Photographed by Jack Waterlot for Vogue Arabia, April 2017
Beauty salons across the region are seeing an uptake in clients looking to achieve smooth, silky limbs in time for the party season that is upon us. Most women are looking to target areas that will leave them party dress-ready, such as the arms, underarms, and legs. With multiple hair removal methods available on the market, settling on the right one for you could prove to be a challenging decision. Here, we break down six hair removal methods, from in-salon waxing to at-home devices like IPL, so you can pick the best one for you.
#1: Waxing
How does it work? This all-hair removal method is best done by an expert. First, wax is warmed so that it can be distributed evenly over the skin and in the direction of the hair growth. Once the wax cools and becomes rigid, it traps the hair. The wax is then quickly pulled off to eliminate hair from the root.
Target areas: Arms, legs, underarms, bikini, eyebrows, upper lip, and sideburns.
How long does it last? 5-6 weeks.
Pain level: The process can be very painful and lengthy if you are waxing a large area.
Pros: Waxing removes a large body of unwanted hair at once. It’s a low-cost procedure that can be done by a professional at a salon or at home using the various waxing materials available on the market.
Cons: May result in ingrown hairs. Also, you have to be extra careful when handling the hot wax to avoid burning your skin.
Tip: You can avoid ingrown hair by exfoliating the skin before waxing. Exfoliation removes dead skin from the layer of epidermis that traps the hair.
Go-to spot: Rossano Ferretti Hair Spa
Thanks to its Lycon wax, which is made from resins and natural ingredients, the Rossano Ferretti Hair Spa has mastered the art of precise and virtually painless waxing.
Courtesy of the Rossano Ferretti Hair Spa
Rossano Ferretti Hair Spa, Jumeirah Street, Dubai
04 330 0073
www.rfhairspa.com
#2: Threading
How does it work? Threading is an ancient Indian and Middle Eastern hair removal technique. It’s performed with a cotton thread, which is doubled, twisted, and rolled over the target area to trap unwanted hair. The hair is then pulled out of the follicle.
Target areas: Eyebrows, between the eyebrows, around the hairline, and other parts of the face.
How long does it last? 3-6 weeks.
Pain level: Threading is a relatively painless method. You may experience some discomfort when the hair is tugged.
Pros: It’s one of the most sanitary hair removal methods due to only a thread touching your face (and is immediately discarded after use).
Cons: Since threading is rather complex, it should be done by a skilled professional at a salon.
Tip: Wait at least two hours before applying any creams or cosmetics around the area following threading to avoid bacteria entering your pores.
Go-to spot: Browz
The Middle East’s first premium brow bar, this salon offers the “High Definition Brows” experience, which includes threading your arches to perfection then filling them in using a unique brow-defining formula.
Browz, The Mall, Umm Suqeim 3, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai
04 321 4828
www.browz.ae
#3: Laser Hair Removal
How does it work? Pulses of highly concentrated light are emitted from the laser device into the hair follicles. The pigment in the follicles absorbs the light, which in turn destroys the hair.
Target areas: Legs, arms, underarms, bikini, back, face – anywhere you have unwanted hair.
How long does it last? You should see permanent results within three to six sessions.
Pain level: When it comes to hair removal methods, laser can be one of the most painful. However, there are pain-free versions of this treatment breaking out into the marketplace.
Pros: Laser hair removal promises long-lasting results so you can say goodbye to unwanted body hair for good.
Cons: Most people require at least six sessions for optimum results.
Tip: No plucking or waxing hair for six weeks prior to your treatment. There should be at least a one-month gap between each treatment.
Go-to spot: Aesthetica Clinic
The Soprano XL “pain-free” laser is designed to treat all skin types and target hair right at the follicles, without any of the pain typically associated with laser hair removal treatments.
Jumeirah Road، Villa 359, Dubai
04 342 8383
www.aestheticaclinic.com
#4: Depilatory Creams
How does it work? Cream is applied on the desired areas and left for three to 15 minutes. During this time, chemicals dissolve unwanted hair. Afterwards, the substance can be washed or wiped off.
Target areas: Legs, arms, underarms, and bikini.
How long does it last? Since hair is removed from the surface only, it grows back within one to three days.
Pain level: There shouldn’t be any pain, just a slight tingling sensation. If the sensation becomes unbearable, wash off the product immediately.
Pros: Depilatory creams are simple to use, cost-effective, and the least painful of hair removal methods. They can be used at home without professional assistance, just make sure to read the label carefully.
Cons: The smell could be overbearing and the effects are not as long-lasting as other methods.
Tip: Perform a patch test before using to make sure your skin won’t react negatively.
Nair
Hair Removal Lotion with Aloe & Lanolin
AED/SAR 29; US $8
Shop here
#5: Shaving
How does it work? Shaving is the most popular and fuss-free method of hair removal. All that’s required is a fresh razor to eradicate hair.
Target areas: Legs, arms, underarms.
How long does it last? 1-3 days.
Pain level: Shaving is not painful, but take care to not knick or cut yourself with the blade.
Pros: Shaving is quick, easy, and cost-effective.
Cons: This hair removal method can result in in-grown hairs. Since hair is cut off at its thickest part – the root – it grows back blunt and thicker.
Tip: Soak skin with a moisturizing shaving gel beforehand, and shave against the direction of hair growth. Make sure to dispose of your blade after 10 uses.
Mave New York
The Mave Shaving Set
AED/SAR 628; US $171
Shop here
#6: IPL
How does it work? Similar to laser hair removal, IPL — Intense Pulse Light — is an at-home device that works by applying gentle pulses of light, which converts to heat, to the hair root (ie hair follicle). This puts the hair into a resting phase. Existing hair then sheds naturally and regrowth is greatly slowed down.
Target areas: Anywhere hair grows.
How long does it last? IPL is all about long-term hair reduction. Treat your targeted area every two weeks for a three-month period to reduce 90% of hair growth.
Pain level: IPL can be extremely uncomfortable, and sometimes, more painful than laser.
Pros: IPL is a cheaper alternative to laser treatments, as there are plenty of at-home devices available on the market.
Cons: It’s generally limited to use on fairer skin types, as there’s a risk that the light may react with melanin in the skin and not the hair in darker skin tones.
Tip: Make sure the area you are targeting is hair-free before using the machine.
iluminage
Precise Touch Permanent Hair Reduction
AED/SAR 900; US $245
Shop here
