Laser Hair Removal vs Waxing

When it comes to unwanted or excess hair removal there are so many options it can be difficult to decide what is best for you; epilation, threading, waxing, laser hair removal, IPL, electrolysis-where to start?! 

Shaving tends to be most of our introduction into the world of hair removal. After all, we can do it in the comfort of our own bathroom and don’t need to book an appointment for it, plus, the cost of a razor is minimal. However, over time, shaving can become something we forget to do, we put off because of the amount of time it requires (not to mention some of the angles required to reach certain parts) or simply dislike doing because of the side effects, such as ingrowing hairs. Oh, and let’s not forget that for some of us, stubble has formed by the end of the day making it seem like a thankless task. 

Sometimes, we move on to waxing, either at home or at a beauty salon. The results tend to last longer than shaving and if someone else is doing it for you, you don’t need to perform a Cirque du Soleil manoeuvre to complete the task. Having your waxing done professionally is also probably more comfortable and quicker than doing it at home because, well, it’s their job-they know which way to apply the wax and to pull it off and they usually do it so frequently they’ll do it much more quickly than a layperson. 

So, why would you move on to laser hair removal for your excess hair removal? For most people it’s the longevity of laser hair removal results; they can often last years.

There are pros and cons for all treatments, it truly is about personal preference when it comes to removing your facial and body hair. To make that decision a little easier, I’m going to compare Soprano Ice laser hair removal, because this is our laser skin clinic’s choice of laser hair removal (Hertfordshire), with waxing.

Waxing

This is a method of excess hair removal that physically pulls the hair out of the follicle in which it sits. The results tend to last much longer than shaving, for example, because the hair needs to grow all the way to the surface of the skin to be seen and felt. 

Pros

• Large amounts of hair can be removed at once.
• Waxing can exfoliate the skin so your skin may feel smoother after the treatment. 
• Hair can become thinner over time.
• You can wax any hair colour.

Cons

• Not a long-term solution; results last weeks.
• Burns can occur with hot wax; this can damage the skin and take the top layer of the skin off, in some cases. 
• Regrowth is required so that the wax can stick to the hair. You must let your hair grow to about ¼ – ½ inch long before having the treatment each time. As a result, you might find that you spend a fair amount of time ‘hairy’.   
• Traditional wax can be a bit messy and leave residue on your skin.
• Repeat treatment can cause irritation of the skin, which in turn can lead to hyperpigmentation in the treatment area. 
• Ingrown hairs and whiteheads are quite common in the area after waxing.
• Treatment can make you bleed-if your hair is particularly thick and densely populated the physical action of pulling the hairs out can cause bleeding. 

Laser Hair Removal

The laser used in laser hair removal treatments targets the pigment in the hair, using it as a pathway for the laser energy to travel to the root (where the hair grows from) and destroy it. 

Pros

• Long-term results. 
• Can treat large areas. Patients often have ‘full body’ treatments.
• Cost-effective because the results are often long-lasting, the lifetime cost of treatment works out much less than waxing.
• No need for regrowth- you can shave or trim your hair in between sessions.

Cons

• You are required to have a course of treatment.
• Does not work on white or extremely blond hairs; remember, the laser uses the pigment in the hair to travel to the root to destroy it. If the hair has little or no pigment, which is the case with these fair hairs, the treatment will have very little impact.
• Cannot treat directly over tattoos. 
• Lasers can cause skin burns; although very rare. Make sure that your practitioner is trained and qualified to use lasers prior to treatment. 

Has this helped you decide if waxing or laser hair removal is right for you?

If you would like more information about laser hair removal at St. Albans, please don’t hesitate to contact our skin clinic, we’d love to tell you more. 

Disclaimer: This blog is not to be used for diagnostic purposes. We are all unique which means that our results, recovery and suitability for any type of treatment will vary. Always seek the advice of a professional should you have any health or cosmetic concerns or to discuss treatments specifically for you.