Does DIY laser hair removal really work? Beauty experts weigh in on the new home gadget as COVID-19 shuts down all boutiques – and the results might surprise you
- The Australian government shuttered all beauty therapists to fight COVID-19
- This meant women and men who usually get laser hair removal could no longer
- They are turning to DIY handsets that promise gradual hair loss over 12 weeks
- Reviewers claim a number of brands like Go Bare and Happy Skin Co work
- They are less powerful than traditional lasers so are used over a longer period
In a bid to prevent that growth women and men are investing in DIY products (Happy Skin Co pictured)
Australian beauty experts have weighed in on DIY laser hair removal handsets, saying they dramatically reduce regrowth so long as you religiously use them once a week over a 12-week period.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison shuttered all beauty therapists – including laser hair removal clinics – as part of a broader plan to stop the threat of coronavirus Down Under, leaving some people worried their hair would grow back.
In a bid to prevent that growth, women and men are investing in DIY products from brands like Go Bare ($269) and Happy Skin Co ($199 for version one or $239 for version two).
The handsets work using light energy from Intense Pulse Light (IPL), which is absorbed by the melanin in the hair, turning it to heat and destroying the hair cells.
The handsets work using light energy from Intense Pulse Light (IPL), which is absorbed by the melanin in the hair, turning it to heat and destroying the hair cells (Happy Skin Co pictured)
There are different ‘levels’ of intensity on each handset although for best practice it’s recommended those with fair skin and dark hair – the most ideal colouring – use the highest setting, and all other skin tones work up to that level week by week.
‘I’ve been using Go Bare. I saw results after the first use… they not only remove hair but also rejuvenate your skin. Level one is skin rejuvenation and level 2-7 is hair removal. They also have a longer life time (500,000 light flashes),’ one woman said.
‘I used to work at a laser clinic and when I saw the Go Bare product, you can imagine how I felt. This handset has proved me wrong,’ another said.
There are different ‘levels’ of intensity on each handset although for best practice it’s recommended those with fair skin and dark hair use the highest setting
‘It is amazing and I cannot believe the results. I cant wait for my next treatment. I am seeing my hair grow thinner and a lot slower.’
Happy Skin Co, which has 300,000 light flashes for the classic model and 500,000 for the Gen.2 handset, has similar five-star reviews from customers.
‘My hubby and I have been using it for 10 weeks now on face, thighs, armpits, stomach, pubic area and bum. We have noticed hair becoming softer, growing slower and have been getting fewer ingrowns,’ a woman wrote online.
IPL is suitable for all but the darkest skin tones.
This is because the light energy may be more attracted to the pigments in the skin rather than the melanin in the hair.
It also won’t work for those with red, grey or very light hair because the melanin in the hair won’t be picked up by the handset.
‘I was very sceptical on buying the IPL Gen.2. I have saved SO MUCH money on not having to have treatments at the clinic. It does take a while to do your whole body but it’s worth the savings,’ said another.
Despite the rave reviews, Australian Laser Clinics (ALC) have cautioned those with dark skin to tread with care when it comes to DIY offers.
Many of these handsets aren’t able to tell the difference between dark hair and dark skin so will burn those who are a darker shade. It similarly doesn’t work on those with red, grey or very light hair because it can’t pick up the pigment in the hair.
All customers will have to shave the area they want to zap with the IPL machine before they start and ensure there are no moisturisers or deodorants on the skin (Happy Skin Co results pictured)
Founder of Happy Skin Co, Dylan Mullan, told FEMAIL that you’ll start to see proper results at the 12-week mark
‘Also take note that most of these companies pride themselves on the size of their machines and how much smaller they are compared to professional machines,’ ALC wrote on their website.
‘But did you know that this is because they don’t provide a cooling device like the professional laser hair removal machines do (which is why the machines are bigger) and this can lead to burning of the skin too.’
All customers will have to shave the area they want to zap with the IPL machine before they start and ensure there are no moisturisers or deodorants on the skin.
Founder of Happy Skin Co, Dylan Mullan, told FEMAIL that you’ll start to see proper results at the 12-week mark.
Bumps and ingrown hairs will become less as the weeks go by (Happy Skin Co results pictured)
‘Most people will see complete results by the time they’ve completed their 12th session. At this point, hair generally stops growing completely however this doesn’t mean it will never grow back,’ he said.
‘You actually have to be careful when anyone claims “permanent” laser hair removal as all forms of laser hair removal will require maintenance or eventually the hairs will start growing back.
‘After completing your initial session, you would only have to use your handset about once every three months to maintain smooth, hairless skin.’
The average person can last 10 weeks without their usual professional laser hair treatments. Beyond that you’ll likely need more treatments to remove the hair in general because the growth phases have been interrupted.
The average person can last 10 weeks without their usual professional laser hair treatments
Hair grows in three stages: the anagen (growth) stage, the catagen (transitional) stage and the telogen (resting) stage.
Professionals space out treatment sessions to target hair follicles in the growth (anagen) stage but not all hair follicles will be in the same stage at the same time.
For this reason, skipping an appointment could lead to increased hair regrowth post treatment due to missed hair follicles, or a longer treatment period, Glow med spa reported.
So as long as you read the instructions carefully, a DIY handset might be just the filler you need before beauty therapists are permitted to work again.
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