Laser and intense pulsed light

What is it? Laser and intense pulsed light both use light to destroy the root of the hair. Because the laser can be adjusted to suit your skin and hair colour, and is more precise, it’s usually a more effective method than intense pulsed light, which requires more sessions to achieve the same result. Compared to other hair removal methods, laser is the fastest, but also the most expensive. There are also specific criteria for its use: the best candidates have very dark hair and very light skin. Laser hair removal is therefore not recommended if you have red or white hair, very dark skin or if your hair is very thin. After the first treatment, you can usually notice a decrease in hair growth of up to 25 percent; the figure rises to 80 percent after five or six treatments. If, after several treatments, there are still hairs that are too thin to treat with laser, you can finish with electrolysis.

Does it hurt? It depends on individual tolerance, but it’s similar to the sensation felt by doing elec - trolysis. If you are a little more sensitive, ask for a numbing cream to be applied to the area half an hour before the treatment. Some people experience redness afterward.

Cost: $$$$ Frequency: Each session usually lasts only a few minutes. Most clinics or salons will offer a multitreatment package to optimize results.