Dermalaser Medical Skin & Laser
Clinic is a leader in Laser Hair Removal for the following reasons:
Are all hair removal lasers created equal?
No, not all lasers that remove hair are created equal. There are a variety of
lasers on the market and some are more efficient at hair removal than others,
with some taking longer than others to destroy the hair follicles. In some
cases, the hair follicle is only weakened and not entirely destroyed. This can
lead to many more treatments than planned if the laser is not specifically
designed for hair removal.
It is best to do your research and look for the best state-of-the-art hair
removal lasers recommended by Dermatologists or medical doctors experienced
with laser technology. The more sophisticated hair removal lasers have bigger
spots sizes, provide more comfort and are faster and more efficient.
At Dermalaser Medical Skin & Laser Clinic, we have two different hair
removal lasers on one platform and they are two of the best hair removal
systems on the market:
Candela Alexandrite & Nd:YAG
These two lasers are referred to as the Candela Gentle Max Pro System. The
beauty of this system is that they can be used individually or in combination
with each other while doing a hair removal treatment – some areas may require
the Alexandrite while others may need the Nd:YAG
The major difference with our laser hair removal treatments is that both these
lasers are monochromatic, in other words, a single wavelength of light, and
they were created especially for hair removal making them more efficient than
some other systems.
The Alexandrite laser is best for treating lighter skin types & the Nd:YAG
is best for treating darker skin types. It is safer to use a hair removal laser
that is designed specifically for light or dark skin types and having this
choice is what really sets our hair removal laser treatments apart from many
others. Many other hair removal laser systems are only able to reduce or remove
dark hair on a pale skin.
It is also good to note that often the first 1-4 hair removal treatments may be
comparable with other hair removal systems but from 4-8 treatments onwards,
other lasers or systems like IPL can be less effective as the hair gets thinner
but it takes longer to destroy the hair follicle. This can result in up to 15
treatments or more to get the same results as with our lasers. The Alexandrite
& Nd:YAG may be more intense but they work deeply and generally destroy the
hair follicle quicker, resulting in less treatments.
Is there anything else that is important to know when considering laser hair
removal?
An important factor when considering laser hair removal options is the
Absorption Curve of melanin – how effective the laser is at absorbing
melanin. The relationship between hair removal lasers and melanin is very
important because it affects the efficacy of the laser hair removal treatments.
A hair removal laser targets pigment called melanin and this pigment is
what gives hair its colour. The heat from the laser targets the melanin in the
hair follicle causing damage which slows down or stops the hair growth, leading
to permanent hair reduction. Our lasers have high absorption benefits compared
to others.
Intense Pulse Light (IPL) uses broadband light and is not a single wavelength.
It is used for hair removal but it is not a pure laser – it is intense
pulsed light and it can take more treatments than a laser that has been
designed specifically for hair removal such as the Alexandrite & Nd:YAG.
Grey, white, ginger and blonde hair cannot be removed with a hair removal laser
as they contain no pigment – for this, we offer the very best in
electrolysis hair removal, the Apilus XL Pur Electrolysis.
Are laser hair removal treatments painful?
Candela’s Alexandrite Laser Hair Removal treatments use a patented Dynamic
Cooling Device™ (DCD™), which prepares the skin for treatment by spraying the
upper layer with a cooling burst of cryogen in adjustable
durations—milliseconds before the laser pulse. DCD helps ensure that the
treatments are as comfortable as they are effective.
Some clinics advertise ‘pain-free’ treatments but this is often attained by
using a lower energy setting on the laser to avoid discomfort so that the
client will return and not be put off by any discomfort or pain. However, the
downside of this is that generally more laser treatments are required as the
energy settings are not as high as they should be and this then incurs extra
costs as it takes longer for the desired outcome. Experienced laser therapists
will use the correct energy settings in conjunction with a cooling system to
minimize discomfort and in this way not have to perform more treatments that
are necessary.
What are Candela’s Alexandrite & Nd:YAG Laser Hair Removal treatments
like?
Laser energy is delivered through a small hand-piece operated by your laser
therapist. The laser delivers an intense beam of light, which is absorbed by
the pigment/melanin in the hair follicle. Thermal energy or heat is then
absorbed by the pigment cells that are being targeted, while the surrounding
tissue remains unaffected. Your skin may be slightly red and swollen
immediately following the procedure. This typically lasts from a few minutes to
several hours after the procedure. A cooling gel is applied immediately after
the treatment to reduce any discomfort.
Are Candela’s Laser Hair Removal treatments safe and are there any side
effects?
Laser and light-based treatments have been safely used for many years for a
variety of medical and cosmetic procedures. It, however, is vitally
important that your laser therapist is properly trained to use the laser and
that she is experienced as this can impact on your safety. It is also important
to have a pre-treatment assessment so that the laser therapist is aware of any
potential risks due to medication or medical conditions especially pigmentary
concerns.
Nearly any part of the body can be treated safely including the face, neck,
legs, nipples, bikini line, underarms, arms, back, buttocks, chest and stomach
on both men and women. Both these lasers help with some medical treatments
including Pilonidal sinus, ingrown hairs and folliculitis including pseudofolliculitis
barbae.
Side effects can include some redness and post-treatment swelling but this is
usually only temporary. Another important safety precaution during the
treatment is that both the client and the therapist wear special laser
protection glasses.
How long do Candela’s Laser Hair Removal treatments take and how many
treatments will I require?
Treatment times may vary depending on your specific needs. Hair growth is
reduced after each treatment and the number of treatments required will be
based on your hair colour and type, the size of the body area to be treated and
the skin tone.
The Alexandrite is designed to destroy hair in 6-8 treatments but this can vary
and is often more like 8-10 treatments. Each client is different in how their
hair responds and there are other factors that need to be taken into
consideration such as age and whether the client is still hormonally active.
This can all have an effect on the length and efficacy of your treatment.
Laser hair removal treatments can take a few months as they should only be
performed during the growth phase of the hair follicle when the melanin
concentrations are high. The hair goes through 3 main stages:
Anagen – Growth phase (it’s got
the blood and nerve supply to the follicle at this stage)
Catagen – Intermediate or regression phase
Telogen – Resting or shedding phase
Not all hair follicles will be in a growth phase at one time, with some in the
intermediate or resting phase. This is why multiple treatments are required in
order target all hair follicles in their growth phase.
What precautions should I take when considering laser hair removal?
Avoid sun exposure at least four weeks before treatment. Do not bleach, pluck
or wax 4 to 6 weeks before and after treatment. Wait for tanned skin (both
natural tan and self-tan) to fade before beginning treatment.
Any word of expert advice when considering laser hair removal?
Besides making sure you choose a clinic with the correct and most efficient
hair removal lasers, it is vitally important to check how experienced the laser
therapist or operator is before having a treatment.
Many clinics have a high turnover of staff who may be trained on the technical
side of the lasers but they lack the long-term experience of treating actual
patients. This can impact on the number of treatments required as the laser
therapist might turn the energy down on the laser for fear of causing pain or
discomfort, or causing hyperpigmentation or damage to the surrounding skin.
This then impacts on the number of treatments needed to remove the hair.
Experienced laser therapists, who have worked with their lasers over a long
period of time, are a very valuable asset when it comes to a hair removal
treatment. They know their lasers well: the energy settings and what they can
and cannot do, with safety and efficacy a top priority when it comes to their
clients.
Lastly, when clinics advertise big discounts on their hair removal treatments
it might seem like a big saving upfront but if your treatments are going to
take a lot longer to get the desired result, your discount will quickly
disappear.
Be cautious of ‘dream sellers’ … permanent hair removal, pain-free … sometimes
there is no permanent hair removal but rather permanent hair reduction and more
often than not, there is some discomfort with this treatment – it is rarely
completely ‘pain-free’ but experienced laser therapists know how to minimize
any discomfort.
The best advice we can give is to be informed and do your homework before
embarking on this very popular treatment.
For a free consultation and assessment for laser hair removal, please contact
us:
021-852 8709