WITH hotter weather often comes more skin showing — and for many that means increased sense of pressure to get rid of body hair. There are a lot of options to address the hair: laser, at home devices, waxing, creams and shaving, said Dr. Deirdre Hooper, cofounder of Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans, the United States. While they are all generally safe, she noted that there are some things to consider if you choose to use one of these methods. The most effective way to get rid of hair in an area long-term is to get laser hair removal procedures, offered both at dermatologists’ offices and places like beauty salons or spas. You might have also seen advertisements all over your social media pop up for devices marketed to be like at home laser hair removal. These have been around for more than a decade, and they aren’t really laser treatment. Whereas lasers are a targeted beam, at home devices use an intense pulsed light (IPL) of a wide range of wavelengths to work on different hair types and skin types, Hooper said. At home devices are much less expensive than office treatments, generally safe and usually do reduce the hair in the targeted area, she said. “You’re going to get good results with an at home IPL — probably 60% to 75% of what you could get with an in-office laser procedure — and it’s done at your convenience at a lower cost,” she said. However, there is a safety caveat, Hooper added. The IPL devices target pigment, not hair necessarily. If you have darker toned skin or have a tan, you are at a greater risk for the device burning your skin. Then, waxing and shaving are time honored methods of hair removal, Hooper said. The thing to keep in mind if you go the waxing route with your hair removal is that as hair grows back and tries to pop through the skin, those with coarser and curlier hair are more likely to get in-grown hairs, she added. Using a cream dissolves the hair, leaving it less stubby and not quite as noticeable. But they can be irritating for the skin. Like waxing and creams, shaving isn’t going to stop your hair from growing back — but contrary to a popular myth, it doesn’t make you grow more hair either, Hooper said. No matter what body parts you are shaving, Hooper recommends doing it at the end of your shower or bath when the hair and skin have had some time to be exposed to water. And a razor with few blades is better, because there is less of a chance of micro nicks in your skin. (SD-Agencies) | 