It’s all very well living in endless summer but, it does mean an endless need to shave – or remove body hair in some way. It’s a bit of a pain! So, we’ve scoped out the best hair removal treatments available, from traditional waxing and sugaring to IPL and laser hair removal. It should cut down on the time spent de-fuzzing and more time for being in your cozzie!
EstheClinic
Another salon on our radar is French beauty house EstheClinic, which offers a painless IPL (or Intense Pulsed Light) treatment thanks to the MacPeel’s No Pain System Technology. Unlike traditional IPL hair-removal services, here the hand-piece is swept across the skin to gradually raise the temperature of the dermis and destroy follicles without damaging surrounding tissue or causing trauma to parts of skin that have more melanin. This means that the entire treatment is painless and also safe for dark or tanned skin.
Hear from our reviewer:
My first IPL session at EstheClinic left me speechless! A comfy bed, a lathering of cool gel and a few up-and-down sweeps of the device and I was out of there. Each area took no more than seven minutes and was virtually painless. The bikini area is, of course, slightly more sensitive, but if anything, the session felt good! The cooling gel and fluid stroke of the machine were almost therapeutic and masked the sensation of faint zaps as the quick flashes targeted the hair follicles. Best of all, the service is tiptop and the sessions oh-so-quick! – Leanda Rathmell, Regional Production & Client Services Manager
Psst… Look out for EstheClinic’s new Holland Village location (3 Lorong Liput, #02-02) which will replace the Rochester branch from 25 May.
EstheClinic
• 72 Tras Street | 6221 4797
• 424 Joo Chiat Road | 6344 0121
• 44 Rochester Park | 6254 9913
Supersmooth
Located in the CBD, this local startup offers quick and fuss-free laser hair removal that’s backed with a three-year warranty programme. As compared to IPL, Supersmooth’s laser procedure is more effective in removing fine hair follicles. It’s also suitable for all hair types – be it blondes, brunettes or gingers. New generation laser diodes operate at a wavelength that skips your skin and goes straight for your hair roots, making it safe even for those with darker, richer skin tones. The hair root is damaged and your body purges it as waste material within two weeks.
Only three simple steps are involved. First, unwanted hair is shaved before a cold gel is applied to the area of treatment. The laser selectively heats and destroys the hair follicles without damaging the surrounding skin tissue. Then, the gel is wiped off and you’re good to go! On average, a total of eight sessions – once every six weeks to start with, then every eight weeks over the course – are needed for full results. The best part? Thanks to Supersmooth’s three-year warranty, anything after your eighth session is covered, giving you peace of mind!
Psst… First trial prices start at $60 for underarms and $120 for lower legs.
Supersmooth
Level 2 Robinson Square,
144 Robinson Rd
6221 2203 | supersmooth.com.sg
SkinFitness: IPL
If you’re not keen on the old-school method of waxing and the pain that it can involve, IPL is a quick and fuss free alternative. Offered at multiple salons islandwide, this permanent hair-reduction treatment uses light to target the hair pigment and destroy the hair follicles. Shenton Way beauty salon SkinFitness offers IPL services that use an advanced cooling technology that ensures fast treatments, and maximum comfort and protection with each pulse of light, making the treatment virtually pain-free. Treated areas should be shaved three days before, and you should avoid sunbathing, swimming and the sauna for 24 hours after your IPL session. A course of six sessions with a four-to-six-week interval is recommended for effective long-term hair reduction and maximum results.
Try it now!
Not sure if IPL is the best option for you? SkinFitness offers a free trial where you can chat with a therapist and learn more about how it works. During your consultation, a patch test will be conducted on your skin so you can experience the treatment first before deciding if you’re suitable for it.
Skin Fitness
One Shenton Way, #01-03
8809 0848 | skinfitness.com.sg
Visage: Waxing
Just a short walk from Orchard MRT station, Visage is most known for its tried-and-tested blonde hair treatments and efficient waxing services. The soft wax used here contains chamomile for smoothing, but you can also opt for hard wax instead if you have extra-sensitive skin.
Here’s how it works: the waxing strip is applied, then pulled in the direction of the hair growth. First timers may find it more painful than those who wax regularly, but with each waxing session, it gets less painful over time. Plus, waxing is better than shaving because the hair growth is slower and it causes less in-grown hair. The hair that regrows after waxing tends to be less rough and less thick as well.
Hear from our reviewer:
“It was my first time at this popular salon, which has been in operation for more than 20 years in the same location – a testament to the service they provide. Eight different types of wax are available, depending on your skin type and the colour and texture of the hair. For my bikini line, my therapist used wax strips and muslin strips, and it was pretty much pain-free! The whole treatment took around 30 minutes in total. I’ll definitely be back for a second session.” – Jacqui Young, Integrated Communications Manager
Visage
#02-11/14 Delfi Orchard
402 Orchard Road
The Aesthetics Centre: Laser
Medical-grade lasers work by emitting a single wavelength of light, maximising laser penetration to the targeted area. This light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair, blasting the hair itself without harming the skin or the hair follicle. In most cases, you can expect a reduction of 15 to 20 percent after the first session. An average of six sessions is required at The Aesthetics Centre, depending on the individual. If you have tanned or dark skin, laser hair removal is often considered safer than IPL.
The Aesthetics Centre
#01-33 Great World City (Office Tower) 1 Kim Seng Promenade
6820 3308 | theaestheticscentre.com
The Aesthetic Studio: Broadband Light (BBL)
Try BBL hair removal, which uses photo-epilation, at The Aesthetic Studio. While it’s still a light source, this system works differently than conventional laser systems, using a broad spectrum of light with wavelengths ranging from 590 to 1200nm. Light energy is absorbed into the targeted hair follicles without affecting the surrounding skin tissue. The wavelengths emit light energy in carefully timed pulses to maximise the effectiveness of the treatment. At the same time, pain is minimised and the risk of skin damage reduced.
The Aesthetic Studio
3 Mount Elizabeth
6737 1100 | aestheticstudio.com.sg
Sugared: Sugaring
This waxing alternative offered at Sugared is an epilation method that uses a 100 percent water-soluble sugar paste. Made from white sugar, water and lemon juice, the all-natural paste is completely safe for the skin. While sugaring isn’t entirely painless, it’s typically less painful than common waxing methods and helps to remove dead skin cells at the same time. Since the paste is applied at body temperature, there isn’t any risk of scalding, either.
Sugared
• 733 Bukit Timah Road | 6816 6288
• 79 East Coast Road | 6816 6530
• 22A Keong Saik Road | 6816 0828
sugared.com.sg
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This article first appeared in the May 2019 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
