How does laser hair removal work?
Laser hair removal uses a process called selective photo thermolysis. Heat from the laser destroys cells that have a darker pigment than the skin. The hair transfers heat to the hair follicles during the growth phase of the hair (anagen phase explained below) and destroys them, so the hair can no longer grow.
Removal is only effective in the first stage of growth (anagen phase) which occurs every 4-6 weeks, hence why we wait this amount of time between appointments.
The are 4 stages of hair growth:
- Anagen Phase
Also known as the ‘Growth Phase’ or ‘Active Phase’, the Anagen Phase is when the cells in the root of your hair are most rapidly dividing so more new hair is formed. During the Anagen Phase, the hair grows around half an inch a month. This stage lasts around 3 – 5 years. - Catagen Phase
Following the Anagen Phase, the hair cycle enters a short transitional phase known as the Catagen Phase, which signals the end of active hair growth and cuts individual hairs off from the blood supply. This lasts around 10 days. - Telogen Phase
This is the resting period whereby strands remain in their follicles but are not actively growing. This lasts around 3 months or 100 days. - Exogen phase
When individual hair strands are released from their follicles and fall out to allow the entire process to start again.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
Laser hair removal is ‘deemed’ permanent. However, most clients will need top-up appointments to keep hair growth fully at bay. This differs from client to client and is highly dependable on hormones, especially with female clients. So, we would suggest top-ups either every three months, six months or annually.
How many treatments will I need for laser hair removal?
This is dependent on two things – the client and the machine used. As a practitioner, we would hope that the maximum amount of sessions you would need would be 12 at 4-6 week intervals. However, depending on the machine used, your treatments may come down to only 6 sessions. We will discuss this with you in your consultation.
If you have hormone issues, for example, polycystic ovary syndrome, then maintenance will be required (more than likely) as an ongoing process. However, the difference laser makes to this subset of clients is incredible. Most go from shaving every day to once per month.
How should I prepare for my laser hair removal appointment?
You will need to shave 24 – 48 hours prior to your session. The laser needs the root of the hair to target and so waxing and epilation are not permitted. If you have darker skin tones, a patch test will need to be left longer prior to the treatment commencing for safety and to ensure no pigmentary changes occur.
What are the different types of technology used for hair removal and which is right for me?
There’s a wide range of equipment for laser and light treatment available on the market for hair removal. Starting with the types of lasers available for these treatments:
Intense pulsed light (IPL)
590 – 1200 wavelength. The pulses are generated by a lamp or pulsed “flash lamp”. Filters are used to determine the most appropriate spectrum according to the patient’s skin and hair type.
Diode laser
800 – 810 and enables the variation of pulse duration.
Ruby laser
Filters are used to determine the most appropriate spectrum according to the patient’s skin and hair type.
Alexandrite laser
This emits a wavelength of 755 nm.
We will discuss your skin and hair type in your consultation and choose the best route for you, together.
What is intense pulsed light (IPL) laser for hair removal?
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light and it works by concentrating a beam of light into the hair follicles by heating them up and therefore stunting their growth. Technically this isn’t actually a laser treatment. Different wavelengths can also be used for other skin conditions including rejuvenation, acne treatment, thread vein and pigmentation treatment.
What is diode laser for hair removal?
A diode works differently to IPL in so far as it delivers high energy into the skin to be selectively absorbed by the melanin surrounding the follicle whilst keeping the surrounding tissue intact. As the melanin heats, it destroys the root and blood flow to the follicle, again stunting growth.
What is an nd: YAG for laser hair removal?
This laser emits light pulses which is absorbed by the melanin transferring it to the root where the energy destroys this in much the same way as the diode. These are the safest on darker skin types as they leave the surrounding skin untouched.
What is the best type of laser for hair removal in the UK?
As you can see from above, there are many types of technologies available and it all depends on your budget and also skin colour may play a role in your decision on which technology to go for. For example, an nd: YAG laser can be used on all skin types.
Is laser hair removal regulated in the UK?
The industry has been discussing regulation within the laser industry for some time now. However, this still hasn’t come to fruition. What this means is that any practitioner looking to offer laser treatments within their clinic, can do so only with an accredited qualification.
Here at Laser Skin Solutions : Motcombe, we believe knowledge is key to gaining the best and safest results for clients and have obtained Ofqual Level 4 in laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) and above.
What is the Fitzpatrick scale of skin typing?
The Fitzpatrick Scale classifies six different skin types based on their melanin content. The amount of melanin within the skin is responsible for UV sensitivity. Pale skin doesn’t have a lot of melanin and is consequently a lot more sensitive to UV exposure than darker and more pigmented skin colour. This plays a vital role in laser treatments as different photo-types, or skin types, react differently to laser exposure.
Before commencing treatment, you should complete a Fitzpatrick survey to identify your skin colour/type. In addition, at Laser Skin Solutions : Motcombe, we will also analyse your skin.
We can then determine the level of the laser (depending on which laser we decide upon together).
How does laser tattoo removal work?
In short, lasers remove tattoos by breaking up the ink with pulses of light energy. What people don’t realise is that the ink from a tattoo remains within the skin as a liquid and does not harden. Therefore, when this light hits the ink, it breaks into tiny fragments and in the coming weeks, the body flushes the ink out via the lymphatic system which is the body’s natural cleansing system.
The easiest colour to eradicate is black and the hardest colours to remove are white, yellow and green.
How many sessions of laser tattoo removal will I need?
This all depends on the tattoo. We utilise a calculator to determine approximately how many sessions you will need, taking into consideration the colour of their skin, the size of the tattoo, if there was any scarring, the density of the ink, the colours within the tattoo and the positioning on the body.
If you require tattoo removal for cover-up purposes, you will likely only require a 50% removal, so an artist can cleverly cover-up over the top.
What is a q-switch ND: YAG laser for tattoo removal?
These lasers utilise short pulses of intense light to shatter tattoo ink into tiny particles.
They are also known for their effectiveness in removing darker ink colours, especially black ink utilising a 1064nm wavelength. The 532nm works well with reds and browns.
These two wavelengths combined also work to treat fungal nail infection and add in a 755 and the three combined effectively treat skin hyperpigmentation.
The 755nm wavelength can also be used for the carbon skin peel.
What is a picosecond laser for tattoo removal?
These lasers utilise the same principle as q-switched lasers, but emit pulses at a trillionth of a second, making them significantly faster.
This increased speed allows picosecond lasers to break down ink particles more effectively, often resulting in fewer treatment sessions. They are particularly effective for lighter and more stubborn ink colours.