FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. –June 23, 2008 – American Laser Centers, the largest provider of laser hair removal and other noninvasive aesthetic services in the U.S.,   today announces the results of a May 2008 Zoomerang hair removal survey that found women spend more than $10,000 on hair removal products and services over the course of their lifetime. 

Survey respondents reported they will spend more than 58.4 days removing hair from their bodies during their lifetime.  The survey also revealed that women remove unwanted body hair for an average period of 53.6 years using methods including shaving, waxing and depilatory creams. 

While women report a small monthly spend on shaving, $15.87 per month, the lifetime investment for females who shave adds up to $10,207.

Depilatory cream- or lotion-users are paying slightly more than those who shave for their hair removal, $10,555 through their lifetime, yet they only remove hair one to two times per month.

Waxing is by far the most expensive form of hair removal.  While respondents reported waxing only one to two times per month, women who wax will spend an average of $23,000 on hair removal in a lifetime. 

American Laser Centers conducted the hair removal study to determine the cost savings benefit of laser hair removal verses a lifetime of shaving or waxing.  On average, women can save $7,000 by receiving laser hair removal on the areas of the body they typically shave.  When compared to a lifetime of waxing, women can save $20,000 by receiving laser hair removal on the areas of the body they usually wax.

“As people are more time crunched than ever, laser hair removal has evolved into a lifestyle decision for our clients,” said American Laser Centers Corporate Medical Director Dr. David Turok.  “Like Lasik surgery for contact and glasses wearers, laser hair removal is a decision to free yourself from one of the most mundane processes in your life – hair removal.  When performed by American Laser Centers trained professionals, laser hair removal is safe, effective and painless.”

In addition, laser hair removal is a procedure that will help conserve water.  Fifty-two percent of women surveyed reported shaving with the water running the entire time.  Women surveyed reported an average shaving time of 10.9 minutes and an average of shaving 12 times per month.  With the average shower using five gallons of water per minute, this means the average woman will use 7,848 gallons each year and a total of 420,652 gallons of water shaving throughout their lifetime, nearly enough water to fill an Olympic-size swimming pool.  Only 2 percent of women shavers do not use water when shaving.

American Laser Centers offers laser hair removal services in most major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco. For more information about laser hair removal and to find an American Laser Centers clinic near you, visit www.americanlaser.com. American Laser Centers will conduct approximately two million treatments each year at its more than 220 locations across the country.

Interesting, don’t you think? I cannot fathom how much I have spent on waxing, creams, razors, etc., though I mostly do it myself.

If anyone has had laser hair removal, please speak up and let us know your results in the comments. Good or bad – we want to know!

Post from: Aging Fabulous

Shaving is simple. I do it in the shower, almost everyday. I shave under my arms and my legs. Simple! The most simple way to shave is to find a razor that works well for you. My razor of choice is the Schick Quattro for Women.

The ergonomic design, with the easy to grip (and never slip) handle, along with the fact that there are four blades to this razor, make this my favorite shaver, by far. There are also two conditioning strips, one on the top of the blades, and one beneath them, to make gliding over my legs even more effortless.

What makes me like this razor probably the most of all is how long it lasts. I have had the same razor (with the same blade) in my shower for almost three weeks now. No rust, whatsoever. You see, this razor comes with a great holder that keeps the razor totally dry in between uses. And using this, like I said, three to four times a week, is still working as well as it did the first time. No wonder shaving is simple – and a real joy.

You can pick up the Schick Quattro for Women at your favorite drugstore, where the additional blades are sold as well.

image: schick

Post from: Aging Fabulous

I am a shaving girl. I did have sugaring done once to the bikini area and I really liked how gentle it was. But, waxing with bikini wax strips, are so much easier to use, so that is my method of choice for that area. Then I just maintain with a razor.

Let me know in the comments what you do most often for hair removal. And stay tuned for my razor and bikini wax strip picks soon.

image: stock.xchng

Post from: Aging Fabulous

I was at a display at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and looked into one of their (quite expensive) magnifying mirrors. It was a 15X mirror. What I saw – shocking!!!

I had hairs in places I never new. I could not believe the two small hairs that I had by my upper lip that I must have missed waxing. I really had some messy mascara marks under my eyes that were not noticeable in a standard mirror. And don’t get me started on my eyebrows – the eyebrows that I thought were finely tweezed. Ugh.

My dilemma. Do I buy one of these better magnifying mirrors to constantly scare myself and become obsessed with every little imperfection? Or move on and think that no one really sees me that close up, so who cares?

Post from: Aging Fabulous

As Anastasia is the queen of eyebrows, she knows a thing or two about tweezers. Her slant tipped tweezers easily grasp each hair and make eyebrow shaping a cinch.

For Breast Cancer Awareness month, these tweezers are pretty in pink, and the net proceeds from the sale of these tweezers benefit the Women’s Cancer Research Fund.

Anastasia’s tweezers can be purchased for $28 wherever her products are sold, including her website and Sephora.

Post from: Aging Fabulous

I have an appointment tomorrow. And while nothing can ever get me over the shame of “spreading them” just to get my down yonder regions in tip top shape, I can at least go in knowing that I won’t be going home in pain, with itching or redness.

Last year I discovered Pre-Kini, and I am telling you, it has saved me from so much pain. I apply Pre-Kini right before I leave for my appointment, and add on another layer as soon as I reach the Salon. The gel dries quickly, and is good to go in about 15 – 20 minutes.

Don’t go it alone ever again. Pre-Kini beats any of the products my waxer has tried on me in the past.

Look for Pre-Kini at your local drugstore or mass retailer. The 2 oz. tube sells for $14.00. And the tube, when used regularly, should last you the year.  My tube from last year just ran out!

Post from: Aging Fabulous