Laser & IPL Hair Removal
The Eden clinic can offer hair removal for all skin types ranging from White to Afro-Caribbean using any one of 3 lasers and intense pulsed light systems. As well as facial and body hair, we can also offer treatment for more intimate areas from bikini line to extended pubic areas for both for men and women. We are very open and more than happy to discuss your requirements at your initial consultation (Hair Removal is usually delivered by one of our female Practitioners. If you are a male seeking itimate hair removal, please ask to be booked in with the Doctor).
Questions and answers about Hair Removal How does the system work?
The system is an intense pulse light source. The energy from the light is taken up by melanin, the pigment in hair. When the melanin absorbs the light, the light energy is converted into heat energy. Hair removal is accomplished by the generation of this heat, which is then transferred to the hair follicle, leading to destruction of the hair shaft and neighbouring cells responsible for regrowth of the hair.
How is the treatment carried out?
It is necessary to apply a thin layer of gel to the skin prior to treatment to ensure the optimal transmission of light from the applicator to the skin. This also has a cooling effect on the skin making the treatment more comfortable.
The rectangular quartz applicator is placed in contact with the skin surface. The light is pulsed through the quartz and onto the skin. The applicator is then moved to the neighbouring area and the process is repeated. During treatment you must wear protective eye goggles.
Which patients can be treated?
Black hairs are most easily treated due to the large concentration of melanin in these hairs, which gives an optimal absorption and conversion of light energy to heat. Fair hair has less melanin and consequently less heat is produced with less certainty of permanent destruction of the hair follicles. Grey (white) hair has almost no melanin and cannot be effectively treated. The upper skin layer, the epidermis, also contains melanin and the concentration increases when the skin is exposed to UV light. It is therefore necessary to treat dark-skinned individuals with less energy to avoid generation of heat and discomfort, and we recommend that tanned patients are not treated at all.
Does it hurt?
As the light energy is taken up by the skin pigments (melanin and haemoglobin), any discomfort depends upon the combined concentration of melanin in the epidermis and the hairs. No anaesthesia is required. Most patients describe the discomfort as moderate and acceptable, and liken it to a rubber band being fired against the skin.
Does the patient need to shave prior to treatment?
Hair should be shaved or snipped just prior to, or on the morning of treatment. A depilatory cream can also be used. Plucking, waxing or bleaching should not be carried out . By avoiding epilation or waxing for 4 weeks before treatment, it can be ensured that as many follicles as possible contain a hair and thus can be destroyed by the light.
Why do hairs "grow" after treatment?
Unlike some other systems, the hairs are not evaporated by the treatment. The hair follicles are killed by the heat but the hairs remain in the follicles. They will fall out after 1-3 weeks as the epidermis is renewed. During this period it will seem that the hairs are growing as they are pushed out by the epidermis.
How can you tell if the treatment has worked when the hairs are not removed immediately?
After treatment the hairs are loose in the follicle and can sometimes be easily pulled out with tweezers. A red ring around each follicle is often seen a few minutes after treatment, along with reddening of the skin. These end points indicate that sufficient heating of the follicles has taken place. However they are not always seen. Many patients have successful treatment results without the post-treatment signs.
What are the side effects?
The visible light is completely safe so no special precautions are needed apart from glasses for the brightness. The skin of some patients becomes quite red immediately after treatment. However, most patients experience no side effects and the described skin reactions usually disappear within hours to a few days. Very rarely hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation or blistering may occur.
How many treatments are necessary?
Only hair in the growth phase can be treated. The number of hairs in this phase varies from 10-70%. The length of the growth cycle also varies. After the first treatment, most patients get significant reduction in hair density. Treatment sessions are recommended every 4-6 weeks. We are unable to predict or guarantee how many treatments will be needed, however, typically, between 6 and 10 treatments are required for optimum results.
How do I prepare for treatment?
Patients should avoid tanning and must not use any fake tan 6 weeks ahead of and during the entire treatment period to avoid excessive discomfort from light absorption in the epidermis. Immediately after the treatment the skin is particularly sensitive to UV light, and strong sunlight should be avoided for 1-2 weeks.
Hair removal, skin type VI - Nd:Yag Laser
Questions and answers about Hair Removal
How does the system work?
The laser emits light of a wavelength, or colour, that is specially selected so that when it is directed into the skin, it targets the melanin in the hair. The energy from the laser light is taken up by melanin, the pigment in hair and the light energy is converted into heat energy. Hair removal is accomplished by the generation of this heat, which is then transferred to the hair follicle, leading to destruction of the hair shaft and neighbouring cells responsible for regrowth of the hair.
How is the treatment carried out?
The skin will be cooled down prior to treatment, to prevent the laser heating up the epidermis. The laser will be placed directly over the unwanted hair and the laser light fired over the entire area. During treatment you must wear protective goggles to protect your eyes from the laser light.
Which patients can be treated?
Black hairs are most easily treated due to the large concentration of melanin in these hairs, which gives the most absorption and creates the most heat. Fair hair has less melanin and consequently less heat is produced with less certainty of permanent destruction of the hair follicles. Grey (white) hair has almost no melanin and cannot be effectively treated. Many laser systems cannot be used to treat dark skins as the upper skin layer also contains melanin. The melanin in the skin will also absorb the light and create heat. With some laser systems this will result in burning, however the light emitted by Nd:YAG laser is especially gentle to dark skins, which means that it is the laser best suited for the treatment of these skin types.
Does it hurt?
As the light energy is taken up by the skin pigments (melanin and haemoglobin), any discomfort depends upon the combined concentration of melanin in the epidermis and the hairs. No anaesthesia is required. Most patients describe the discomfort as moderate and acceptable, and liken it to a rubber band being fired against the skin.
Does the patient need to shave prior to treatment?
Hair should be shaved just prior to, or on the morning of treatment. Plucking, waxing or bleaching should not be carried out. By avoiding epilation or waxing for 4 weeks before treatment, it can be ensured that as many follicles as possible contain a hair and thus can be destroyed by the light.
Why do hairs "grow" after treatment?
Unlike some other systems, the hairs are not always evaporated by the treatment. The hair follicles are killed by the heat but the hairs may remain in the follicles. They will fall out after 1-3 weeks as the epidermis is renewed. During this period it will seem that the hairs are growing as they are pushed out by the epidermis.
How can you tell if the treatment has worked when the hairs are not removed immediately?
After treatment the hairs are loose in the follicle and can sometimes be easily pulled out with tweezers. A red ring around each follicle is often seen a few minutes after treatment, along with reddening of the skin. These end points indicate that sufficient heating of the follicles has taken place. However they are not always seen. Many patients have successful treatment results without the post-treatment signs.
What are the side effects?
The skin of some patients becomes quite red immediately after treatment. However, most patients experience no side effects and the described skin reactions usually disappear within hours to a few days. Rarely hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation or blistering may occur. If a blister or a scab does form following treatment, the area should be left alone to heal naturally. It is important to avoid scratching or picking scabs or blisters as this could result in scarring.
How many treatments are necessary?
Only hair in the growth phase can be treated successfully. The number of hairs in this phase varies from 10-70%. The length of the growth cycle also varies. After the first treatment, most patients get significant reduction in hair density. Treatment sessions are recommended every 4-6 weeks. The number of sessions needed varies, but the usual number is 8-10.
How do I prepare for treatment?
Patients should avoid tanning and must not use any fake tan 6 weeks ahead of and during the entire treatment period to avoid excessive discomfort from light absorption in the epidermis. Immediately after the treatment the skin is particularly sensitive to UV light, and strong sunlight should be avoided for 1-2 weeks.
|
