I have tried Facial Care Center’s  Laserlight on my underarms and I’m happy to say that I’ve never had to shave since my last treatment months ago. I am actually on to my other concern: that of whitening my underarms caused by years of shaving and use of darkening underarm deodorants and creams.  So far, with monthly diamond peels  and chemical peeling in between, my underarm skin has since lightened. It is more like a work in progress but I am happy that I’m getting to the point when I don’t think twice about raising my underarms in public.

Laserlight is a laser treament procedure that uses pulses of light energy that are absorbed by the pigment of the hair. The diode laser system works by penetrating deep into the dermis to remove unwanted hair where light energy is absorbed by the melanin in the hair, disabling the hair follicle, and preventing new hair growth.

A US-FDA approved painless laser treatment for the permanent reduction of unwanted hair,  Laserlight has been proven effective in removing unwanted hair on any part of the body such as the underarms, legs, bikini lines and upper lip.

I’ve had friends who have tried other beauty centers that offer laser hair removal and so far all I ever hear is how much it hurt and that hair sometimes does grow back.  At Facial Care Center, you come in and a consultant explains to you what Laserlight is all about and then they make an assessment as how many treatments you need, which can vary as it is depends on how hairy a person you are.  Six treatments may be enough for some but for the unlucky ones, a programme consisting of eight treatments is de riguer, with sometimes an inclusion of one or two booster treatments for good measure.  

They advertise Laserlight hair removal as pain-free. Well, it doesn’t really mean it won’t sting a bit, just ask the therapist to add more cold gel if it does.  All I’m saying is that I’ve heard painful laser hair removals  from other beauty centers and if you happen to have heard one, the idea of laser hair removal would turn you off. Not so with Laserlight.

As to price, well, you get what you pay for, even if is a bit more expensive. The best time to buy is during Facial Care Center’s anniversary in November because you get discounts and little freebie treatments thrown in.  Or, just wait for ads that announce 50% off on Laserlight treatments, which usually comes around the months before summer.

Facial Care Center takes the pain out of bikini waxing and gives you the confidence to strut your stuff under the hot summer sun with its Laserlight program for the bikini area.

Two options: grade 1 cleans up the area only around the bikini area while grade 2 lets you go all the way — the total Brazilian.

According to consultant Anne Abrio most of their clients opt for the former. “They don’t want to be totally hair-free permanently “down there” since our Laserlight program is very effective.” 

I had to ask since I wonder about the other hair removal programs from other outfits, one billboard for instance along EDSA, that says you enroll in their program and you get unlimited hair removal treatments, which means, you need to go back every so often.

I’m not out to promote FCC or anything but it so happens that I am satisfied with the result. I got package of 8 treatments for my underarms and its been two months after my 7th visit. So far I see only two or three strands that will be zapped away into oblivion as soon as I find the time to book an appointment. Unless, of course, I got pregnant, which, for some women who have undergone permanent hair removal, means hair regrowth because of the surge of hormones, explains Anne. For this you may need booster treatments done a few months after delivering the baby.

As to darkening in the bikini area, Anne says the causes are just about the same as the reasons why underarms darken — trauma to the skin due to waxing and friction when you wear tight undergarments or jeans. These places, even if they are not directly exposed to the sun, can really darken and cause so much embarassment that most would shy away from wearing tubes, bustiers, sleeveless tops and swimsuits, the very things that most women would want to wear not only in the summer but all year long, being the fashion staples that they are.

So do yourself a favor and get hair free permanently.

The Soprano XL at Facial Care Center

After my 15-minute treatment, I got busy looking at the machine next to me. I wish they had upgraded sooner and used the Soprano XL during my first to sixth treatments because I had quite a bit of discomfort, and I have a high pain threshold at that. I remember the time I had to keep my arms raised a bit as I was driving home because I felt a burning sensation each time I lower my arms and the skin comes in contact or rubs against my sleeved top. By the time I got home, it felt more like a mild sting that lasted three hours.

As soon as I got home, I researched about the Soprano XL to understand how it works. The Soprano XL is a revolutionary diode laser system for permanent hair removal. It’s the world’s first pain free laser hair removal system and provides virtually painless, fast and effective hair removal on any part of the body. The Soprano XL is also efficient on dark hair/ light skin and is 20% more powerful than our current IPL (Intense Pulse Light) laser. The system is also suitable for light skin with lighter finer hairs, which no other laser machine has ever been able to touch. For more information see product demo.

The author and Anne Abrio at the FCC anniversary

My friend introduced me to it and I think she got a good laugh at my expense. We have since referred our other friends (we call them “victims”) to Ate Kare of Maty’s and have gotten discounts on treatments. Ate Kare is a professional, she has been doing waxing for 10 years now and her clients are many, a few are models. We have become good friends.

Underarm Laser Hair Removal
Since I am currently getting underarm laser hair removal treatments at Facial Care Center, I’ve only done waxing on my legs, arms and face. Facial Care also offers laser hair removal on the bikina area, they can also do a brazilian. I chose to get a Laserlite program for the underarms along with whitening treatments. For unwanted hair on other parts of the body, I need to have it waxed in the salon. Let me tell you then what are the benefits of salon waxing and laser hair removal and how they differ.

Benefits of Waxing
There are many benefits to waxing versus other forms of hair removal. It is an effective method to remove large amounts of hair at one time and it is long-lasting. Hair in waxed areas will not grow back for two to eight weeks and areas that are repeatedly waxed over long periods of time often exhibit regrowth that is softer. If waxing is done regularly for several years, permanent hair reduction may be achieved. The drawback is that it can be painful when the strip is removed from the skin. Although the pain is short-lasting, it can be very uncomfortable.

There are two methods of waxing. The first, called strip wax, is accomplished by spreading wax thinly over the skin and a cloth or paper strip is then pressed on the top then ripped off with a quick movement against the direction of hair growth (think “40 year old Virgin”). This removes the wax along with the hair. The other method uses hard wax. In this case, the wax is applied somewhat thickly and with no cloth or paper strips. The wax then hardens when it cools, thus allowing the easy removal without the aid of cloths. This waxing method is very beneficial to people who have sensitive skin. For more easier waxing, apply baby powder first on the area before waxing as it makes the hair adhere to the wax.

Drawbacks of Waxing
There are drawbacks to waxing as well. When removed against the direction of hair growth, the wax strip may disturb hair follicles, causing hair to begin to grow in different directions. This may cause hair growth to be more noticeable and make other methods of hair removal more difficult. Fortunately, this risk is negligible if the waxing is performed properly. Another drawback of waxing is that some people experience ingrown hairs, red bumps and minor bleeding. This is more likely to occur when waxing areas with thick hair, especially the first few times when follicles are strongest. While usually impossible to eliminate, ingrown hairs can be reduced by regularly exfoliating and applying an astringent or a solution of both astringent and baby oil.

Laser hair removal, on the other hand, does away with having to go to the salon. Laser hair removal is painless, safe and permanent and can be done on any part of the body such as underarms, legs, bikini lines and upper lip. The light emitted from the laser vaporizes the pigment located in the hair follicles, destroying or disabling several hair follicles at a time. It works better on Asian skin than Caucasians because Asians generally have thicker hair because of the melanin content. Because it offers long-lasting results, it can be quite expensive because one needs at least 6 sessions of laser treatments to get the desired result.

Waxing vs. Laser Hair Removal – Results
The choice between having unwanted hair waxed or zapped into non-existence depends on the area you want treated. Almost any area of the body can be waxed, including eyebrows, face, bikini area, legs, arms, back, abdomen and feet. Laser hair removal, on the other hand, can only be done of large areas of the body. What’s important is maintenance. Always make sure you book an appointment with the salon regularly.

Photo of Underarm Lightening Kit and Hair Remover

At first I was hesitant to undergo laser hair removal because the word “laser” alone made me feel uncomfortable. Anne, my consultant was very good at explaining the procedure that soon enough I was convinced I have come to the right place.

Last week, I went to my fourth appointment for underarm l laser hair removal at Facial Care Center  at  GT Tower in Makati . My therapist was  happy that the hair growth had become sparse since two months ago when I went for treatment.  Unlike the firs t and second treatment, which is just a month apart, I experienced no discomfort at all. They  now use the Soprano, the latest equipment and clients are satisfied with the results. Who are these clients, by the way? Mostly celebs such as Angel Locsin, Delamar and Amanda Griffin, to name a few, whom I occasionally see when I go for my treatment.

The staff here are very friendly and efficient and would offer you iced tea or coffee the moment you walk in the door. Before you leave, you ask them for a parking stub so you don’t have to pay for parking at the basement area. The coffee table at the receiving area is loaded with stacks of the current issues of magazines, which I browse thru while I wait to be called by the receptionist.

I’ve tried a lot of products that claim to whiten underarm skin but the first step really is to get rid of unwanted hair. Every shaving or waxing procedure contributes to darkening of underarm skin because hair regrowth causes itching and rubbing. When you shave the delicate membranes of your skin suffer abrasions and when they heal the melanin pigment becomes concentrated on the area and becomes darkened. Couple that wearing tight clothes that cause constant friction in the underarm area and you have a recipe for disaster.
At Facial Care Center, they recommend underarm whitening treatments and diamond peel along with laser hair removal. Six sessions of laser treatments are standard but for maximum effect, they tell you to go for two more booster sessions at a discounted price. I got the program along with ___ underarm whitening treatments. Anne was kind enough to throw in two trial treatments of diamond peel.

I had just shaved so I was told to come back three weeks after. Shaving is allowed during the duration of the treatment but there should be no plucking or waxing. Anne further explains that hair grows in three stages — Anagen, Catagen and Telogen.

The perfect stage for treatment is the Anagen phase when hair is grown and is visible above the skin. The hair shaft is attached to the papilla, thus enabling the laser to attack the melanin in the shaft and disable the papilla.

At the Catagen phase, the growth process has reversed itself and the hair is getting ready to shed. It is still possible to treat with laser since a follicle treated in the Catagen stage will still produce another hair.
The Telogen phase is the “resting” stage when the hair is neither developing nor growing. It cannot be treated during this stage, as it usually is not visible above the skin.

The “perfect” time for hair to be permanently destroyed is when it is in the Anagen or growing stage. It can take 6 to 12 weeks for a hair to grow from the matrix, or papilla, to the surface of the skin. Therefore, if you tweeze a hair today, it is generally impossible for you to see the exact same hair in a week. These cycles can vary somewhat from individual to individual.

Laser hair removal is painless, safe and permanent and can be done on any part of the body such as underarms, legs, bikini lines and upper lip. It works better on Asian skin than Caucasians because Asians generally have thicker hair because of the melanin content.

A stewardess friend told me that one of her passengers, a former endorser for FCC ,said that the upper lip is the most painful to treat.  I guess it depends on your pain threshold. Women are known to be more tolerant of pain than men, especially when it comes to beauty procedures.

I experienced no pain whatsoever during the first treatment, just a slight discomfort and a mild sting an hour after. The procedure took all of 15 minutes. A cold gel was applied and two passes of the machine was done on the area. No deodorant, soaps or mild cleanser are allowed 24 hours after treatment. Just plain water to clean the area when I get home. I was also told to avoid any rough sports for at least two days to minimize potential trauma to the skin. Tank tops and sleeveless are recommended.

For my underarm whitening treatment, I was told to come back a week after. This treatment I would highly recommend because it is so effective. It’s a 45 minute treatment that consists of diamond peel and an almond based mask that they leave on for 20 minutes or so. Two sessions after, I saw my underarms have significantly lightened. All the products they use are exclusive to Facial Care. I just wished though that they develop a special kind of deodorant that can really whiten underarm skin. They recommend  Milcu deodorant, a local product. Nivea also because it has moisturizers and is friendlier to the skin. Using tawas is also good but not the coarse kind as it can cause abrasions on the skin. Powder form is good but roll on is better. Last I checked, there is a roll on type at Mercury drugstores.

For maintenance, I use Christina FluorOxygen+C, an underarm lightening kit exclusive to FCC which can also be used on the face. It has a day serum that I apply before I put deodorant in the morning and a night serum and night cream before bedtime. It is infused with Vitamin C and retinol that not only lightens but rejuvenates skin. The almond scrub and mask, which comes in a huge tub, can last for 3-4 months.

Apart from laser hair removal, Facial Care also offers other treatments that are also hugely popular among celebs such as Refirme, which I have tried. More on that in the coming weeks. For inquiries, you may contact Anne Abrio at 0922-8128817 or 0908-8877813 as they have regular promos and buy one take one offers until their anniversary this October 2009.

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