Hair ye: Where you shouldn’t have it!

MANILA, Philippines - “What is world peace?” Just as beauty pageant contestants struggle to find the answer, I, too, find myself wondering, after the countless products and payments have been made in the name of beauty, “What is the best beauty investment?”

Then just like a lightning bolt, it hit me (I can imagine that’s what it must feel like — tiny currents of it)… laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal is the process of removing unwanted hair by means of exposure to intense pulsating beams of light that destroy the hair follicle.

In the market, there’s the traditional IPL (intense pulsed light) hair removal. Then there is Mistral Gold, which makes use of light and heat energies (LHE) or as the manufacturer Radiancy calls it, Intelligent Phototherapy. It’s not laser, but it is the latest technology in hair removal.

“Laser is an uncontrolled flow of light and can be quite painful. LHE, although warm on the skin, is largely painless and safer,” explains Dr. Amy Patdu of Amy Patdu MD Medical Clinic. “There are patients in the clinic who have undergone laser treatments and they claim themselves that LHE is different.”

Here are eight reasons why lasering is love:

1. Mustache and men.

A mustache makes the man. As for women, not so much! When we speak to people, they tend to look at our mouths and just like that damn lettuce stuck in between our teeth, upper lip hair is just as distracting. No amount of moisturizer or concealer can erase the shadow caused by hair growth above the upper lip.

2. Armpit arsenal.

Deodorants and anti-perspirants may save the day when it comes to preventing body odor but constant shaving not only darkens underarms but also results in thicker and stiffer armpit hair.

3. Get off my back.

Many men suffer from severe back hair, which can induce more sweat and body odor in warmer climates. Oh dear, Star Wars’ Chewbacca called and wanted his fur back!

4. Irritating in-grown.

Say goodbye to nasty, stubborn in-grown hair often caused by shaving.

5. Forest feet.

Unless you’re Big Foot, feet can do without a forest growing on each toe, don’t you think?

6. Goddess gams.

No more perpetual shaving resulting in a mere two-day maximum smooth leg experience then it’s back to manly stubbles. And we didn’t mean the sexy-George-Clooney kind.

7. Brave Brazilian.

You needn’t travel to South America to get a flawless bikini line that’d make Gisele Bündchen blush. There’s nothing worse than sporting swimwear with a blackened crotch due to thick stubbles.

8. Wax then wait.

Sure, waxing is a better option than shaving as it promotes softer and slower hair growth but there is still regrowth. Not to mention it’s costly, painful, and especially when done improperly, can cause minor skin irritation and scraping.

Shaving and other depilatory methods, which only remove hair at the surface, require constant and costly maintenance. Sadly, they don’t even guarantee recognizable, positive results. Unlike LHE, it is forever. Once you finish all your sessions (approximately six to 12 depending on the area), you are virtually hair-free for life.

Voila, here’s a great gift idea to usher you smoothly into 2014! 

  (For best results, consult your doctor.)