Beauty Ideas That Save Time, Money, and Sanity

The Issue: Body Hair

The Solution: Laser Hair Removal

Home hair removal is an exercise in tedium, particularly if you’re hirsute. That’s why Heather Woolery-Lloyd, a dermatologist in Miami, recommends several rounds of zapping with a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser (also called the CoolGlide laser in some offices; for more information, go to cutera.com).

How it works: A technician aims the laser, which generates pulses of light energy that are absorbed by the pigment in hairs. This eventually causes each follicle to sprout less hair. Yes, it may sting, but a topical numbing cream can ease that.

Where and how much: Laser hair removal is offered in medical spas and dermatologists’ offices everywhere (and may be performed by anyone from a medical doctor to an aesthetician, depending on your state). Prices start at about $150 a session, and most people need five sessions for the best results.

Results last: A long time, which justifies the cost. While CoolGlide has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for permanent hair reduction, some people may continue to have minor growth and require a touch-up.

A word to the wise: Prior sun exposure may cause the skin to be extra sensitive to the laser’s sting. Be sure to use sunscreen no matter what time of year you’re zapped.

Try this at home: The Braun Silk-épil 7 epilator ($125, braun.com/us for stores) has 40 built-in tweezers that rapidly extract hairs at the roots, leaving you stubble-free for a month.