Permanent hair removal is an expensive procedure and can take quite a few consultations to get the right result. So before you commit your time and money, we explore the risks to help you make the right decision.

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What is it?

There are three popular types of permanent hair removal that are offered at beauty salons – electrolysis, laser and IPL (intense pulsed light). While all three do essentially the same thing, they use slightly different methods.

Electrolysis involves a needle being inserted into each hair follicle, one by one, and destroying it with shortwave radio frequency. The process is very time consuming, and is best confined to small areas of the body, such as the upper lip, or stray hairs.

Both laser and IPL target larger areas such as legs and arms. Laser and IPL also aim to destroy the hair in the follicle, but use light wavelengths rather than radio waves. While laser is a single wavelength, IPL uses flashes of hundreds of wavelengths of light.

What are the risks?

Despite the promises and hype of permanent hair removal, there are considerable risks involved, and you’ll want to be well aware of them before you take the next step.

First and foremost, with the exception of Queensland, Tasmania and WA, the permanent hair removal industry is largely unregulated. Despite the accessibility of powerful medical lasers at the fraction of the price they have been in the past, they are often operated by inexperienced beauticians without clinical training.

This has resulted in terrible burn injuries and permanent scarring on some clients. Therefore, before signing up to any procedure, it is important that you thoroughly check the credentials of your clinician. Find out where they’ve had training. If they’ve just been trained by the machine manufacturer, consider that as unacceptable. As a minimum you’ll want medically trained staff, and a doctor, cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist overseeing the procedure. Remember, that with machines costing as little as $3000 in an unregulated industry, it is easy for anyone to set up shop and claim to have “training”. Besides, permanent hair removal is expensive – you might as well spend a little more for peace of mind.

Talk to an expert first

An experienced clinician will offer a consultation prior to any procedure. They should ask you if you’ve got any medical conditions or are taking any medications. You’ll also want them to check if you’ve got a tan, which is not recommended prior to treatment. They’ll also assess your skin type and hair colour, both of which affect the success of permanent hair removal – the treatment works best on those with fair skin and dark hair. Fairer skin and red hair will have less success, and white or grey hair won’t respond at all.

How permanent is it?

Another thing to keep in mind is the use of the term “permanent”. Despite the hype and advertising spiel, expert clinicians agree that a better term for the procedure is permanent hair reduction, not removal. Up to 20% of the hair will continue to grow, and the hair follicles do repair themselves over time. You should expect to have follow-up treatments after the initial procedure.

Now for the good news. In a report by Choice magazine, experts agree that in the hands of an experienced and trained operator, laser or IPL treatment can be very effective for those suitable candidates.

With more than 2000 Permanent Hair Removal clinics listed across Australia, Yellow Pages will help you find a local expert. Make an appointment today.