Wax Vs. Laser

There are many different ways to remove unwanted hair. There’s shaving, plucking, threading, but in this blog, we focus on two of the most popular hair removal methods: waxing and laser. Waxing and laser are both effective at removing unwanted hair. However, their pain level, process, and results are distinct.

Both waxing and laser hair removal have their own advantages and disadvantages. In this blog, we discuss the pros and cons of both waxing and laser hair removal.

Waxing

What is waxing?

There are two types of waxing, soft and hard wax, but both serve a similar purpose: to remove unwanted hair.

Soft wax requires strips to remove. It is made with rosin, oils, and other additives. On the other hand, hard waxes firm up on their own so they can be used without strips. Hard waxes are typically made from beeswax, resin, and oils.

Process

With soft waxing, the wax is applied, and the strip is placed on top to remove the hair against the direction of growth.

With hard waxing, the wax is applied, and once it hardens, it is removed against the direction of hair growth.

Pros

Light exfoliation. Because the substance adheres to the top layer of skin, it can remove dead skin cells to reveal a softer underlying layer.
DIY. Unlike laser hair removal, waxing can be easily done at home without many risks.
Accessible. You can buy wax to remove unwanted hair at almost any drugstore.
Cheaper. Compared to laser hair removal, waxing is more affordable in the short run.
Effective for all. Waxing is effective regardless of your skin tone or hair type.

Cons

Pain. Waxing can be very painful, especially in certain body areas, such as the bikini line and underarms.
Irritation. A lot of times, waxing causes irritation. It can also cause rash, bumps, infections, allergic reactions, burns, and scarring.
Ingrown hair. Waxing does not destroy the root of the hair; instead, it pulls the hair from the follicle. Therefore, when the hair grows back, it can become ingrown.
Inconvenient. For waxing to be effective, you would need at least a quarter-inch of hair growth so that the wax has something to grip onto. Therefore, you would have to allow your hair to grow before another set of waxing.
Time-consuming. To see better results, you’d have to wax regularly, most likely every couple of weeks.

Laser Hair Removal

What is laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal is more complex than most hair removal methods, including waxing. With laser hair removal, a high-powered laser penetrates the skin to target the root of the hair and inhibit hair growth. Its objective is to destroy the follicle to achieve permanent hair removal. Typically, the hair in treated areas falls out within 2-3 weeks.

Process

The process often begins by numbing and cooling the skin to reduce pain. A laser technician then applies the laser to the skin in the area targeted for hair removal.

To ensure the best results, several treatments are required, regardless of the area of the body. However, results can last for months or even years. Nevertheless, some people may still need a touch-up from time to time.

Pros

Compared to other methods of hair removal, laser hair removal has one of the most advantages.

Great for the long term. Regardless of the area, laser hair removal is permanent, and results can last up to years.
Suitable for sensitive skin. Laser hair removal does not cause damage to the dermis. Hence, even those with the most sensitive skin can try laser hair removal.
Safe. Again, laser hair removal does not cause damage to the skin. The only damage it might cause is to the skin is a hot feeling along the treated area, similar to a minor sunburn, but it typically resolves after a couple of hours.
Saves time. Laser hair removal sessions are often short and easy. Even if you’re treating a large area, it would still only take a few minutes for each session. Also, because it has a long-term effect, you won’t have to keep going back after a few sessions.
Not as painful. Although laser hair removal can be painful, it is definitely not as painful as waxing. Also, because the sessions last shorter, the pain also lasts shorter.

Cons

Often only good for certain skin tones, skin types, and hair types. Laser hair removal can sometimes be deemed unsuitable for certain skin types. It is usually most effective for people with hair darker than their skin tone. For people with lighter hair or dark skin stone, laser hair removal may take more sessions, and sometimes it can even be ineffective. Therefore, if you have very light hair colour or dark skin tone, we suggest consulting with our medical estheticians first.
More costly short-term. Laser hair removal can be more expensive. However, considering that it has permanent results, it can actually save you a lot of money in the long run. Also, TLC Spa accepts insurance and offers direct billing to all major insurance. We can also often offer promotions to reduce the costs.
Multiple treatments. For the laser to completely destroy the hair follicle, multiple sessions are required. Also, results aren’t immediately evident like how it is for waxing. Nevertheless, although results do not show instantly, the results are still permanent.

Conclusion

If you’re still unsure whether laser hair removal is for you, contact us, and we’ll offer you a free consultation.

If you’re ready to get hair-free pain-free, request your appointment today. We also offer various promotions very often. Visit our laser hair removal page to check the special offers we have available.

About TLC Rejuvenation Skincare Laser Spa

TLC Rejuvenation Skincare Laser Spa is a start-up company in Edmonton, Alberta, specializing in customized treatments that help guests achieve the look and feel they’ve always wanted: relaxed, refreshed, and rejuvenated. Our objective is to provide clients with a lush and pampering experience by offering high-quality relaxing and rejuvenating spa and skin rejuvenation services. Our team at TLC aims to create a calm and serene atmosphere for our guests, where they can relax, refresh, and rejuvenate while providing the best spa services in the city.

If you’re ready for a fresh start - contact us today and learn more about our services and special offers!