When it comes to achieving silky smooth skin, waxing and laser for hair removal are some of the most highly sought-after cosmetic procedures. While both are effective for removing unwanted hair, finding the right treatment for your skin may be tricky.
As an aesthetic laser clinic, NuSkinnovation understands the importance of effective cosmetic treatments, especially those relating to skin health. In this quick read, we’ll be comparing the pros and cons of traditional waxing and laser for hair removal so you can find the best treatment for achieving smooth, hairless skin.
Laser For Hair Removal: A Breakdown Of Waxing
Before we discuss the key differences between waxing and laser for hair removal, it’s important to know how traditional waxing works. Waxing is considered a temporary hair removal procedure that involves the use of heated wax strips to remove body hair.
Waxing is simple and follows a specific process. The heated wax is applied directly onto the skin using a soft or hard wax and an applicator. After covering the treated area in hot wax, a fabric strip, typically muslin, is smoothed down onto the wax. Once the wax has cooled, the fabric strip is pulled off the skin to reveal smooth, hairless skin.
Hair removal is achieved through waxing by pulling hair from the follicle. While the skin may appear smooth, the hair follicles remain intact beneath the upper layer of skin. After a few weeks, you should begin to see hair regrowth, which is typically when you’re advised to attend your next wax treatment. Unlike shaving, waxing offers longer-lasting results as it removes the hair from the root.
Understanding Laser For Hair Removal
While traditional waxing is a fairly simple process, laser hair removal is slightly more complex. Laser for hair removal targets pigment in the hair follicles by using concentrated laser beams. The light energy is converted into heat energy, which then damages the hair follicle and prevents regrowth.
During the treatment, the skin is cooled and numbed before the laser is applied to the target area. Unlike waxing, laser hair removal offers a semi- to fully permanent solution to hair removal. This is because laser treatment is only performed during the active growth phase of the hair, which inhibits regrowth and encourages prolonged hairlessness.
For optimal results, laser specialists recommend attending multiple laser sessions over an extended period. This allows the skin to remain smooth and hairless for months or even years at a time, requiring only occasional touch-ups if needed.
Traditional Waxing: Pros & Cons
Many people opt for traditional waxing as their primary hair removal procedure, particularly because of how accessible it is. There are, however, some downsides to waxing the skin that may influence its effectiveness.
Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the key pros and cons associated with traditional waxing:
Pro – Accessibility
One of the main reasons why so many people prefer waxing over other hair removal methods is its accessibility. Waxing can be performed on any hair type, skin tone, or skin type, making it easier for more people to achieve hairless skin. Ultimately, anyone is a good candidate for traditional waxing. Unless, of course, you have a skin condition that is aggravated by waxing.
Pro – Convenience
If you’d prefer not to attend a waxing session at a clinic, you can also perform a DIY wax at home. As waxing has been a popular hair removal method for so long, waxing kits can be found at most cosmetic and medical stores. It should be noted, however, that it is recommended that a professional wax your hair for you for the safest and most effective treatment.
Pro – Affordability
While traditional waxing may not offer permanent hair removal, it is far less expensive than other hair removal treatments. A single waxing session costs much less than a laser session, but this does not account for the multiple wax procedures you’ll need to maintain hairless skin. In reality, traditional waxing may end up costing you more than laser for hair removal if you receive consistent treatments for years.
Con – Pain & Discomfort
If you’re looking for a pain-free alternative to hair removal, waxing might not be for you. Waxing can be incredibly uncomfortable, especially in sensitive areas of the body like the underarms and bikini line. With any type of waxing, pain can be expected as the fabric strips need to be ripped off the skin. Among the many hair removal procedures, waxing has been known to cause the most discomfort for patients, especially for those with sensitive skin.
Con – Ingrown Hairs
A common side effect of waxing the skin is ingrown hairs, which can be incredibly uncomfortable or painful. While ingrown hairs are not inevitable during waxing, waxing regularly increases the risk of ingrown hairs. This happens because the root of the hair is not destroyed during the treatment, causing the hair to grow back and curl into the skin.
Con – Risk Of Rashes & Infection
As waxing is a fairly invasive procedure, it can cause skin damage and bleeding in some cases. When these small wounds are formed on the skin, it allows debris and dead skin cells to enter the body, making it susceptible to bacteria and infection. To prevent this, it’s advised that clients exfoliate their skin both before and after waxing as this removes any debris.
Additionally, other side effects that can be incurred after traditional waxing include swelling, redness and rashes. If you have sensitive skin, you’re more likely to receive a skin rash after your wax treatment.
Con – Short-Lived Results
Much like shaving, traditional waxing cannot offer a permanent solution to hair removal. While it may keep the skin semi-smooth for a few days or weeks, regrowth is expected at least 1-2 weeks after your waxing session. Depending on your personal beauty and hygiene regime, waxing may not be a sustainable practice if you want consistently smooth skin.
Laser For Hair Removal: Pros & Cons
While laser for hair removal has not been around for as long as traditional waxing, its technology and application have continued to advance over the years, allowing for safer, more effective procedures. Laser for hair removal has become one of the most sought-after cosmetic treatments among regular patrons and celebrities alike.
If you’re not sure if laser for hair removal is the treatment for you, here are a few pros and cons to consider:
Pro – Semi- To Fully Permanent Results
One of the main reasons why so many people opt for laser treatment is its long-lasting results. This is because the laser targets the hair beneath the dermis of the skin, which destroys the follicle at the root. Once the hair follicles have been damaged, it hinders their regrowth, allowing for smooth, hairless skin. In some cases, laser hair removal can leave patients with permanent hair loss.
As long as you follow the correct number of laser sessions and touch-ups as prescribed by your laser specialists, you can expect to have silky smooth skin for months or years to come.
Pro – Time-Efficient
If you lead a busy lifestyle and don’t have time for lengthy cosmetic procedures, laser hair removal is the way to go. While laser sessions differ in time according to the area of the body you’re treating, most treatments are incredibly fast and easy, requiring you to be under the laser for only a few minutes at a time. Thanks to the advancement of laser technology, laser specialists can treat patients much faster than with traditional lasers and garner better results.
Pro – Safe & Reliable
When it comes to achieving smooth, hairless skin, laser for hair removal is one of the safest procedures out there. Gone are the days of ingrown hairs and razor cuts, as you can achieve flawlessly smooth skin from cutting-edge laser devices. So long as your treatment is performed by a certified and licensed laser specialist, you can trust that your skin will be in good condition no matter what.
Pro – Versatile Application
Unlike waxing or shaving, laser hair removal can be performed on nearly any part of the body. Whether it be the bikini line, facial area, or upper back, laser treatment is the perfect procedure for treating those hard-to-reach areas of the body with ease. No matter how stubborn your hair is, lasers are incredibly powerful and can leave any part of the body silky smooth.
Con – Costly Procedure
While laser treatment for the face is highly effective, it comes at a cost. A single waxing session is far cheaper than a laser session. As a long-term hair removal method, however, laser treatment can be more cost-effective in the long run. Laser hair removal is a valuable investment, providing those with unwanted hair a semi- to permanent solution.
Con – Results Take Time
The true payoff of laser for hair removal is the multiple treatments you attend. While waxing offers instant results, laser treatment needs to be performed over time so that the hair can be targeted at specific growth stages. Results will not be immediate, but they will certainly last longer than traditional hair removal methods.
In Conclusion: Why Laser Treatments Are Better Than Waxing
For safer, longer-lasting, and more effective hair removal methods, laser treatment is the way to go. While waxing may seem like a more affordable, low-maintenance alternative, traditional waxing is only suitable for short-term hair removal and can cause a range of uncomfortable side effects. Laser for hair removal offers a painless solution to hair removal, free from ingrown hairs and pervasive skin reactions.
If you’re looking for a permanent solution to hair removal, look no further than NuSkinnovation. As a professional laser clinic, we go above and beyond to help our clients achieve their dream skin. Whether you’re tired of shaving or want to wake up to silky smooth skin, our laser treatments are guaranteed to leave you with unbelievable results. Using the latest in cutting-edge laser technology, our team of laser experts has the skills and training to make your cosmetic desires a reality.
Now that you’ve been clued in on the ins and outs of laser treatment, why not give a little back to yourself by booking your first laser session? Visit our website today to book your spot or visit one of our many local branches across the country.