MANILA, Philippines ? TV soap star Angel Locsin says she?s pretty low-maintenance, but is particular about one thing ? stubbles.

?I have a simple beauty regimen. I make sure I thoroughly clean my face, remove all traces of makeup and moisturize. I get body scrubs and massages with my therapist ?kasi gusto ko may kausap ako, ayoko nang matagal na treatments kasi nakakaiinip? [I want to have someone to talk with, I don?t like long treatments because they?re a long wait],? she says. ?But I make sure I am hair-free in the right places.?

Locsin has just been named endorser of Facial Care Center?s (FCC) LaserLight hair removal, a diode laser system that removes unwanted hair.

How it works: LaserLight penetrates the dermis and disables hair follicles, thus preventing hair growth, resulting in smooth, even skin.

It costs more than the usual salon techniques of waxing and threading. The price depends on body area covered, and it takes six to eight sessions to see full results.

Locsin, a magazine cover girl, says it?s all worth it.

?I?ve tried lotion [depilatories], waxing, threading. But with cream and lotion, ?kapag mali ang gamit, puwedeng masunog ang skin, ?tapos amoy pangkulot!? [wrong use can burn the skin, and it smells of hair-curling chemical],? she says, laughing.

?And usually, ?late ka na? [you end up late for something] because you must let it stay on your skin longer.?

Locsin has many endorsements. She?s on billboards promoting a variety of stuff, from swim wear to whitening capsules. All this exposure requires her to look good and be fashionable.

?Not having unsightly hair and stubble is important in my work. It gives me confidence, makes me smile with ease, makes me feel sexy. ?Hindi ako naiilang mag-sleeveless or magsuot ng short dresses? [I don?t feel timid to go sleeveless or to wear short dresses],? she says, looking polished in a sweetheart-neckline cocktail dress in earth tones and sky-high strappy gladiator heels.

Reduction, not removal

A clarification: LaserLight is a hair-reduction, not hair-removal method.

?There is no technology yet to fully eradicate the hair in your body, because as long as you?re alive, you?ll grow hair,? says Dr. Shirley Samson-Valdez, FCC cosmetic and pathologic dermatologist. ?With LaserLight, the hair that has been removed may or may not grow back, but regrowth will be less and a lot finer, depending on your hair cycle.?

Locsin initially feared the treatment would be painful and time-consuming. She found out it was ?quick, surprisingly painless and has no downtime.? She had it done on her underarms, legs and bikini line.

Waxing and shaving cause skin darkening, says Dr. Valdez. With LaserLight, there is less abrasion and rubbing so skin eventually becomes smoother and fairer. There are no scars or razor burns, pimple-like bumps with pus, ingrown hair and chicken skin.

Not just for girls

Even men have had LaserLight done on them.

?Men have their facial hair removed ? mustache and beard ? because they don?t want the hassles of shaving. Those who are really hairy have their chest and backs treated,? says Dr. Valdez.

Locsin advises those who want great skin, especially in the summer, to be bikini-ready and try out laser hair reduction.