By Louis Silberman or many women and men, hair removal is more than a process, more than a routine and much more than simply a chore—it is Fa full-on battle. The current styles and trends for both sexes call for a smooth, virtually hair-free physique. However, obtaining a bare bod is not always easy. Depending on the method of hair removal used, the process can be time-consuming, stubble can reappear quickly, and ingrown hairs can become a painful, unsightly problem. Americans spend $10 billion on various products and services to remove unwanted fuzz. From razors to lasers, people are searching for the best solutions and experimenting with different ways to keep body hair at bay. Hair removal history The history of hair removal dates back to prehistoric hair removal included combining a tortoise shell with times. Archeologists have found evidence that cavemen hippopotamus fat or mixing various animal bloods used sharpened stones and shells to remove their together to create a hair removal concoction. Feline waste facial hair. Hair removal was also customary among was also considered a viable method. the ancient Egyptians, who regarded hairlessness as a The men’s safety razor (a precursor to the disposable status symbol. Men routinely used razors made from razors of today) was invented in the 1880s, and the first bronze to shave their heads, while women used more commercial razor marketed to women was introduced in extreme measures of depilation, including blending 1915. To this day, shaving remains the most commonly mixtures made from arsenic, starch and quicklime. used method of hair removal, but that doesn’t mean it’s They also used beeswax to pull hair from their legs. the best solution for everyone. Following are some modern During approximately 1500 B.C., recipes for hair removal methods that go beyond the blade. 42 February 2012 © Skin Inc. www.SkinInc.com Reproduction in English or any other language of all or part of this article is strictly prohibited. © 2012 Allured Business Media. Si1202_si_Battle_Silberman_fcx.indd 42 1/13/12 11:16:03 AM Photos courtesy of Americans spend $10 billion on various products and services to remove unwanted fuzz. Waxing to person. It works by using a fi ne needle to transmit an Waxing is a popular choice for many women and electric current into a hair follicle to destroy its root. men because the results last longer than shaving. A Because the hair is treated follicle by follicle, it is often a typical waxing procedure will give the average client lengthy process. Even a small area, such as the upper lip, two-to-four weeks of smooth skin. Wax can typically can take as long as four hours. be used anywhere on the body. For men, some of the Electrolysis can be used to treat hair anywhere on the most popular areas are the chest and back. For women, body except inside the nose and ears. Because hair grows eyebrow and bikini waxes are often requested. in stages and each hair is not in the same stage at the same time, multiple electrolysis sessions are needed to achieve Pros. It provides long-lasting results, and effectively optimal results. removes large amounts of hair at one time. It can be used on all skin types, and repeated waxing can lead to Pros. It is the only permanent hair removal method, and softer re-growth. can be used on all hair colors and skin types. Cons. It is painful, and may burn skin and disturb Cons. It is a time-consuming process that may be hair follicles. Also, hair must be a certain length in order painful. for waxing to be successful. Laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) Chemical depilatories Laser and IPL hair removal are similar procedures that Chemical depilatories are often used at home. These use different light-based technologies. Laser hair removal mixtures contain chemicals that weaken the hairs on uses a pure monochromatic beam of laser light to target the skin’s surface to the point where they can be wiped the melanin in the hair and damage the hair follicle. IPL away with a cloth or sponge. The process usually takes hair removal uses a broad-based light that emits multiple between 5–10 minutes to complete. Depilatories are wavelengths as opposed to one beam. With each procedure, available in creams, gels, aerosols and powders. They are six-to-eight treatments are usually needed for best results. most commonly used on the legs, bikini area, underarms Laser hair removal has come a long way since and face. Typical results can last up to a week. the introduction of the procedure in the late 1990s. Developments in laser and light-based technology now Pros. Depilatories are easy to use, and provide allow for the safe and effective treatment of many different longer-lasting results than shaving. skin types, although laser and IPL hair removal clients should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Cons. The chemicals used can irritate skin, and they emit odor. Pros. They offer permanent hair reduction, are safe for many skin types and can be used to treat large areas. Electrolysis Cons. Burning or hyperpigmentation may occur, Electrolysis is the only procedure approved by the the treated area will be sensitive immediately following U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for permanent treatment, and white or light-colored hair cannot be hair removal, although results can vary from person treated. www.SkinInc.com February 2012 © Skin Inc. 43 Si1202_si_Battle_Silberman_fcx.indd 43 1/13/12 11:16:07 AM No hair removal solution is one-size-fits-all. Radio frequency and IPL hair removal Hair Removal Suppliers This method of hair removal uses a combination of radio frequency energy and IPL to selectively Are you in the market for suppliers in the skin target and damage hair follicles. The absorption of care industry that offer hair removal solutions? radio frequency is not dependent on melanin, so this Following is a list of 10 professional skin care combination can treat a wider range of skin and hair companies that provide these types of products. types than laser hair removal. Each treatment typically results in less hair growing back, as well as a lightening Bio-Therapeutic, Inc. of the hair color. On average, six-to-eight treatments are required for maximum hair reduction. Lighter-colored 800-971-6438 hair usually requires more treatments than darker hair. www.bio-therapeutic.com Pros. It can be used on all skin types, large areas International Beauty Systems Group can be treated, and it can result in permanent hair 800-947-2314 reduction. www.cirepil.com Cons. It may cause redness or blistering. National Laser Institute 800-982-6817 www.nationallaserinstitute.com No one-size-fits-all solution Regulations concerning the training needed to Radiancy perform electrolysis, and laser and light-based hair 888-661-2220 removal treatments vary by state, so it is essential to www.radiancy.com check with your state board concerning regulatory practices. (Editor’s note: To access the complete contact Relax & Wax information of all the U.S. state boards, log on 775-830-7546 to www.SkinInc.com/education/statelicensing.) www.relaxnwax.com Once clients are aware of their hair removal options, it is important to share with them that no solution is one-size-fi ts-all. Clients may fi nd a combination of hair Satin Smooth removal procedures best suit their needs. For example, 800-726-4202 one male client may want to get IPL hair removal on www.satinsmooth.com his back, but shave his chest; and one female client may want to get laser hair removal on her legs, but wax Silhouet-Tone her bikini area. Luckily, there are a plethora of hair 450-687-9456 removal tools available in the battle to be bare. www.silhouettone.com Tweezerman Professional Louis Silberman is the president 800-645-3340 of National Laser Institute, one of the www.tweezermanprofessional.com largest cosmetic laser training centers in North America. As an expert in medical Universal Companies esthetics, Silberman has been a driving 800-558-5571 force behind the development of comprehensive courses www.universalcompanies.com for professionals entering the cosmetic laser fi eld. He can be reached via e-mail at [email protected]. 44 February 2012 © Skin Inc. www.SkinInc.com Si1202_si_Battle_Silberman_fcx.indd 44 1/13/12 11:16:10 AM.