Laser Hair Removal – What You Need to Know!

Are you rather sick of tweezing, waxing and shaving?

There has always been a strong desire amongst women to eliminate the offending hair on their body. Some women have a harder time achieving this than others – those of us with a darker complexion find our hair is thicker and more noticeable. An ominous, dark line of hair above the lip is not considered, in most circles, to be a desirable fashion statement. In addition to this, in the last 20 years or so, more and more women, fair, dark, black or yellow are choosing to eradicate, usually through waxing, all evidence of hair in the more intimate nooks and crannies of their anatomy. So, the fashionable trend is the acquisition of the hairless body.

But how best to achieve this without having to spend copious amounts of time, usually every 4-5 weeks for waxing, in the beauty salon?

 

Nd Yag Laser Hair Removal

At The well:skin we use Nd Yag laser hair removal. This latest laser technology is causing a real stir in the world of beauty as it ticks so many boxes for effective and efficient hair removal. On top of which, it is inexpensive – especially when compared to waxing.

Nd Yag laser hair removal is designed to remove hair permanently, using the light energy from a powerful laser beam. In most cases, even if permanent removal is not achieved, it certainly retards re-growth significantly. Its other main benefit is that it can remove hair from a large area of the body and is not confined to use on the small areas of the body. This is a great benefit for men who want to be rid of what they perceive to be unsightly back hair and, for some men, chest hair. Treatment of larger areas is effective and rapid thus saving a lot of time.

 

What Happens During a Laser Hair Removal Session?

Firstly, the area in question is cleaned and shaved thoroughly.  The powerful laser beam is then focused on the pigment in the hair follicles and an air cooling device is used to minimise discomfort. The absorption of the beams of light then damage the surrounding follicle and growth is retarded or permanently halted.

 

Is Removal of Hair by a Laser Safe?

Nd Yag Laser hair removal is proven to be a very safe procedure. Leading practitioners recommend you should ensure that your practitioner has the VTCT level 4 laser specific qualification. This level is currently the highest level achievable. Do check this out with your beauty salon before embarking on a course of treatment. As you’d expect all our Laser Hair Removal therapists are qualified to this level.

 

Is Laser Hair Removal painful?

Most patients report that laser hair removal sessions are not painful, but do expect a little discomfort.

Depending on the length of the session (they range from 10 minutes to 90 minutes), some redness or swelling may be in evidence. However, for most people this is very short-lived and the treatment rarely interrupts normal life.

 

Popular Areas of the Body

Facial hair removal is a very popular for both women and men. Women love banishing unsightly facial hair growth and men can even eliminate the need for the daily shave. As this area is a relatively small area of the body, the treatments can be as short of 30 minutes. In most cases, only 4-6 sessions are required in total to achieve permanent hair removal.

Also, a large, growing number of women (and men) like to be hairless in the intimate areas of the body and laser hair removal is like an answer to their prayers because within only 4-6 sessions, of, on average, 50 minutes, the hair can be eradicated from this area of the body permanently, for most people. Clients love the heightened feeling of hygiene in that area of the body, not to mention the heightened awareness of sensation in that area.

Indeed, laser hair removal treatments can work on any areas of the body; arms, legs….

 

Does Laser Hair Removal Suit all Skin Types?

Laser hair removal can be carried out on all skin types, including black, white, Asian and mixed race skin. There is no need to worry that laser hair removal will detrimentally affect a recently acquired tan so laser hair removal treatments can be carried out at any time of year.

 

 Nd Yag Laser Hair Removal vs IPL

If you have encountered IPL laser treatment in the past for hair removal, be aware that Nd Yag Laser hair removal is now considered a far superior treatment:

  • Firstly, extensive clinical results show that Nd Yag laser hair removal is much more effective.
  • Also, IPL usually requires more treatments than Nd Yag laser treatments.
  • Unsurprisingly, IPL is often a cheaper option but as the results are so much more inferior this is deemed to be false economy by most people.
  • Overall, the results from IPL treatments are usually short-lived and limited because IPLs do not penetrate as deeply as Nd Yag laser treatment.

 

Interested in learning more? Call 01733 555540 to arrange a complimentary consultation. You’ll find our Laser Hair Removal treatments’ page here.
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Intimate Waxing – The Intimate Facts You Should Know

Waxing is one of the most popular treatments in our Peterborough salon – during any one month we will perform over 150 intimate waxes for ladies looking to groom their lady gardens.

Intimate waxing is hair removal from the pubic region. Procedures start from having a bikini shape to complete hair removal.

Here is our beginners’ guide so that you can work out which would suit you best:

What happens at my first waxing treatment?

We use the highest quality waxing products that have been developed by top waxing specialists. Our therapists all have specialist intimate waxing training and will explain the procedure clearly before they commence your first treatment.

Every person’s skin behaves differently after intimate waxing. You may end up with some irritation or redness but we offer after care advice and products that help soothe the skin. Most clients agree that it isn’t a painful treatment and that it is best described as a little uncomfortable.

However, the whole treatment from beginning to end takes only about 20-30 minutes so it is not prolonged discomfort and it is worth it for the end result which makes most people feel really good; sexy and ultra hygienic.

 

How Old Should you be to have intimate waxing?

Most salons’ policy on this is that the client should be at least 18. It is possible to have a wax treatment if you are 16 but most salons would require parents’ consent.

 

How Often Will You Require Intimate Waxing?

95% of our clients come in every 4 weeks. Regular waxing sessions result in hair that grows back finer and is more easily waxed, which is a win-win situation.

 

Can I Shave In Between Sessions?

You will need at least 4 weeks’ growth for an intimate wax so it is a good idea not to shave in between as this will knock your waxing schedule out of kilter.

 

How Long Should The Hair Be?

For your first few sessions the longer the hair, the easier the wax. Approximately 5mms-10mms is a good length for waxing.

 

What If I Have Coarse Hair?

The hair will become finer over time as you have waxing treatments so this is another advantage to having waxing. It will help the treatment of coarse hair if the length of the hair is about 10mms in length.

 

How Long Does An Intimate Waxing Treatment Take?

Treatments can take anywhere from 15 minutes for a basic bikini wax to 30 minutes for a Hollywood waxing. However, even for a Hollywood waxing this can come down to about 25 minutes after the first few sessions, as you become more accustomed to the treatment.

 

Who is Kim Lawless?

Kim Lawless is regarded as a leading authority on waxing in the UK. She is dedicated to providing the highest standard of waxing and is a wax therapist trainer who has developed her own unique techniques for both male and female waxing.

All the therapists in our salon have been trained in the Kim Lawless waxing techniques and it shows. Therapists trained by Kim are particularly attuned to making the experience as comfortable as possible for the client. They recognise that there is more to a waxing treatment than just ripping off the wax as quickly as possible. We highly recommend that you seek out a salon whose therapists have been trained in the Kim Lawless techniques.

Hot waxing for intimate areas becomes more popular each year. If you are considering intimate waxing but have concerns, this is natural. However, hopefully this information will have allayed your fears because if you are in the hands of a good therapist the discomfort will be minimised and the benefits will far, far outweigh a slightly uncomfortable treatment experience.

 

To book call 01733 555540 or book online here. You’ll find our Waxing Treatments’ page here.

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Ouch! Does Semi-Permanent Makeup Hurt?

Semi – permanent makeup is for everyone who likes to look their absolute best all the time, with the minimum of effort! Yes, this utopian state is achievable with semi-permanent makeup.

But before we talk about the procedure for having semi-permanent makeup applied, let’s address the old (new!) wives’ tale that because semi-permanent makeup is a tattoo it is always very painful.

If you surf the net you’ll find stories from people who have had semi-permanent makeup applied and found it painful to varying degrees. However, I can speak from my experience of 10 years of tattooing makeup onto eyebrows, lips and tattooing eyeliner and I have never had a client who has regretted having the procedure because the level of pain was too high – that is never.

 

Use a highly skilled practitioner

A highly skilled, experienced practitioner in semi-permanent makeup will take every precaution to reduce discomfort. Before the application, experienced practitioners numb the area and do not proceed until you feel comfortable.

After the treatment, some clients feel a little discomfort and take a low dosage, common painkiller, which will do the job well for most people, and eliminate the pain. Let’s face it, we all have a varying level of pain tolerance. An experienced practitioner will advise you on the best way to reduce discomfort for you. And, when you see the stunning results you do tend to quickly forget the procedure!

 

What is semi-permanent makeup exactly?

It’s makeup that is actually tattooed onto the skin. An experienced practitioner in will be highly skilled in achieving exactly the right look for you, dictated by you.

At the start you and your semi-permanent makeup artist will spend time together ensuring that you get exactly the right look for you.

In my experience, a skilled semi- permanent makeup artist is exactly that – an artist. Those of you who know me, know that the faces of some famous celebs, actors and TV stars have been worked on by my own fair hands.

 

How quickly will I be able to enjoy my new makeup look?

Immediately, following the procedure, the healing process commences. Initially, you may experience a little swelling or skin sensitivity, but the skin usually returns to normal within 2-3 days.

Over the following 2 weeks, following the shedding of the scabs, the newly exposed pigment will settle into a natural look. If you are in the hands of a professional artist you will be guided as to how to proceed to aid healing. I often recommend a barrier ointment for use before you go to bed.

After 7-10 days, having continued with the barrier ointment treatment, your semi-permanent makeup will be good to go. You will look gorgeous and you won’t need to return for a further 1-3 years!

 

Can I make my lips fuller with semi-permanent makeup?

I certainly recommend it if you feel that your lips would benefit from a little enhancement. But let’s be clear – no trout pouts here! Instead, semi- permanent makeup will give the appearance of a fuller, more defined lip line. You can even have a semi- permanent colour applied so that your lips always have a lustrous appearance.

Just think how confident you’ll feel: after a work-out in the gym or swimming; during and after a night out on the town. You will be the one still looking immaculate when all around begin to look somewhat frayed around the edges!

 

I wish I was better at applying my makeup.

Semi-permanent makeup is also such a boon to those of us who aren’t particularly skilled at applying conventional makeup or dare I say who’s eyesight is failing… When a professional makeup artist tailors your look for you and then makes it a semi-permanent feature of your face, you can remain worry free and really enjoy your look. Consider eyebrows, fuller lips and eyeliner…

To arrange an informal chat with leading semi-permanent makeup practitioner Annalisa call 01733 555540 and she’ll be delighted to answer your questions and allay any concerns. Learn more about Semi-Permanent Makeup at The well:skin salon in Peterborough.
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Fabulous Nails – What’s Best for You?

Do you get confused by the many different nail treatments? You’re not alone. Here’s our jargon-free guide to selecting the right nail treatment for you.

 

1. Gel Nail Manicure

Shellac, Gel-ish, Gel-eration, Lac Sensation- all sound familiar? These are all similar products that sit on top of the natural nail, giving colour and strength, and are dried under a UV or LED lamp.

They will last between 10 and 14 days at which point you would return to the salon to have them soaked off.

We say: Great for short term wear and come in loads of fabulous colours so no problem with finding something to match your outfit. It’s worth mentioning that you can’t extend the natural nail with these products, you can only overlay the length of the natural nail.

 

2. Gel Nail Extensions

NSI, CND, LCN are all UV Gel extension products. They will last approx 3 weeks and you can have your natural nail made longer with these products.

Most reputable salons offer a variety of finishes – all over colour, French or glitter finish. A word of warning: if a product is a liquid and a powder mixed together in front of you this is NOT GEL, this is acrylic and is being sold as a Gel in order to charge more. Authentic Gel Nail products are by definition premixed by the manufacturer and look like a Gel NOT a powder.

You will need to have your Gel Nail Extensions taken off for you in salon or you can just maintain them with 3 weekly infills.

We say: A reputable salon won’t use a spray gun to do your finish as spray guns only work with water based paints that will only last a week.

 

3. Acrylic Nail Extensions

Sometimes thought to be stronger than Gels, Acrylic Nail Extensions do get a bad press – mainly because of the numerous salons that damage people’s nails with bad technique or over filing with drills.

A good quality Acrylic can look fabulous as long as it is applied properly by a skilled technician. Generally the finishes are a little more limited than with Gel but if you are very hard on your hands they might be worth a try.

We say: It’s worth finding a properly trained Acrylic technician (CND do great acrylic training) and avoid any of those cheap, production-line, drilling, mask-wearing establishments. We’ve seen some serious cases of damage from those types of places in our salon.

All in all, just remember to shop around a little, not just for the best price but for someone who is qualified and experienced and using a reputable brand of product. There is little point in paying less if they all pop off the next day!

Hope this has helped a little, if you need more advice then please feel free to call 01733 555540 to chat to one of our professional nail technicians. Take a peek at our manicures and pedicures.
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Never Had a Facial? All You Need to Know

The lights dim, the music is soft, the door closes. then what happens?

For those of us who have never had a facial it’s sometimes helpful to know what to expect so here is your step by step guide to Facial Treatments at The well:skin in Peterborough.

1. Getting Ready

Your beauty therapist will ask you to pop your top off, move your bra straps down and make yourself comfortable under a towel on the bed. She then leaves you to get ready in private.

2. Deep Cleanse

Your therapist removes all your make up so she can take a really good look at your skin.

3. Examine

Our ESPA trained therapists are renowned for their skin analysis and they will talk you through exactly what is happening on your face and why – you might think you are dry when you are actually dehydrated!

4. Exfoliate

Professional Exfoliation = Better Results.

Professional exfoliation products have more active ingredients than over the counter ones so need to applied only by an NVQ level 3 qualified therapist. With the added benefit of a professional facial steam this is my personal favourite bit of a facial!

5. Extractions

Sound worse than they are! Your therapist will remove any blackheads, spots and blocked pores to leave you with a clear complexion.

6. Massage

Pressure point, neck, shoulders, a little bit of Indian head or perhaps some hand and arm? It’s your choice at this point depending on where you carry you stress. Your therapist will focus on your problem area.

7. Finishing touches

We wouldn’t let you leave without all the best products to make sure your skin is ready to face the public. Eye cream, moisturizers, SPF and a little bit of mineral make up if you aren’t going straight home!

Discover our ESPA facial treatments here. Call 01733 555540 to make an appointment or

Book Online
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