Wax is applied to the leg

Hair

Permanent hair removal: An overview of the best methods

May 2, 2022

Summer is fast approaching, and with the rising temperatures comes the desire for permanently smooth skin. Who hasn't experienced this: daily shaving is tiring, time-consuming, and a thankless task – before you know it, the first stubble is already appearing.

Woman in bathtub
Source: Elina Fairytale/pexels

We all dream of long-lasting hair-free legs and a bikini line without stubbly hairs or Razor burnIdeally, without much effort. More and more women and men are therefore opting for a permanent solution: There are now numerous methods for permanent hair removal that make razors and epilators look outdated.

However: Not every variant is suitable for all skin types and Hair types Suitable – success rates can vary greatly. In our article, you'll learn which hair removal method is best for you and which treatment will keep your skin smooth the longest. We'll also present the advantages and disadvantages of five different permanent hair removal methods and tell you what to look for when choosing one. 

Permanent hair removal methods: Enjoy smooth skin thanks to lasers 

Using the classic among permanent hair removal methods, the Laser treatment, also for menYour unwanted hairs are literally fought at the root: The laser beam sends a precisely dosed light pulse onto the skin, which travels through the hair to the hair root (follicle) is reached. Melanin (The pigment in your natural hair color) absorbs the light energy and converts it into heat, which in turn permanently destroys the surrounding hair-producing cells, preventing hair regrowth. The laser is then moved centimeter by centimeter across the shaved skin.

This treatment must be performed professionally, because depending on your skin and hair type, the pulse strength and energy level are individually adjusted beforehand to your specific hair and skin type.

At Sanft und Schön in Berlin Mitte, we work with a special diode laserThis technology achieves three different wavelengths (755 nm, 808 nm, 1064 nm) with a single handpiece. Unlike classic laser treatments, which only work smoothly on dark hair and light skin, the high-performance laser modules of diode laser technology guarantee an effective, gentle treatment suitable for all skin and hair types. Thanks to the variable wavelength, Hair follicles at different skin depths as well as different Skin types can be reached and permanently destroyed without affecting the surrounding tissue. 

The 755 nm wavelength (also Alexandrite laser (called) has a strong melanin absorption and is therefore particularly suitable for superficial, light or thin hairs. 

The Speed ​​Hair Removal With a wavelength of 808 nm, it has moderate melanin absorption but penetrates very deeply into the hair follicles – ideal for darker skin types. Incidentally, the name says it all: anyone wanting fast and effective permanent hair removal can't go wrong with this gold standard laser. 
For particularly dark skin types, we recommend the Nd:YAG laser With a wavelength of 1064 nm, which absorbs melanin only in small amounts, this laser reaches even the deepest hair follicles, allowing for the easy removal of even deeply embedded, firmly rooted hairs. Determine your skin type in this article.

Permanent hair removal methods
Source: AndriyShevchuk/shutterstock

Advantages and disadvantages of laser treatment

  • Normally, after the 'laser' hair removal method, you have peace from unwanted hair for at least a year – often even for several years – because the hair roots have been permanently damaged. 
  • do grow back, they are often fewer, much lighter and thinner.
  • Furthermore, this permanent hair removal method is virtually painless. During the treatment, you will usually only feel a slight tingling sensation, which is a reaction to the destruction of the hair root in the follicle. 
  • Three-wavelength diode lasers make treatment possible for all skin types.
  • A disadvantage of laser hair removal is the lengthy treatment period: depending on the body area and size, you should expect six to eight treatments spaced approximately six weeks apart. This is because your hair can only be treated during its active growth phase. If the hair follicle is targeted during the resting phase, the desired effect will not occur. Normally, only 15 to 30 percent of hairs are in the growth phase. To ensure that all hairs are targeted in their active state, treatment must be carried out over a longer period.
  • Permanent hair removal using a laser (apart from the three-wave diode laser) is not suitable for every hair type: patients with light or grey hair are advised against using this method, as the hairs contain too little or no melanin and do not stand out sufficiently from adjacent skin areas. 
  • If the skin is very dark, however, the laser does not even reach the hair root, but is absorbed at the skin surface, which can result in burns. 
  • Even very thin hair cannot be detected and removed by the laser. 

Who is laser treatment suitable for? 

Generally speaking, the darker the hair is when laser treatment is performed, the better, as the laser needs contrast. Dark hair on light skin is therefore ideal for laser treatment. Furthermore, laser hair removal is suitable for any part of the body – provided the area is not tattooed. Tattoos would destroy not only the hair follicles but also the tattoo itself.

Risks you should be aware of with laser hair removal you can find it here.

Permanent hair removal with IPL: The solution for home use? 

Similar to laser treatment, the following also applies to the IPL-Hair removal (Intense Pulsed LightLight pulses are sent to the hair follicle and converted into heat, causing the follicle to destroy and the hair to fall out. The biggest difference between the two methods for permanent hair removal, however, lies in the type of light used: IPL uses intense pulsed light. Here, the hair is exposed over a large area to a broad spectrum of rays of different wavelengths. The pulsed light is absorbed by the melanin and conducted to the hair follicle, which is thereby heated. In most cases, however, the hair does not fall out immediately, but is only shed by the body after about one to two weeks. 

For some time now, IPL devices have also been available for purchase for home use. However, many users complain that the hair does not disappear completely despite regular and correct use. This is simply because home IPL devices operate at a significantly lower light intensity to prevent burns.

Permanent hair removal methods
Source: Cliff Booth/pexels

Advantages and disadvantages of IPL treatment

  • Whether it's hair removal on the legs, in the bikini area or in the armpits – the IPL method can basically be used on any part of the body. 
  • Unlike laser treatment, IPL hair removal works faster because a larger area of ​​skin is irradiated, thus destroying several hairs at the same time. 
  • IPL can also be used at home.
  • The IPL method promises long-lasting results. Regular treatments can significantly reduce hair growth in the treated areas – without the need for tedious daily shaving. 
  • Furthermore, the hair becomes lighter and finer. Thanks to individual settings on the IPL device that take into account the melanin content of the skin, the procedure is gentle on the skin and low-risk. 
  • The main problem with IPL hair removal is that, due to the broad spectrum of radiation, not only hair follicles but also tattoos and blood vessels are exposed to high light energy. The basic principle is: nothing should be exposed to light that is not the target of the treatment! 
  • Despite the fact that the IPL procedure works quickly, several sessions are required. 
  • The rumor that the IPL variant is less harmful and less painful is unfortunately not true: the method does not work completely without pain. 
  • Furthermore, the risk of incorrect treatments increases, as anyone can purchase an IPL device and use it without any qualifications. 
  • Treatment with IPL is only possible if the hair root is currently in the growth phase and is not suitable for patients with light hair. 

Who is IPL treatment suitable for? 

The decisive factor for the effectiveness of IPL treatment – ​​as with laser treatment – ​​is hair color. Therefore, IPL is particularly suitable for dark hair types, as the higher melanin content is what makes it possible for the light to heat the hair follicle. Most importantly, however, the hair must be darker than the skin, just as with laser treatment. The greater the color contrast, the better. 

But be careful: Is your skin relatively dark? Then you should opt for professional laser hair removal, as this method is more selective. The energy is focused exclusively on the hair follicle and not on the surrounding skin. Therefore, laser treatment is the safer choice for darker skin tones. 

Permanent hair removal methods – SHR for silky smooth skin

The abbreviation SHR stands for Super Hair Removal SHR is a further development of IPL treatment. This new technology for permanent hair removal uses the 'in-motion' method. This means the area of ​​skin to be treated is repeatedly and evenly covered with the laser head and heated – similar to an iron. During this process, continuous light pulses are emitted into the skin, which are absorbed by the surrounding tissue and transmitted to the hair follicle. The heat energy alters the growth proteins in the follicle, preventing it from producing new hair. Unlike IPL, SHR does not use one strong pulse, but rather several small pulses. The SHR method operates with lower energy but a higher repetition rate.

A woman's armpit is being treated with a skincare product
Source: MurrrPhoto/pixabay

Advantages and disadvantages of SHR treatment

  • SHR treatment is a particularly gentle method of permanent hair removal. It is therefore especially kind to the skin and is largely painless and without risk of burns. 
  • With this technology, the body's own pigment melanin is only 50 percent responsible for optimal heat conduction to the hair root. The SHR laser also acts on the stem cells responsible for hair production and thus hair growth. 
  • Due to the low energy density combined with the high repetition rate, the skin is heated gently. To clarify: IPL hair removal heats the skin to 70 degrees Celsius, whereas SHR technology only heats the tissue to 45 degrees Celsius. 
  • This means that even lighter hairs can be treated better and permanently removed. 
  • However, even with SHR hair removal, hairs in the resting phase cannot be reached and removed. Patience is therefore required, as several sessions are necessary to successfully and permanently treat all hairs in the growth phase. 
  • Tattooed skin areas should also not be treated: The risk that the colors will react to the light pulses and change is quite high. 

Who is SHR treatment suitable for? 

SHR treatment offers a wide range of applications: Because the technology uses less energy and heat, this permanent hair removal method is suitable for all patients – regardless of age, hair color, or skin type. Even those with fair skin and light hair can enjoy permanently smooth skin thanks to the SHR procedure. However, for dark skin or dark hair, it is important to ensure that less energy is used, as the higher melanin content absorbs the light energy particularly well. 

Needle epilation: Permanent hair removal using electricity

The Needle epilation Electrolysis – also known as electroepilation – is a method of permanent hair removal in which each hair is individually removed, including the root. A fine probe, tailored to the specific hair thickness and follicle depth, is inserted along the hair shaft into each hair follicle, down to the root. A precisely measured electrical current, delivered directly into the hair follicle, destroys it and prevents new hairs from growing back. Finally, the hair is removed with tweezers.

There are three different types of needle epilation: Electrolysis uses direct current, which destroys the follicle through a chemical reaction. The second method – the Thermolysis The first method uses high-frequency alternating current to destroy the hair follicle through heat. The third method, the so-called 'blend method', combines the first two methods, using alternating current to accelerate the process. The hair removal process itself is the same for all methods; they differ only in their mechanism of action.

Permanent hair removal methods
Source: Victoria Alexandrova/unsplash

Advantages and disadvantages of needle epilation

  • Needle or electroepilation is not limited to a specific skin or hair type. Compared to most other methods of permanent hair removal, it can effectively and consistently remove even light hair types. 
  • Another advantage of this method is its precise application: the electrical impulses are directed exactly to the affected area without damaging the surrounding skin. This makes needle epilation particularly suitable for skin areas marked with moles or tattoos.
  • This type of hair removal is the most permanent and only method that prevents hair growth for years. The treatment therefore promises very good success rates – provided the hair follicle is completely destroyed. 
  • It should be clear that electrolysis is an extremely time-consuming procedure: each hair is treated individually, and only small areas of skin are treated at a time. A skilled specialist can remove between 300 and 800 hairs per hour. 
  • Furthermore, if the procedure is not carried out carefully, the chances of success are low: If the electrical impulse is not sufficient to destroy the hair root, it can still irritate it, resulting in the hair growing even stronger than before. 
  • Incorrect procedures can sometimes even result in scarring. Therefore, it is particularly important to consult an expert in this field. 
  • Compared to other permanent hair removal methods, this treatment is also the most expensive and painful. The intensity of the pain depends on the type of electrical current used. Many patients therefore request local anesthesia. While there is a painless option where the hair is simply grasped with special, electrically charged tweezers, irritation of the hair follicle can cause the hair to grow back particularly coarse in this case. 

For whom is needle epilation suitable? 

Needle epilation promises success on all skin and hair types – regardless of whether they are light or dark. Unlike other permanent hair removal methods, a specific hair type is not a prerequisite. However, dark hairs are somewhat easier to remove than light ones, as the latter are usually finer and therefore more difficult to treat. Nevertheless, good results can also be achieved after a few sessions with patients who have light skin and hair. Furthermore, electrolysis is particularly well-suited for small areas of the body and also for tattooed areas. 

Old but Gold: Hair removal with wax

Strictly speaking, that's Waxing Of course, it's not a method of permanent hair removal. However, it still offers an ideal alternative for anyone who's unsure whether they really want to say goodbye to unwanted hair completely. Thanks to waxing, you can enjoy smooth skin for up to four weeks and confidently leave your razor or epilator in the bathroom cabinet for now. At our Sanft & Schön beauty salon in Berlin Mitte, you can have your hair professionally removed with Warm wax to remove unwanted hair. First, the warmed, liquid wax is applied to the area to be treated using a wooden spatula. After a few seconds, during which the wax hardens, it is quickly pulled off – against the direction of hair growth – along with the hair root. By the way: On the face, waxing not only removes unwanted hair, but also dead skin cells and blackheads, making it ideal if you.. shrink large pores want. 

Wax is applied to the leg
Source: Africa Studio/shutterstock

Advantages and disadvantages of waxing

  • A clear advantage of warm wax epilation is its thorough and long-lasting effect: Since the hair is removed along with the root, it takes between two and eight weeks to grow back.
  • waxing is more hygienic and safer than many other permanent hair removal methods. The risk of unsightly infections or inflammation is significantly lower.
  • And last but not least: hair growth is significantly slower on regularly waxed areas. So you can enjoy smooth skin for longer. In addition, hair grows back softer and finer after waxing and doesn't leave any prickly stubble. 
  • Certainly, the treatment – ​​especially the first time – is not entirely painless, but with each session the hairs become finer and fewer, so the pain decreases. 
  • Generally, the waxing method only works on hairs that are at least 0.4 cm long. So you'll have to be able to live with a light fuzz on your skin before the treatment. 
  • For inexperienced users, waxing is also very complicated. Furthermore, hairs that aren't removed completely from the root grow back even faster. Therefore, the easiest and safest option is to leave waxing to a professional. 

Who is waxing suitable for? 

(Semi-permanent) hair removal using wax is suitable for almost everyone. Even for those with light hair and skin types, waxing is an effortless way to get rid of unwanted hair long-term and without much time investment. You can use it on any body parts and hairs that bother you. However, waxing is not suitable for people with sensitive skin or those suffering from allergies and skin conditions. 

Permanent hair removal methods: The right treatment for you

silky smooth and radiant skin Long-lasting, effortless results: There are numerous methods for permanent hair removal that can make your dream come true and banish unwanted hair (almost) forever. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages and isn't suitable for everyone. Regardless of which method you choose, you should always consult a specialist and have the treatment performed professionally, as they will provide you with comprehensive and personalized advice. In a preliminary consultation, all your questions will be answered and any concerns you may have will be addressed. At Sanft & Schön in Berlin Mitte, we consider it our responsibility to ensure you feel completely comfortable. Permanent hair removal can be an intimate experience – which makes it all the more important to have a professional you can trust by your side.

Always keep in mind: "Permanent" is relative, and hair growth varies from person to person. Hormonal changes or genetic predisposition can naturally alter hair growth again. Permanent hair removal also doesn't happen overnight; it's a longer process that often requires several treatments. Even after each session, special care is needed to avoid further irritating your already sensitive skin. Therefore, proper skincare after hair removal is absolutely essential!

We are also happy to offer facial treatments such as the in Berlin area Microneedling, a Aquafacial as well as Microdermabrasion/-or Acne treatments here for you.

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