Hair removal for men
Hair removal for men
Hair removal for men
Contrary to what one might think, approximately half of our customers are men. As a result, we have many years of experience providing safe, effective laser & IPL treatments for men.
Can I use laser/IPL hair removal to thin hair instead of removing it completely?
If you like to thin your beard, laser or IPL treatment is far from ideal. It’s ‘all or nothing’. A good result will only be achieved when the entire treatment trajectory is completed and a very high percentage of hair is removed. Fewer sessions will give a patchy result. However, completing the entire trajectory can be a long and painful process. We recommend getting a test spot on your neck treated first, so you can assess the results prior to your full treatment.
We CAN perform treatment to thin hair on the body, for example the back, where often good results are being achieved. However, in approximately half of the cases we still see an irregular return of hair growth that appears patchy. We even tried to treat using both vertical and horizontal motions, but the results were the same. The patchy appearance is not the result of inaccuracy on our part or inaccurate equipment, but it is the natural response of the body, and every body will react differently. The only way to get rid of the patchiness is to complete a full treatment trajectory and remove all the hair. It’s impossible to know which group you belong to without sufficient testing over a long period of time.
I'm not sure if entirely smooth would look good on me. Could I come by for a wax treatment to see how it would look?
We do not offer wax treatments at Briez. However, we can refer you to a colleague.
Is Laser/IPL hair removal as effective for men as it is for women?
Can I undergo treatment if I'm still quite young?
Unfortunately the treatment is less effective when being younger. A younger man needs a lot more treatments to achieve a good result, and even then, hairs will often continue to grow back. The younger body is still planning to produce many more (often thicker) hairs in the future. This cannot be prevented. Also, if a hair is still very thin, it will not adequately absorb the heat of the laser and thus will not be eliminated. We recommend a man between ages 18 and 28 to not waste their money on such an expensive treatment trajectory. However, they can, for example, undergo a treatment once a year prior to a vacation, to temporarily enjoy smooth skin and slower hair growth. Until the body hair is similar to that of older male family members, undergoing Laser/IPL treatment will not be very effective.
Treatment is even more difficult for young men of Mediterranean-, North African-, Asian-, Middle Eastern- and South European heritage. They often have very stubborn hair growth, especially on the arms and back. Even if the hair appears full and thick at a young age, this stubbornness will still prevent good results. Are you between ages 18 – 35 and are you or your ancestors from one of the aforementioned regions?
Approach hair removal in the following way to prevent disappointment:
1. Don’t start treatment until all the thinner and vellus hairs are gone. A hair must be able to grow at least one centimeter long and grow back quickly after shaving (a sandpaper-like feeling should appear a few hours after shaving).
2. Don’t start treating big surfaces to prevent disappointment and wasting your money. Have a test performed on a smaller surface that you’re able to monitor well, for example, one shoulder on the front of your body. In order to be able to make a proper comparison, you can shave the other side of your body on the same day as you undergo the test treatment. In a few weeks you can start to observe the difference in recurring hair growth between the two sides and can count the amount of weeks until a new batch of hair has returned. Because of this, you will get to know the amount of time that is required between treatments, this can be anywhere between 4 and 16 weeks (sometimes even more) depending on the person and the body part.
3. When the hair has returned after the first test, have another test performed on the same area, and perhaps even one more a few months later. In this way, you can observe whether or not there’s a cumulative effect. If you’re happy with the result, then you can start your treatment trajectory. Take into account that you’ll need a minimum of 6 to 8 treatments and be consistent with the amount of time between treatments. Do not skip a treatment! The skipped batch of hair will show up many months later and this will prolong your total trajectory time.
4. Communicate well with your practitioner and monitor the results together. For instance, has the hair growth halted? How many hairs have fallen out in the weeks after a treatment? Are the returning hairs thinner and lighter? If the latter is true, then it’s important that the settings on the Laser equipment are adjusted accordingly. When in doubt, have another test performed instead of continuing to spend your money treating the entire area. Please do let us know far in advance of your scheduled appointment.
5. If your total trajectory consists of 6 – 8 treatments, then please be aware that you will most likely need maintenance treatments. Often two maintenance treatments a year (one in the spring and one in the fall) are advisable.
TIP: Save a small amount of money for treatments weekly or monthly. The expense won’t feel too big and it will stimulate you to consistently undergo a maintenance treatment until you have reached the age where treatments are not necessary anymore.
If all the above seems too much of a hassle, then just undergo a treatment once a year prior to a vacation, to temporarily enjoy smooth skin and slower hair growth.
I'm a 21 year old guy and would like to have my chest, stomach and buttocks treated. Shaving and waxing irritate my skin. Is Laser hair removal permanent and what are the costs?
Many young men have this question and we understand your problem. Of all available hair removal options, Laser/IPL treatment often seems the best. One does not have to deal with ingrown hairs or irritation caused by either waxing or shaving.
As for the question whether or not the results are permanent, this is unfortunately not entirely the case. Thick hairs can be reduced by approximately 70 to 80%, though there will always be some remaining hair. This hair is often thinner and lighter. This applies to everyone, no matter age, gender or the body part treated. However, since you are quite young, there is a higher chance that new hair growth will develop over time due to hormone levels in the body. You will need maintenance treatments and a 100% smooth result is not possible.
Is undergoing treatment worth it to you? This is up to you to decide. If you do undergo treatment, this is what you can expect:
After a treatment hairs will slowly start to grow back and after approximately 2 to 4 weeks they will fall out. After this you will be smooth for a while. Some weeks later (approximately 8 to 12 weeks after the treatment) hair will return and it’s possible to perform your next treatment. After every treatment a percentage of hair will permanently be removed and you will see a reduction in the total amount. The returning hairs can also be lighter, thinner and less noticeable. Perhaps you’re simply happy to see a reduction in the amount of hair after several treatments or you only wish to reduce hair temporarily for a vacation.
Your personal wants, needs and expectations will be discussed during an initial intake appointment. During this appointment, we will answer all your queries, give you general information about the hair removal procedures and perform a test. The test area will inform us on how your skin is likely to react to treatment and it will give you an idea of how it will feel. Hopefully, you will be able to notice the effect after 3 weeks. If you’re still in doubt, you’re welcome to come back for a second or even third test in the same area. We advice against treatment without prior testing. The intake appointment costs 35 euros, which will be refunded during your first appointment should you decide to begin the treatment trajectory.
And what are the costs? After the intake appointment we will provide you with a cost estimate based upon the size of the area you wish to have treated and your frame. However, this is a general example:
If you weigh between 76 and 90 kilograms, the costs for treatment of chest and stomach are between 243 and 289 euros. Treatment of the buttocks is between 182 and 197 euros and the anal cleft will be 25 euros extra.
Why do men want to get rid of body hair? Isn't it normal and manly?
Many men do not like their pattern of hair growth or experience discomfort. However, there are also practical reasons:
1. Benefits when exercising
Some people experience a lot of discomfort (itchiness, irritation) with hair growth, even when they don’t shave or wax. Problems are, for example, caused when hair follicles are situated deep underneath the skin’s surface or when two hairs grow out of the one follicle.
2. It helps enhance muscle definition
Often removing body hair can make muscles seem more defined. Bodybuilders often choose Laser hair removal for this reason. Even amongst the ancient Greeks a hairless male body was considered ideal.
3. Hygienic reasons
Less body hair equals less surface for bacteria, mildew and other dirt to adhere to, also preventing bad orders.
4. Hair growth can irritate the skin and can sometimes even cause infections
Some people experience a lot of discomfort (itchiness, irritation) with hair growth, even when they don’t shave or wax. Problems are, for example, caused when hair follicles are situated deep underneath the skin’s surface or when two hairs grow out of the one follicle.
Laser hair removal is also beneficial for men with recurrent folliculitis, inflamed hair follicles that can appear as small, white-headed pimples. Laser hair removal can bring relief in these cases.
5. Shaving can cause rashes and bumps
Men that have thick coarse hairs in the neck area, for example, are likely to experience this. These men often have to wait several days in between shavings to let their skin recover. They can try many different shaving creams and products, but the rashes and bumps most likely remain. The thickness and coarseness of the hair pushes a small piece of skin up which is caught by the razor. Laser hair removal will bring relief. After only one treatment they will experience approximately two months of relief (see pictures below).
6. It might be necessary when taking certain types of medication
Side effects of certain types of medication, for example medication for Parkinson’s disease, can cause itchiness or pain when hairs grow and/or standing straight up. This can even cause sleeplessness. Also, when having a muscle disease it might simply be difficult or impossible to shave oneself.
7. Culturally based aesthetic and erotic preferences
Every day we are bombarded with media images featuring ideas about the ‘perfect’ body. Men can become insecure when their body does not fit this ‘perfect’ image. Trends suggest that hair on one body part is acceptable while hair growth on another body part is ‘not-done’.
Oh well..
Our personal opinion is that we’d like to see a world in which everyone would accept each other and themselves just the way they are. Though, unfortunately, this is not the world we live in. Everyone is entitled to his own opinion and may choose to go along with the trends or not, we will not judge.
We will not even ask you about your reason for choosing hair removal!
We can, however, advise on the shape that would look best on your body, if you wish, to make it look as if it was your natural hair pattern.
Doesn't body hair serve a purpose?
Body hair definitely served a purpose for our human-like ancestors, we would not have body hair if this was not the case. Something must have created an evolutionary pressure for humans to loose much of this hair. The absence of hair became more useful for us as years past by, several reasons are:
- Eliminating the risk of overheating after running long distances
- Being able to sweat
- Being able to feel better
- It’s easier to show one’s condition: age, being fertile, etc.
Furthermore, as we evolved and were able to construct shelter and clothing, much of the prior functions of body hair became obsolete.
Body hair can be seen as an evolutionary leftover, much like wisdom teeth, the tailbone and the appendix.
Facial hair removal for men
Can I use laser/IPL hair removal to thin my beard instead of removing it completely?
Are the areas on the face that are more difficult to treat?
Yes, the upper lip and chin in particular. Hair in these areas is more stubborn than hair on other parts of the face. The hair follicle is placed deeper underneath the skin’s surface, and as a result, it’s more difficult for the heat of the laser to penetrate all the way down. The hairs that are closer to the surface will first absorb the heat. Often men need more treatments in these areas to achieve a good result. Also, we will not perform treatment close to your eyes, cheekbones are the limit.
When I shave I often get rashes and pimples. Will my skin react more to Laser/IPL treatment?
This is a possibility. If you’re prone to getting pimples and rashes after shaving, there’s a higher chance that they will appear after Laser/IPL treatment. Even if rashes or pimples do not appear, your skin can still seem red and swollen after treatment. When using the ELOS equipment instead of the Laser or IPL equipment, the risk of this is reduced. If your skin is very sensitive, then it might be a good idea to plan your treatment at the start of a weekend.
Of course we will always perform a test prior to your treatment trajectory, and adjust our equipment accordingly.
Price per treatment of the neck: € 112,-
Time between treatments 10 – 12 weken. Minimum of 5 treatments.
The neck area is easy to treat because hairs here are close to the skin’s surface. Shaping the beard by treating both the neck and cheeks, is a lot easier than trying to eliminate the whole beard. Hairs on the upper lip and chin are more stubborn and lie deeper beneath the skin’s surface.
Same person as on the pictures above. This is the result 3.5 years after a treatment trajectory of 5 treatments in total. The shape created is still visible, but hairs start to grow here and there. Time for a maintenance treatment.
Pubic area for men
Can treatment damage anything in this area?
No. Even though treatment might be painful in this area, nerves or other tissue will not be damaged by the laser. In theory, it is practically impossible to damage anything, since the heat doesn’t penetrate further than the hair follicles, and thus cannot reach glands (fertility) and nerves (potency) below. Also, the heat can never reach the prostate. Laser heat is only absorbed by dark colors (hair) and won’t be absorbed by other colors as red, yellow and white, thus nerves and tissue.
Can there be temporary discomforts?
One possible side effect is bruising on the scrotum. The skin here is very thin and hair follicles are close to the skin’s surface surrounded by many tiny veins. The thin veins next to the follicle can start bleeding when the follicle is eliminated. No need to worry, this will heal just as regular bruising will heal. The bruise might change color during the healing process, from blue to purple to yellow, before it disappears.
If the skin is very thin, it’s possible that small crusts will appear after treatment. No need to worry about this either. Do not pick at crusts and they will be gone in approximately 10 days with no permanent scarring.
Is it possible to undergo treatment while I'm trying for a baby?
We do not recommend this. We suspect that there might be a slight chance that the activity of sperm cells is temporarily decreased by the heat of the laser, in the same way the activity goes down after a fever. Other areas of the body will not be affected by this, those areas can be treated without any problems.
Do I need to sign any type of extra document to undergo this treatment?
Though we take all the necessary precautions, perform tests and work with care and accuracy, we do like you to make a thought-out decision. For this reason, we ask every client to sign an informed-consent, giving us permission to conduct treatment and clarifying that you are possible side effects and take responsibility for this.
Are there specific rules associated with undergoing this treatment?
1. We will first perform a test on another part of your body to see how you respond to treatment. The pubic area, in particular the penis and scrotum, is a sensitive part of your body and we would not want you to undergo this painful treatment without knowing beforehand how your body will respond. We will never start treatment on the pubic area without prior testing.
2. You are required to be smoothly shaven and clean on the day of treatment. If not, the practitioner may deny you treatment while still charging you reservation costs. You may refresh yourself using our restroom prior to treatment. You do not have to be smoothly shaven before your intake appointment.
3. We reserve the right to deny you as a customer (without giving a reason) if we suspect any bad intentions.