Hair Removal For Light Hair

In a world where unwanted face and body hair growth often plagues many, the journey to smooth, hair-free skin is not without its unique challenges, especially for those of you blessed with blonde, red, or grey hair.

You may find yourself asking, what are my options for hair removal, particularly for the long term? While it's true that the long term reduction of dark-pigmented hair is often more straightforward, there are promising options for those with lighter growth. From varying shades of blonde to fiery reds and distinguished greys, this blog explores the diverse landscape of hair removal solutions catering to the unique needs of individuals with fair, low-pigmented hair on both the face and body.

Here is a list of short-term hair removal options:

Shaving

This is a quick and easy method. Shaving can be done on hair of all colours and thicknesses. The results, however, are temporary, and the hair will continue to growth back as it did before, often within 1 day.

Depilatory Creams

Hair removal creams are cosmetic products designed to remove unwanted hair from the skin's surface. These creams typically contain chemical ingredients, such as calcium thioglycolate or potassium hydroxide, that break down Keratin, the protein structure of the hair. This causes the hair strands to dissolve making it simple to wipe or wash away. This type of treatment is not suitable for sensitive skins and not the best option if you are looking for long-term smooth skin as you don't actually remove the hair bulb or root.

Tweezing

Tweezing is a great option for smaller areas of unwanted hair growth on the body, especially the face. This method removes hair from the root, making hair regrowth a little slower than the previous options. Tweezing individual hairs can be a tedious job, however, and a little uncomfortable for some. Typically, blonde, red and grey hairs can be coarse and more tightly embedded in the skin. For this reason, you may choose to tweeze only smaller patches of hair growth (or that one straggler!) as removing these hairs one at a time can be quite painful. 

Waxing

Waxing is a method by which hair is removed by its roots, providing you with smoother skin for a longer period. It is a great option if you are tired of the hassle of shaving every couple of days and want weeks at a time with no hair maintenance. Patches of hair growth are removed in large areas, making it a slightly uncomfortable treatment for some, but it is effective in removing all hair types. Regular waxing treatments may result in the hair growing back finer and sporadic in growth over time making it a popular treatment for lightly coloured hair. This treatment can be performed on all areas of the face and body.

Waxing appointments are recommended every 4-6 weeks to maintain the correct hair cycle and to ensure the hair is long enough for best results. This can be a deterrent for some as hair may be more visible when it is longer in length.

Now let's take a look at more long term hair removal options:

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)/E-light

IPL Hair Removal is an extremely effective treatment for areas with greater pigment such as black and brown hair. The technology focuses on heating up the hair follicle, which is best absorbed by your darker haired colours. Unfortunately there is not enough pigment in blonde, red and grey body hair to attract the IPL heat, making this treatment unreliable and ineffective if you have this type of hair.  

Fear not, there is relief for our fair-haired friends in the form of E-light, a duo of IPL and RF (Radio Frequency). E-light has all the main advantages of IPL but can also target some red and blonde hair. The RF component of the treatment generates an electromagnet field between two poles, passing through the deepest part of the skin, raising the temperature. RF compliments IPL and expands the treatments effects for effective removal of less pigmented hair. It is important to mention that individual results will vary and we recommend you consult with a professional to discuss if E-Light will be an effective hair removal option for you.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal solution that is safe and extremely effective for all skin types and all hair colours including blonde, red, white & grey. It involves the use of an electric current to destroy the hair follicle. Hairs are treated individually by inserting a very fine pin-like needle down into the hair follicle. The bulb of the hair is targeted with either a thermal or chemical response to destroy the blood supply of the hair, resulting in the destruction of the hair follicle. No damage is caused to the surrounding tissue of the skin. 

Several sessions of Electrolysis are required to ensure an ideal treatment outcome. While it can be time-consuming, it is a viable option for those with lighter hair colours and is one of, if not, the most effective hair removal treatment for this hair type. It is most suited to smaller areas such as the face, but can be used on all areas of the body.

When considering any hair removal method, it's important to consider factors such as skin sensitivity, pain tolerance, and the desired duration of hair-free skin. Additionally, consult with a professional for personalised advice based on your specific needs and skin type. Whether it's bye bye to fair hair for a short time or a long time, the team at Complete Skin & Beauty have got you covered!