Hello,

This is Director Wi Young-jin.

​

​

The philtrum area on a person's face is small in size but

is a place where the gaze often lingers.

​

​

Thus, for men, having a shadow appear shortly after shaving is a concern,

while for women, even with makeup, subtle marks

can also be a concern.

​

​

Today, I would like to organize core contents related to this issue

in a bit more depth.

1. Principle & Effect — 1 Minute Summary

Laser hair removal uses light energy that reacts with melanin pigment

to transfer heat to hair follicles and surrounding stem cells to

inhibit hair growth.

​

In particular, hair in the growth phase responds best,

and repeated treatments are necessary to gradually achieve thinner hair

and closer to permanent results.

​

The philtrum contains a mix of coarse and fine hairs, so even in the same area, the hair's form varies.

Therefore, satisfaction largely differs depending on the precision of equipment settings (wavelength, pulse width, energy).

​

Rather than simply approaching with “a few sessions will do,”

it is much more effective to adjust by observing changes and reactions in hair.

This point is a key aspect emphasized even at hair removal clinics.

2. Key Points

1️⃣ Precision of Energy Control

​

The most crucial factor in determining hair removal effectiveness is

the control of energy intensity.

​

▽If the energy is too low,

the heat does not reach the stem cells, and the hair will regrow after a few weeks,

△if too strong, the risk of side effects like burns or pigmentation increases.

​

​

Especially, the philtrum is a thin and sensitive area, so simply using strong settings is not always effective,

and the settings should be adjusted for each individual based on hair density, thickness, and skin tone to achieve stable results.

​

​

There is also a significant difference in hair thickness between men and women,

and even for the same person, as treatments accumulate, the hair gradually gets thinner,

thus applying the same settings each time can actually reduce effectiveness.

​

Therefore, having skilled medical personnel who can carefully observe reactions

and make fine adjustments is essential.

For these reasons, if you are searching for a hair removal clinic,

look for a place that offers personalized settings.

2️⃣ Equipment Selection and the Role of Pulse Width

​

The second most important factor is

the performance of the equipment used.

​

​

Generally, the commonly used

755nm Alexandrite laser is

​

effective for light skin and fine hair but has limitations when the skin tone is dark or the hair is coarse.

​

​

Thus, equipment that supports dual wavelengths (755nm + 1064nm)

is more stable and has a wider application range.

​

Also, the range of pulse width adjustments must be verified.

​

The philtrum contains both coarse and fine hairs, so long pulse widths alone cannot effectively target fine hairs.

​

​

Devices like the GentleMax Pro Plus that can precisely adjust short pulse widths can effectively capture not only coarse hairs but also root cells of fine hairs, leading to noticeably different results.

​

Especially, machines that can reduce pulse widths to about 2ms are advantageous for fine hair removal.

​

Moreover, the philtrum is a sensitive area for pain, so equipment with a powerful cooling system using gas dispersion

is safer in terms of pain reduction and preventing skin damage.

​

All these elements need to be in place to expect a long-term state where hair does not regrow, beyond merely reducing hair.

​

3. Differences in Hair Removal Between Men and Women

The philtrum may seem simple on the outside, but

the hair structure and skin characteristics between men and women

are clearly different, requiring a different approach.

​

​

▷ Characteristics of Men

The above before and after photos were taken on the day of the treatment (February 14, 2025) and 23 weeks post-treatment under the same conditions.

Uploaded without brightness or color correction. Individual differences exist and the images were posted with personal consent.

😊There is a high ratio of coarse terminal hairs and a large amount of melanin, resulting in a very high heat absorption rate.

😊The skin is often sensitive or has pigmentation due to repeated shaving.

😊Initially, a higher energy setting is needed, but controlling it within a safe range for the skin is key.

😊Maintaining a consistent interval between treatments is more effective due to the strong hair growth.

​

​

▷ Characteristics of Women

😊Coarse hairs along with a high ratio of fine hairs

😊Fine hairs have less melanin, making short pulse widths and delicate energy settings essential.

😊Fine hairs are often visible when wearing makeup, so even subtle changes are highly noticeable.

😊Coarse hairs tend to reduce relatively quickly, but fine hairs decrease gradually, so meticulous adjustments per session are important.

Even when both men and women undergo hair removal of the philtrum,

the differences in structure and hair characteristics necessitate different strategies for reliability.

Q&A — When can women start to wear makeup after hair removal of the philtrum?

Q. Can I wear makeup immediately after hair removal?

​

A. Light makeup is possible at least 6 to 12 hours later.

The philtrum is a sensitive area, and applying makeup right after the procedure may lead to

redness, stinging, or irritant contact dermatitis, so a short rest period is necessary.

​

▷ Right after the procedure

Only light moisturizer

Avoid tight makeup such as foundation, cushion, or concealer

​

▷ After 6 to 12 hours

If there is no redness or heat, a thin base can be applied.

Thick cover makeup is recommended a day later.

​

▷ For sensitive skin

Makeup is recommended after 24 hours.

​

▷ Precautions

▶ Avoid exfoliation, scrubbing, or waxing for 5 to 7 days.

▶ No heat stimuli like hot showers, saunas, or exercise.

▶ For skin prone to folliculitis, wear a mask at least on the day of the treatment.

​

You need not worry that waiting a bit longer to wear makeup will diminish the hair removal effect.

​

​

Summary of Today's Content

🌙Summary of the principles targeting hair follicles and stem cells

🌙The hair removal effect arises from targeting hair follicles and stem cells.

​

🌙Energy adjustments per session are the key to effectiveness.

​

🌙Equipment capable of finely adjusting pulse widths influences results.

​

🌙Men's and women's structures and hair traits differ, requiring different strategies for approach.

​

🌙It’s best for women to wait at least 6 to 12 hours after treatment before applying makeup.

​

Thank you for reading this lengthy article.

This was Wi Young-jin.