Laser Hair Removal - Consultation & Treatment
"HELLO LASER, GOOD-BYE RAZOR!"
Hair removal has never been so good!
The presence of hair in certain regions of the body, may be acceptable for some people, but not for others. Unwanted hair is a real problem for many people and can be uncomfortable to live with. The Hospital group Cosmetic Treatments help.
Treatment Approaches
There are a number of traditional methods of removing unwanted hair: plucking, shaving, waxing, depilatory creams and electrolysis - all of which can be painful, time consuming or only temporarily effective.
Laser Technology
Since 1995, lasers have become the ‘gold standard’ method of hair removal. More recently intense pulsed light systems (IPL) have increasingly been used as an alternative.
At the The Hospital group Cosmetic Treatments clinic we utilize the IPL system for hair removal which has been chosen by our staff with the customer’s approval, aiming always for the best results that will benefit of our clients.
Intense Pulse Light (IPL)
These systems are flash lamps producing a spectrum of light energy rather than laser light. Intense pulsed light systems often have larger treatment heads than many lasers, and thus take less treatment time, making it more convenient for the patient. Our office pulse light system works on all skin types, but it is wise to avoid a fresh suntan to reduce risks with any laser or pulsed light system.
It is a non-coherent, non-laser flash lamp light source that is also being used for a variety of disorders including facial telangectasia, leg veins, some pigmented lesions, and more recently hair removal.
Laser Hair Removal Facts
What does the Procedure involve?
The laser/pulsed light is a non-invasive light therapy device specifically designed to eliminate undesired hair from all parts of the body. The laser/pulsed light generates a pulse of intense, concentrated light which is directed through a hand piece which is gently applied to the treatment site.
This laser/pulsed light energy passes through the skin to the hair follicle, where the energy is absorbed by pigment in the hair and hair follicle, causing selective damage to the hair root without damaging delicate pores and structures of the skin. The laser is pulsed, or “turned on”, for only a fraction of a second. The duration of the pulses is carefully determined so that laser energy will be absorbed by the hair follicle without transferring excessive heat to the surrounding skin.
Some of the hair which was in the treated follicles is wiped off immediately after treatment, and the rest is shed over the next 2-3 weeks. The hair roots which have been destroyed are reabsorbed by the body.
Unlike “hair-by-hair” treatments like electrolysis, the laser uses a wide beam which treats many hairs at once. Because the laser can treat dozens of hairs with each pulse, it is possible to treat larger areas such as the back, shoulders, arms, legs and face. The laser can be used just about anywhere on the body, and usually requires no anaesthesia or other treatment. Even sensitive areas such as the nipples, upper lip and bikini line can be treated easily and with minimal discomfort.
The laser/pulsed light system’s unique design allows us to customize treatment, according to your hair and skin colour, hair texture, and location on the body.
Laser/pulsed light treatments are a safe, fast, gentle and effective method for hair removal. In just a few treatment sessions using the gentle power of lasers/pulsed light; you can greatly improve the appearance of skin which is disfigured by unwanted hair.
What are the benefits of intense pulsed light hair removal compared to alternative treatments?
The primary benefits of intense pulsed light hair removal include:
» Larger areas may be treated with less discomfort than with electrolysis, waxing, tweezing, or plucking.
» They combine speed, comfort and long lasting reduction.
» They work on any area of the body where a hair-free appearance is desired.
» Shaving, waxing, plucking, and depilatory creams remove the hair but leave the hair follicles intact, so the hair re-grows within one to four weeks in most cases.
» Intense pulsed light hair removal offers you a long-term reduction in both the amount of hair, and also in many cases a reduction in thickness and colour of hair shafts which do grow back.
» Hair removal methods like plucking or waxing which cause irritation may actually stimulate hair growth. This happens because one way the body defends itself against having hair pulled out is to produce thicker, stronger hairs which are harder to pull out next time.
» Another advantage of laser treatments is that your skin can be kept nice and smooth between treatments by shaving — you will never again have to grow your hair out long enough to be waxed or plucked. Occasional waxing can be useful to temporarily get rid of white hairs and fine “peach fuzz” hairs after you have completed laser treatment.
» Intense pulsed light hair removal offers long lasting reduction, and even if hair does eventually grow back it is usually finer in texture and lighter in colour than the original hair, and much
» Less of a cosmetic problem. Touch ups can easily be done and usually with reduced fees. No system can guarantee 100% permanent hair removal!
» No harmful rays of light are emitted from IPL systems therefore there is no risk of skin cancer.
What areas of the body can be treated?
ALL parts of the body can be treated (and are treated) with our hair removing laser and pulsed light systems. In women, the most common areas for treatment are the upper lip, chin, bikini line, arms and legs, and underarms. In men, the most common areas for treatment are shoulders, back, and the beard area.
Are there any after-effects following treatment?
Redness, and some discomfort of the area (like sunburn) may be present for the first few days following treatment. Blistering may occur in a minority of patients, and this settles without treatment in a few days. Rarely, the pigment in the skin may be affected resulting in the treated area appearing lighter or darker. This almost certainly settles in time.
What are the costs?
Detailed pricing will be discussed at initial consultation.
What are the contraindicated conditions?
» White/blond/grey hair might not respond
» Red hair may/may not respond
» Eyebrows except glabella area
» External genitalia should not be treated
» Photosensitizers may be contraindicated-a note of all medications should be checked
» Active suntan exposure
» Any patient who has bleached 6 weeks prior to treatment is contraindicated (waxing and plucking clients can)
» Keloids
» Infested skin at the treatment site
The number of treatment sessions needed will depend on:
» The desired degree of hair reduction (as the amount of hair declines, some people become very enthusiastic and want even LESS hair than they had originally planned on having removed)
» hair colour (people with naturally light colours hair sometimes need more treatments)
» ethnic and genetic background (people with dark skin sometimes need more treatments, thus it will cost more overall due to more time and sessions with darker skin types (types 4-6)
» hormonal status
» area being treated
» hair density
» age
» weight (obesity can increase hair growth
» medication (for example medicines like Dilantin and cyclosporine can increase hair growth)
What Results can you expect
The most realistic description of the results after laser/pulsed light treatment is: “long-term hair REDUCTION”. This means: “After four to six treatments the total amount of hair is greatly reduced — generally by 70% to 90% — and on occasion hair which does grow back is often much finer and lighter in colour.” Most people are very pleased with this degree of improvement, as long as they know that this is what to expect before they have laser hair removal treatment. Photos are normally taken at the beginning of a course in order for your therapist to monitor progress
It is important for you to realize that after having six treatment sessions it is VERY LIKELY that there WILL BE a very substantial reduction in both the amount of hair and also a reduction in the thickness and color of the hair in the treated areas
