We all dream of long-lasting hair-free legs and a bikini line without stubbly hairs or razor burn, ideally without much effort. More and more women and men are therefore opting for a permanent solution: there are now numerous permanent hair removal methods that make razors and epilators look outdated.
Our comparison of bikini-line hair removal will help you choose the right method specifically for the intimate area.
But not every option is suitable for every skin and hair type—the chances of success can vary greatly. In this article, you will learn which hair removal method is best for you and which treatment will keep your skin smooth for the longest time. We also introduce the advantages and disadvantages of five different permanent hair removal methods and tell you what you need to consider when choosing one.
Vergleich auf einen Blick
Which method is right for you?
Five methods, six criteria—summarised from the sections below. You can find the details on benefits and limitations in each method section.
| Kriterium | LaserLight, targeted | IPLBroad-spectrum light | SHRLight, in-motion | ElectrolysisElectricity, each hair individually | WaxingWaxnicht dauerhaft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Besonders geeignet für | Dark hair on light skin | Dark hair on light skin, also at home | Light hair, gentle treatment | Small areas, including those with tattoos or moles | Trying it without a permanent commitment |
| Haut- und Haartyp | The darker the hair, the better; three-wavelength diode lasers for all types | Hair darker than skin; not for light hair | All types, including light hair | Every skin and hair type | Almost all; not for sensitive skin or allergies |
| Haltbarkeit | Usually at least one year, often several years | Long-lasting with regular use | Designed for permanence; duration is not quantified in the article | The most permanent of the methods listed | Several weeks |
| Schmerz und Empfinden | Usually only a slight tingling sensation | Not entirely painless | Largely painless | Often painful; local anaesthetic possible | Noticeable at first, usually less over time |
| Sitzungen und Zeitaufwand | 6–8 sessions, about every 6 weeks | Fast per area, several sessions | Several sessions | Very high: 300–800 hairs per hour | Regularly; hair must be at least 0.4 cm long |
| Profi oder Zuhause | Professional treatment only | Both; home devices are less powerful | Professional treatment | Professionals only | Professional application recommended |
| Zum Kapitel | Mehr zu Laser | Mehr zu IPL | Mehr zu SHR | Mehr zu Electrolysis | Mehr zu Waxing |
LaserLight, targetedBesonders geeignet fürDark hair on light skin
- Haut- und Haartyp
- The darker the hair, the better; three-wavelength diode lasers for all types
- Haltbarkeit
- Usually at least one year, often several years
- Schmerz und Empfinden
- Usually only a slight tingling sensation
- Sitzungen und Zeitaufwand
- 6–8 sessions, about every 6 weeks
- Profi oder Zuhause
- Professional treatment only
IPLBroad-spectrum lightBesonders geeignet fürDark hair on light skin, also at home
- Haut- und Haartyp
- Hair darker than skin; not for light hair
- Haltbarkeit
- Long-lasting with regular use
- Schmerz und Empfinden
- Not entirely painless
- Sitzungen und Zeitaufwand
- Fast per area, several sessions
- Profi oder Zuhause
- Both; home devices are less powerful
SHRLight, in-motionBesonders geeignet fürLight hair, gentle treatment
- Haut- und Haartyp
- All types, including light hair
- Haltbarkeit
- Designed for permanence; duration is not quantified in the article
- Schmerz und Empfinden
- Largely painless
- Sitzungen und Zeitaufwand
- Several sessions
- Profi oder Zuhause
- Professional treatment
ElectrolysisElectricity, each hair individuallyBesonders geeignet fürSmall areas, including those with tattoos or moles
- Haut- und Haartyp
- Every skin and hair type
- Haltbarkeit
- The most permanent of the methods listed
- Schmerz und Empfinden
- Often painful; local anaesthetic possible
- Sitzungen und Zeitaufwand
- Very high: 300–800 hairs per hour
- Profi oder Zuhause
- Professionals only
WaxingWaxnicht dauerhaftBesonders geeignet fürTrying it without a permanent commitment
- Haut- und Haartyp
- Almost all; not for sensitive skin or allergies
- Haltbarkeit
- Several weeks
- Schmerz und Empfinden
- Noticeable at first, usually less over time
- Sitzungen und Zeitaufwand
- Regularly; hair must be at least 0.4 cm long
- Profi oder Zuhause
- Professional application recommended
Permanent Hair Removal Methods: Enjoy Smooth Skin Thanks to Laser Treatment
With the help of the classic among permanent hair removal methods, laser treatment, also for men, your unwanted hairs are literally tackled at the root: the laser beam sends a precisely measured pulse of light onto the skin, which travels through the hair to the hair root (follicle). Melanin (the pigment responsible for your natural hair colour) absorbs the light energy and converts it into heat, which in turn permanently destroys the surrounding hair-producing cells so that no more hair grows back. The laser is guided centimetre by centimetre over the shaved skin.
This treatment must be performed professionally, because the pulse intensity and energy level are individually adjusted to your hair and skin type in advance.
At Sanft und Schön in Berlin Mitte, we work with a special diode-laser technology that reaches three different wavelengths (755 nm, 808 nm, 1064 nm) with one handpiece. Unlike conventional laser treatments, which work smoothly only on dark hair and light skin, the high-performance laser modules of diode-laser technology guarantee an effective, gentle treatment that can be used for all skin and hair types. Thanks to the variable wavelength, hair follicles at different skin depths and in different skin types can be reached and permanently destroyed without affecting the surrounding tissue.
The 755 nm wavelength (also called the Alexandrite laser) has strong melanin absorption and is therefore particularly suitable for light or fine hairs close to the surface.
Speed Hair Removal with a wavelength of 808 nm, on the other hand, has moderate melanin absorption but penetrates very deeply into the hair follicles—ideal for darker skin types. Incidentally, the name says it all: anyone seeking fast and effective permanent hair removal cannot go wrong with this laser gold standard.
For particularly dark skin types, we recommend the Nd:YAG laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm, which absorbs only small amounts of melanin. Even the deepest hair follicles are reached by this laser, so that deeply situated, firmly anchored hairs can be removed without difficulty. Determine your skin type in this article.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Laser Treatment
Vorteile
- Normally, after the laser hair removal method you will be free of unwanted hair for at least a year—and often for several years—because the hair roots have been permanently damaged.
- If hairs do grow back, there are often fewer of them, and they are much lighter and finer.
- This permanent hair removal method is also virtually painless. During treatment, you usually feel only a slight tingling sensation, which is the reaction to the destruction of the hair root in the follicle.
- Three-wavelength diode lasers make treatment possible for all skin types.
Zu beachten
- A disadvantage of laser hair removal is the lengthy treatment period: depending on the body area and its size, you need to expect six to eight treatments about six weeks apart. The reason is that your hairs can only be treated during active growth phases. If the hair root is reached in its resting phase, the desired effect will not occur. Normally, only 15 to 30 percent of hairs are in the growth phase. To reach all hairs while active, treatment must continue over a longer period.
- Permanent hair removal by laser (apart from the three-wavelength diode laser) is not suitable for every hair type: patients with light or grey hair should avoid the method, as these hairs contain too little or no melanin and do not stand out sufficiently from adjacent areas of skin.
- If the skin is very dark, on the other hand, the laser does not reach the hair root at all but is absorbed at the skin’s surface, which can result in burns.
- Very fine hair cannot be detected and removed by the laser either.
Who Is Laser Treatment Suitable For?
In general, the darker the hair is for laser treatment, the better, because the laser needs contrast. Dark hair on light skin is therefore ideal for laser treatment. Laser hair removal is also suitable for every part of the body—provided the area is not tattooed. Otherwise, not only the hair roots but also the tattoo would be destroyed.
You can find risks you should know about laser hair removal here.
Permanent Hair Removal with IPL: The Solution for Home?
Similar to laser treatment, IPL hair removal (Intense Pulsed Light) also sends pulses of light to the hair root, where they are converted into heat, destroying the hair root and causing the hair to fall out. The biggest difference between the two permanent hair removal methods lies in the type of light used: IPL uses intensely pulsed light. Here, the hair is exposed over a large area to a broad spectrum of rays of different wavelengths. The pulsed light is absorbed by melanin and passed on to the hair root, which heats up as a result. In most cases, however, the hair does not fall out immediately, but is only shed by the body after about one to two weeks.
IPL devices for home use have also been available to buy for some time. However, many users complain that the hair does not disappear completely despite regular, correct use. This is simply because home IPL devices work with significantly lower light intensity to prevent burns.
For darker areas under the arms, it makes sense to consider the effects of laser treatment and waxing on the skin; learn more in our article on dark underarms.
Advantages and Disadvantages of IPL Treatment
Vorteile
- Whether hair removal on the legs, bikini line or underarms—in principle, the IPL method can be used on any part of the body.
- Unlike laser treatment, IPL hair removal works faster because a larger area of skin is exposed to light and several hairs are destroyed at the same time.
- IPL can also be used at home.
- The IPL method promises a long-lasting effect. Those who repeat the application regularly can significantly reduce hair growth in the treated areas of the body—without the annoying daily shaving.
- The hairs also become lighter and finer. Thanks to individual IPL-device settings for the skin’s melanin content, the procedure is gentle on the skin and low-risk.
Zu beachten
- The key problem with IPL hair removal is that the broad spectrum of rays exposes not only hair roots but also tattoos or skin blood vessels to high light energy. As a rule, nothing should be exposed to light unless it is the target of treatment!
- Although IPL works quickly, several sessions are needed.
- Unfortunately, the rumour that IPL is more harmless and painless is not true: the method does not work without some pain.
- The risk of incorrect treatment also increases because anyone can buy an IPL device and use it without qualifications.
- IPL treatment is only possible when the hair root is in its growth phase and is not suitable for patients with light hair.
Who Is IPL Treatment Suitable For?
As with laser treatment, hair colour is the decisive factor in the effectiveness of IPL. Consequently, IPL is particularly suitable for dark hair types, because the higher proportion of melanin makes it possible for light to heat the hair root. Above all, however, the hair must be darker than the skin, just as with laser treatment. The greater the colour contrast, the better.
But be careful: is your skin relatively dark? In that case, you should opt for professional laser hair removal, because it is more selective. The energy is concentrated exclusively on the hair follicle and not on the surrounding skin. For dark skin types, laser treatment is therefore the safer choice.
Permanent Hair Removal Methods—SHR for Silky-Smooth Skin
The abbreviation SHR stands for Super Hair Removal and is a further development of IPL treatment. This new permanent hair removal technology uses the “in-motion method.” In other words, the area of skin to be treated is passed over evenly several times with the laser head and heated—similar to an iron. Pulses of light are continuously emitted onto the skin, absorbed by the surrounding tissue and passed on to the hair root. The heat energy alters the root’s growth proteins so that it can no longer produce new hair. Unlike IPL technology, not one strong pulse but several small pulses are applied to the skin. The SHR method works with low energy and, in return, a higher repetition rate.
Advantages and Disadvantages of SHR Treatment
Vorteile
- SHR treatment is a particularly gentle method of permanent hair removal. It is therefore especially kind to the skin and is largely painless, without a risk of burns.
- With this technology, the body’s own pigment melanin accounts for only 50 percent of the optimal transfer of heat to the hair root. The SHR laser also acts on the stem cells responsible for hair production and therefore hair growth.
- Due to the low energy density combined with the high repetition rate, the skin is heated gently. To illustrate: IPL hair removal heats the skin to 70 degrees, whereas SHR technology heats tissue only to 45 degrees.
- This means that lighter hair can also be treated and permanently removed more effectively.
Zu beachten
- Even with SHR hair removal, hairs in the resting phase cannot be reached and removed. Patience is therefore required, as several sessions are needed to successfully and permanently treat all hairs in the growth phase.
- Tattooed areas of skin should not be treated either: the risk that the colours will react to the pulses of light and change is quite high.
Who Is SHR Treatment Suitable For?
SHR treatment offers a wide range of applications: because the technology uses less energy and heat, this permanent hair removal method is suitable for all patients—regardless of age, hair colour and skin type. People with light skin and light hair can also enjoy permanently smooth skin thanks to the SHR procedure. With dark skin or dark hair, however, care must be taken to use little energy, because the greater proportion of melanin absorbs the energy of the light particularly well.
Electrolysis: Permanent Hair Removal Using Electricity
Electrolysis—also called needle epilation—is a permanent hair removal method in which every hair is removed individually with its root. A fine probe, matched to the particular hair thickness and follicle depth, is inserted along the hair into each hair canal individually, all the way to the hair root. A precisely measured electrical pulse sent directly into the hair follicle destroys it and prevents new hairs from growing back. Finally, the hair is removed with tweezers.
There are three different types of electrolysis: galvanic electrolysis uses direct current, which destroys the follicle through a chemical reaction. The second method—thermolysis—destroys the hair root with heat using high-frequency alternating current. The third method, the so-called blend method, is a combination of the first two forms, with alternating current used to speed up the process. The hair removal process is the same for all methods; they differ only in how they work.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Electrolysis
Vorteile
- Needle or electrical epilation is not limited to a particular skin or hair type. Compared with most other permanent hair removal methods, it can also reliably and easily remove light hair.
- Another advantage of this treatment is its pinpoint application: electrical pulses are sent precisely to the relevant area without damaging the surrounding skin. This makes electrolysis particularly suitable for areas of skin marked by moles or tattoos.
- This type of hair removal is the most permanent and the only method that prevents hair growth for years. The treatment therefore promises very good prospects of success—provided the hair root is completely destroyed.
Zu beachten
- It is clear that electrolysis is an extremely time-consuming procedure: every hair is treated individually, and only small areas of skin at a time. A skilled specialist can treat between 300 and 800 hairs per hour.
- If the work is not carried out carefully, the prospects of success are low: if the electrical pulse is not enough to destroy the hair root, it can still irritate it, causing the hair to grow even more strongly than before.
- Scars can even remain if the procedure is performed incorrectly. It is therefore especially important to consult an expert in this field.
- Compared with other permanent hair removal methods, this treatment is also the most expensive and painful. How severe the pain is depends on the type of current. Many patients therefore request a local anaesthetic. There is a painless option in which the hair is simply grasped with special current-carrying tweezers, but irritating the hair root in this case can cause the hair to grow back particularly coarse.
Who Is Electrolysis Suitable For?
Electrolysis promises results for every skin and hair type—whether light or dark. Unlike other permanent hair removal methods, a particular hair type is therefore not essential. Here, too, dark hairs are somewhat easier to remove than light ones, as the latter are usually finer and therefore harder to destroy. However, a good result can also be achieved after several sessions for patients with light skin and light hair. Electrolysis is also especially suitable for small and tattooed areas of the body.
Old but Gold: Hair Removal with Wax
Strictly speaking, waxing is, of course, not a permanent hair removal method. Nevertheless, it offers an ideal alternative for anyone who is still undecided about whether they really want to say goodbye to unwanted hair altogether. Thanks to wax hair removal, you can enjoy smooth skin for up to four weeks and leave the razor or epilator safely in the bathroom cabinet for the time being. At our Sanft & Schön beauty salon in Berlin Mitte, you can have your hair professionally removed with warm wax. First, the warmed, liquid wax is applied to the area of the body to be treated with a wooden spatula. After a few seconds, it is pulled off again with a quick motion in the direction opposite to hair growth, taking the hair root with it. By the way: on the face, waxing not only removes unwanted hairs but also dead skin cells and blackheads, making it ideal if you want to shrink large pores.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Waxing
Vorteile
- A clear advantage of warm-wax epilation is its thorough and long-lasting effect: because the hair is removed together with the root, it takes between two and eight weeks to grow back.
- In addition, waxing is more hygienic and safer than many other permanent hair removal methods. The risk of causing unsightly infections or inflammation is considerably lower.
- And last but not least: hair growth is significantly slower in regularly waxed areas of the body. This means you can enjoy smooth skin for longer. Hair also grows back softer and finer after waxing and leaves no prickly stubble.
Zu beachten
- The treatment is certainly not entirely painless—especially the first time—but with every session the hairs become finer and fewer, so the pain decreases.
- In general, the waxing method only works on hairs that are at least 0.4 cm long. You therefore have to be able to live with a light fuzz on your skin before treatment.
- The waxing method is also very complicated for inexperienced people. In addition, hairs that are not correctly removed with the root grow back even faster. It is therefore easiest and safest to leave waxing to a professional.
Who Is Waxing Suitable For?
(Semi-permanent) hair removal with wax is suitable for virtually everyone. Waxing is also an effortless way for people with light hair and skin types to get rid of unwanted hair for the long term without spending much time. You can use it on all parts of the body and all hairs that bother you. However, the waxing method is not suitable for people with sensitive skin or allergies and skin conditions.
Permanent Hair Removal Methods: The Right Treatment for You
Silky-smooth and radiant skin—long-lasting without effort: there are numerous permanent hair removal methods that make your dream come true and banish annoying hairs for (almost) ever. Each procedure has its own advantages and disadvantages and is not suitable for everyone. Whichever method you choose, you should always see a specialist and have the treatment performed professionally, because there you will receive comprehensive, individual advice. During a preliminary consultation, all your unanswered questions will also be addressed and your concerns taken seriously. At Sanft & Schön in Berlin Mitte, we see it as our responsibility to ensure that you receive the treatment that is right for you.
Always keep in mind: permanent is relative, and hair growth differs from person to person. Hormonal changes or genetic predisposition can naturally change hair growth again. Permanent hair removal also does not work overnight, but is a longer process that often requires several treatments. Special care is required after the individual sessions too, so as not to put additional strain on your already irritated skin. Healthy skincare is therefore essential after hair removal!
We are also happy to provide facial treatments in Berlin, such as microneedling, an Aquafacial and microdermabrasion, or acne treatments.