|
Please see diagrams 1 - 4. Click
here
To see our patient leaflet
on hair removal please click here
(Please note that this file is in PDF
format and is slower to load than normal web pages)
Introduction:
Hair growth and its management is an issue throughout
the world and women in particular are subject to enormous
social and cultural pressures to conform to standards
set by their societies. The desire to remove excess
or unwanted hair, whether through medical necessity
or cosmetic preference, is not new, but with the development
of advanced laser and pulsed light systems, the potential
for long-term removal is.
Theory:
Laser and flashlamp assisted hair removal involves the
use of light to destroy hairs in such a way as to inhibit
their re-growth for as long as possible.
The cycle of hair growth has three distinct phases:
growing, transition and resting. Light assisted hair
removal will only successfully treat hairs in the growing
phase and it is for this reason that multiple treatments
are required. The percentage of hairs in each stage
of the cycle, as well as the duration of each phase,
will vary for different body sites and for different
people.
Based on the theory of selective photothermolysis,
success depends on the absorption of light by the melanin
contained in the hair in preference to the melanin in
the skin. The light emitted uses the melanin in the
hair to travel down into the hair follicle which is
heated rapidly leading to the destruction of both the
hair follicle and shaft. The damage caused will delay
or in some cases prevent future hair re-growth.
Because the light is absorbed by melanin, the procedure
works best on people with fair skin and dark hair. It
is not recommended on dark or sun-tanned skins, or for
people with blonde or grey hair.
Basic treatment procedure:
The area to be treated should be clipped or shaved to
leave visible stubble and a clear gel applied to cool
the skin during treatment. The clinician can then move
the handpiece over the area to be treated. The end-points
are erythema and localised swelling around each hair
follicle. A cooling gel or ice pack can be applied to
the area post treatment to help cool the skin and ease
any patient discomfort.
HAIR REMOVAL FACT SHEET
Questions and answers about Hair Removal
How does the system work?
The system is an intense pulse light source. The energy
from the light is taken up by melanin, the pigment in
hair. When the melanin absorbs the light, the light
energy is converted into heat energy. Hair removal is
accomplished by the generation of this heat, which is
then transferred to the hair follicle, leading to destruction
of the hair shaft and neighbouring cells responsible
for regrowth of the hair.
How is the treatment carried out?
It is necessary to apply a thin layer of gel to the
skin prior to treatment to ensure the optimal transmission
of light from the applicator to the skin. This also
has a cooling effect on the skin making the treatment
more comfortable.
The rectangular quartz applicator is placed in contact
with the skin surface. The light is pulsed through the
quartz and onto the skin. The applicator is then moved
to the neighbouring area and the process is repeated.
During treatment you must wear protective eye goggles.
Which patients can be treated?
Black hairs are most easily treated due to the large
concentration of melanin in these hairs, which gives
an optimal absorption and conversion of light energy
to heat. Fair hair has less melanin and consequently
less heat is produced with less certainty of permanent
destruction of the hair follicles. Grey (white) hair
has almost no melanin and cannot be effectively treated.
The upper skin layer, the epidermis, also contains melanin
and the concentration increases when the skin is exposed
to UV light. It is therefore necessary to treat dark-skinned
individuals with less energy to avoid generation of
heat and discomfort, and we recommend that tanned patients
are not treated at all. The ideal patient is fair skinned
with dark hair but the computer has pre-programmed treatment
suggestions for different hair and pigment types.
Does it hurt?
As the light energy is taken up by the skin pigments
(melanin and haemoglobin), any discomfort depends upon
the combined concentration of melanin in the epidermis
and the hairs. No anaesthesia is required. Most patients
describe the discomfort as moderate and acceptable,
and liken it to a rubber band being fired against the
skin.
Does the patient need to shave prior to treatment?
Hair should be shaved just prior to, or on the morning
of treatment. Plucking, waxing or bleaching should not
be carried out. By avoiding epilation or waxing for
4 weeks before treatment, it can be ensured that as
many follicles as possible contain a hair and thus can
be destroyed by the light.
Why do hairs "grow" after treatment?
Unlike some other systems, the hairs are not evaporated
by the treatment. The hair follicles are killed by the
heat but the hairs remain in the follicles. They will
fall out after 1-3 weeks as the epidermis is renewed.
During this period it will seem that the hairs are growing
as they are pushed out by the epidermis.
How can you tell if the treatment has worked when
the hairs are not removed immediately?
After treatment the hairs are loose in the follicle
and can sometimes be easily pulled out with tweezers.
A red ring around each follicle is often seen a few
minutes after treatment, along with reddening of the
skin. These end points indicate that sufficient heating
of the follicles has taken place. However they are not
always seen. Many patients have successful treatment
results without the post-treatment signs.
What are the side effects?
The visible light is completely safe so no special
precautions are needed apart from glasses for the brightness.
The skin of some patients becomes quite red immediately
after treatment. However, most patients experience no
side effects and the described skin reactions usually
disappear within hours to a few days. Very rarely hyperpigmentation,
hypopigmentation or blistering may occur.
How many treatments are necessary?
Only hair in the growth phase can be treated. The number
of hairs in this phase varies from 10-70%. The length
of the growth cycle also varies. After the first treatment,
most patients get significant reduction in hair density.
Treatment sessions are recommended every 4-6 weeks.
The number of sessions needed varies, but the usual
number is 8-10.
How do I prepare for treatment?
Patients should avoid tanning and must not use any
fake tan 6 weeks ahead of and during the entire treatment
period to avoid excessive discomfort from light absorption
in the epidermis. Immediately after the treatment the
skin is particularly sensitive to UV light, and strong
sunlight should be avoided for 1-2 weeks.
How long does treatment take?
A facial treatment usually takes 15 minutes whereas
both legs or an entire back takes approximately 2 hours.
Is permanent hair removal possible?
As the technology is only a few years old we do not
know for definite how long the treatment is effective,
but it seems to be very long term.
Prices are available on request. Please ring for a
free consultation.
|
