Laser hair removal offers an effective long-term solution to unwanted hair growth, and Ideal Image offers lifetime guarantees on their treatments. Unlike waxing which only removes visible surface hairs, laser treatments destroy hair follicles so the problem cannot reoccur.
Waxing can be painful, yet microneedling is typically less so. Patients have described its pain as like tiny pinpricks. Your skin may initially appear reddened and swollen after treatment but should return to its usual state within hours.
Pain
Waxing and laser hair removal both offer ways of eliminating unwanted body hair, but each treatment differs in terms of process, pain level and results. Waxing is often seen as the middle ground between shaving and laser treatments – offering advantages in some respects but often falling short in others.
Laser hair removal can be fast, safe, and virtually pain-free when performed by a licensed esthetician. No more painful than getting a tattoo or visiting the dentist, most people find the discomfort far reduced when topical anesthetics such as numbing cream are used and then let the laser take its course.
Hair type and skin texture both play an essential part in how much pain you will feel from waxing treatments. Certain areas, such as bikini area or legs, tend to be more sensitive than others but there are ways you can minimize pain prior to an appointment by applying numbing cream or placing heat packs over these regions.
Waxing is an accessible and simple service, typically taking around 30 minutes for each session. This makes it a suitable option for busy individuals who need to arrive and depart quickly from salon appointments.
But if your waxer is untrained or uses excessive pressure when pulling off hair, it could result in pain, redness and swelling. Plus, its rough ripping action could irritate, flake off or dry out your outer layers resulting in damage that leaves skin redness, flakiness or dryness as a result of waxing.
Laser treatment may be more expensive than waxing, but it provides the ideal long-term solution to unwanted hair. Because lasers target individual follicles without damaging surrounding tissue, you may only require several sessions spaced monthly apart for permanent results. Hair growth will slow post treatment while remaining hairs will become finer and sparser compared with before. There may still be some regrowth between treatments; this should diminish over time until leaving you with permanently smooth and hairless skin – shaving can limit how well the laser reads the hair follicle.
Cost
When investing in laser hair removal, it’s important to be informed. First of all, treatments don’t come cheap; one session typically costs $200; however if you find a clinic offering package deals the costs could be much less.
Your hair grows at different rates and might not all reach full length when receiving your initial laser treatment, also, it might regrowth finer or sparser than before, which will affect how effective the results are.
Laser hair removal does not cause permanent damage to your skin like waxing does; however, it can leave behind red patches which should subside within hours after treatment. If your skin is particularly sensitive, your technician may apply cooling gel or Aloe Vera before starting.
Waxing may lead to unwanted side effects, including painful ingrown hairs and folliculitis (an inflammation and infection of hair follicles), but such issues are uncommon when handled by professionals such as those at Body Details.
Laser hair removal generally does not pose the same risks to skin as waxing when carried out by an experienced and qualified technician, though it’s important to note that in order for the laser to detect hair accurately it requires clear skin; tanning or sunbathing prior to being treated by laser is therefore discouraged.
Laser hair removal is considered cosmetic surgery and therefore not covered by health insurance plans. While your private health insurer might cover some medical conditions related to laser hair removal, most individuals are unlikely to qualify. You could use funds in your flexible spending account or HSA account instead if desired – just make sure you speak with someone from your treatment center beforehand to see if this option would work out.
Longevity
Waxing physically pulls hairs out by their roots, leading to more discomfort, redness and swelling than laser treatments. Waxing can also result in ingrown hairs as the hairs are pulled against their natural growth direction and pulled against their root. Laser treatment on the other hand doesn’t physically rip out hair but destroys it instead through bursts of light; often prefaced by an analgesic cream for maximum comfort; patients have described its sensation as being like that of rubber bands snapping repeatedly against your skin.
Laser hair removal can save both money and time over the long-run. Unfortunately, though, it may be more costly than waxing per session due to needing multiple sessions for effective follicle destruction. Furthermore, treatment can be quite uncomfortable so professional assistance should always be sought when using this technology.
Each time you visit a laser clinic, your results become increasingly permanent. Once a hair follicle has been damaged by laser treatment, it won’t produce hair again – making this solution suitable for people prone to ingrown hairs.
Waxing, on the other hand, is only a short-term solution that typically lasts about a month. Plus, waxing only works if the hairs are at least 1/4″ long so regular appointments must be scheduled in order to maintain silky skin.
Not only should you consider the time and cost associated with waxing, but you must also take into account its safety and cleanliness. Waxing salons may become breeding grounds for bacteria; some don’t adhere to proper hygiene standards and could lead to minor bleeding and ingrown hairs during waxing; these risks won’t exist with laser hair removal at Xanadu Med Spa! Get in touch now to arrange a consultation – we look forward to discussing your needs and helping you select an ideal hair removal option!
Side Effects
As with any procedure, laser hair removal and waxing have potential side effects. Waxing involves extracting unwanted hair directly from the follicle, which can result in pain, redness and reddening of skin; however, discomfort usually subsides within a few hours and high-quality wax products contain ingredients to minimize such reactions.
One side effect of laser hair removal that often arises with heat treatments is inflammation in the treatment area, usually caused by heat exposure. At Xanadu Med Spa, our laser technicians use numbing and cooling creams to ease discomfort during this stage; typically fading within hours and further minimized by applying an ice pack immediately following.
Laser treatments may result in temporary changes to skin tone that appear as though you have been sunburned, which may be unsettling to some people who opt for laser hair removal. If any significant differences arise post-treatment, contact your physician as this could indicate infection or another issue with your health.
People seeking laser hair removal may require multiple sessions before their unwanted hair has been fully eliminated. While this can be tedious and inconvenient for some, as each treatment damages hair follicles until they stop producing new growth altogether.
As previously discussed, laser hair removal requires an initial higher investment but ultimately can be more cost-effective over time. This is particularly evident given that lasers permanently eradicate unwanted stubble from skin while waxing only temporarily removes it.
Laser and waxing both offer their own distinct set of benefits; if you want near-permanent results without years of ongoing treatments, laser is likely your best bet. Talk to the team at Xanadu today about these treatments as well as your individual goals and needs!
