Photoepilation or laser hair removal, shugaring, electrolysis. Which is better, pros and cons

The problem of unwanted hair worries every woman. Using a razor or choosing some method of hair removal (laser, photoepilation, sugaring, wax) is a moot point. Each method has a number of disadvantages and advantages.

Hair removal types

New types of hair removal appear regularly, differing in the technique of execution and the tools used. This is explained by the fact that the best and most effective way of hair removal has not yet been invented, which can save women from this delicate problem forever.

Laser hair removal

The method consists in the action of a laser beam on the patient's skin. Depending on the type of skin and hairs, a beam of a certain frequency and intensity is adjusted and selected. The master processes the surface of the skin, while the ray, penetrating into the epidermis layer, irreversibly damages the follicle and hair root, as well as the blood vessels that go to it.

It is important not to shave off the remaining hair after the procedure and not to epilate the treated areas: the hairs will fall out on their own in 1-2 weeks. The method promises to rid the patient of unwanted vegetation forever after 9-10 procedures, carried out once every 3-5 weeks.

Contraindications to laser hair removal are:

• broken skin integrity (burns, wounds, trauma);
• period of childbearing and breastfeeding;
• skin cancers;
• diabetes;
• atopic dermatitis in the acute stage.

Photoepilation

The method consists in exposing the hairs to a flash of light. The follicles are damaged, losing the ability to produce new hairline. The pigment in the hair - melanin absorbs the light wave, and the blood vessels that feed the follicle are damaged by heat radiation. As a result, the hair follicles die off.

Contraindications are:

• cardiovascular diseases;
• oncological diseases;
• infectious and non-infectious diseases of the skin;
• phlebeurysm.

Shugaring

The essence of the method is to remove hairs by applying a sugar paste for epilation. For this, a composition is prepared containing sugar, water and citric acid. The density should be significant. You can prepare it yourself at home or buy it in cosmetic departments. Apply a paste against hair growth, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

After hardening, remove it from the surface with a sharp movement in the direction of hair growth.

There are some contraindications to using this method:

• diabetes;
• violations of the integrity of the skin (wounds, burns);
• phlebeurysm;
• poor blood clotting.

Electrolysis

The method of electrolysis is based on the effect of a low-power electric discharge on the area of ​​the follicle root. At the point of contact, a high temperature occurs, irreversibly destroying the vital activity of the follicle. The hair falls off. The procedure requires a special apparatus: a thin needle through which a weak current passes.

Contraindications to electrolysis are:

• period of childbearing and breastfeeding;
• phlebeurysm;
• violation of the integrity of the skin;
• unstable psycho-emotional state;
• disorders of the thyroid gland;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• oncological diseases.

Waxing

Photoepilation or laser hair removal requires a visit to a beauty parlor or salon. To carry out these procedures at home, you need to purchase expensive equipment. Waxing is a good alternative for those looking to save money.

In addition, this type of hair removal is easy to carry out on your own. The essence of the method is to apply molten wax to the skin surface and then remove the hardened strip along with the hairs. The composition is applied with a special spatula, the setting time is 2-4 minutes.

There are several types of wax depilation:

• removal with cold wax;
• removal with hot wax;
• removal with film wax.

Methods differ according to the types of waxes used: cold does not require heating and works on the principle of a plaster; hot is heated before use; the film also needs to be warmed up, it has a different composition and does not require a tape (strip) for removal.

Contraindications to all types of waxing are:

• violations of the integrity of the skin;
• allergy to wax;
• allergies in the acute stage;
• phlebeurysm;
• 1 trimester of pregnancy;
• formations on the skin: warts, papillomas, calluses.

Pros of different methods of hair removal

Photoepilation or laser hair removal, sugaring or wax - every woman chooses for herself individually. To figure out which option is the most effective, you need to consider the main advantages of each method.

The advantages of photoepilation are:

• lack of contact with the skin surface;
• lack of ingrown hairs after the procedure;
• photostimulation has a rejuvenating and tightening effect on the skin;
• long-term effect. With the correct procedures, you can forget about unwanted vegetation for 2-3 years, for some women - forever.

Advantages of laser hair removal:

• low soreness of the procedure;
• the ability to work in hard-to-reach and atypical places (face, neck);
• the speed of the session;
• the anti-inflammatory property of the laser contributes to the disinfection of the skin surface;
• long-term result. Laser hair removal promises to get rid of hair forever (for some women it is necessary to repeat the course of sessions).

Pluses of electrolysis:

• the ability to remove light or gray hair;
• getting rid of unwanted vegetation for a long time (for some - forever).

Benefits of shugaring:

• the ability to carry out the procedure at home on your own;
• the safety of the composition used;
• relatively low painfulness of the procedure;
• efficiency and cheapness of the method.

Advantages of waxing:

• the peeling properties of wax remove dead skin areas, thereby renewing and smoothing it;
• speed of the procedure;
• relatively low soreness of the session.

Cons of techniques

Absolutely all methods of hair removal have their own disadvantages and disadvantages. It is necessary to choose your option based on your capabilities, preferences and ability to endure pain: for someone, the pain of the procedure is not so important, and someone is ready to pay a high price and this is not a minus for him.

Disadvantages of photoepilation:

• soreness of the procedure;
• high price;
• inability to remove light hairs.

Cons of laser hair removal:

• low efficiency of work with gray and thin hair: the blacker and thicker the hair, the higher the result;
• many contraindications;
• the possibility of age spots;
• the need to make a full course of sessions. Unfinished work will not give a long-term result;
• high cost of procedures;
• the possibility of burns due to the inexperience of the master.

Negative sides of electrolysis:

• long session duration;
• high painfulness of the procedure;
• the quality of the work depends on the experience of the master: if he does not get into the root of the follicle, the hair will continue to grow again;
• the possibility of skin pigmentation;
• the duration of the course of sessions. For full results, you must complete the course.

The disadvantages of shugaring are:

• the need to have a given hair length;
• the possibility of injury to too sensitive skin;
• lack of long-term result: shugaring will not permanently get rid of unwanted vegetation.

The disadvantages of waxing hair are:

• lack of long-term results;
• the possibility of bruising, bruising and wounds on overly sensitive skin;
• the need for skin preparation: hair regrowth and scrubbing;
• allergies to various types of wax. Before the procedure, special tests must be carried out to confirm the absence of a reaction.

Speed ​​and areas of application of different epilation techniques

Due to the wide girth, photoepilation is carried out relatively quickly. For 1 flash, approximately 3 sq. see Areas of application are limited only by the fact that this technique does not work on light hair. The speed of laser epilation is also high, the device acts on a few cm of the epidermis surface.

This method can remove hairs in the most inaccessible places, so the access zones are the most extensive here.

Due to the treatment of each hair follicle, electrolysis takes a very long time and the speed of the procedure is slow. The point approach allows you to treat any area and hair of light colors, devoid of pigment. Sugaring is carried out relatively quickly, since the paste is applied immediately to a large area of ​​the skin.

But for women who come to the procedure for the first time, the time may increase due to ingrown hairs after using the razor. Application areas - legs, armpits and deep bikini. Waxing is similar in principle to sugaring and takes about the same time. The areas to be treated are classic and do not cover hard-to-reach places.

Soreness level during epilation

Hair removal methods using various formulations (shugaring, wax) are considered relatively painless. Of course, at 1 time the sensations will seem unpleasant. However, with each new time, the hair will become thinner and softer. It will become more comfortable to remove them from the skin surface, especially since the procedure does not last long.

Photoepilation or laser hair removal requires some patience. It all depends on the client's pain threshold. Many people note that discomfort and pain sensations do not leave the entire session. However, technology and progress do not stand still: highly efficient devices appear that do not cause any inconvenience.

Electrolysis is considered the most painful procedure. This is a kind of payment for efficiency: today it is the only way to get rid of hair for a very long time or even forever.

What is the difference between photo and laser hair removal technologies

Both treatments work on the same principle of action: photothermolysis. Their essence lies in the effect of light on areas of the skin.

But there are still fundamental differences between them:

• the laser wave selectivity is higher. Because of this, the amount of hair removed with this technique is much higher than with photoepilation;
• the covered area during photoepilation is slightly larger;
• the number of sessions required for photoepilation is greater.

Laser hair removal has several advantages over photoepilation.

Preparing and carrying out hair removal at home

It becomes expensive to carry out the epilation procedure in salons or beauty parlors on a regular basis. It is profitable and much cheaper to learn the technique yourself and remove unwanted hair at home. The cost of training will pay off very quickly.

How to make shugaring yourself

To carry out shugaring at home, you must follow the sequential instructions:

1. Prepare a paste for shugaring. Displace 10 tbsp. sugar with 4 tablespoons water, squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon. Stir and put on low heat. Caramelize the mixture for 7-8 minutes. After thickening of the composition, it will acquire a brown tint. Disconnect fire source and cool mixture.
2. Prepare your skin for epilation. Take a shower, scrub the areas where hair is supposed to be removed. Wipe the body dry. Hair should be regrown (length 4-5 mm).
3. Apply the paste to areas against hair growth. Smear over a large area.
4. Pull off a strip of solidified composition in the direction of the hair.
5. Wash off the rest of the composition from the body.
6. Apply a sedative.
7. Moisturize the body with a fat cream or serum.

How is waxing done

Waxing is easy to do at home yourself.

There are a number of steps to carry it out:

1. Buy special wax (epilation tablets) in cosmetic stores.
2. Melt the purchased product according to the instructions (water bath, wax melt).
3. Prepare skin: cleanse with water, exfoliate, rinse and wipe dry.
4. Apply wax with a spatula to the skin and cover with a cloth strip with smoothing movements.
5. Tear off the strip with a sharp movement against the direction of hair growth.
6. Wipe the epilated area with cleaning cloths.
7. Apply a sedative.
8. Moisturize the skin with cream, serum.

Electrolysis at home

The most effective hair removal method can be done at home.

To do this, follow the instructions below:

1. Buy electric epilator.
2. Treat the skin area one hour before the procedure with an anesthetic (lidocaine).
3. After an hour, wipe the skin with alcohol, removing the remnants of the anesthetic.
4. Insert the needle of the epilator into the root of the hair, press the button of the device that starts the current.
5. Pull out the needle. Remove hair with tweezers.
6. Treat all hairs of the anesthetized area in the same way.
7. Do not wet the treated skin area for 24 hours. Do not visit saunas, baths, swimming pools. Direct sunlight is contraindicated.
8. The procedure can be repeated after 3 weeks.

Preparation and implementation of laser hair removal in the salon

Laser hair removal is most often carried out in salons, since an expensive device is used.

There are some tips to help you prepare for laser hair removal properly:

• do not sunbathe 3-4 weeks before the session;
• shave your hair with a razor in 3-4 days;
• do not use alcohol tonics for 1-2 weeks before the start of the procedure.

How the session is conducted:

1. The cosmetologist examines the patient, carefully examining the type of his skin and hair.
2. Selects the strength and required power of the laser.
3. Begins the treatment of skin areas, bringing the apparatus to the surface of the epidermis. The patient may feel a slight tingling sensation.
4. After graduation, the doctor applies a soothing lotion.

After the procedure, it is not recommended to sunbathe and use aggressive cosmetics.

How to prepare for photoepilation. Stages of the procedure

Photoepilation, like laser hair removal, requires preparation for the procedure.

Before visiting the salon, you must follow the following rules:

• do not sunbathe for 2-3 weeks before the procedure;
• do not use cosmetics or choose soft ones, without alcohol in the composition;
• grow hairs to a length of 2-3 mm.

Stages of the procedure:

1. Evaluation by a cosmetologist of the condition of the epidermis for the integrity of the skin.
2. The dermatologist applies a special gel to protect against burns.
3. Skin processing is carried out by the contact of the apparatus with the skin surface. The beautician guides them gently over the area to be epilated.
4. After completing the procedure, the gel is washed off and a soothing agent is applied.

After the end of the session, it is not recommended to stay in direct sunlight and use any cosmetics for 1-2 weeks.

Comparison of the effectiveness of different methods of hair removal

The effectiveness of various techniques for removing unwanted hair is shown in the table:

The cost of hair removal at home

Carrying out the epilation procedure in one way or another at home requires not only thorough preparation, but also some material costs. Photoepilation or laser hair removal in almost all cases is carried out in the salon.

The cost of equipment and auxiliary materials (glasses, various lenses, light filters) is too high, and the technique requires the qualifications and experience of a dermatologist. Electrolysis is possible at home. The average cost of devices in Russia on average is 25 thousand rubles.

Depending on the type of device, brand of the manufacturer, additional functions, the price ranges from 9.6 thousand rubles. up to 40 thousand rubles.

The cost of waxing at home will average 600 rubles. This includes the price of regular wax, strips, and soothing. Voskoplav will cost 1000 rubles.

There are commercially available beginner packs containing:

• wax cartridges;
• heater;
• epilation gel;
• soothing lotion;
• stripes.

The price of such a set starts from 1.5 thousand rubles. Shugaring is the most budgetary hair removal option at home. Sugar paste costs an average of 150 rubles. per package of 250 ml. If you cook the mixture yourself, sugar will cost 40 rubles. for 1 kg. Lemon price - 110 rubles. for 1 kg.

Hair removal cost in salons

Prices for epilation in various ways may vary in the cities of Russia.

The table shows the average costs:

When choosing a method for removing unwanted hair, remember that wax or shugaring are procedures that require regular use. And electrolysis, photoepilation or laser hair removal can cope with this problem for a long time.

Interesting videos about photoepilation and laser hair removal, their effectiveness and rules of conduct

How does photo epilation work:

What is laser hair removal: