Are you planning to get rid of unwanted hair? Are you considering the different options that are available so you can choose the best? Ultimate light utilizes the intense pulse light technology.

Machines that utilize this technology platform include:

• PhotoDerm
• EpiLight
• Vasculight
• Aculight and Quantum

Ultimate light machines have the most extensive range of light spanning from 515 to 1200 nm.

There are varying capabilities for each of these machines.

EpiLight

Is the most specific and advanced for hair removal laser machine in use today. This machine is an improvement of the PhotoDerm machine that was developed for therapeutic use. Photoderm was developed to treat facial Rosacea, leg veins, facial and other blood vessels. EpiLight was developed specifically for unwanted hair after this curious side effect was noticed in patients undergoing treatment using the PhotoDerm. The SuperFast EpiLight is the world’s fastest hair removal machine available in the world. An entire back can be treated effectively in half an hour with lasting results. Some experienced practitioners reported 50% reduction after one or two visits. It is these kinds of results that pose a serious challenge to electrolysis as the gold standard of permanent hair removal. The timing of treatment schedules is also less spaced out than electrolysis. Typically the treatments are spaced every three weeks. This is a marked improvement from the six weeks needed for electrolysis.

PhotoDerm

The PhotoDerm is effective for removal of unwanted bodily hair. As mentioned, it was originally intended to be used exclusively for clinical purposes but its ‘side effect’ went one step further by eliminating unwanted bodily hair. The use of this equipment is not as widespread as that of the others two platforms.

Quantum

This machine is also known as Aculite and is a simplified version of the EpiLight. It is designed for easier handling especially for non- physicians and novices in laser therapy. This machine has ‘presets’ so to limit potential damage that may be caused by a well meaning novice. This limits how far the machine can be manipulated hence putting a dent in performance. None the less, it is very effective in the hands of an experienced operator who will be able to customize the settings.

Ultimate light technology can be safely used on all skin types. All hair colors except white respond to ultimate light. This is the only technical limitation of the laser. Dense masses of hair respond particularly well to this technique. Ultimate laser is generally pain free; there is no need anesthesia or pain medication with this technique.

In as much as there are not many records of the permanence of this technique, most patients are reporting that after three to four months of treatment by Ultimate Light technology, the hair stays away for more than four years. This seems like a good return on such an investment. This technique is also effective with in grown hairs and their associated darkened pimples. Ultimate Light may cause a temporary lightening or darkening of the skin color that may last several weeks. Patients should ideally have their skin color lightest at the time of treatment.

Unwanted facial hair (UFH) is a clinical condition affecting millions worldwide. While the condition is not medically life threatening, it is a cause for concern for the sufferers as it affects their social life. In an attempt to solve their image issues, many remedies and techniques mechanical and chemical have been invented to deal with unwanted facial hair. More recently, the medical front has been active in finding proactive solutions to this problem. Vaniqa is one such attempt that has registered success and approval.

Vaniqa is an FDA approved topical cream for inhibition and reduction of unwanted facial. This is a prescription only therapy. The active ingredient in Vaniqa is eflornthine hydrochloride, a chemical that has been used in the treatment of African sleeping sickness and some cancer therapy.

Mechanism on action

Vaniqa’s mechanism of action is pegged on enzyme inhibition. It targets the growth enzymes at the hair follicle that are essential for cell division reproduction. In a nutshell, it throws a spanner in the works surrounding hair growth. The results of using Vaniqa are not immediately visible; it will take around 4 to 8 weeks usage for changes to be obvious. If there are no changes after 6 months of usage, the physician will usually recommend a stop to using this medication.

Using Vaniqa

Vaniqa is exclusively for atopical use only. It is not to be ingested or applied into body orifices. It is applied directly on the target area after washing clean an before applying any moisturizers and or sunscreen. Vaniqa can be used twice daily, in the morning and evening as part of a daily routine. There should be an eight hour time gap between applications. Anyone can use Vaniqa however there may be those who develop allergic reactions to the active ingredient. Also, pregnant women or those who are trying to get pregnant are advised to have a talk with the physician.

Side effects

Vaniqa generally has no serious contraindication. However these should be reported to the doctor for precautionary review.

• Allergic reactions with rashes and itching
• Prolonged redness
• Stinging or burning sensation after application
• Hair bumps.

Using Vaniqa doesn’t completely remove facial hair. Vaniqa slows down the rate of growth of unwanted facial hair and hence complements your preferred method of hair removal. The effects of using Vaniqa are not permanent and the hair will resume normal growth pattern approximately eight weeks after discontinuing treatment.

Removal of hair from the body is as ancient as the pharaohs of Egypt. Long before the bikini clad sunbathers discovered bikini wax, wives of the pharaohs had this technique perfected in a method we call ‘sugaring’. It was a thing of beauty to be absolutely hair free. The Greeks and Romans would take up this technique and immortalize it in their sculptures. Women would be depicted in very smoothly polished sculptures without a trace of pubic hair whatsoever. It is also in this time that the first kind of depilatory creams were developed with names such as ‘philotrum’ and ‘dropax’. The path of hair removal is well trodden.

In the 16th century Turk ladies were known to be very particular about removing all the hair from their pubic areas; public baths were their immediate destinations whenever one felt that the influx of these hairs was of concern. Queen Catherine of France was however against this trend and forbade it during her reign.

Waxing would make a comeback in the 1960’s with the advent of the bikini. While waxing is usually associated with women, men are increasingly taking up the trend. Waxing can be used to remove large amounts of hair at a time and this has contributed immensely to its popularity. Waxing produced a soft hair re-growth and doesn’t carry the risk of irritation that comes with razor burns.

Wax is melted and warmed and applied in the direction of hair growth. Hair is stripped off from the roots by pulling off the wax in the opposite direction. There are cold waxes available on strips. These are patted onto the skin and then stripped off.

Using wax demands caution so as not to burn the skin. In the case with bikini wax, this is a particularly sensitive area and could produce the most severe irritation. It is also in the bikini waxing technique that most imagination and creativity abounds. From the Brazilian to the Triangle patch, the names are as many as the styles all demanding patience and expertise in their execution. Naturally, this is not a do-it- yourself technique.

Current trends in fashion are pro- waxing, with body hair still frowned upon, emerging trends are pushing the limits of what can be waxed. Anal, perineum and vulva waxing is becoming more common. This is considered an extreme form of bikini waxing. New products have been developed to facilitate these new trends. Indeed, there are anal lightening gels to guard against ingrown hairs. Wow!

Sugaring is an ancient temporary hair removal technique that originated in the Middle East. It utilized natural food derived ingredients like sugar, water, and lemon juice to remove hair. The technique is similar to waxing leading to the term sugar waxing though this is a misnomer in the strict sense. Sugar waxing uses natural ingredients only irrespective of the recipe used. Hair is uprooted from the root hence guaranteeing up to six weeks of hair free living.

There are two types of sugaring techniques;

1. The paste.
2. The gel.

The paste technique is the traditional method of sugaring. A thick mixture of the paste is warmed then applied in the opposite direction of the hair growth first. The next layer is applied in the direction of hair growth. Application in the paste technique is done by hand. The mixture is then flicked off in the direction of the hair growth.

The gel technique bears resemblance to waxing. The gel is applied in one direction and removed in the other.

Sugaring is a fast technique. An experienced hand can quickly sugar and remove large amounts of hair in a short time. This is especially so because large areas can be pasted at once and then the dried paste removed progressively in small portions. Since all the ingredients are food based, it is easy to clean of any residue left on the body with water. The technique is far less messy that waxing; both the paste and the gel are soluble in water. Also, any areas where the hair didn’t come off can be re-pasted again as sugaring is gentle to the skin.

This is one key advantage of using natural ingredients; chances of irritation are limited to skin allergies. The chances of developing a spontaneous allergy are remote. This technique is also less painful than waxing because the sugar sticks less to the skin. With repeated use, damage will occur to the hair follicle and there will be less hair to remove each time. What was meant to be a temporary measure begins to take on a semblance of permanence.

Unfortunately, this technique is not in common practice, getting a proven and experienced hand in not easy, especially for the pasting technique. This attribute also means that sugaring will attract a premium price. While this technique is do- able at home as is commonly advertised, getting the measurements to produce the desired consistency is a tricky affair. A good salon is advised and high hygiene standards must be adhered to at all time otherwise to guard against redness and damage to the skin.

All said and done, sugaring is one of the better temporary hair removal techniques available in the market.

I guess for most men, this is the first method used to remove facial air. For many, we were eager to get started; after all men were meant to shave. This seemingly timeless technique has since undergone a lot of evolution to make it a safer and more relaxing technique. Shaving is basically a sharp metal against skin technique. For those who get goose bumps while shaving, there alternatives to getting a smooth face. Shaving requires a really good razor. Razor companies have invested much to ensure you get the ultimate shave.

Rave reviews have been given for the 3 blade Gillette mach3 razor and the Venus razor for both male and female shavers. A wide variety of shaving accessories from shaving creams and foams are available. The prices are designed to suit the average person and they work well. So how do you make the best out of this legendary technique?

There is no real technique to shaving; this is really a labor of love. Shaving takes on being art that has to be learned and perfected. The longer you shave, the more you will learn about the little ins and outs that make your shaving experience a better one.

A warm shower is advisable prior to the shave- this puffs up the skin making the hair stick upwards. The hair is easier to cut this way. Floppy hair is not easily cut; the razor just glides over leaving a messy look.

Shaving lotions are particularly useful as they help the razor glide smoothly over the skin. Dermatologicas Professional Shave has a reputation as one of the best for the shaving experience. Though more expensive than many others, its performance is peerless. It cushions so smoothly that you can shave against the grain effortless. It is also odorless which is a plus for those who do not like the lingering scent of shaving lotions.

Should you prefer to use a shaving gel, a good brush is a worthwhile investment. Apart from adding a touch of timelessness in the shaving experience, brushes mix up the gel and water really well. Badger hair brushes are recommended as they are water absorbent and thereby create a rich lather fast. As you use this brush you will also exfoliate your skin leaving only new cells in the shaving area.

If you want to look like your grandpa did while shaving, take your time, enjoy the shaving experience. Shaving is a timeless art. If you learn it right, you will teach it right so you can pass it down to future generations.

Intense Pulse Light is one of the more recent permanent hair removal techniques. The technique is approved by the US FDA as a method of hair removal. The origins of the intense pulse light are however not related to hair removal. The technology was developed for flash lamps to treat other conditions. Doctors observed hair loss on their patients as a result of IPL and this led to the development of IPL exclusively for hair removal. Approved as a tool for hair removal in 1997, there is a wealth of information from the FDA that verifies the safety and efficacy of this technique.

How IPL works

IPL uses light of a specific wavelength to cause thermal damage to the hair follicle. By using wavelengths that are best absorbed by the hair pigment (melanin) there is minimal skin damage. The damage to the follicle is thermal and IPL has been shown to be effective in delivering a broad spectrum of energies without harming the skin. Where there is no melanin as would be the case with white, grey or red hairs, this technique is not effective and alternative forms of hair removal will have to be sought.
The effectiveness of IPL

IPL treatments are usually spaced six weeks in between so it is easy to come up with a convenient schedule of hair removal. Within six months there is usually no hair left in the target area. IPL is best done when the hair has been shaved short unlike electrolysis where the hair has to be grown before treatment- how traumatizing for the girls with a bit of a beard! There is a success rate of between 54 and 77% as has been shown by some studies. Compared to other permanent hair removal techniques like electrolysis this is remarkably fast. It will take electrolysis between a year and four years to give you a hairless chin!

Issues of individual safety

IPL can be used by any healthy adult as long as it is well supervised by a qualified health practitioner, typically your physician. Epileptics are however discouraged form IPL primarily due to their increased sensitivity to external stimuli. Pregnant women are also discouraged from IPL. It is also unsafe to try and use IPL to get a quick skin tan as well!
Are there any extras?

Apart from hair free skin in a remarkably short time, remember that IPL was developed for other therapeutic purposes like to treat thread veins and to rejuvenate the skin. If these are part of the side effects then they are very welcome. IPL, as has been testified by users is also relatively painless and quite comfortable to use as a permanent hair removal method.

IPL is a relatively new technique and hence there is insufficient data on hair re-growth as the years go by. Chances are that you will be hairless for a long time.

Laser technology is used for the permanent removal of hair. As with all lasers, this technology is hinged on using monochromatic light of a particular wave length to damage the root of the hair follicle. Laser hair removal is relatively new and as is the case with all new products, innovations come thick and fast creating a myriad of choices that all claim to give excellent results.

There are 5 basic systems that use laser technology for hair removal:

1. Ultimate light
2. Diode laser
3. Nd-Yag laser
4. Alexandrite laser
5. Ruby laser

Ultimate light

This technology utilizes the intense pulse light technology.

Machines that utilize this technology platform include:
• EpiLight
• PhotoDerm
• Quantum/ AcuLight, or VascuLight.

Ultimate light machines have the widest range of light spanning from 515 to 1200 nm.

Diode laser

The diode laser has a wavelength of 800- 810 nm making it a more limited machine when compared to the Ultimate Light platform. This technology is also the most recent of all these technologies.

Machines that work on this platform include:

• SLP 1000
• F1 Diode
• Light Sheer
• MeDioStar
• LaserLite
• Epistar
• Apex 800

Nd: Yag

This technique has a relatively long wavelength of 1064 nm. Only Ultimate Light has a longer range. This technology is reputed to be safe for all skin types and colors. What is lacking is evidence that the effects of this treatment are long term. This technology was originally used for short term hair removal and usually there was complete hair re-growth within six months.

The Nd-Yag laser systems include:

• CoolGlide
• Image
• Athos
• Medlite IV
• Varia
• Lyra

Alexandrite

This technology has a wave length of 755nm. This is much shorter than the Ultimate Light technology. This technique has known side effects and especially in pigmentation. As a result, some skin colors are not recommended for these techniques. Generally white skin is not affected but as there is increased pigmentation, there is increased risk of darkening or lightening of the skin.

Some of the options here include:

• GentleLASE
• EpiTouch Plus
• Apogee

Ruby

The ruby laser has the shortest wavelength at 694 nm.

This machine has been plagued by side effect issues. Pigment changes are common; skin will either darken or become lighter. For this reason, this technique is recommended for white skin only

The Ruby laser systems include:

• RubyStar and
• Palomar E2000.

Man seems to have an innate desire to remove dark hair form his body from the time they appear during the adolescent years. This desire lasts up to our death for many people. Hair removal techniques have been in use by mankind for thousands of years, one has only to look at the historical evidence from ancient Egypt and the very well done sculptures of the Romans to see just how long mankind has been obsessed with smooth, hairless bodies.

There are two basic categories of hair removal methods:

• Temporary
• Permanent
Temporary

These techniques have a short term effect lasting anything from a day to six months. The aim of temporary methods is to get rid of visible hair. The changes have no permanence. Generally these techniques are not invasive and are quick to work.

Temporary techniques include; shaving, waxing, tweezing, threading, delapilatory creams and sugaring. Temporary techniques are usually physical in nature. These techniques can be applied with ingenuity and creativity to achieve the desired look. Temporary methods allow for manipulation of styles to fit the demands and rigors of fashion.

Because of their short time nature, these techniques are usually inexpensive in comparison to the permanent methods. Temporary techniques also have varying levels of complexity. Some are relatively easy to do and can be done at home while some will need the services of a skilled cosmetologist. Epilation is one example of a simple technique that can be done at home; waxing may require help, especially in the hard to reach areas such as the back of the legs.

Permanent

The aim of permanent methods is to put an absolute halt to the growth of unwanted hair. These techniques are more limited in variety. Electrolysis, laser treatment and intense pulse light technology are the only approved techniques for permanent hair removal. These techniques work by damaging the root of the hair follicle to the point that it can no longer function. All these methods take long to achieve their goal because the body is quite resilient and will regenerate damaged cells.

Satisfactory results will take up to four years to be achieved in some techniques such as electrolysis and even then the hair could still grow right back after some years. Unlike the temporary methods, these techniques require specialized equipment and skilled personnel for safety and success. Deep pockets are also needed as these methods will usually require long term scheduled sessions.

Generally each person will chose a method or methods that work best for them depending time, monetary status, skin type, and the desired hair-free area.

Epilation is a general term used to describe mass plucking of hair. Epilation techniques have their origin in the ancient Middle East and in Egypt to be more particular. With such levels of advancement it is a wonder what led to the collapse of such an empire. Egyptians called it fatlah. This word describes threading as we now it today. This technique was considered less painful than plucking- depending on your pain threshold, you may consider this to be true!

While tweezing, threading, and plucking are still in use using the same techniques as have been used for thousand of years, technology has made its inroads into this craft. Thanks to electricity, epilation techniques have become quite easy and fast. Epilators now come as a row of rotating tweezers that are equal to the task. Some more ingenuous inventors have made epilators that use vibrating wire to accomplish the task. By the simple act of plugging in and running the gadget over the skin, the hair is plucked by the root. The speed by which this is accomplished will not leave you a tearful wreck as is the case with some of the manual techniques.

Let us go over some advantages of this technique:

1. Hair takes long to grow back as it has been plucked from the root giving you a few weeks of hair free living.
2. Just like in waxing, the re-grown hair is soft and gets softer with continued epilation
3. Epilation is an easy home alone exercise especially with the electric epilation machines.
4. It is a clean and hygienic way of hair removal. Epilators aren’t usually shared and this makes it cheaper as well in the long run because you only buy an epilator once.
On the other side, not all is rosy:

1. People with thick hair will find it painful to use this technique
2. There are some hard to reach areas like the back of the legs.
3. For this technique to be effective, the hair has to be of a certain length otherwise the tweezers won’t be able to pluck the hair.
4. The re- growth produces very fine hair and this is harder too remove effectively.

A warm room is best for epilation. Generally, epilation will give good results if the skin is pulled tight to prevent snagging. Having a hot bath will not hurt as well. This technique works well for some and not so well for others, especially those with dense hair. It is however one of the cheapest and most tolerable options for removing unwanted hair.

Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal technique with a long and elaborate history.

Dr. Charles E. Michel first reported using this technique in 1875 in managing ingrown eyelashes but it is another doctor Dr. W.A. Hardaway who stole the thunder by publishing his works in scientific journal in 1878. By this time a good number of doctors were using electrolysis in their therapies. Electrolysis as therapeutic method became well known in the latter part of the 20th century and has had a steady stream of technological advances.

The US FDA has approved electrolysis as a permanent hair removal method. Multiple sessions are required to achieve the best results though there is no 100% guarantee of success for everyone. Patience is needed as the process could take several years of scheduled sessions.

Electrolysis works by applying current using a very fine needle shaped electrode. Individual hairs are targeted and it takes about a minute to destroy the root. Hair that is in the growth phase is the best target for electrolysis. Not all hair is in the same stage of growth and as a result repeated sessions of electrolysis are needed to get the hair in the growth phase.

The good

Of all the permanent methods of hair removal, electrolysis has the best track record. Its long service has enabled sufficient studies and observations on hair re-growth. In many cases, the results of electrolysis are permanent- which is the intended purpose.
Electrolysis targets the hair follicle; it is not dependent on hair pigment like the laser methods. White and grey hair can therefore be cleared by electrolysis. This is the one advantage electrolysis holds ever more recent methods like laser treatment.

The bad

On the flip side, electrolysis is a long and tedious procedure. Each hair follicle has to be treated to its own dose of electricity for about a minute. Covering a small are can take hours. Electrolysis will require many sessions usually around 15- 30 scheduled sessions. To clear the chin can take more than a year. The effectiveness of electrolysis can also be jeopardized by previous hair removal techniques like waxing or tweezing. These techniques bend the hair follicle hence making it difficult for the needle to reach the root of the hair follicle. Electrolysis can cause skin discoloration if improperly done.

Electrolysis also rate as poorly on the pain meter. It will cause a stinging and prickling sensation as the needle is applied and each follicle has to go through the same treatment.