Whether you’re a man, woman, young or old, you probably have unwanted hair somewhere on your body. Many people even wear extra layers of clothing or avoid certain activities because of this. But something as simple as hair shouldn’t affect your quality of life, nor should it dictate your activities, which is where waxing and laser removal come into play: these two techniques, when performed correctly, can eliminate unwanted hair, reverting your skin back to its silky smooth state.
While waxing and laser hair removal can both be used to achieve the same goal, there are subtle nuances between them that shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Waxing
Waxing involves the application of heated wax or wax strips over the hair and skin using a wooden stick. A piece of cloth is then applied over the wax, left in place for 10 seconds, and quickly ripped off. Because it’s done in the opposite direction of the hair growth, waxing pulls the hair out at the root. This process is effective at removing hair on the legs, back, arms, underarms, and bikini area.
When hair is removed via waxing, the skin typically remains smooth for about three weeks, at which point it will begin to grow back. Aside from its short-lived benefits, one of the most common complains of waxing is the pain. Ripping hundreds of individual hairs out by the root isn’t pleasurable to say the least.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal involves the use selective photothermolysis (SPTL) – the matching of light wavelengths and pulse duration – to target specific areas in which hair follicles are located. The physician performing the procedure runs a small laser-emitting device over the problematic areas. Each time the device emits a pulse, it destroys the roots of several hairs. Depending on the area being treated, laser hair removal sessions can range anywhere from a couple minutes to an hour.
It’s a common assumption that laser hair removal costs more than waxing. While the initial treatment “may” cost more than waxing, laser hair removal is considerably cheaper in the long run. Furthermore, laser hair removal lasts longer than waxing. With waxing, hair grows back in just a couple weeks. Laser, on the other hand, is as permanent as possible after the appropriate number of sessions (usually around 4-6).
Hopefully, this will give you a better understanding of the differences between waxing and laser hair removal.
