PERMANENT
HAIR REMOVAL
WHAT IS IT?
An intense laser or pulsating light treatment
that, over time, destroys the hair follicle so that
hair does not grow back. “Both laser and pulsat-
ing light options stop the hair’s melanin produc-
tion,” says Dermapure’s Catherine Paradis.CLINIC VERSUS HOME
Several sessions are required for success,
whether the treatment is done in a clinic or at
home. “In a clinic, it will probably take about
seven to 10 treatments over a six- to eight-
week period,” says Paradis. It’s important to
note that this type of treatment is not for
everyone. “Best results are achieved when the
hair is dark and the skin is light,” she adds. The
pros advise considering whether or not this
type of treatment is worth investing in. There
are devices with pulsating lights that are made
for home use, but the intensity of the beams
is weaker than those available in a clinic, so
more sessions will be needed. According to
Dr. Sylvestre, at-home hair-removal systems
can reduce the speed at which the hair grows
back, but if your aim is to stop hair regrowth
for good, results are better in a clinical setting.PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE
“When you undergo a professional hair
removal procedure, avoid sun exposure for
four to six weeks, both before and after the
treatment. You don’t want to darken the skin
before your session, and afterward the skin is
extremely photosensitive,” cautions Paradis.
At home, carefully read and understand your
appliance’s instructions before you start—
burning the skin is a risk.CLINIC VERSUS HOME
“Topical peeling products made for home use have
a concentration of glycolic acid that varies from five
to 10 percent,” says Catherine Paradis, coordinator
and technical training expert for Dermapure clinics.
“An expert application at our clinic will have a con-
centration of 40 percent.” Even if professional chem-
ical peels work much harder, “I’m all for using peels
at home to maintain the complexion,” says Dr. Chloe
Sylvestre, a general practitioner who specializes in
aesthetic medicine.
PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE
Before applying a chemical peel to your face, test it
on your forearm to see how your skin reacts. Inte-
grate this treatment gradually into your routine, and
respect the recommended recovery time between
treatments. After a professional or home chemical
peel, be sure to protect your skin from the sun, as it
will be much more sensitive to those harmful rays.
WE
TESTEDAlthough this device is easy to
use, take the time to properly
read the instructions provided
and follow them diligently, as
there are several sessions and
steps involved. After the first
treatment, hair regrowth was
noticeably slower. The results
are encouraging without being
drastic, but this process defini-
tely requires patience!
SILK’N Infinity Hair Removal Device,
$450, silkn.ca.