Laser Hair Removal/IPL – Weighing up the Costs | DestinationSkin

I recently went on holiday to Italy with my friend Grace and we were both moaning about shaving our legs every few days. We both have quite pale skin, and dark hair (yes, despite the fact I’m blonde-ish, well, more of a mousey brown before it’s highlighted, my leg hair is actually darker than my head hair). Therefore, even a little bit of leg stubble shows up straight away.

So, as we’re moaning about shaving our legs, and how much waxing hurts – and the fact that it doesn’t last up to 6 weeks I decided that enough was enough and maybe laser hair removal or IPL on my legs was a better idea? Sure it’s expensive, but over a lifetime, must be cheaper than waxing and/or shaving anyway? The numbers…

Shaving from age 25-75 years, twice a week, so that’s probably 2 new razor blades a month? Say £8 for 2 averagely good razors and shaving foam… over a year, £8 x 12 months = £96 x 50 years… you’re looking at £4,800! I’ve double checked my calculations, and that’s actually correct! Then there’s the time and effort of shaving your legs, the annoyance when you nick your leg, or you’ve missed a patch.

Waxing for 50 years… imagining your waxed legs do actually last a while, let’s say a month for the purpose of this calculation. A full leg wax is usually about £25, over a year, £25 x 12 months = £300 x 50 years… £15,000!!

6 sessions of laser hair removal or IPL for full legs is around £1,000 – and pretty much permanent hair removal, from what I’ve read up, you might have to have the odd top up session throughout your life – but it’s pretty much a fuzz free life. 

Having worked these astronomical figures out for hair removal, and comparing with the costs of laser hair removal it seems a no-brainer to choose the permanent option. The upfront cost does seem a lot, but working that out over a lifetime of hair removal you’re quids in. Buying your laser hair removal in courses seems to be cheaper at all clinics, so save your pennies and buy it in one hit  - paying per session seems around 15-20% more expensive than buying a course.

What clinic should I use? I think one of the most important things about choosing where to have your laser hair removal isn’t just finding the cheapest place, look for clinics rather than beauticians and always look up reviews. You should always be given an assessment and a patch test before any laser treatment, if this isn’t offered – walk away, you might not be suitable for the treatment and you don’t want to damage your skin.

Once I’ve had my first treatment I’ll post up some pictures – may not want to see my fuzzy legs, but that’s the sort of blog post I love to read! Not sure yet if I’ll be having IPL or laser, during my consultation the clinician will decide which is best for my skin and hair type.
Laser hair removal works by delivering a specific wavelength of light to the hair, heating the hair follicle to reduce hair growth. The technology uses lasers of different wavelengths of light to target melanin under the skin and selectively heats the follicle, damaging and stunting hair growth whilst not affecting the surrounding skin. Whereas IPL (intensive pulsed light) is a high energy, broad spectrum light which is delivered to the skin in a short period of time. When the light energy hits the hair follicle, the energy turns to heat which vanishes the hair follicle. After 3-4 cycles all follicles in the targeted area will be destroyed permanently.

I’m booked in to DestinationSkin for my leg laser hair removal/IPL, I’ve been to one of their Clinics before and had a facial treatment which I was really impressed with (read my review here). DestinationSkin is a national chain of registered clinics specialising in non-invasive, advanced technological treatments for anti ageing, permanent hair reduction and skin concerns.  They’ve been around for over 10 years, and had really great reviews with the slogan “bringing Harley Street treatments to the High street in conveniently located clinics nationwide”.

You can read up on laser hair removal here, as well as view some before and after pictures.

A wonderful birthday spent in Brighton

Happy Birthday to ME!

I spent a lovely bank holiday weekend in Brighton with old pals from University, soaking up the sunshine, getting rather sunburnt (whoops!) and generally having a great time.

I was doing this trip on a tight budget, and spent the night in a 16 bed dorm, which wasn’t as bad as it sounds. There was me and 3 friends, some very quiet girls, a few guys over from Germany on an internship and a stag party - the tamest stag party ever.
In a way, staying somewhere that wasn’t luxury was the best way to see Brighton it meant that we didn’t spend any time in the room. Dropped the bags off, and went straight to the beach!

The next morning however, after a rather restless night due to much snoring from very drunk people in the room (yes ok, my sleep was probably also affected by my alcohol consumption, but it was my birthday after all) I was feeling less than rested. Thankfully I'd packed some Radox shower gel. My shower gel of choice is the new Radox passion fruit splash gel, it's only about £2 but it's amazing and is packed full of natural ingredients and smells like sunshine! It's incredible what a shower and a burst of the smell of passionfruit can do for the mind. I felt revitalised, and off we went for some breakfast, and spent the rest of the day hanging out on the beach, at the arcades on the pier and catching up on old times.

I'll definitely be visiting Brighton again soon, would highly recommend!

Raffles Resort - Praslin, Seychelles Review

Just a short plane ride, about 15 minutes, (or boat trip, but the water can be pretty bumpy) from the main island Mahé is the Island of Praslin.

Praslin is the second largest island of the Seychelles, about 30 miles northeast of Mahé. Praslin boasts one of the best beaches in the world, Anse Lazio. Unfortunately the weather was not kind to me on the day I visited, but I could still see the beauty of the place.

Ready to board

Upon arrival on the island, we were met by our driver, who took us to Raffles Resort - Praslin, Seychelles which was nothing short of incredible.

Although there are eighty-six villas in the resort, you wouldn't know it. The villas were not overlooked by one another, and were carefully sculpted into the hills surrounding the sublime white beach. 

Beds in the Villa

Bath with a view

Private Pool in my Villa

Private sunbathing area

Seychelles point of difference to other Islands of Paradise in that there is a much greater emphasis on conservation, as such there are opportunities to snorkel with the wildlife, see the giant turtles and explore the rainforest first hand.

My villa was immaculate, with every detail thought of, including fresh fruit in the room upon my arrival and a delicious cocktail. What made this stay that little bit more special was that I could truly unwind and relax in completely peace. Although the resort boasts beautiful pools and beaches, my villa had its own private pool overlooking the beach as well as a private deck where I could relax with a good book and soak up the sunshine. Even the bath tub was out of this world, with views to die for. 

The villas also cater for lovers of technology, with an array of features including 42 inch plasma television, electric safe, plug-and-play for MP3, and bedside lighting control and service panel. For the art lover, there is an easel and sketch pad in the room so you can draw the beautiful views.

Raffles has also won Best Spa Hotel Seychelles at the International Hotel Awards in 2011, 2012 and 2013. 

5 star perfection!