Laser Hair Removal (LHR)
- Emits light of a specific wavelength to target melanin and heat the follicle to disable it from regrowth
- Because the specific wavelength is optimized for hair removal, it is considered to be the most efficient and precise permanent option
- Requires advance technology to maintain specific wavelength, therefore more expensive
- Diode laser, a type of LHR, is considered to be the best laser
- Only suitable for those with lighter skin and darker hair
- Most efficient and precise treatment
- Fewer treatments vs other options
- Targets only the hair follicle, not the surrounding skin
Brand: Tria Laser Hair Removal 4X
- The only FDA cleared hair removal laser available for at-home use
- FDA cleared for permanent results
- For use on Face & Body
- Features built-in skin sensor to automatically detect whether skin tone is safe to treat
- Offers 5 treatment levels for maximized customization $449
Intense Pulse Light (IPL)
- IPL is less effective than Laser Hair Removal because the energy is produced by a lamp, a little like a light bulb, and produces a variety of light waves, meaning that it is more diffused and less powerful
- Emits light across a wavelength range to target melanin and heat the follicle to disable it from regrowth
- The range is more diffused and less powerful, but requires cheaper technology, which allows for larger treatment window and faster treatment time (per treatment)
- More treatments required to see results
- Only suitable for those with lighter skin and darker hair
- Faster treatment time, about 1/3 of laser, but more treatments are needed to see results
Brand: Silk’n Flash n’ Go
- Less targeted treatment than Laser Hair Removal
- More treatments required to see results vs. Laser Hair Removal
- Requires cartridges
- FDA cleared
Temporary Technologies
Shaving
- Removes hair at the skin surface
- Most common method for hair removal across all age groups and demographics
- Disposable razors is a staple for all users
- Very cost effective
- Quick and easy treatment
- Painless
- Appropriate for all skin types and tones
- Widely available
- Very temporary results
- Need to treat daily/very frequently
- Causes cuts, razor bumps, and/or ingrown hairs
Waxing
- Cold and hot wax used to pull hair from roots
- Reasonable cost
- Longer term results
- Suitable for all skin types and tones
- Very painful
- In-grown hair and irritated skin
- Requires certain hair length before treatment
Depilatory
- Chemical dissolves hair slightly below the skin surface to remove hair
- Very small segment and quickly declining after initial consumer interest
- Cost effective
- Quick and easy treatment
- No cuts or razor bumps, and is painless
- Appropriate for all skin tones
- Temporary results
- Strong chemicals not suitable for sensitive skin
- Leaves unpleasant post-treatment chemical scent
Epilation
- Device with rotating head of mini tweezers that remove hair as you roll it across the skin
- Consumer interest slowly declining
- Longer lasting results
- Cost effective
- Hair is removed at the root and regrown hair is finer
- No chemicals
- Can be painful
IPL + Radio Frequency (RF)
- Uses RF to heat up the treatment area, along with the lower IPL level to heat the follicle to disable growth
- Clinical results point to longer term hair removal, but not permanent; IPL level is too low to deliver permanent results
Brand: meSmooth
- Can be used on all skin types; with the exception of tanned skin
- Can only be used on the body
- FDA cleared for temporary results
- $395 + on-going purchase of $50 cartridges
- Not to use on tanned skin, which could cause temporary or permanent skin discoloration
- Corded and requires 2 hands to maneuver
Thermicon heat
- Can safely be used on all skin types and hair colors because it is not targeting melanin like lasers and IPL - no permanent hair removal
Brand: no!no!
- Can be used on all skin types
- Not FDA Cleared
- Not Permanent
