is one of the most popular laser based aesthetic procedures as it can provide permanent reduction of unwanted hair, which is why people often refer to it as ‘permanent hair removal‘.
IPL Hair Removal
So what is Laser Hair Removal?
There are lots of different types of cosmetic lasers. The ones used for hair removal use the colour that is in your hair to heat up and damage the root enough to stop the hair growing again. If you are considering laser hair removal here is what you need to know.
IPL or Laser Hair removal?
t’s common to think that they are the same. Especially as IPL is often referred to as IPL Laser Hair Removal. They are actually very different, and at our Laser Hair Removal Clinic we use both a ND:YAG laser and the latest Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) system.
The benfit of Long pulse Nd:YAG lasers are that they can be used on all skin types even tanned skin, allowing treatment of a wider patient base than many other systems. They even allow us to offer treatments to the often difficult-to-treat finer hairs that are left by other systems after a number of treatments.
IMPORTANT: The choice of IPL Hair Removal or Laser Hair Removal depends on your individual skin and hair type. What is important for you to know is we will select the machine best for individual requirement. The machine we believe we will get the best results.
Are the results permanent?
No matter what you may have read. Using a laser to remove hair probably won’t remove 100% of hair permanently, but should dramatically reduce growth to what often feels like permanent. Any hair re-growth is likely to be paler and weaker. So if you’re guaranteed “permanent laser hair removal” – worry!
This is because lasers need the pigment with within the hair to work with different results being obtained based on the hairs colour. White, grey or platinum blond hair do not respond nearly as well as dark hairs.
Additionally, hair removal treatment works best on new hairs that are just starting to grow, which is why you will need a number of treatments in the same area to ensure you capture the hairs as they begin their growth cycle. Even then new hairs can grow or hairs that simply managed to avoid treatment whilst in the right growth phase can get missed
Are the results permanent?
You will need to wear special goggles to protect your eyes. Very cold air or a cooling gel will be applied to the treatment area. Lasering stings or tingles, and takes 15-45 minutes, depending on the size of the area. The same area is lasered once a month for about eight months, until all the hair follicles have been treated in the optimum growth phase.
After a treatment the skin may look red and slightly swollen, but this should disappear within 24 hours. You can return to normal daily life straight away.
Tweezers tips!
No Hair colour no hair removal
If you’re very blonde or grey there is not enough hair colour to allow the laser to heat and damage to root and prevent future hair growth.
If your hairs not growing, the laser cant work
Every hair on your face and body is in one of three stages. The first stage in the cycle where your hair grows is called the Anagen phase. Only hairs in this growth phase can be treated successfully. Which is why you need an average of 8 treatments at 4 or 5 week intervals to get close to the result you’re looking for.
Laser hair removal is rarely permanet
After 8 -10 treatments most people would be consider the treated area to be hair free, with the only hairs left growing being short fine vellus hairs. But it’s not uncommon for some hairs to regrow and occasional future ‘top up’ treatments being necessary.
Laser hair removal hurts
We’re not talking about child birth levels of pain, but more like the equivalent of a light flick of an elastic band. Needless to say, some parts of the body can hurt more than others.
