At Le Soleil Spa in Glendale, we get a lot of questions about our hair removal services.  Waxing, threading, electrolysis and laser all sound a lot more painful and intimidating then they really need to be—for the most part, hair removal is something that doesn’t have to be painful—even when using permanent hair removal methods.  But it’s also important to choose the right service based on your body and skin type and also your overall goals so you end up with the best results.

We offer all of these services through our spa estheticians and our medical staff, but some of them require a bit more thought then others and may even require a visit with a physician before making your decision. Luckily, Le Soleil has registered nurses and staff physicians on hand, right here in our spa.

So if you’re looking for hair removal services, read up on each of our methods to help you decide what’ll be the most effective service for you.

Waxing

We’ve all probably had some kind of experience with waxing, whether it’s getting your bikini area done for swimsuit season or getting rid of that unwanted facial hair. Tons of our clients start by searching for “waxing in Glendale” (or wherever their locale is) when they’re looking for hair removal services, because waxing is simple, effective, has very few negative side effects and is usually more comfortable than other hair-removal methods.

Guys who like to keep a bare chest will often go with waxing services because it’s a relatively easy and simple solution that’s preferable to shaving. Waxing is great because it removes your hair from the root—thin strips of either hot or cool wax (depending on the product and skin type) are layered on the skin and quickly removed when the wax dries.

Waxing is a semi-permanent solution to hair removal.  Again, it removes the hair from the root without damaging the follicles, so hair won’t even begin to grow back in waxed areas for at least a couple weeks and up to as long as two months.

Threading

Most salons that offer waxing will also offer threading services for the same or similar price as their waxing services.  Threading goes back to popular use in ancient Persian culture; you may have heard the terms fatlah or bande abru used to describe threading services.

Threading consists of the use of a twisted cotton thread to roll over hair lines, removing the hairs from the follicle.  It’s a similar mechanic to plucking hairs, so it can be more painful for some, but it does allow neat and tidy hairlines since more than one hair is removed at once—and it can actually be a great solution for those with overly-sensitive skin that may react poorly to waxing.

Electrolysis

If you’re thinking laser or electrolysis, then you’re thinking permanent hair removal—well, sort of.

Electrolysis is still technically the only true permanent source of hair removal according to the FDA.  It is necessary to consult a physician or electrolysis professional when seeking this service, because their skill will play a part in how painful the process is, and also the results.  Our registered nurse has ton of experience with many laser platforms, and is a great consultant if you’re thinking about anything laser—even for other cosmetics beyond hair-removal.

In electrolysis procedures, a tiny metal probe is used to transfer electric current or heat into the hair follicle. It’s inserted at the angle of hair growth and the effects cause the hair to slide out easily, and damage the follicle to ensure hair doesn’t regrow.  This is an ideal solution for patients with problematic hair growth, but treatments tend to last about two full years before entire problem areas can be permanently corrected.

Laser

Laser is also a process that requires the consultation of a physician or a highly trained technician—again, both of which are on staff at Le Soleil.  Laser tends to be less painful than electrolysis and actually doesn’t do as much damage to the hair follicle—rather, the laser process will heat up targeted melanin near the hair follicles in order to prevent regrowth.

As of now, laser treatments for the most part aren’t using real lasers technically, but rather sharp, focused light that is absorbed in dark melanin much quicker than the light tones of skin.

Laser is most effective on a lighter skin tones combined with dark hair—fine colored hair will still get better results with electrolysis, even though laser technology is improving significantly.

For more questions or consultation, check out our physicians who perform laser treatments and electrolysis or contact a spa representative today to hear more about our services and schedule appointments!