August - September 2015

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110 Aug-Sep15
BODY&MIND
READY TO
We all dream of smooth, baby-soft
skin, but many of us have to work with
what nature has given us. For CHIARA
MARSICANO, coarse, dark hair has
meant a lifelong addiction to waxing –
until she discovered laser hair removal.
Permanent hair removal sounds too
good to be true, and, until recently,
any beautician who promised
“permanent” hair removal was, in fact,
only offering less frequent trips to the salon.
The new generation of laser removal
technology is the first to promise truly permanent
removal. Beauté Medi Spa is one of the few
salons in Hong Kong to offer the Candela
Gentle Lase Pro – the latest model available. It’s
not only fast and efficient, but unlike previous
models, it’s suitable for all skin types and
colours. Here’s how a typical session unfolds.
The procedure
Being completely new to the concept, I had
no idea what to expect. The thought of having
a laser fired at my armpits didn’t sound too
pleasant, so my obvious first question was,
“Will it hurt?” I was assured that it wouldn’t,
and the therapist also told me that the whole
thing would take less than 10 minutes. I wore
a sleeveless top, so I didn’t need to undress –
making it all that much easier.
I wasn’t sure whether or not to shave before
going in, and I was told that as long as I hadn’t
waxed or plucked recently it didn’t really matter.
After tidying up under my arms, the therapist
Your skin is likely to be a little sensitive after treatment, so to prevent any
issues, there are a few precautions to take:
• Avoidexposure to the sun for at least twoweeks, beforeandafter treatment.
• Avoid antiperspirants and hot showers for three days.
• Don’t shave for a week; any remaining hair will fall out over a few days.
• Avoid waxing or plucking remaining hairs for six weeks.
• If any hair does grow back and you need a second treatment, wait at
least six weeks between treatments. The number of treatments you’ll
need depends entirely on your hair colour, skin tone, and the area
being targeted.
Beauté Medi Spa is at 9/F, Century Square, 1-13 D’Aguilar Street, Central.
Call 2808 0899 or visit for more information.
BAREgave me protective glasses and started the machine. I was told that I would
feel some warmth in the area being targeted by the laser. The machine works
by burning the hair follicle – and lasers are very, very hot. But this machine
has an inbuilt cooling system, so that as the laser is applied to the skin, a
burst of cold air blasts out too. I felt the cold air more than warmth, and it left
a tingling sensation that was mildly uncomfortable, but bearable. My armpits
were a little tender afterwards, but no more so than if I had had them waxed.
The verdict
I was finished in 10 minutes, as promised, and sent home with a list of
instructions (below). It’s too soon for me to tell whether or not I’mpermanently
hair-free, but as far as hair removal goes, this was a relatively painless and
convenient alternative to regular waxing and shaving.