Hair removal in one form or another has been around since 100,000 B.C. offering many different techniques. We will also explore which skin conditions should avoid certain hair removal methods.

WAXING: Waxing is one of the oldest forms of hair removal dating back to 3000 B.C. The two most common techniques are soft and hard wax. Soft wax, commonly known as strip wax, which utilizes warm wax that hardens and is than removed with fabric strips. Hard wax hardens and can be removed without fabric. Waxing is ideal for men and women with light hair because they are not good candidates for laser hair removal since laser technology is attracted to pigment.

Clients who use Retin-A should discontinue this product two weeks prior to getting waxing. Patients with diabetes or neuropathy ( the inability to feel heat or pain) are not good candidates for waxing.

SUGARING: Sugaring also known as Persian waxing has been used since 1900 B.C. It usually a mixture of sugar and lemon juice and is very sticky in texture. The benefit is that the sugar wax adheres to the hair and not the skin avoiding irritations.

TWEEZING: It is written that Julius Caesar (101-44 B.C.) had his facial hairs individually tweezed every day and consequently other men followed suit. Tweezing is ideal for men or women with very sensitive skin who either do not have a lot of hair or have light or blonde hair. People with light hair are not candidates for laser hair removal because laser is attracted to pigment and the hair has to be dark.

THREADING: This is an ancient Middle Eastern method typically only used to remove facial or neck hair. The technician holds the thread in her teeth and the other end of the thread with her hands. The middle of the thread is looped through her index and middle finger on her right hand. She then uses the loop to quickly remove the hair from the skin.

ELECTROLYSIS: Electrolysis dates back to 1869. Electrolysis today involves a trained electrologist inserting a fine, solid, sterile needle into the hair follicle and then applying a small amount of electrical current. This is a permanent hair reduction method.
However, this is the least popular method because of the pain factor. Again, this treatment is ideal for people with light hair.

LASER HAIR REMOVAL: This is the newest method of permanent hair reduction methods. First invented in the 1960’s. Technology has since vastly improved in all aspects. The way this method works is by emitting laser which produces heat in the hair which is than transferred to the hair follicle. Clients should not have a laser treatment if tanned or sunburned. Bleaching or tweezing should be stopped for at least two weeks prior to the treatment. If you suffer from herpes of any kind, you should consult with your physician first.

LASER HAIR REMOVAL FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS: The FDA approved the CoolGlide laser technology which will safely remove hair without causing discoloration often associated with dark or black pigmented skin.