Reasons to get Laser Hair Removal
Laser Hair Removal safely removes unwanted hair without damaging the delicate pores and structures of the skin. The laser emits a beam of light that passes through the skin to the hair follicles where the energy is absorbed. The laser energy is converted into heat, safely destroying the hair follicle and leaving the surrounding skin unaffected. The laser beam cannot penetrate past the dermis (second layer of skin).
Hair that has been cut by a razor looks thicker because it has been cut at a sharp angle. For the same reason it feels stubbly as the hair starts to grow back, the stubble is unsightly and can make the hair seem thicker. If a shaved hair has a blunt end and hair is usually darker near the root, there is a common belief that shaving causes hair to grow back thicker, faster, and more noticeable.
Hair re-growth usually occurs within 2 to 3 days following shaving, plucking or waxing. There are other drawbacks to shaving, such as unsightly red shaving bumps. These often occur because there are oil glands attached to nerve endings; these oil glands are easily irritated and react to the irritation of shaving. A further shaving hazard is Razor Burn which can occur if you press too hard with the razor or if you shave with a blunt blade or with a blade that’s been left open allowing bacteria to inlay.
Folliculitis (Ingrown hairs) usually resembles acne and is distinguished by raised, red bumps that can occasionally flare-up, or whiteheads. As the hair grows under the skin, it blocks the pore and allows bacteria to breed, therefore creating a pimple. Laser passes through the skin to the hair follicle, where the follicle absorbs the heat destroying the hair and any bacteria. Lasers are successfully used to target specific structures within the skin, without causing damage to surrounding tissue. This provides gentle, non-invasive, and safe long-lasting results.
Laser Hair Removal actually destroys the hair at the root, and over time will eliminate all hair growth in the area treated, leaving your skin silky smooth, with no ingrown, no scarring, and no marking. The laser also promotes collagen production.
Laser Hair Removal is a technique that makes it possible to safely treat a large area of the body in the one session and achieve great results. Areas of the body such as arms and legs are the quickest to respond to the laser hair removal treatment due to the follicle positioned closer to the surface of the skin, allowing Laser beam to reach the follicle quicker with maximum energy.
Melanin is what gives our skin and hair its color. Pigmented lesions are dark in colour simply because melanin is abnormally concentrated in one area of the skin. High concentrations of melanin can be due to various factors. Some types are present at birth, but most occur with age or because of overexposure to the sun. Not all birthmarks and lesions can be treated by laser however; excellent results can be achieved with some forms of laser therapy.
Think of all the time you save not having to shave! Waxing you have to grow your hair to get it done. So basically it only looks good for a few days. Your average Brazilian and underarm Waxing Treatment costs approx $75.00 once a month. This can total to $900.00 a year, every year after every year!
With CANDELA Gentle Lase Laser Hair Removal Treatment, a Brazilian and underarm will require approximately between 6 and 9 treatments each 6 weeks, by the end of 12 month you would have completed your treatment, would have paid approximately $565.00, and will only require 2 to 3 maintenance visits a year at $35.00 for underarm, and $85.00 for the Brazilian. At BARE BODY SPA our clients are pleased to tell us that Laser Hair Removal is a much more cost effective solution.
Women who are experiencing PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) may experience slower results unless they receive medical support along with the Laser Hair Removal treatment. However, after 6 to 8 treatments you will notice a significant benefit and the hair will grow slower and much finer and be less visible. Women can achieve excellent results over the entire body, but to remain hair free on the face, “touch up” treatments are required every 3 to 6 months. Laser Hair Removal can help and control other skin and hair related conditions:
Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
Folliculitis
Keratosis Pilaris
Alopecia
Laser Hair Removal can certainly be beneficial for men. Unwanted back hair, as well as thick or excessive Chest or Back hair can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. More and more men with excessive hair feel self-conscious,and search for more effective and longer lasting hair removal solutions. In addition to eliminating the need to shave every day, it also prevents irritation and the development of folliculitis.
We recommend at least 6 to 8 treatments, 6 weeks apart for a significant reduction in hair visibility, providing you are committed to your treatment every 6 weeks you will achieve good results. However, for men wanting to achieve up to 80% hair loss, they may require as many as 12 to 15 treatments due to the higher levels of testosterone in the body. Please let that important man in your life know about BARE BODY SPA.
To achieve the best results be sure to choose a genuine Laser for hair removal. The Candela Gentle Lase delivers a laser beam at a specific wavelength identified to ensure safety and maximize results. The energy that is used is applied and directed to ensure an effective and safe destruction of the hair follicle. Other light based processes such as IPL/ SPL (Pulse Light Systems) machines deliver a wide range of wavelengths. They are great for photo facials, but not so much for hair removal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is a procedure which removes hair from the body utilizing a long pulse laser. Laser hair removal lasers have been in use since 1997. The treatment is performed by a specially-trained licensed Professional. Laser heat disables follicles from producing hair.
Hair grows in cycles. Since various hairs will enter their growth cycle at different times, about 6-9 treatments at intervals of 4-8 weeks are necessary to disable most of the follicles in a given area.
At BARE BODY SPA we customize your laser hair removal treatment according to your hair and skin type. Because laser energy is absorbed by melanin in the hair , laser hair removal works best on dark pigmented hairs. Red, white, gray or blonde hair indicates the absence of melanin and therefore, is impossible to treat.
BARE BODY SPA prides itself in giving our clients realistic expectations. Take advantage of a complimentary consultation and an expert technician will evaluate your needs and offer you customized treatment plans for real results.
Yes! There are different types of lasers for different skin types. Candela Alexandrite (Alex) for light skin tone, and a Candela Yag for olive to really dark skin tone. They both have different wave lengths. The yag laser has the ability to bypass the melanin in the surface of the skin and target the root of the hair. The Alexandrite works more on the surface. It is important to be on the right laser for your skin type as this will give you better results, and be safer for you.
Lasers designed for permanent hair reduction emit wavelengths of light that are absorbed by the pigment in the hair (melanin). If the surrounding skin is lighter than the color of the hair, the energy of the laser is concentrated in the hair shaft, effectively destroying it without affecting the skin or the follicle.
Since lasers target pigment, treatments are most effective on coarse hair because it has a lot of pigment and can absorb a lot of heat. Fine hair cannot absorb much heat.
The ability of the laser device to produce a very narrow bandwidth on a consistent basis is the key to a safe efficient treatment. While the laser emits a beam that only heats the hair shaft, heat is transmitted from the hair shaft to the surrounding tissue for several milliseconds after the laser pulse. Several lasers possess cooling attachments which cool the surrounding skin to fully absorb any heat transmitted from the destroyed hair shafts.
Intense Pulse Light (IPL) machines are not lasers. These machines use a highly concentrated beam of traditional incoherent light, often in conjunction with a cream or gel, to burn the hair shaft. A serious flaw with these systems is that they lack the laser's ability to produce a selective bandwidth of light that will only affect the hair shaft (selective photothermolysis). IPLs produce a wide bandwidth of light that can heat up all of the surrounding tissue, making it less effective in disabling hair and putting the patient at a higher risk for burns, especially on darker skin.
IPL devices are generally cheaper than laser devices, which is why many clinics choose to use them. Generally, true hair removal lasers (i.e. alexandrite, diode, and ND:Yag types) tend to achieve better and faster results than IPLs.
Most patients need at least 6-8 effective treatments spaced 4-8 weeks apart. Because hair grows in cycles, several sessions are necessary in order to affect all hair on any given area. Due to length of hair growth cycles, treatments are usually needed once every 4-8 weeks. Hair cycle length varies depending on body part. Face usually requires more frequent treatments (about 4 weeks apart) whereas legs and back need less frequent treatments (closer to 6-8 weeks apart).
“Permanent hair removal” means: “ALL the hair is gone, FOREVER!” There is NO hair removal method (including laser) which can guarantee “permanent hair removal”. The most realistic description of the results after laser treatment is: “long-term hair REDUCTION”. This means: “After six treatments the total amount of hair is greatly reduced — generally by 70% to 90% — and hair which does grow is often much finer and lighter in color.”
The feeling resembles a rubber band snapping against the skin for a quick second. Pain is only felt while laser is hitting the skin and doesn’t last. There is a coolant called cryogen that lands on the skin right before the laser hits the hair follicle. This makes it more comfortable.
Some people may experience the following potential temporary side effects:
o Itching
o Redness for up to 3 days
o Swelling around mouth of follicle for up to 3 days
o Tingling or feeling of numbness
The following rare side effects are indicative of inappropriate laser type and/or settings:
o Crusting/scab formation
o Bruising
o Purpura (purple coloring of the skin)
o Temporary pigment change (hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation)
Yes. This can be achieved with 3-4 treatments instead of the full course of 6-9 treatments. It’s also a good idea to wait at least 12 weeks between sessions in order to correctly assess the amount of reduction achieved at any point during the course of treatments.
Patients should not wax, epilate, or remove hair with the root using any other hair removal method for at least 4 weeks prior to their first session and throughout their course of treatments. The hair needs to be in place in order to be targeted by laser as laser devices targets the pigment in the hair.
The area to be treated should be shaved 1 day prior to treatments so that the energy is targeted towards the hair follicle and not wasted it on the hair above the skin’s surface. Treating unshaved skin can result in burning of the skin by singed hairs.
Treatments are relatively quick. Full legs can take 30 to 60 minutes, Underarms about 2 minutes for both sides. Aloe vera gel can be applied after the treatment to help soothe the skin.
All hair should shed within 3 weeks* following the treatment. Sometimes, shedding doesn’t start until about 10 days after the session. During the shedding phase, hair may look like it’s growing, but it is actually coming out to shed. Exfoliating and/or scrubbing gently in the shower with a loofa can help speed up the shedding process.
After 3 weeks, some patients may see small black dots remain in the hair follicles on some areas. These are commonly referred to as “pepperspots”, which eventually shed on their own. Exfoliating may help speed up the process. Regardless, they will be singed off in the following session.
Once the hair sheds, patients should experience a hair-free period for several weeks. Once new hair grows in, patients should come in for their next session. For most people and on most body areas, this happens about 8-12 weeks after the previous treatment. Patients should continue treatments until remaining hairs are too fine for laser to target, or until they’ve reached their desired reduction.
Hair growth in each hair follicle occurs in a cycle. There are three main phases of the hair growth cycle: anagen, catagen and telogen.
Anagen (active) is the growing phase or when the hair fiber is produced.
Catagen (club hair) is the period of controlled regression of the hair follicle. This phase is when the lower part of the hair stops growing, but does not shed, and the follicle is reabsorbed.
Telogen (tired) is the last of the hair growth cycle. In this resting phase, the old hair falls out in preparation for the development of a new anagen hair.
Normally this cycle of hair production will continue for the duration of the individual's life. However, various factors can influence, promote and inhibit hair production.
Laser affects hairs when it’s in its anagen phase of growth. Thus, patients need multiple treatments in order to disable each batch of hair as it enters the anagen phase of growth. Hair cycle length varies depending on body part. Face usually requires more frequent treatments (about 4 weeks apart) whereas legs and back need less frequent treatments (closer to 6-8 weeks apart).
The causes of excessive hair growth are many and varied, including:
o Heredity
o Pregnancy
o Glandular and/or hormonal imbalances, including diseases causing these effects (i.e. PCOS condition in women)
o Insulin resistance issues
o Thyroid problems
o Reactions to certain medications
o Normal aging processes