CLINICAL hair removal with laser – myths and truths
What is laser hair removal? Is it permanent?
LASER hair removal is the only permanent hair removal method, which abolishes the traditional techniques. It is suitable for women and men in any body area, removing safely unwanted hair without damaging the pores and skin structure. It is a permanent method, 96% of hair is destroyed, however, it requires special training and a doctor's license to perform.
How does the laser act exactly?
A specific wavelength of the light beam causes the absorption of energy from the melanin of the hair, destroying the hair follicle. By this procedure the root of the hair is destroyed while we have formation of new hair, leaving unaffected the melanin.
How many types of hair removal lasers are available?
There are several medical hair removal lasers such as the diode, the Alexandrite, theNdYag, etc. The Alexandrite hair removal laser (alexandrite) emits at 755nm and it is the most common. At the clinic, we have two alexandrite lasers, both being the latest model of the American house Candela Gentle Pro, with automatic cryogenic cooling mechanism.
What are the reasons that lead someone to undergo a laser hair removal treatment?
The laser hair removal is usually done for aesthetic reasons. But there are medical reasons that also require laser hair removal. Folliculitis is usually created after shaving, waxing or by using depilatory devices. Also, in cases of spider veins (couperose) in the legs or irritation after waxing or depilatory creams, the laser hair removal method is the only solution.
Other reasons include hirsutism due to heredity, race or hormonal disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, tumors and due to menopause. We may need to prescribe hormonal tests in these cases and additional medication will be given accordingly.
In which areas of the body is it performed?
The laser hair removal is applied to each area that there is excessive hair growth, such as:
Laser hair removal on hands (arms, forearms), armpit, bikini line, legs, nipples, back etc.
In which body areas do we have better results?
The areas with the best laser hair removal results are the bikini line, underarms and legs, while on the face we might need to perform more sessions due to hormonal issues. The results of the laser hair removal are faster in women than men due to the smaller amount of androgens.
What is the procedure followed during the session?
A complete medical history is needed, dermatological examination of skin color, the color and thickness of the hair.
In each session, moles must be mapped with a white pencil. Then, the boundaries of the areas in which the treatment will be applied are also mapped and finally, the large areas should be devided into smaller ones, so that the operator should know what to do, without leaving any unwanted hair. Furthermore in each patient, sterile spacers are used for their treatment. The spacers have diameters of different sizes, like 10,12,15, 18 mm, the size of which is selected by the doctor based on the thickness and color of hair because the larger the diameter, the deeper the laser scatters. So in thin hair that we know they are more superficial, we use spacers of smaller diameter to aim at that depth.
We adjust the energy and the intensity of the cooling procedure and we start the procedure.
We always use protective eyewear (safety goggles).
How many sessions are required?
It usually takes from five to six sessions in the areas of the body, about 8-10 for the face. The number of treatments depends on the skin color and the color and thickness of the hair.
What is the interval of these sessions?
The hair growth cycle has three phases, the anagen which is substantially the growth phase, the catagen and telogen in which the hair falls. The treatments are effective when the hair is in the growth phase (anagen phase). The sessions are repeated every 45 -50 days, in order to make the hair stay in the anagen phase and for the hair removal to be effective.
When does the patient see results?
The results of the laserhair removal are permanent and impressive. From the very first session the laser hair removal leads to hair reduction up to 50% in some areas, while the hairbecome smoother, lighter and softer.
Is the treatment painful?
The procedure is almost painless, thanks to the automatic skin cooling mechanism that is provided exclusively from the laser of the American house Candela. However the degree of sensation is different from person to person and if necessary, in some highly sensitive areas, eg bikini, local anesthetic cream may be applied.
How will the area be afterwards?
The patient can return home or to work immediately after the treatment. Transient erythema and perifollicular edema may occur after the hair removal but they disappear after a few hours. These symptoms may be reduced by applying ice or moisturizers on the area.
Is the procedure safe?
It is an absolutely safe method. The medical laser is a visible light without emitting radiation and has no effect on skin structures with no melanin, such as lymph nodes and the mammary gland (breast). Also, modern Alexandrite candela gentle pro lasers have automatic cooling mechanisms that protect the skin even in very high energies.
Contraindications of laser hair removal
The laser hair removal is absolutely contraindicated to people with photodermatitis and people taking isotretinoin. In the past there was also a risk to perform the treatment on people with vitiligo or psoriasis, but with the latest generation of laserswhich have automatic cooling mechanisms this is no longer a problem.
Is it permitted during pregnancy?
Pregnancy and breast-feeding are cases of relative contraindication, however we should have the consent of our gynecologist in order to avoid risking the fetus's health.
Precautions before and after the treatment?
Hair removal with wax or blonding cream must be avoided for 2 weeks, while the area in which the laser will be done must be shaved two days before (except the face). Long exposure to the sun is prohibited for a week before and one week after the treatment. Of course it is necessary to use a sunscreen lotion after the treatment.
Patients often ask, is the laser hair removal allowed during summer? What do we answer to them?
With the modern hair removal lasers, hair removal can be done in the summer because we can increase the intensity of cooling and adjust the pulse duration, ie the time that the energy acts to the skin in order to be completely safe.
What should someone be aware of while searching for a laser hair removal?
Choose a clinic that has the lasers officially approved by the FDA and that is appropriate.
Choose a clinic which, at the end of each session,complements the patient's medical card with the settings used during the treatment.
Do not be lured by low prices and promotions.The price per session may appear (or be) very low but the session is performed hastily and with low intensity; thus it has to be repeated, often with questionable results.
