Self Care + Beauty: Say Goodbye to Facial Hair

LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Lori Mlaker, Registered Nurse/Patient Health Coordinator/Practice Administrator for Plastic Surgery Innovations, knows firsthand this embarrassment. “I had dark black coarse hairs I would pluck on my chin and had a hairy upper lip,” she said. “Laser hair removal provided results, and I have not plucked for 25 years.”

Amy Ramos, Lead Ethician at Belle Sante Med Spa, said there is no reason to feel embarrassed about facial hair when there are ways to control it. Depending on whether removing hair is temporary or semi-permanent, and what color the hair is to begin with, the two most popular methods of removing hair are Laser Hair Reduction (Removal) and Dermaplaning. This method of hair removal is the most cost effective for getting rid of hair long-term. Since a laser cannot detect lighter hair colors, hair must be dark, not gray, blond, or red.

“Some see a dramatic decrease in hair growth in as little as six treatments,” said Ramos. “Others need more treatments if hair is coarse.

Mlakar agrees: “It’s important to get through enough regular treatments (about 4-6 weeks apart) to eliminate all the hair growth cycles of hair follicles, because if you quit too soon, it won’t be successful.”

Lauren Tosland, Marketing Director and Office Administrative Lead at Aspire Plastic Surgery, said, “Hair removal can last several months or even years but does not guarantee permanent removal forever. When hair regrows, it is usually finer and lighter in color. We offer the newest and fastest Laser Hair Removal Device on the market, the Bare HR.”

Plastic Surgery Innovations has the Cutera Laser. Mlakar said it can even treat large surfaces like men’s back, under arms, or bikini areas. Individual single treatments vary depending on the body part and surface area, and packages of five treatments can run anywhere from $400 to $2,000.Ramos said their laser treatment is referred to as a “reduction” because there may be regrowth due to normal hormonal changes in the body over the course of a person’s life. “A change in hormones often refuels the growth of hair,” she explained.

Say Goodbye to Facial Hair

By Shelley Galbreath

Whether it is peach fuzz, sideburns, above the top lip or on the chin, unwanted facial hair on women can be embarrassing. Shaving can cause ingrown hairs, dry, itchy, irritated skin, damage the skin, and even stimulate growth. There are other options though.

DERMAPLANING

For women who want to temporarily remove all the surface hair (and a superficial layer of dead skin) on the face, dermaplaning is an easy and economical way to do so. Dermaplaning is done with a scalpel and is painless and effective with smooth, hairless skin lasting 3-4 weeks. Hair grows back in its normal condition, no darker and no coarser than it was before dermaplaning.

Some liken it to shaving the face at home, however, this treatment is done by a trained professional observing strict sanitation and precision to eliminate the chance of infection, unlike a home shave. And the finish is smooth around all the curves and contours of the face. For makeup wearers, there is nothing like applying makeup to a silky-smooth skin. The finish is flawless!

Dermaplaning is an effective exfoliation suitable for all skin types, ages, and hair color resulting in better product absorption and a beautiful, refined look. Tosland said this treatment is extremely cost-effective ($60) and removes peach fuzz, while exfoliating dead skin. She recommends pairing it with a chemical peel or medical grade facial treatment, such as Diamond Glow or Hydrafacial. Treatments can be scheduled every four to six weeks. a

photos: shutterstock.com

Resources: ASPIRE Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa, Fort Wayne, (260) 200-6013, aspireplasticsurgery.com Belle Sante Med Spa, Fort Wayne, (260) 436-6900, bellesantemedspa.com Plastic Surgery Innovations, Fort Wayne, (260) 490-4673, plasticsurgeryinnovations.com