To go pro:
» The most appealing of the hair-removal options on the market is professional laser hair removal. Why? Because it promises
permanent hair removal. Dr. Helen Torok of Trillium Creek Dermatology in Medina, Ohio, says that it takes six to eight treatments
to start seeing results. To be ready for summer, she recommends her patients to begin treatments by November or October so
that they have enough time to see results by summer and have no sun exposure during treatment. Candidates must have light
skin, hair has to be dark, and treatments are performed every four to six weeks.
Dr. Torok sees the Tria Home Laser System (below) as an added benefit for her patients to use while they're waiting for the
next session to obtain quick and better results. Professional laser treatments run about $100 to $500 per session depending
upon the treated area.
To go high-tech from home: » Just say no!no! The no!no! is a professional hair removal treatment used at home that gives about 64 percent reduction in
hair growth "over time." The no!no! device uses a thermacon tip containing "Hot Blades" (which are not really blades) that
house thermodynamic wires. While gliding the device over the skin, the thermal transference conducts a gentle pulse of heat
to the hair resulting in crystallized hair. The final step? The buffer (included) exfoliates the skin and buffs away the hair.
no!no! should be applied on an as-needed basis. For all skin types: $199.95 at http://www.sephora.com/» Zap it — with the Tria Laser, which uses "Diffuse Radiance Technology," which transforms the Class IV laser diode used in
a professional setting into a Class I laser diode. The Tria's photothermolysis system targets the dark pigment of the hair
causing it to gradually fall out or stop growing after six to eight treatments. Occasional repeat treatments may be needed
for stray hairs.
To be a candidate, you must have naturally medium brown, dark brown, or black hair and your skin color must be white, ivory,
beige or light brown. For $795, you'll see results in six to eight months. http://www.triabeauty.com/
For immediate results:
» Shave it — to remove the hair right at the skin surface area. Because hair grows at an average rate of half an inch per
month, it may be necessary to shave anywhere from two or three times per week to every day, depending upon your needs or preferences.
And razor technology has come a long way. This editor's preference? The Venus line. Get a three pack for under $10 at http://www.amazon.com/» Wax it — to remove hair at the root. To get good results, the hair needs to be at least a quarter inch in length, so you'll
have to let it grow for a couple of weeks before treatment. The wax is applied to the hair and skin after being heated to
around 130° F. A thin cloth such as muslin is applied, and after cooling, the wax is pulled off quickly to remove the hair
(ouch!). Waxing can be repeated every three to five weeks, and it ranges in price from around $15 for a set of eyebrows to
upwards of $100 for a Brazilian bikini wax. For the brave at heart, home waxing kits are also an option. Try Nair's Salon
Divine Body Wax, under $10 at http://www.amazon.com/
Blond, non-pigmented hair? Laser hair removal hasn't been a viable option — until now. The FDA recently approved Meladine,
a topical pigment that delivers melanin to the hair follicle, thereby creating a deposit that can be targeted by laser hair
treatment. Meladine, a pretreatment for clients with blonde, gray, and vellus hair undergoing laser hair removal, is a patented
topical melanin-encased liposome solution which, when sprayed on the area to be treated, selectively deposits natural melanin
directly into the hair follicle without staining surrounding skin. The result? Melanin-enhanced follicles, which allows patients
with non-pigmented hair to benefit from laser hair removal.
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