Shaving, tweezing, using a chemical depilatory, there are a lot of ways people can remove hair at home. But most of the methods of DIY hair removal provide short-term results or can cause damage to the skin. People looking for longer-lasting hair removal results or who want to get rid of hair from hard-to-reach areas often choose to see a licensed esthetician for hair removal.
In esthetician training, you're likely to study several methods of hair removal, depending on the program you're in. Take a look at two common hair removal methods offered by estheticians to see how they differ and the benefits of each one.
Waxing
Some hair removal techniques cut the hair off at the surface of the skin. Shaving, for example, cuts the hair but leaves the follicle intact. After shaving, hair grows back quickly.
Other hair removal techniques remove the entire piece of hair from the follicle. Physically removing each strand of hair means that it will take much longer for the hair to grow back, allowing people to enjoy a smoother, hair-free appearance for longer.
Waxing is one example of a hair removal technique that removes the entire hair. It's also a technique you'll learn during an esthetician training program.
There are several types of wax that you can use to remove hair. Hard wax is applied to the hair and left to harden. As the wax hardens, hair becomes stuck in it. Once the wax is set, the esthetician removes it, taking the hair along with it.
Another type of wax is soft wax, which has a consistency like honey. The esthetician applies the wax to the desired areas, then places a strip of fabric on top of it. They pull on the strip to remove the wax and hair.
Sugaring is a third type of wax-based hair removal method you're likely to learn during esthetician training. Sugaring is similar to a soft wax in some ways but notably different in others. During a sugaring session, a paste made of lemon juice and sugar is applied to the skin and hair. It's less sticky than wax and is often recommended for the removal of finer hairs.
As part of your esthetician training, you'll learn the benefits of using each type of wax and when it's most appropriate to use each one. You'll also learn how to apply and remove the wax to improve comfort and to help your clients get the smoothest results possible.
Laser Hair Removal
Paramedical estheticians often work at medical practices and medical spas. They learn the same techniques as estheticians, and then some. One of the techniques a paramedical esthetician is likely to learn is laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal is a semi-permanent method of removing unwanted hair. During treatment, a trained and licensed esthetician uses a device to aim a laser beam at the follicles of unwanted hairs. The pigment in the hair absorbs the energy from the laser beam, creating heat. The heat destroys the follicle, causing the hair to fall out. The follicle should be damaged enough that new hair doesn't grow from it.
Laser hair removal offers several benefits compared to waxing and other hair removal methods. While many people will need more than one treatment session for laser hair removal, the results do last longer than other methods.
Since the technique uses laser energy, it's very important that it only be performed by someone with the appropriate training. There's a risk of injury, such as burns, when laser hair removal is performed by an inexperienced person.
The esthetician and paramedical esthetician training programs at Cortiva Institute Massage Therapy and Skin Care Schools prepare you for a career in the beauty and wellness industry. Request more information to learn more about the skills you'll gain and the techniques you'll learn in our programs. .