I
f IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
does what it promises – offering
permanent hair reduction – then
it truly is the Holy Grail of hair
removal. It certainly costs what the
Holy Grail might fetch on the black
market. But does it always work? Does
it work the same on different parts
of the body? And can IPL remove
pigmentation – that other bane of
pregnancy?
Problem areas
Spend 25-odd years in a body
and you get to know it pretty well.
Introduce a cute little alien into that
same skin, and suddenly you find
yourself inhabiting an organic mass
on its own reproductive mission. You
are literally just along for the ride as
hormones surge, boobs balloon and
your belly takes on a life of its own.
As miraculous and awe-inspiring as
this transformation is, it can also leave
mums a bit disconcerted when, nine
months later, they have a beautiful
babe in arms, and a physical form they
barely recognise. Thankfully, weight
can be lost and muscles toned, so most
of us are lucky enough to return to
pre-baby shape over time. However,
there are more insidious side effects of
pregnancy hormones that don’t depart
as silently as the linea nigra.
Many women experience an
increase in hair growth, particularly
on the face, during or after pregnancy.
Says Julia: “When kissing my three-
year-old just after the arrival of my
third, she pulled back in horror and
said, ‘Mummy, you’re spiky!’ I felt like
a bristly old dinosaur!”
Other women experience facial
pigmentation, known as melasma,
chloasma faciei or the “mask of
pregnancy”. “I hardly ever used to
wear make-up,” says Emma. “But
since having my children, I feel really
self-conscious going out without
foundation as I have very visible
Hair today,
gone
tomorrow?
Has the joy of motherhood brought with it the
bane of a hairy chin?
Laura Miller
investigates
your options for smooth skin.
pregnancy-related pigmentation on
my cheeks and forehead.”
I agree wholeheartedly in viewing
one’s stretchmarks and saggy belly
button as badges of motherhood,
and in being a positive role model
for your children in accepting and
appreciating your body. But I also
believe that if something can be
done about physical changes that are
lowering a mum’s self-esteem, then
she should go for it. Mothers give for
a living. Why shouldn’t they do so
with the complexion and jawline they
started with? The time I spend with
my tweezers ridding my chin of its
unwelcome fringe could definitely be
better spent over a puzzle or three.
A solution?
IPL is a simple treatment for removing
unwanted hair and pigmentation.
It is often confused with laser hair
removal, and Justine Grier – aka The
Skin Whisperer – of The Skin Gym
November 2013
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