Aesthetic Doctor Discusses Best Permanent Hair Removal Options in Singapore

For centuries people have tried to reduce unwanted hair on their bodies. The techniques have been modified and passed down from generation to generation until today we have a whole lot of options to choose from. It’s fair to say the hair removal industry is at its peak – epilating, waxing, threading, and shaving, to name a few, are all readily available for men and women alike. Some last longer than others and some are more expensive.

It’s all down to personal preferences, but the majority of people would love to say goodbye to their furry legs and underarms once and for all. Below, we will discuss the methods that bring long-term effects so that you don’t have to think about unwanted hair that often. Stick around.

Laser Hair Removal in Singapore

Laser treatment is a sought-after technique for different kinds of cosmetic procedures. Among other things, it has the ability to strip the body of hair. The way it works is that the hair follicle is bombarded with bursts of highly concentrated light, coming from a hand-held device. The light turns into heat as it is absorbed by the pigment in the hair, which causes the demise of the follicle.

The method has been available for almost 30 years now and is a common way of removing unwanted hair for longer periods of time.

The biggest difference between this and other techniques is that laser treatment targets the tissue below the skin, whereas waxing, shaving, and tweezing all work above the surface. This explains why the latter deliver short-term results.

Which areas can it be used on?

• Bikini line
• Neck
• Shoulders
• Back
• Chest
• Legs
• Face (including upper lip, excluding under-eye area)
• Underarms
• Private parts (pubic hair)

Before the first appointment, you should make sure to shave the area completely. No waxing, threading or plucking is allowed.

How many sessions are necessary for full results?

We cannot tell you the exact number of procedures you need, as that varies per individual. But one thing we know is it’s going to be more than one session. The appointments should be spaced a few weeks apart. Here is why. Body hair goes through different phases – resting, growing, and falling out. At the time of the treatment, each hair will have reached a different phase, so not every strand will be there the first time around. What this means is that a single session will not be able to accommodate the full cycle at once. Hence the need for several procedures.

Who is suitable for it?

In general, people who have light skin tones with dark hairs are the best fit for a laser therapy. The reason behind this is very simple. The light targets the pigment found in follicles, called melanin. To give you a better idea of it – the treatment soaks up the dark areas on your body in the same way that black surfaces absorb light.

Hence, it is important you have relatively light skin where the hair colour does stand out. That way the device can target the melanin and spare the rest of the tissue. Note that it does not work for darker skin.

Now, in many cases, laser therapy can work for light hair, but repeated applications are necessary.

Who is it NOT suitable for?

If you have medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, or are pregnant, it is not advisable to undergo the treatment. At the very least, you ought to consult your physician about that. Mind you that tattoos and semi-permanent makeup can fade if laser light is shun onto them.

Is it painful?

It shouldn’t be painful to the point that you can’t tolerate it and pass out. The majority of devices these days come with cooling fans that help take away some of the discomforts. Plus, most offices use a numbing cream.

Can the treatment achieve permanent hair removal?

As much as we want to say yes, we’re afraid this is not how it works. Laser hair removal lasts a good while but it’s safer to call it permanent hair reduction. The procedure sends the follicles to a state of dormancy for some time. And to be honest, that period extends way longer than that for waxing or shaving, which is probably why people assume the technique creates permanent results.

Yes, with repeat sessions, you can ensure that all undesired hair never really grows back. But if you stop getting the procedures, the follicles will eventually “wake up” and your “fur” will come back. So, to answer your question, it can achieve long-term effects, but as for permanent hair removal – not so much.

Advantages

• No more ingrown hairs – epilating and waxing (including Brazilian waxing) can leave a parting gift on your skin that is visible and sometimes painful. You can say no more to that once you start the laser sessions.
• Cost-effective. In the long run, depilatory creams, wax treatments, razors and whatnot can become tough on your wallet. By contrast, laser therapy, although it seems more expensive up front, will save you bucks galore once you start getting results.
• No more skin irritation and razor burns.
• It works for people with sensitive skin.

Disadvantages

• No tanning is allowed before or after the sessions. This includes fake tans and sun tans alike. If your skin gets darker, the procedure will not be effective.
• Laser technology is not suitable for everyone. Like we said it before, as far as hair reduction is concerned, it works only for light skin tones where the hair is dark.
• It should not be applied to men’s facial hair.
• While you are having the treatment, you are not allowed to wax or epilate. You can only shave in the meantime.
• Sometimes side effects might be observed: redness and bumps, etc.
• It can be painful depending on your pain threshold.

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) for Smooth Skin Control

IPL is another popular hair removal method in Singapore that is based on light. In fact, it works on the same principle as the above treatment. The difference is that it emits scattered wavelengths of light rather than a specific one. This makes it quite similar to the effects of a flash-lamp.

As a whole, the treatment is used for various cosmetic procedures. Needless to say, here we focus on its abilities to remove unwanted hair.

Which areas is IPL hair removal used on?

• Legs
• Bikini line
• Chest
• Neck
• Face
• Underarms

Who are IPL services suitable for?

Just like it is with lasers, you make a good candidate for IPL if you have light skin. Ideally, though, your hairs will be dark.

Who is it not suitable for?

People with certain medical conditions like hormonal imbalance, epilepsy, heart disease, etc. should not undergo IPL. Individuals who take pills that cause light sensitivity are not a good fit either. Additionally, if your skin is tanned, whether artificially or by the sun, you will not qualify for the treatment. Last but not least, if you are currently menstruating or pregnant, do stay away from this type of procedures.

Does it deliver permanent results?

No, but they can last a good while. The same answer regarding laser therapy applies here.

How many sessions are needed?

Again, it varies per individual. Your dermatologist of choice will tell you the number of times you are to have the procedure.

Which is better: IPL or laser for hair removal?

Although the two treatments are very similar, IPL is considered less effective. Since it spends out various light waves at once, therefore is more scattered, it becomes less powerful.

Advantages of IPL treatments

• It is less expensive than laser treatment.
• It is a very precise procedure that does not affect the skin.
• It is not entirely pain free but it is less painful than other methods.

Disadvantages

• Slight side effects might be observed.
• Multiple sessions are required to remove hair fully. If you want to maintain the results, you will have to undergo IPL occasionally.
• It is not effective on grey, light or white hairs.

Electrolysis Hair Removal in Singapore

Electrolysis hair removal is another technique for long-term hair removal. It works by destroying the follicles either by means of heat energy or a chemical. In most cases, a specialist will insert a teeny-tiny needle underneath the skin which will emit an electric current. Then individual hairs will be removed with tweezers.

Which areas can electrolysis be used on?

The method is effective on the full body. It works for the following areas:

• Abdomen
• Legs
• Breasts
• Thighs
• Face
• Bikini line
• Private parts
• Eyebrows

That’s pretty much all the areas where hair is not desired, right?

How many sessions do I need?

The amount of procedures is different for different people. Your best friend might need 15 sessions, whereas you yourself may see results after eight treatments. It’s strongly individual.

Who is a good fit for electrolysis?

Generally speaking, everyone who is looking to get rid of body hair is a good candidate. There are no restrictions for age, gender, skin or hair colour. Whether your hairs are thick or thin, or maybe a combination of both, it doesn’t matter. If you’ve had laser before and now you are only left with a few sparse strands here and there – again, you are eligible for electrolysis. So convenient!

So, who is not suitable for it?

If you are not up for undergoing multiple sessions over a long period of time (some people do it for years), then you are not recommended to go for electrolysis. If patience is not really one of your best traits, you had better choose another treatment.

Does it remove hair once and for all?

Yes. After the electric current is sent through the follicle, the latter is then removed, which ensures that it will never have the chance to grow back. In comparison, what laser removal does is attack the follicle, but it doesn’t get rid of it. This leaves room for unexpected and undesirable hair growth.

Advantages:

• It works on a large variety of hair and skin types.
• No ingrown hair ensues.
• It can be used on the private parts too. Tip: it is a good idea to start off with a few laser sessions to ensure that the hair in that area is reduced, and then move on to electrolysis. This will make things faster.

Disadvantages:

• The method might be painful. A topical anaesthetic will help ease the discomfort and soothe the skin (if it ever gets that unbearable).
• It takes time. Lots of time. The larger the area you want bare, the longer it will take for electrolysis for work. This is because hairs are eliminated one by one using tweezers.
• This also means that you need to make a host of appointments for satisfactory results. And with that, money is a factor as well.

Who Should Be My Go-To Specialist for These Treatments?

First of all, do not leave anything to chance. Not every hair removal salon will do. Make sure to fully research the person that will carry out the procedures, look for reviews online and offline, and check their reputation. Second, you don’t just go to a random person who claims they can perform hair removal. You need a dermatologist who not only has a degree in this but also uses state of the art technology. Be wise about it and dedicate some time and thought on investigating the matter.

How much does a laser or IPL hair removal treatment cost?

The price of laser hair removal treatments can vary greatly, ranging from $80 to $500. The final estimate will be largely dependent on the size of the treatment area.

The cost of an IPL would generally be about $40-$100 per session. Some clinics can give you a bulk package for unlimited treatments, so generally, expect to pay between $400-700 for a robust IPL package.