My Bare Lady

The trend for smooth, hair-free skin is here to stay, and teenagers are first in line when it comes to removing unwanted hair.

Permanent Hair Removal for Teens

As fine and light as it may be, teens simply will not tolerate unwanted hair. The question many parents find themselves asking is: at what age should we allow our teenagers to begin hair removal, and which method is best?

There is no ideal age to begin hair removal; the best course of action is to discuss the subject openly with teenagers before they pick up a razor in the bathroom and shave all unwanted hair with unfortunate consequences.

Electrolysis is the ideal method to rid teenagers of unwanted hair for life. Particularly in the facial area, electrolysis is the method of choice for young women, because unlike laser, there is no need to shave the face prior to treatment. Electrolysis is safe and has no side effects when performed properly. For young girls, we do recommend waiting until her first period before starting electrolysis treatments.

Razors, clippers, depilatory lotions and abrasives are readily accessible low-cost methods, so it comes as no surprise that they are very popular with teenagers. However, they generally stimulate hair regrowth, especially in sex-specific areas, and the results are short-lived. In most cases, we can see the hair shaft stick out of the skin as early as the next day. As far as shaving is concerned, there is also a risk of cuts and infection if the razor is not properly disinfected or if it was borrowed from another family member.

Mechanical epilators that use a coiled spring are a fairly painful method that yields mixed results at best. When using this type of device, the hair can become highly distorted and often breaks in its follicle, which promotes the appearance of ingrown hair with or without infection. And hair regrowth is fairly quick.

Bleaching creams give the hair a yellowish colour and open its scales, which increases its diameter. Even if a teenager has facial hair, it would be much better to use a different method, since this method makes the hair more apparent once the effect of bleaching fades.

Waxing and plucking are two hair removal methods that provide slower hair regrowth (up to three weeks), which is very convenient for teenagers. However, they can be painful for certain people. There is also a risk of distorted hair follicles or ingrown hair with or without infection if the technique is not properly executed. Hair regrowth is stimulated, regardless of the type of wax used: hard, soft, hot or cold, or even sugar.

Hair removal by laser or IPL (intense pulsed light) is not effective on all skin and hair types. The ideal situation is fair skin and dark hair. It is a costly technique that yields hair reduction rather than permanent hair removal. Moreover, remember that teenage hair is often quite fine and barely pigmented. For this reason, it would be better to wait until the end of adolescence before resorting to this method. If a teenager still decides to go with this technique, then he or she should take the time to choose an experienced technician and an effective type of laser or IPL system.

Electrolysis is, to date, the only permanent hair removal method known to be effective on all skin and hair types, regardless of the treated area. And with the 27 MHz ultrarapid frequency at our disposal, we can offer teenagers highly effective treatments with hardly any discomfort.

In short, the most important thing is for teenagers to feel good about themselves. Smooth, hair-free skin for life is an intelligent investment for which your teen will be eternally grateful.

Where can I get more information about electrolysis?

To speak to an electrologist or to schedule a consultation, contact us. Answers to general questions about electrolysis are available on the Electrolysis FAQ page.

Portions of the information above are provided courtesy of Dectro International.