Appareil d'épilation Rio Laser Scanning x60

LASER HAIR REMOVAL EXPLAINED

Lasers deliver an intense beam of light which are made up of a single wavelength or colour. Skin is essentially transparent to light with a wavelength of 808 (nanometres), while melanin containing structures will absorb laser energy of this wavelength. It is therefore possible to target the hair follicle that has a concentration of melanin without affecting the surrounding area. This process is known as photothermolysis.

The light energy absorbed by the melanin pigment results in the rapid heating up of the hair follicle. This heat destroys the cells (papilla) responsible for hair growth. If adequate heating is achieved, then the follicle is permanently disabled resulting in a noticeable reduction in hair growth. Note: This is different from home IPL (Intense Pulse Light) which requires continued treatments every two weeks to prevent hair regrowth.

HAIR GROWTH CYCLE

It is important to understand the normal hair growth cycle to understand how the Salon Laser Hair Removal System works. The hair follicle is an anatomical structure which evolved to produce and extrude (push out) a hair shaft. Hair is made up of proteins called keratins. Human hair grows in a continuous cyclic pattern of growth and rest known as the hair growth cycle.

Everyone's hair grows differently, depending on age, weight, metabolism, hormones, ethnicity, medications, and other factors. But all hair goes through three distinct growth phases:
Active growth phase: This phase lasts between 2 and 7 years. During this phase the dermal papilla actively produces cells which form the hairshaft. In certain areas of the body, such as the scalp, the majority (83%) of the hairs are in this phase. During the Anagen phase the hair has an abundance of melanin.
Degradation phase: This phase lasts between 10 and 20 days, during which the hair stops growing, but is not yet shed. About 3-4% of our body hair is in this phase at any given time. The hair follicle shrinks at this time as the hair is prepared for eviction.
Resting phase: This phase can last for several months, during which the hair falls out and a new hair begins to form. The hair follicle is not treatable during this time.

WHEN IS LASER TREATMENT EFFECTIVE?

Laser Treatment is ONLY effective when the hair is in the ACTIVE GROWTH PHASE. Hairs or follicles in the Degradation or Resting phase need to progress to the Active phase before treatment will be beneficial. Therefore multiple treatments are required for long term permenent hair reduction.

Also, in a single treatment not all of the hair follicles in the active phase will be destroyed. Some follicles are destroyed, others may be miniaturized into vellus hairs (light fine hairs), and some enter prolonged dormancy. The initial treatment should be repeated to take care of active hair follicles that were not effectively treated in the first session as new hair growth is observed, this will typically be some 2-4 weeks later depending on where the treatment area is.

Further treatments should be planned at regular intervals to clear hairs that are coming out of the resting phase and into the active growth phase. Given the number of hair follicles in the resting phase at any given time, this new hair re-growth can be significant.

Any follicles without a target hair within will simply grow again and will need to be treated the next time around.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LASER HAIR REDUCTION

How should I prepare my skin and hairs for laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal does not require any special skin preparations. Laser hair removal is most effective on pale skin so we recommend avoiding sunbathing, sun beds and fake tanning if possible The best results are on hairs which are only 1-3 mm long, we recommend trimming the hairs before treatment. Alternatively, you can shave before treatment as long as the hair is still visible at the root.

How will my skin appear after the treatment?
Generally no perceptible changes will be apparent. A slight redness after treatment may occur but will normally fade over 24 hours. Any localised redness after treatment is caused by the destruction of the hair follicles and is quite normal.

What areas can I treat?
Most body hair can be removed using Laser Hair Removal - the most common areas are the face, underarms, legs, chest, back and bikini line. We do NOT recommend using laser hair removal on eyebrows.

How often can I repeat the treatment?
As long as the hair follicle or surrounding skin is not red, sore or inflamed, treatment can be repeated after 24 hours. Most people wait 3-4 weeks between treatments to see which hairs have been shed and to identify new re-growth.

How many treatments will I need?
Laser hair removal is generally considered to be effective after 6 treatments over a 6 month period. This varies from person to person and the area being treated, hair density, hair growth cycle and colour. Dark hair on fair skin responds best, but both dark and fair hair may take several treatments for long-term results. Some individuals may require more, and some fewer treatments, to achieve satisfaction. Initially you will notice a gradual reduction of the number of hairs. Women who suffer excessive hair growth due to male type hormones are likely to require long term maintenance.

Can I use other hair removal methods between treatments?
Laser hair removal needs a hair to be present in the follicle, hair removal methods which pluck the hair, such as waxing, epilators and tweezing are NOT suitable for use between treatments. Bleaching hairs is also NOT suitable as it removes the pigment and renders the laser ineffective. Shaving, micro-dermabrasion discs and cream depilatories are ideal for use between treatments.

Is there any aftercare routine I should follow?
Sun exposure or deep tanning should be avoided for at least a week. If the skin is exposed use a sunscreen. Also avoid using abrasive cleansers or skin peeling treatments. Avoid swimming in chlorinated water or using a hot tub for 48 hours.