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, which means more time for being in your cozzie!
Chez Moi de Beaute
Sharplight IPL-DPC
Combining intense pulsed light (IPL) with dynamic pulse control (DPC), this advanced hair-reduction technology allows for a safe, precise and pain-free treatment that works for different hair and skin types – even those with lighter hair colours and darker skin tones. It’s available at Chez Moi de Beaute, a family-run, boutique beauty salon conveniently located in Far East Plaza.
Here’s how it works: the device emits a light beam that’s absorbed by the hair into the hair follicle. This light energy turns into heat energy that coagulates the melanin in the follicle and destroys it. As a result, hair growth slows down and reduces with time.
The non-invasive treatment involves using a contact cooling device head that soothes the skin and ensures a comfortable session without the need for any IPL gel or numbing cream. During the treatment, you may feel a slight, momentary stinging sensation. At the end of the treatment, a soothing gel is applied over the area and you’ll be told of the appropriate after-care plan.
As each session is only able to target the 20 to 25 percent of hair follicles that are in the active growth phase, a series of six to eight sessions, four to eight weeks apart, are needed for maximum results.
Chez Moi de Beaute
#04-75/65 Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road
6738 6108 | chezmoi.com.sg
Sugar(ed)
Sugaring
With four locations islandwide, Sugar(ed) is the biggest sugaring studio in Singapore.
This age-old epilation method is well-loved for many reasons. Sugaring is 100 percent natural and safe for all skin conditions – including those with sensitive skin or eczema. The bacteria-resistant, water-soluble paste that’s used during each session is made of just three ingredients: water, lemon juice and sugar. The sugar paste is directly applied to the skin at body temperature, which means there’s no risk of scalding, unlike in waxing that requires heat to work. Then, the sugarist flicks off the paste, removing hair from the roots in its natural direction of growth. This results in hair regrowth that is slower, finer, softer and lighter in colour. Over time, you can expect reduced hair growth, in addition to fewer ingrown hairs. Another reason to book? Sugaring also helps to remove dead skin cells at the same time, so you can look forward to brighter-looking skin immediately after!
Editor’s Pick
After your session, follow up with the Phenomenall Skin Repair ($90) from sugaring after-care brand Alexandria Professional, available at Sugar(ed) outlets and at the online store. Formulated with clary, rosewood and grapefruit oils, the multi-purpose cream helps to prevent ingrown hair and relieve irritation. The gentle and vegan-friendly formula is suitable even for those with sensitive skin, and can be used to soothe skin issues including eczema, as well as lighten scars or stretch marks.
Sugar(ed)
Bukit Timah, Katong, Downtown, Upper Thomson
sugared.com.sg
EstheClinic
IPL
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…Don’t miss EstheClinic’s newest location in Lorong Liput, Holland Village, which replaced the 44 Rochester Park branch in May 2020.
EstheClinic
Supersmooth
Laser
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 Road
6221 2203 | supersmooth.com.sg
Pink Parlour
Waxing
Hear from our reviewer:
“With five convenient locations across the island, local beauty spot Pink Parlour has made a name for itself in the waxing scene since 2005.
As it was a week leading up to my beach honeymoon, I jumped at the opportunity to review a service and popped by the Jurong Point branch for a quick Brazilian wax ($60). The first thing that struck me was how clean and spotless the salon was! Albeit a cosy space, the room was tidy and uncluttered. Hygiene is a priority here; there’s even a small shower booth for each customer to wash up before the waxing begins.
Hard wax is used for the sensitive and delicate Brazilian area, which helps to reduce the pain. Soft wax is also used to remove stubborn hair. Following this is an application of the salon’s in-house blend: an antiseptic and moisturising lotion for post-wax care. The best part? The whole session only took 10 minutes!
– ANTHIA CHNG
Don’t miss
Save when you opt for a package – there’s a fab deal that gives you three complimentary sessions when you buy nine.
Pink Parlour
#B1-17 Capitol Piazza
3 Stamford Rd
pinkparlour.asia/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
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