In our centres, people often ask whether permanent hair removal, on areas such as the face, is really a permanent solution, and whether there are any contraindications.
In this article, we are going to shed some light on this topic, answering some of the questions we hear every day.
What is permanent hair removal?
Let’s begin with an important distinction.
Hair removal techniques can actually be divided into two very different approaches.
Depilation refers to all methods that cleanly cut the hair without touching the part that lies under the skin.
When you use a razor or depilatory cream, the hair is only superficially removed. Over time, it will appear to grow back thicker and quicker.
Not ideal!
The term epilation, on the other hand, refers to any treatments in which the hair is eradicated at the root, using more or less abrasive methods such as wax (hot or cold), tweezers or an epilator.
Although they remove the entire hair, including the hair bulb, the results of these treatments do not last very long. In fact, the hair typically grows back in a couple of weeks.
Looking at these techniques, it would appear that there is no permanent solution to achieve hairless, perfectly smooth skin.
But there is a way: laser hair removal, a permanent form of epilation!
Before we analyse the benefits of permanent facial hair removal and discover how it works, we need to answer an important question: are all hairs the same?
Hair: structure, function and treatment
Of course all hairs are not the same, but they do have the same structure!
Everyone belongs to a different phototype (there are 6 categories), and your unique hair colour and complexion must be analysed before starting any kind of treatment.
In the beginning, hair served to protect our skin from external factors, but, over the millennia, this function has gradually disappeared. We can still find hair covering most of our bodies, apart from a few smaller areas such as the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet, but its composition and quantity varies from person to person.
However, every hair has the same structure. Hairs are primarily made up of two parts: the shaft, which is the visible part of the hair, and the root, which is hidden under the epidermis and rooted in the hair follicle.
For permanent hair removal treatment to be effective, we must target each hair’s germinative cells at a precise part of its life cycle, i.e. when it is in its growth phase, the famous anagen phase.
Permanent facial hair removal: why is it the best solution?
Now we have come to perhaps the most compelling question: why is permanent hair removal better than classic hair removal methods?
The answer is very simple: permanent hair removal removes hair from the inside, not just the surface.
Using the hair shaft as an entry point, the machine targets the hair bulb, eliminating the hair at the root.
The light beam emitted by the most advanced laser hair removal technology available, exclusive to epìLate centres, is able to act only on the hair by detecting its melanin, without irritating the surrounding skin.
This technology, the best available in the field of permanent hair removal, is extremely precise and gentle, perfect for treating the most delicate parts of your body, such as the face.
Although the face is sensitive, this principle allows it to be treated in complete safety, without any issues.
Men, women, everyone else: we all have facial hair. However, in some cases, excess hair can cause discomfort, prompting you to take action to eliminate it permanently.
Sometimes, an unusual increase of hair in the face or other areas is more than just cosmetic, and may be caused by more complex issues. For example, if you are struggling with female hirsutism or hypertrichosis, it is always best to consult a dermatologist before proceeding with any kind of treatment.
To date, there are no contraindications, to starting permanent hair removal treatment on your face, but we do have some tips to ensure excellent and long-lasting results!
epìLate tips for perfect facial hair removal!
When deciding to begin permanent facial hair removal treatment, you should always rely on professionals and be wary of the many DIY permanent facial hair removal treatments on the market.
Although the face is a treatable area, it requires some extra care and attention, which only a highly specialised professional can provide.
For example, in the epìLate centres, during the initial consultation session, our practitioners will analyse the area you intend to treat, explaining in detail how each hair removal session will be carried out and how you should treat the area after the treatment is complete.
After your first permanent facial hair removal session, you should follow these simple steps to increase the effectiveness of the treatment.
- Apply the post-hair-removal cream for 5 days after treatment, morning and evening
Its application is essential to soothe the treated area and relieve inflammation of the follicles.
It may seem unnecessary, because the skin on the surface will not be red or irritated, but the post-hair-removal cream works to rid the inside of the epidermis of inflammation, supporting the healing process.
- Do a peel once a week
We recommend adding a few drops of botanical oils to the peel to facilitate hair loss in the treated area.
Our white algae peel is extremely gentle and suitable for exfoliating sensitive and reactive areas, such as the face.
- Always use sun cream
Using a high-spectrum sun cream is essential for the success of any permanent facial hair removal treatment.
By not using it and exposing yourself to the sun without adequate protection, you may trigger the appearance of darker spots in the area you have treated, which are very difficult to make disappear!
So, what’s the verdict?
Permanent facial hair removal: Yes or No?
In our opinion, it is an obvious Yes!
Facial hair removal guarantees more satisfactory results than classic hair removal methods, such as razors, tweezers, wax and depilatory creams, because it not only removes the hair superficially, but eliminates it internally at the root.
It is also extremely effective for permanently removing hair from delicate areas such as the face, where unwanted hair can cause embarrassment and discomfort.
The most important piece of advice we would like to give you is:
Rely on specialised hair removal centres and beware of anyone who offers you miracle treatments!
Permanent hair removal is effective, but it requires a minimum number of sessions to achieve permanent and satisfactory results.
For this reason, we would advise against people who offer you miracle treatments with results in a very short time: not only are these timescales unrealistic, if carried out by inexperienced hands, some treatments could cause permanent damage to your skin and make the situation worse!
