Hair removal, it’s a topic that we’re all familiar with. In fact, the quest for smooth and hairless skin dates as far back as ancient times when, much like ourselves today, Egyptian women placed a lot of emphasis on their beauty rituals and invested most of their time into removing unwanted hair.

Today, the USD $2.2 billion-dollar market is still alive and kicking with new and improved methods frequently popping up at our favourite skin and laser clinics, shops, social media and on the rest of the web. 

But with so many types of hair removal options available in today’s market, how do you decide which procedure you should have? 

To help you make an informed decision, we’ve stacked up the most popular methods of hair removal and how they compare in terms of pain, cost and longevity. 

Facial Hair Removal

 

Shaving

Shaving is one of the most common methods of hair removal. But how does it work? What’s the science behind shaving? Is wet shaving best?

Your hair is made of a protein called keratin. Keratin is relatively tough and requires water to weaken the molecular bonds for a more comfortable shaving experience. When you shave with water, your hair strands become softer and easier to manage. So, for how long does your hair need to be in contact with water for it to weaken the molecular bonds? You’ll often feel a change within a few seconds, but a few minutes should be enough to help weaken the bonds. To make the experience more comfortable, try taking a warm shower and shave after you’ve finished washing up. This allows for enough heat and moisture to soften your hair, making it more manageable.

When it comes to your razor blade, be sure to replace your blade after 5 to 10 shaves, depending on how frequently you shave. In a recent study, researchers found that instead of the razor blade slowly losing its sharp edge, the blade formed tiny cracks which resulted in large chips of steel flaking off of the edge of the blade. This new finding has raised a few concerns as these microscopic cracks form an ideal place for bacteria to grow, whilst the chips of steel can cause further damage to the skin. 

Shaving is definitely a cost-effective and convenient method to remove unwanted hair, but it does come at a cost. With a 3 pack of replacement blades averaging at AUD $16.00, you can budget to spend around AUD $5.33 a month if you replace your blade every month. 

Whilst affordable, it should be noted that shaving is known to cause inflamed hair follicles, ingrown hairs, itching and razor burn to name a few. If you have sensitive skin, we would recommend that you consider other hair alternatives, such as laser hair removal or waxing. 

Shaving Hair Removal

 

 

Laser Hair Removal

Whilst not as affordable as shaving, laser hair removal provides a more permanent solution for those looking to part ways with their unwanted body hairs. 

Laser Hair Removal

 

How does laser hair removal work? Does it hurt?

Laser hair removal works by emitting a beam of laser light energy that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. This energy of the light is then converted into heat that works to damage the hair follicles. As a result, the damage caused to the hair follicles inhibits or delays the future of hair growth. 

If you have darker skin, then laser hair removal involves targeting the blood supply to the hair. This is a completely safe process that works by targeting the hair without causing damage to any of the surrounding skin and tissue. 

This process can be painful depending on your pain threshold, but most people prefer this method of hair removal as it’s more effective and long term. 

So why is laser hair removal a better option to shaving or waxing? 

Unlike waxing and shaving, laser hair removal is a permanent solution to removing unwanted hair. Treatments are safe and cause no damage to the dermis compared to other alternatives. Most of our clients need a minimum of 6 to 12 monthly sessions before they can switch over to maintenance treatments, but the treatment plan varies from client to client.

At Skin Clique, we’re currently offering laser hair removal anywhere from AUD $14 up to AUD $205 depending on your area of concern. 

If you’d like a consultation with our technician to discuss your hair removal goals, then book a session here

 

Waxing

Waxing works by stripping the hair physically from the roots using hot wax. The hot wax is applied directly to the skin, then allowed to cool before being pulled odd in the opposite direction to the hair growth. This hair removal method leaves the skin feeling silky smooth, but sensitivity is often reported. 

Waxing slows down the regrowth process, and you can expect to see hair growing back within 2 to 3 weeks after your session. However, waxing is also known to be painful and can also cause ingrown hairs due to regrowth. 

The other important factor to consider is that waxing requires around a quarter inch of hair growth for removal, meaning that you’ll have to grow your hair out between waxing sessions. 

In Brisbane, waxing prices can range anywhere from AUD $30 to AUD $105 per session, depending on your problem area. 

Waxing Skin Clique

Conclusion

Whilst unwanted hair can make us feel self-conscious, it’s important to remember that there are many options out there to temporarily or permanently remove the hairs. But if you’re interested in putting excessive or unwanted hair in the past, then we recommend you consider laser hair removal. 

At Skin Clique we specialise in laser hair removal and our team is always willing to sit down and discuss your hair removal goals with you.