October 1996

The process starts with a close shave or wax removal of the hair. This is done so the hair follicles are empty. Then a black lotion is rubbed on to the skin and into the empty follicles. The laser light is absorbed by the blackened follicle causing the follicle to heat up as the laser is passed over the skin. This heating of the follicle causes it to explode or vaporize. Reactions to the laser treatment range from a feeling of mild warmth, a tingle or being zapped by tiny rubber bands.

As with electrolysis, it takes multiple treatments to remove all the hair. Not all hairs are in an active growing stage, they can be dormant or resting and will not appear for several weeks or months. The laser's advantage over electrolysis is that it's infinitely faster. The thousands of hairs on a chin or upper lip can be lasered in a matter of minutes. Electrolysis would require a hair by hair treatment that can take months of weekly visits. Facial hairs are the most stubborn, because their growth is influenced by hormone levels and generally require seven to eight treatments. Spa Thira charges a fixed amount, $1,000 to $3,000 depending on the size of the body part and the stubbornness of the hair, for which they will continue treating any hairs that regrow within a one year period.

The advise of Mary Roach, the writer of the VOGUE article, who had her legs done by Spa Thira, is to "adopt a wait and see attitude. Wait for the price to come down, see if the treatment does indeed turn out to be permanent."