There are dozens of ways to tackle hair removal, one of the most widespread and popular being Intense Pulsed Light (better known as IPL). IPL has a reputation for being effective, safe, and beneficial in more ways than one.
Of course, there are alternatives to this advanced, user-friendly technology. One of these is hair removal cream. While it can be tempting to run to the nearest drug store and purchase one of these hair removal creams for just a few dollars, the real cost of using these products can be more than you bargained for.
IPL is safe, but are the alternatives? There are more dangers lurking behind pretty hair removal cream packaging than you could imagine, so think twice before putting it anywhere near your body.
What Is IPL?
To understand why IPL is so effective for hair removal, it’s important to understand exactly what this cosmetic procedure does. IPL is a type of light therapy, but it’s not the same as a laser treatment. Instead of using one hyper-focused wavelength of light, IPL uses several different wavelengths.
This difference means that IPL is able to penetrate down to the second layer of your skin without causing any damage to the first layer. This is only one of the reasons that IPL is considered a leading way to remove undesired body hair.
The benefits of using IPL don’t stop there, however. If you’re seeking glowier, more youthful skin, here’s a potential solution. This treatment minimizes blemishes such as age spots, sun spots, acne scars, varicose veins, and even rosacea.
In a word, IPL is versatile. This effective technology can help you enhance the appearance of your skin in a myriad of ways. People also praise IPL for its hair removal ability. If you don’t want to expose your skin to harsh chemicals or burning wax, there are other options. The IPL technology is the leading way to get the smooth skin you want without any of the pain or burning of other techniques.
What Is Hair Removal Cream?
The scientific term for hair removal cream is a “depilatory.” This means a hair removal agent that is typically available in the form of cream. Depilatories work by breaking down the bonds in the hair, which makes it much easier to remove than it would be otherwise.
While depilatories are a popular strategy for hair removal, it can be confusing to understand how exactly they work - especially considering there isn’t a whole lot of information on the bottle about how it happens. The process typically takes somewhere between just five and ten minutes to work.
Fast, cheap, and easy are three reasons why people decide to go with depilatories to remove their unwanted body hair. But before you make a decision to use one, you should be well-aware of what’s actually going on with your body when you do and why it can actually be dangerous to use these beauty products.
What Are The Hair Removal Cream Safety Concerns?
For one, the fact that it takes a cream only five to ten minutes to remove your hair might raise a red flag to you. The reality is that depilatories are made up of chemicals with long, fancy, confusing names.
These chemicals are partly responsible for the odor that you might smell when you open the cap. Sometimes, there’s a scent added to disguise the chemical smell, but chances are you’ll still catch a hint of some of it.
In addition to this, there’s the opportunity to seriously injure yourself using that seemingly harmless hair removal cream. These products contain strong chemicals. If you use the product incorrectly or even leave it on for a few minutes too long, you can find that you’re left with painful blisters because the chemical burned your skin.
Many people also find it to be irritating how quickly hair regrows when you’re using a depilatory. While the results might be great initially, your hair will begin to reappear rather quickly.
Another thing to take into account before you lather up your skin with a depilatory is that you may have an allergic reaction to one of the chemical ingredients. This can cause blistering, a rash, or beyond.
Your skin is sensitive - it is an organ, after all! If you’re looking to treat it with kindness, depilatories are not the way to go.
Depilatories might be widespread, but that doesn’t mean that they’re right for your skin. Especially if you have sensitive skin, putting this harsh hair removal cream on it can create a painful situation.
Are There Safety Concerns For IPL?
Now that you’ve learned all about the safety concerns surrounding depilatories, you might be considering IPL as a less dangerous option. For one, you can still complete an IPL treatment from the comfort of your own home - there’s no need to visit your dermatologist or a local spa.
As for IPL safety concerns, there have been a variety of international studies that have demonstrated that not only is IPL safe, it’s also effective (A win-win!).
Of course, you have to be cautious whenever you complete any kind of at-home cosmetic procedure - that comes with the territory. IPL isn’t for everyone; if you’re breastfeeding or pregnant, avoid IPL treatments out of precaution. In addition to this, if you have epilepsy, this isn’t the hair removal treatment for you because it does have a bright light.
Finally, because of the level of melanin in the skin, some people with darker skin types and tones might not be able to use IPL. This could also be true if you recently got a tan.
If you’re on a medication that makes your skin extra sensitive to the light, such as some types of acne medication, check with your doctor first before you complete IPL treatment. As always, if you have questions, you should ask your healthcare provider to make sure you’re taking the appropriate course of action for your individual skin and body.
Why It's Important
When you feel confident in your own skin, your whole life changes. You’re able to put your best foot forward, feel great, and look great, too. There is nothing comparable to the boost of confidence you get when you’re comfortable in your body.
For some women, getting rid of undesired hair is a way of reclaiming their body or celebrating their femininity. For others, it’s keeping the hair. However you prefer your body hair is your own personal preference. Studies suggest that over 99% of American women choose to remove their body hair. If you find yourself in this percentage, putting IPL technology to good use is a great option.
It’s also important that you feel comfortable with the strategy you use to remove your body hair and that you understand the process of how it works. Your skin is an organ, and treating it as such can help you make the most of it. Hair removal creams might be quick and convenient, but is that really how you want to treat your body’s largest organ? Do you really want to just swipe some chemicals you don’t know much about on it? There are better ways to take care of your skin, and IPL is one of them.
Also, IPL is a great option because you can do it on your own time - just like you would a depilatory. There’s no reason to sit around waiting for a spa or dermatologist appointment - not to mention you might feel more comfortable with hair removal in your own home.
If you’re looking for a safe way to feel your best, IPL might just be what you’re looking for. There’s no chance that you’re going to have a reaction to chemicals or get a chemical burn. There might be some slight discomfort after the treatment, but this usually does not last very long.
In Summary
You want to look and feel great - because that’s what you deserve. For some people, getting rid of undesired hair really can provide that little boost of confidence that’s needed. If that’s the case for you, don’t wait another minute to check out KENZZI’s at-home IPL treatment.
KENZZI’s treatment is unique because it not only is suitable for hair removal, it also gives your skin a boost in a variety of different ways. If you’re looking to glow from the inside out, reclaim your skin with KENZZI. IPL is a great way to treat blemishes, rosacea, skin impurities, acne scars, and more. There’s no need to just keep it to hair removal. Get the most out of your product.
While the upfront investment of purchasing a KENZZI product is a bit more than buying a depilatory from the drugstore, the benefits truly outweigh the costs. If you want to avoid the potential of chemical burns and use a product that will help you shine, KENZZI’s the place to start.
It’s time that you reclaim your skin. How you treat your body makes a difference, and how you treat your skin can impact the way you present yourself. You deserve the boost of self-esteem and confidence that feeling at home in your own skin will provide you with.
Sources:
Depilatory Hair Removal Creams 101 | Byrdie
America's hair-removal insanity | Salon.com
