On January 20, 2018, Olga, Daria, Elvira and Marina again came to the Body Aesthetics clinic for the 4th laser hair removal procedure on the In-Motion D1 diode laser.
Sometimes patients stop at the achieved result after 3-4 procedures, but not our heroines. They have no place to go: we took their passports and will not let their families out of the barn in Chertanovo until the last hair falls out of the waxed zone.
This is a joke. The girls see the effect and believe that they will not have to get a razor or wax strips for 5 years. Each waits for her last session, when the cosmetic surgeon will document that there is no more hair.
What procedures are performed on a diode laser?
On the diode laser can perform a variety of cosmetic procedures, such as hair removal, rejuvenation, pigmentation therapy, coagulation of blood vessels, anti-inflammatory therapy.
These actions or functions depend on the wavelength of the specific device. For example, 808 nm is suitable for hair removal, and the wavelength of 980 nm. To coagulate the blood vessels. These are different diode machines! Diode laser can generate 755 nm and 1064 nm, in parallel with 808 nm. Such a device is called a hybrid, which mimics the work of different lasers in one!
Since the most popular procedure in cosmetology is hair removal, let’s talk about it today?
What results of laser hair removal can be expected after the first procedure?
After the first diode laser procedure, the impressions and results are very positive, because the procedure is most comfortable, painless, fast, and the result is impressive.
Hair loss is caused by the damaging effect of light energy of the hair in the anagen stage, which is the living state of the hair, and most of them are on the human body. That is why 14 days after the first session the client notices that in some places the hair is less or there are bare spots.
Hair that is dormant or in a non-vital state will not fall out, because it must change over a certain amount of time. It is a natural physiological process! During the course there is a high probability of catching the hair in a live state to damage it and remove it for a long time.
What results can be expected after the first laser rejuvenation treatment?
Infrared rejuvenation is even more comfortable procedure than hair removal, because the treatment of facial skin is performed at minimal light power parameters with a maximum frequency, literally 10 Hz., It is very quick and painless!
The first result immediately after the procedure:
The complexion changes, a healthy pink glow appears, the trophicity of tissues improves, oxygenation improves, lymphatic drainage function increases, i.e. edema is eliminated. The skin tightens by shrinking collagen fibers, stimulating the production of new collagen fibers.
The result is healthy, firm and beautiful skin.
Laser alexandrite hair removal. Interview with the doctor
Patients of the Clinic ask a lot of questions about laser hair removal and alexandrite hair removal in particular. We gathered them all in one article with answers from our doctor, oral surgeon and dermatologist all in one.
Why do you need laser hair removal??
A man of today wants to look perfect in any condition. It is impossible to deny the fact that it is aesthetic to have silky and smooth skin. However, getting rid of hair. The process is not the most pleasant and time-consuming. Grass trimmers, creams designed for hair removal, wax strips, electroepilation. These methods of hair removal must be used permanently, and the growth of hair even with their permanent application does not stop. Opposite. When using a razor, for example, many people notice that hair becomes darker, thicker, grows more intensively.
Alexandrite laser hair removal is able to save us from all this torment, being the most in-demand and effective method of light permanent hair removal.
Who can benefit from laser hair removal??
The most popular alexandrite laser hair removal among women. Beauty standards and inner desire to have a reference image dictate their own rules. Ladies should always look luxurious, have well-groomed skin on their hands and feet. Genetics and other factors can make unpleasant corrections in women’s plans to have smooth skin, but to have impeccable appearance everyone wants without exception.
Here alexandrite laser hair removal can help. Issues of everyday comfort and hygiene make girls think about getting rid of hair in the underarm and bikini areas. Here already plays a role not only a desire to look aesthetically, but also to feel comfortable. growing hair often provokes the discomfort. The most popular zones for hair removal are not limited to the delicate areas. Many women experience difficulties related to hormonal abnormalities. Hormone imbalances often show up as hair growth in unusual areas. On the face, chest, abdomen or lower back. Of course, such a problem must be solved comprehensively and from the inside, resorting not only to laser hair removal, but also by consulting an endocrinologist, a gynecologist and other specialists, to whom the patient will be referred by the therapist.
Hormonal problems are not solved in a few days, most often they require both medication and various procedures to correct the external manifestations of the abnormalities. Alexandrite laser hair removal belongs to such procedures.
Is laser hair removal for men?
Definitely yes. Men are increasingly becoming the customers of cosmetologists in clinics, because they also want to look aesthetic and get rid of the discomfort that excessive hair brings. Some need to get rid of stubble due to the demands of professional activities, some just want to forget about the daily use of a grass trimmer or a shaving machine.
Most of the strong sex has to use a razor every day. Unfortunately, almost every man is familiar with such phenomena as skin irritation, redness in the epilation areas, folliculitis. And how to forget about microtraumas, scratches and other troubles accompanying the process of getting rid of hair?
There is a salvation: if you regularly attend the alexandrite laser hair removal procedure, the hair becomes less thick and stiff, inflammation and irritation disappear. After you’ve had a full course, you don’t have any hair at all.
Recently, it has become especially important to wear a beard, which further complicates the daily care of a man’s appearance. To keep your beard looking
Carefully, it is necessary to make practically titanic efforts, because hair often grows in places where one doesn’t want it to be seen. With laser hair removal the man will always have a neat beard.
Often our patients are men engaged in sports activities. swimming, wrestling, or modeling. To increase to the maximum their own efficiency in the competitive process, they need to exclude all distractions, causing discomfort. These factors include and excessive length of hair, and often their presence at all.
Therefore, it is a big mistake to think that only women have recourse to laser hair removal.
Why use a laser, if there are simpler ways to remove hair?
Less complicated methods of hair removal suggest only a temporary effect. These methods include:
Waxing, sugar hair removal; hair removal with threads
Such techniques are usually budget-friendly and available to perform at home. But they all have two big, obvious drawbacks. The effect of using these methods is short-lived and takes a very long time.
After the use of trimmers for grass already on the second day there are unpleasant hairs, which feel much harder and less aesthetic than those originally shaved. The use of waxing, sugar and electroepilation gives a longer result, but the procedure is accompanied by severe pain. It is worth remembering that after 3-4 weeks the hair reappears, and often this process is accompanied by inflammation of the follicles, irritation and redness. In order to remove hair from the root again, patients have to wait until the inflammation stops and grow new hair to an acceptable length. So you have to give up beautiful open clothing, and to the touch of it all is extremely unpleasant. Often regrowth of new hair after sessions of such procedures occurs together with peeling, pigment spots, scarring and other unwanted phenomena.
And now let’s try to calculate how much time should be spent to prepare the skin for an important event or trip in today’s busy environment. Purchase of new trimmers, depilation creams, visits to the doctor-cosmetologist at the Clinic. A month, maybe two? And if you also use methods of mechanical hair removal, accompanied by pain and irritation?
What techniques are related to getting rid of hair permanently?
The method of permanent hair removal refers to photo- and electroepilation, laser hair removal at different laser installations. All manipulations to remove hair has its positive aspects and features, let’s study each of them in detail.
During the procedure of hair removal, hair follicle cells are destroyed by an electric current. This methodology is used when the body is predominantly covered with gray or too light hair, which will not be “taken” by laser hair removal. Electroepilation is painful and more likely to cause complications (scarring, pigmentation, burning phenomena), so for darker hairs it is better to use other methods.
Photoepilation and elos-epilation. Light methods of long-lasting hair removal. Elos-Epilation uses light and radio wave energy. These methods work quite well, but the impact is not as pinpointed as with a laser. During the use of these techniques, the surrounding skin areas are heated, which is accompanied by pain, discomfort, and reduced results of the procedure. Laser hair removal works more precisely on the target regions, excluding the possibility of affecting other areas.
Laser hair removal is most often performed on four types of laser units: alexandrite, neodymium, diode, and ruby. They differ in wavelength, pulse characteristics, effectiveness, possible complications, and indications for use.
How the laser works?
The nature and parameters of laser light are different from what we are used to from daylight or from light emitted by the lamps in our apartments and houses. Laser light has special properties that are not found in nature. Each type of laser differs in a particular wavelength, coherence, collimation (negligible divergence of the beam of light).
Due to these characteristics, the laser light has a selective effect on the target area, avoiding undesirable zones. During epilation special waves are selected which are easily absorbed by the melanin contained in our hair. The hair is supplied with light energy, transformed into heat energy and heated until the growth cells die. Due to such effect the hair stops growing. Your skin also contains melanin, but much less than in your hair, so there is no skin damage. the skin cools down almost immediately.
Why the alexandrite laser is used in our clinic?
alexandrite laser. one of the most effective and popular today. Alexandrite laser is excellent for removing medium to dark hair and is effective even in cases of hormonal disorders which cause darkening, thickening and stiffening of the hair.
The advantages of using the alexandrite laser include the following points:
- it is safe to remove hair because only the hair bulb is affected, not the bulb and the surrounding area. the skin, as a diode laser does;
- the procedure does not cause painful sensations, only a tingling sensation is possible. In cases of particular skin sensitivity, local anesthetics or a cooling unit can be used;
- alexandrite causes no scarring, no complications, maximum pinpoint effects on the target area;
- universal use. alexandrite laser can be used on any area of the body;
- absolute hygiene. no contact of the module with the skin, while the diode laser, after applying the gel, the module is in contact with the skin.
How many procedures must be done to achieve optimum results?
The exact number of procedures must be checked with your physician-cosmetologist, for different areas on average requires from 3 to 6 laser hair removal procedures. We must not forget about,
gray hair is unaffected by laser beams. Diode laser hair removal, for example, requires 8 to 12 procedures.
The lighter the skin and darker the hair, the easier it is to perform laser hair removal. It is more difficult to remove hair, the appearance of which is associated with hormones: the armpit area, groin area, the facial hair of women. If you need to get rid of hair in these areas, it is necessary to conduct a full course consisting of several sessions.
Why undergo a full course of treatments?
This is because hair has three stages of growth. Anagen. It’s an active stage of growth. Telogen. The stage in which the hair is “asleep.”. Catagen. The stage in which the hair falls out. Laser exposure can only remove hair that is in the anagen stage. Depending on the chosen site and the genetic characteristics of the body, there may be 15-30 percent hair in the active stage. Sometimes we have the feeling that we have too much hair in unwanted areas, but actually it is a small part of what can grow on the area. Not all hairs can grow out at the same time, everything happens gradually. The growth of hair occurs in accordance with genetic characteristics (therefore, different ethnic groups have different thickness of hair) and hormonal factors (thick hair appears in adolescents during puberty). After the first session it is necessary to wait for the growth of new hair and then to visit the cosmetologist’s office again.
Thinning and damaging all hair bulbs in one session is impossible. Of course, most of them will be damaged, but there will be some that are especially “tough”. If you follow the recommendations of a specialist and undergo the course of procedures, the hair will disappear for good. Sometimes it happens that after half a year or two years patients have small, thin hairs. In such case one laser hair removal procedure will be enough to maintain a perfect smoothness of the skin.
Anyway, laser hair removal is recognized as the most effective and fastest method of getting rid of hair.
Do you have to prepare for the procedure in any way??
Yes, it does require some preparation. If the patient has previously got rid of hair with a razor, cream, or has never removed the hair cover, 3-4 days before the procedure is necessary to shave the target area with a razor, which is planned to be exposed to the laser. The length of the hair before the procedure should not be more than 2-3 mm, so as to prevent burning of the hair during laser treatment and respectively burns the skin.
How laser hair removal works?
First, the beautician conducts an initial consultation to ensure that the patient has no contraindications to the procedure, individual intolerance, assesses the condition of the skin and hair, makes a conclusion about the possibility / impossibility of the procedure.
If the procedure is indicated for you, and in most cases it is indicated, the specialist proceeds to its implementation. To protect your eyes, you and your doctor wear glasses. At our clinic we use a non-contact module for the procedure, which provides maximum hygiene and gentle treatment. During the actual treatment, the laser module moves in a non-contact movement parallel to the target area. Slight redness may occur after the procedure.
Many laser units in other clinics use a contact method of laser hair removal with application of a special gel. Our method of exposure
It is more hygienic, does not require application of gel, respectively, after the procedure does not have to remove any gel.
What is forbidden to do after manipulation?
After a laser hair removal session there may be redness of the skin, but in many patients the skin remains as it was before the procedure. it is a matter of individuality. It is not recommended to sunbathe within a week after the procedure. Within 1-3 days after the procedure is not recommended to visit the sauna, bathing in open waters.
Minuses of laser hair removal of bikini
To the disadvantages, although they are few, can include:
- the possibility of small redness, which usually disappear on their own after a day;
- The price of the procedure;
- sunbathing is prohibited at least ten days before and during the entire course of treatment;
- a day or two before and after hair removal, you must not go to a bath or sauna, and before the session. to take a hot shower;
- to achieve the effect, it is necessary to have several sessions, because the hair grows unevenly.
Of course, laser hair removal has a number of contraindications:
- The presence of diseases. diabetes, psoriasis, epilepsy;
- Individual intolerance to radiation;
- fresh tan;
- any skin damage in the epilation area.
Laser hair removal: what is it
So, how laser hair removal works? During this procedure, the hair is removed using a concentrated beam of light. the laser. It burns the hair follicles by heating the pigment they contain. melanin. This pigment is responsible for the color of hair and not only hair.
Melanin has one peculiarity: it can absorb light waves of a certain length (about 700-1000 nanometers, and one meter contains a billion of nanometers). This absorption does not just go away. remember your high school physics course, nothing can go anywhere. Melanin in the process is strongly overheated, and its increased temperature, of course, is transmitted to the surrounding tissue. that is, the hair itself, which contains melanin, and, of course, the hair bulb. The hair, along with the follicle, in turn, cannot withstand the temperature and die. If the laser hair removal procedure is performed correctly, then the skin does not suffer at all, especially when using modern equipment. Here’s a diagram of how it all works:
Laser Hair Removal after 1 TREATMENT
Hair removal with laser has a lot of advantages:
- Applicability. Hair removal by laser can be done on almost any part of the body. It can be laser hair removal of the bikini zone, underarms, legs, face. The only place, perhaps, where the laser should not be applied. is the eyelids.
- Accuracy. In laser hair removal studios you will not get any cuts, scratches and other things, only the hair is removed and nothing else.
- Speed. It takes a tiny fraction of a second for the laser to sufficiently heat up the melanin in a hair, in the time it takes you to say “one blast” it will do dozens of those blasts. In some cases, the laser hair removal procedure on the upper lip can take only a minute. Can you imagine, just one minute. and no moustache.
- Predictability. After the first procedure the specialist, most likely, will be able to orient you on the time of the final getting rid of unwanted hair. he will understand approximately how your hair reacts to the laser and how many procedures of laser hair removal you will need.
The procedure of laser hair removal itself schematically looks like this:
Now you know how laser hair removal is done. And this is what it is done with?
What types of lasers for hair removal exist?
There are four types of lasers that can be used for hair removal. These types differ in wavelength and level of safety for the skin.
- The ruby laser was very common until the late ’90s, and we probably owe it to the stereotype that laser hair removal is painful. The ruby laser has the shortest wavelength among all lasers, it is even less than 700 nm (694), which means it does not warm up melanin effectively enough. or less this kind of laser worked on fair skin and dark hair, but those with darker skin could get burned during epilation. And the ruby laser didn’t do much for blond hair, either. Why, in fact, this type is a thing of the past. after all, blondes and redheads also want to have smooth skin. Plus the laser does not distinguish between skin and hair, so it burns everything, and that is very painful.
- The alexandrite laser is an improved version of the ruby laser with a wavelength of 755 nm. A little less painful, removes blond hair a little better, but still not up to modern requirements: does not work well on dark skin, requires additional cooling and high skill of the specialist. All in all, we wouldn’t take any chances.
- Diode laser. the best way to get rid of unwanted hair. The wave length of 800-810 nm (sometimes up to 900 nm) allows you to accurately burn out the follicles without damaging the skin at all, and the efficiency of a diode laser does not depend on a person’s phototype (i.e. the color of their skin and hair, how much melanin they have). Also, diode lasers are usually equipped with cooling, which helps reduce pain almost completely.
- The neodymium laser is the most powerful, and is used to remove tattoos. Its wavelength is 1,064 nm, longer than any other wavelength, and it is aimed not so much at destroying the hair as it is at stopping it from feeding. If the blood vessels don’t nourish the follicle, it will die. and that was the calculation! The neodymium laser is also extremely sensitive to the hands that operate it.
As you can see, there are quite a few options when removing hair with a laser. Most clinics now have alexandrite and diode lasers. If you have dark hair and fair skin, you may not care where you go in general. If you have light or red hair, dark complexion, opt for diode laser hair removal.
The pain of a laser hair removal procedure depends on exactly where the procedure is performed and your personal pain threshold. Certainly, in delicate places, such as bikini zone, the laser feels stronger, than, say, on a shin, but nevertheless, on the average, from all procedures getting rid of excess hair, laser hair removal is the best, as the most painless. Some feel only mild discomfort, for some it is unpleasant, but bearable. We honestly haven’t heard of anyone having real pain up to the point of discontinuing the procedure when using a modern cooled laser.
Laser hair removal: efficiency
Keep in mind that after laser hair removal the hair does not disappear at once, it usually takes several (from three to seven) visits to the specialist. If it is your first laser hair removal, and you are promised to destroy all and at once (we mean hair, of course), do not believe, it does not happen.
Why laser hair removal is not a single procedure, but a multiple procedure, and how long will it be necessary to wait to see the first result and to fix the effect? The thing is, the laser is only affecting the hairs that are actively growing right now, and there are dormant follicles, the ones that are not growing any hair at the moment. Accordingly, during the first procedure burn out the hairs that are in the “active phase”, and then gradually all the rest. On average it turns out that at the first visit of the clinic 15 to 30% of hair follicles are killed. Divide 100% by 30 and 15, you get three to seven visits. But then you will have a smooth, soft, beautiful skin, the only thing is that maybe hair will come out one time after laser hair removal, maybe not one time, it depends on hormones. About once a year you’ll need to go for a maintenance treatment, but you’ll agree it’s a lot easier than shaving.
The full effect of laser hair removal you’ll see not at once, but after how long you can wait for the final result? It takes time for the hair to fall out, and 15-30% is not much. Chances are, you’ll notice a real difference after about the second session (it takes time for dormant follicles to awaken to activity in between). The full cycle can take up to 9 months taking into consideration the intervals.
How to get ready for laser hair removal
Just come from the street and do laser hair removal unlikely to work, you will need to prepare for it. A good specialist will probably ask you about any allergies, skin diseases, or other conditions that could affect the intensity of pain or the epilation itself. He will also tell you if you can sunbathe, bathe, go in for sports after laser hair removal. will give you all the necessary recommendations. By the way, it is better to make laser hair removal, by the way, in about a week after the end of menstruation, so unpleasant feelings will be minimal. What else to consider?
Avoid the sun and use sunscreen. After tanning, firstly, the skin is darker, and secondly, it can behave unpredictably during epilation, and you do not need spots on the face, for example?
If the specialist recommends it, use a whitening cream. The lighter is the skin. the easier is the procedure.
But do not lighten the hair in the area of the future hair removal, otherwise it will be harder for the laser to “capture” it.
Do not pluck or use other methods (wax, shugaring) of hair removal for at least four to six weeks before laser hair removal. Disruption of the follicles is absolutely unnecessary, if you accidentally pull out a part of the hair, and the follicle remains, the laser may not “find” it.
A day or two before laser hair removal, shave the hair in the area where the laser will be working. This will help to avoid damage to the skin due to burnt hair. and inside the skin will remain everything you need for laser hair removal to be successful and for the laser to work effectively.
If you take anticoagulants, you should consult with your doctor. He may recommend that you stop taking them temporarily, at least just before laser hair removal
What to do after waxing
After laser hair removal session the place where it was done may be a little swollen and red, it is normal and usually goes away within a few hours. You can put something cold on the treated part of the body. High temperature, pain, obvious burns are the reasons to visit the doctor!
Never overheat the skin after epilation. Avoid the bath, sauna, even a hot bath, but rather take your time at the gym. After laser hair removal the skin should not be overloaded, let it rest and cool down.
Do not sunbathe between the treatments and for two to six weeks after the last session, otherwise you might get pigment spots on your skin. If you need to be in the sun, apply sunscreen with at least 30 factor to the treated area.
Laser hair removal: contraindications
Whether to do laser hair removal a week after a vacation at sea? And if there are a number of diseases? Even though at least a diode laser can be used on any skin type, there are still some contraindications. This:
- Skin diseases and skin impairments
- Diabetes
- Infectious diseases
- Pregnancy and breast feeding
- Birthmarks with hair or tattoos in the hair removal area
- Oncological diseases
- Herpes
- Varicose veins
- Recent tanning
In any case, be sure to consult your doctor before a laser hair removal procedure.
Laser hair removal: when did this procedure appear
The history of hair removal begins many centuries ago. Ancient Egyptian women, for example, used for this purpose means that now seem wild to us: pointed stones, magic potions. True, at that time it was not called epilation. Years went by, centuries. Women were still worried about their extra body hair and were looking for more options. Only in the XIX century they came to the aid of razors, but still a long way to laser hair removal. The effect of removing hair with artisanal methods was minimal. They were cut, plucked, but all these procedures touched only the hair itself, not acting on the root and the parts that are under the skin.
And here in the XX-th century by happy accident one unfortunate physicist working with a laser has received a burn of his hand (though the skin was not damaged). A few days later, he noticed that he hadn’t grown any hair in that area, and a month later, he was conclusively convinced.
In the early years after the discovery of this effect, few people tried to use laser for hair removal, because the harmlessness and safety had not yet been proven. And no one asked the question how many procedures to do, laser hair removal as such did not exist.
But science has not stood still: gradually invented devices that medicine has allowed the use in cosmetic purposes. Technique continued to improve, and now it allows you to simultaneously remove hair and cool the manipulation site, making it almost completely painless. These days, even teenagers know about it.
Make an appointment at the clinic on Vasilievsky Island
Preparing for the procedure
To laser hair removal was successful, you need to properly prepare for it.
The basic recommendations are simple:
- Avoid taking antibiotics and other drugs that increase sensitivity to light;
- Avoid sunbathing (if classical hair removal is to be performed);
- Avoid traumatic skin exposure.
Let’s take a closer look at these recommendations.
Why you should refrain from taking certain medications? Normally, the skin is not too sensitive to ultraviolet light and other types of radiation. you need to spend considerable time in the bright sun to get burns. However, some drugs have photosensitizing effects, that is, they increase the sensitivity of the skin to different types of radiation. As a result, after exposure of exposed areas of the body to sunlight, the skin becomes red, rashes and eczema may appear.
Although laser radiation is different from ultraviolet radiation, the hypersensitivity extends to it as well. As a result, the reaction to the laser procedure may be unpredictable. For this reason it is necessary to refrain from taking photosensitizers at least two weeks before removing vegetation.
Such drugs include:
- Sulfonamides;
- Antibiotics (particularly those of the tetracycline series);
- Fluoroquinolones;
- Certain essential oils and anti-inflammatory drugs.
If you regularly take any medications, tell your cosmetic surgeon and he or she will tell you which medications you should avoid taking.
Tanning should be avoided for another reason. As we have already found out, the laser beam is absorbed by the pigment contained in the hairs. If the skin is pale and lightly pigmented, everything is fine.
And if the skin has a dark shade, it too will absorb the radiation, as well as the hairs. As a result, burns and pain during treatment are possible.
The only type of laser hair removal suitable for tanned skin is Moveo hair removal. In this case the dark color of the epidermis is not an obstacle for hair removal.
As for the traumatic effect, then everything is simple: the procedure is contraindicated in case of skin lesions, inflammations, rashes. Before epilation, take care of the skin as gently as possible, avoiding the rough scrubs and alcohol-based products, drying the epidermis.
Before laser removal the hair in the epilated area must be shaved. Exactly when to do it depends on the chosen method of hair removal. For the classic alexandrite hair removal, it is enough to use a razor a couple of days before your visit to the clinic to make the bristle length of 2-3 mm. For laser hair removal Moveo skin must be freshly shaved.
What does the effect of laser hair removal depend on?
” Hair a little less, but after waxing the result was better. I didn’t notice the effect of laser hair removal”.
These are the reviews you can meet from people who do not understand what this effect depends on.
The result after the first procedure varies from person to person. The fact is that the laser affects only those hairs that are in the growth stage. The number of such hairs at the moment of the procedure is not more than 25% on the whole body, but everybody has different. Hair loss starts 2-3 weeks after removal.
The “dormant” follicles reactivate within 3-4 weeks and can then be removed in subsequent sessions.
The maximal effect of laser hair removal will be visible only after several procedures, when most hair stops to grow. Must pass about 4-7 treatments, depending on the hair removal zone.
It is possible to get rid of 90% of unwanted hair after 8-10 procedures. On average, hair may not grow for 2-5 years, and new hairs will be thinner and lighter.
How long the hair will not grow after the course is finished it is impossible to say for sure, because there are many factors that influence it. Let’s look at them in details.
How the effect of laser hair removal depends on the skin phototype
The laser beam affects directly the dark pigment contained in the hair. Laser hair removal is good if the client has dark hair and light skin. That is II (Nordic) and III (Middle European) phototypes.
This does not mean that those with dark or very light skin will have poor results! They just use a different machine setting. For light skin and light hair the laser power is increased, and for dark skin the density of laser energy is reduced.
Read more about skin phototypes in our post.
Hormonal background affects the epilation effect
Hormonal imbalance affects the body, which will try to restore balance. For example, taking hormonal drugs can provoke activation of “sleeping” hair follicles. Therefore it can seem that the quantity of hair has not changed, though actually it is not so, and all hairs which at the moment of epilation were in a stage of anagen, were removed.
The body’s ability for rapid tissue repair and individual characteristics
There is such a thing as “paradoxical growth”. It is a normal phenomenon, the body just has such a reaction to hair removal. It may happen that after 3 sessions, it will try to replenish the removed bulbs, activating their regeneration and maturation. There is no need to panic, we prolong the course, explain the situation to the client and continue the fight. After the second session the hair growth slows down and more time is required for the hair to get to the anagen stage. If after the first and second treatments the interval is 3-4 weeks, then the following intervals must be increased by another 2 weeks. That is, if after the second session passed 3 weeks, after the third must pass another 5 weeks. Closer to the end of the course, the intervals may be six months.
Note that the hormone-dependent zones such as the armpits and bikini zones do not require long intervals. In this case there is 1-1.5 months between treatments.
The intervals between the procedures
Different areas of the body have different amounts of hair in the growth stage, which the laser removes. For example, on the hands they are 20%, underarms and bikini zone. 30%. It turns out that one session hair removal underarms will remove more hair than on the arms. That is, different areas require different number of procedures.
Epilation zone
Improper preparation for epilation can reduce its effectiveness. It is necessary to explain to each client about all possible consequences of the non-observance of the recommendations and contraindications.
Compliance with recommendations and contraindications
Improper epilation preparation can negatively affect epilation efficiency. It is necessary to explain to each client clearly about all possible consequences of nonobservance of recommendations and, especially, contraindications.
Quality of the procedure and laser hair removal effect
Proper selection of power on the basis of the client’s data greatly affects the result. A specialist with sufficient training will be able to select the most effective program.
Stages of hair growth
Our hair, like nails, is derived from the skin. Hair growth is provided by bulb cells located on the basal membrane of the hair follicle.
Hair consists of a hair shaft and a hair bulb (root). The hair shaft is the part that we see directly above the skin. The outer part of the hair does not contain any living cells. The “living” part is called the follicle (root sheath). It is where the cells that produce hair live. Each follicle contains a tangle of blood capillaries that feeds the follicular cells.
In other words, the appearance of hair is due to the hair follicle, which has a complex structure.
All hair on the human body does not just grow, but goes through three growth stages: anagen (active growth stage), catagen (stopping phase) and telogen (atrophy, loss and formation of new hair).
The laser beam can destroy only hair in the anagen stage. Thus it is not important what method of hair removal is used. The hair canal will always be the guide for the follicle.
Let’s take a closer look at the stages of hair growth.
Anagen
At this stage the follicle cells actively divide and receive nutrients.
Only at the stage of anagen there is a close connection of a hair with a follicle which allows to carry out effective epilation. During the procedure there is a total destruction of the follicle, after which the hair growth stops.
There is a bulge zone at the top of the follicle. This is where the stem cells migrate to the matrix, where they begin to grow. Even if the dermal papilla is destroyed, the follicle is able to regenerate (if stem cells remain in the bulge area). Therefore, the dermal papilla is the laser target.
The amount of hair in the anagen stage depends on the location. Research shows that about 80-88% of hair on the head is in the anagen stage. The rest: 1% is catagen stage and about 20% is telogen.
On the upper lip, 65% of hair is in the anagen phase, and 30% on the legs and bikini line.
The hair growth cycle is not synchronized. Throughout the skin area, there are both young and old hairs.
The duration of the period of the anagen stage also varies:
- 16 weeks on the legs and thighs;
- On the bikini zone up to 4 weeks;
- axillae at 16 weeks;
- on the chin. 52 weeks;
- On the upper lip, 16 weeks.
The anagen stage is subdivided into several more periods of active growth:
- Hair follicle cells enlarge, RNA (ribonucleic acid) is synthesized.
- The hair bulb grows deep into the epidermis, and cells differentiate into different layers of the hair and outer root sheath in the matrix ring.
- Cell division continues. The follicle reaches its maximum length. The dermal papilla is fully formed. The melanocytes (the cells that make the melanin we need) are placed along the cavity of the dermal papilla. The outer sheath of the follicle cavity is an elongated cone.
- Melanocytes begin to produce the melanin pigment. The hair is formed, but it does not go beyond the borders of the cone-shaped cavity.
- The bulb takes on its final shape. The hair grows towards the surface of the epidermis.
- The final stage begins after the hair begins to rise above the skin and continues until the catagen phase.
Outwardly it is not possible to calculate the stages of hair growth. During epilation procedure the cosmetologist treats with a beam of light all hair in all growth stages.
You will not be able to control how many hairs were in the anagen stage or how many hairs were destroyed. Besides, there are individual features of a person (thickness of hair, color of hair, phototype of a skin, etc.).д.), the technique of the procedure, and other factors. All of these affect the final result and the number of treatments required.
After cell division has decreased, the hair follicle shrinks and the hair root begins to move toward the surface. The transition into the catagen stage begins.
Catagen
It is a transitional stage in which hair growth slows down. Lasts anywhere from a few days to two to three weeks.
Mitotic activity of the matrix cells ceases completely. The lower part of the follicle atrophies and moves away from the dermal papilla. The dermal papilla also atrophies, the mass of connective tissues and cellular elements decreases, and the blood vessels thin out. Hair growth continues, but very slowly.
The catagen phase does not begin until the anagen phase is completed. How long it takes depends on the area.
Telogen
Telogen. the resting (falling out) phase. Lasts three to five months. During this phase, the hair does not grow and will eventually fall off. The hair root becomes keratinized, thickened, and has pigment granules remaining. The hair follicle is close to the skin surface. The hair in the follicle decreases in size; the hair bulb atrophies. The hair retention mechanism is no longer functioning and can easily be removed by washing, etc.п. Or it is pushed out by the newly formed hair. Sometimes both new and old hairs remain in the same follicle.
Telogen may last longer than the anagen stage. The maximum duration of this phase on the legs. up to 24 weeks, in the bikini zone and axilla. up to 3 months.
