grow back. You can then continue waxing the area until eventually new hair will never regrow there.

The areas of your body that can be waxed include your eyebrows, face, bikini area, legs, arms/underarms, back, abdomen and feet. Of course, there are also areas that you should never wax, including the inside of your ears, inside your nose, genital area, your nipples and your eyebrows. Waxing of these areas should be left to a licensed professional

There are some health precautions that you should keep in mind with hair waxing:

1.If you have diabetes, varicose veins or poor circulation, you should no wax as you are more susceptible to infection.

2.If you use Retin-A, Renova, Differin or Accutane you shoul not wax your facial hair as these medications weaken your skin thus making it more likely to tear.

3.Any areas of the skin that are affected by warts, pimples, moles, rashes or other irritation such as chapping or sunburn should not be waxed.

4.Wax should never be applied to peeling or broken skin

You also should know that there are both hot waxes and cold waxes. A good hot wax melts just above body temperature so that they can be easily spread thinly over the skin. As they harden they trap your hair in the wax so that it is removed by the roots once the wax is ripped off. On the other hand, cold waxes (also known as Persian waxing) are available in pre-coated strips. These can be pressed directly onto your skin so that your hair will stick to it then is quickly removed when you rip the strip off.

There are both benefits and drawbacks to be derived from waxing. Some of the benefits include:

1.It is long lasting.

2.The hair is removed at the root so that it will not grow back for several weeks.

3.Hair is soft and thin when it grows back.

Some of the drawbacks include:

1.It can be painful when the strip is removed from the skin.

2.Waxing can be quite expensive.

3.It is not permanent.

4.Hair grows back in different directions so it is more noticeable.

While some people find that waxing works well for them and that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, other people would disagree. As with any type of hair removal, the decision is a very personal one that only you can make.


Depilatory Creams

November 17th, 2006 Hair Removal Specialist Posted in Depilatory Creams, Treatments | No Comments »

Depilatory creams can be rated somewhere between shaving and waxing. They are much more effective than shaving treatment is but at the same time they don’t go as deep as waxing does. Yet depilatory creams provide you a painless hair removal experience. If you are at anytime in a big hurry and want to get rid of those unwanted hairs on the body, then depilatory creams are the best bet. They are easy to apply and effective in short run by removing the hair just below the skin’s surface.

A depilatory cream is a mixture of mildly caustic chemicals that contain sodium and calcium thioglycolate. These products are designed to dissolve the hair just below the skin level, thus removing all visible hair from the treated area. Since, depilatory creams contains chemicals, their use may cause skin irritation to some. A very sensitive skin won’t be able to tolerate the irritation. It is advised that such creams should not be used on sensitive skins such as around eye area.

There is high pH level in the depilatories that dissolve the hair at the skin’s surface. They are gentler on the skin than shaving or waxing. Depilatories are especially good for sensitive or bumpy areas such as the bikini line, above the lip or under the arm. They do tend to smell pretty unpleasant but at a single given time, you can clear larger areas, quickly and safely. Besides, those parts will stay hair-free for longer time than if you shaved. However it is advised that if you are doing it for the first time, you should apply a test patch. Also, there are different products for specific areas of the body that consider the range of skin sensitivity and strength hair. It is advised you consult your doctor before using any.
Here are some tips for that smooth and soft touch hair removal experience if you use depilatory creams:

  • Always clean the skin first to open the follicles and check that oils are not preventing clean contact.
  • Begin by trying a test patch on your forearm just in case you have a reaction. It’s fairly rare, but these are caustic chemicals and you will need to aware that in some people they can cause skin irritation, discoloration or allergy.
  • Always read the instructions. They will state a maximum length of time you should leave the cream on for. Don’t exceed it.
  • When removing the product, use a damp wash cloth in downward strokes. The extra pressure will help break away more hairs and you can shower after you’ve cleared away as much hair as possible.
  • Never apply depilatory cream anywhere near a cut or other skin break.

 

If you are planning to use it on your face, well take care that you buy the right creams for that. Depilatory creams for the face do tend to be gentler and work better on soft, fine hair. It’s your face after all. For obvious reasons these creams will work better on women’s face who only have soft and small hairs to remove and would prove to be ineffective for men having hard beard.

Depilatory creams are considered to be one of the fastest ways for hair removing. However it’s not a permanent hair removal method. The hairs will grow back soon but won’t be hard or dark. Depilatory creams are safe. They can be used regularly and are tested to government standards. Depilatory creams provide a pain free experience without any problems. Definitely, worth a try.

 


Bleaching

August 28th, 2006 Hair Removal Specialist Posted in Bleaching, Treatments | No Comments »

Bleaching is a process of making hair in facial areas, less visible. Bleaching is not a method of hair removal, rather it is a method used to make the hair a bit less noticeable, by actually blending the hairs with the skin. Bleaching is especially useful for areas that have thin but dark, noticeable hair like on the arms, face, or neck. Thus bleaching works well on hair that is not thick or long. Bleaching is performed by applying a chemical to the desired area, which removes the pigment from the hair. Dark haired women find that bleaching mustache areas is less expensive than electrolysis as well as less painful than plucking. The effect remain for two three weeks only, therefore bleaching has to be done after every few weeks. It may cause little or no irritation to a person’s skin. At a time a large area of hairs on the skin can be bleached. The skin won’t lose it’s color and neither would react because of the bleach.

It is advised that proper consultation and advice should be taken regarding bleaching and bleach products. Some bad products available in the market may cause irritation or rashes on few skins.


Shaving

August 21st, 2006 Hair Removal Specialist Posted in Shaving, Treatments | 1 Comment »

Shaving hairs with a razor is the most commonly used method for temporary hair removal. It is very less effective compared to all the available hair removing treatments as it merely cuts the hair at the skin surface, but the root of the hair still exists. However as per the myth which many people tend to believe, Shaving hair does not make the hair shaft thicker. Neither does it make your hair grow faster or darker. However when the hair grows back, the hairs would be more noticeable and appears thicker as the shaft has a blunt tip rather than the pointed one or the normal one. Shaving razors should carefully used. They can easily harm/cut your skin. So there is always a chance for cuts and bruises. For a good shave, you should apply some moisturizer on the skin so that the razors could easily glide on the skin instead of cutting it or scraping it. Common moisturizers that are available easily include water, shaving creams, gel, foam and even a thin layer of petroleum jelly or Vaseline will do. This helps in getting a very close shave and better results. Please note that using petroleum jelly or likes of it may cause irritations to some people. After shaving it is important to wash off whole of the petroleum jelly which most of the time is annoying to the person.

Shaving may cause irritation to some people. It is a temporary method and the results are good for 2 weeks only. But is widely used by people.


Hair Removal Treatments

August 19th, 2006 Hair Removal Specialist Posted in Treatments | No Comments »

Hair Removal Treatments

Shaving:

A variety of razors are available in the market. From electric shavers to throw away, plastic, one time use razors. People fear that shaved hair grows back thicker. But the fact is that it does appear thicker as the hair is clipped at the thick stem rather than at the root. Regrowth of hairs occur very quickly.

Bleaching:

Special dyeing creams, which are used to bleach dark hairs, in order to blend them with the skin’s complexion. However this treatment is not much preferred as it lasts for approximately a week only, and since it does not remove hair, so therefore is inappropriate for thick hair growths. It is relatively inexpensive, but requires lot of practice before anyone can expertise in it.

Depilatory Creams:

They’re the gentle creams which actually dissolves the hair at the root. It is an effective method but the results last only for few weeks. It is an easy to use and an inexpensive method. Therefore it can be used at home. However, the cream does not suit everyone’s skin and may cause rashness or irritation to the skin.

Waxing:

It’s the most commonly used method. Wax strips are placed on the part of your body from where you want to remove those unwanted hair. The wax strips are then left to stiffen and then pulled off, taking along with it, the hairs from the root. This method lasts for a week or two. It’s cheap and easy to use at home, but is very painful and may cause irritation to the skin as well. However they are often preferred than liquids and are considered better for the skin.

Electric Spring Rotator:

Electric spring rotator is a device in which a taut spring is vibrated next to the skin, which catches the hair from the middle and pulls it out. It lasts for week or two and is easy to use. However if the hair are coarse, it can be a painful treatment. This may cause irritation to some people.

Electrolysis:

They can be defined as small electrical charges that are sent through each unwanted hair, thus either destroying it completely or weakening its regrowth. The results last up to a month. The hair does stop growing back eventually, although this may take number of years for sessions for coarser hair. This treatment has to be done professionally as it requires experts. Therefore the treatment is very expensive.

Short Wave Diathermy

A treatment wherein short wave charges are passed through the hair which destroys each hair and prevent regrowth. This lasts for up to two months time. Regrowth of the hair thins out relatively quickly. However, this is an expensive and lengthy professional process.

*The treatments are described for general knowledge. However you should consult your Doctors/Dermatologists for better guidance.