A Grazia staffer puts the latest and greatest beauty innovations to the test.
The candidate: Amanda Spackman, online producer
The mission, should you choose to accept it: Laser hair removal. Imagine getting rid of all that pesky hair forever — well, sort of. It's as close to permanent as you'll get. If you’re sick of spending hundreds of dollars each month on painful waxing, I recommend you invest in a course of laser hair removal treatments.
The case in favour: Laser hair removal makes waxing look like a thing of the past, and I have to say it's been my best investment for 2008 (along with that Isabel Marant dress I bought last week). After three laser treatments the treated hair was barely visible. After five sessions, I bet you're wondering what was left? Well, you'll be pleased to learn I have smooth, hairless skin that I no longer have to worry about. The good news keeps on coming — for the most part, small-area treatments take only five minutes per session (obviously arms and legs take a bit longer). Laser also works wonders on facial hair, so if you're conscious about that unwanted lip hair or eyebrow strays, this is the treatment for you.
The case against: I won’t lie — it can be a little painful — some who've tried it have said the pain is like a rubber band sting, but for me I thought it was practically pain-free. The darker the hair the less painful, as it's easier for the light to penetrate the hair follicle. Providing your therapist is using the cooling device, you'll be fine. The device cools the skin on contact and the treatment will be less painful.
Laser vs waxing: Laser treatment doesn't come cheap, but when you calculate the cost of waxing vs laser, the money you save is ah-mazing. Take your underarms for example. Just say you spend an average of $20 per month, that's $240 per year on waxing — in five years you will have spent a whopping $1200. And the hair keeps growing back! Compare that to investing just $240 on six underarm laser treatments (around $40 per session) and you might only have to get a top-up every six to 12 months, but hey, it’s well worth it, we think.
The verdict: I'm hairless. It's time to say farewell to razors and waxing forever. Laser is a safe and effective treatment and, like I said, it's my best investment for the year.
I went for my laser treatment at City Laser Clinic, Sydney NSW (02 9232 8090, www.citylaserclinic.com.au )
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