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Hair forms in a pouch-like structure below
the skin called a hair follicle. What we see as hair is actually
the hair shaft, which is the keratinized, hardened tissue
that grows from this follicle.
Humans have more hair follicles per square
inch of skin than most higher primates, including chimpanzees
and gorillas. Because most of this hair is fine and pale (called
vellus hair), it usually is not visible to the naked eye.
Consider this: the forehead has more hair follicles than any
other part of the body. The thicker, fully pigmented hair
most people consider "real hair" is called terminal
hair. This hair is found on scalp, eyebrows, legs, backs,
underarms.
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:
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1) Active growth phase (called
the anagen phase), which lasts up to several years. At
any given time, the majority (85%) of our body hair is
in this phase. During anagen, the hair has an abundance
of melanin. |
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2) Regressive phase (catagen
phase), which lasts about two weeks, 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. |
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3) Resting phase (telogen phase),
which lasts 5 - 6 weeks, at the end of which the hair
falls out and a new hair begins to form. Approximately
10-13% of our body hair is in this phase at any one time. |
A laser produces a beam of highly concentrated
light. Different types of lasers produce different colors
of light.
The light emitted by the laseris absorbed by
the pigment (melanin) located in hair follicles (melanin pigments
give hair its color) and hair shaft. The laser pulses for
a fraction of a second, just long enough to vaporize the pigment
- disabling several hair follicles at a time to eliminate
or significantly impede the hair's regrowth - but not long
enough to damage the surrounding skin. Most lasers have a
special contact-cooling handpiece further protects the epidermis
(upper layer of skin).
Traditional hair removal techniques such as
shaving, plucking and waxing, provide only temporary relief
and may actually stimulate hair growth. Electrolysis, while
effective, often requires years of ongoing and frequently
painful treatments. All of these methods commonly result in
scarring, allergic reactions, and ingrown hairs. Laser hair
removal works by targeting the pigment inside the hair follicle
without damaging delicate pores and structures of the skin.
Because hair cycles through "growth" and "dormant"
phases, and because during the "dormant" phase the
follicle has no pigment, multiple treatments are needed.
There are six basic skin types. Certain lasers
work better on certain skin types. Below is a chart to help
you figure out which skin type you are:
| Skin
Type |
Skin
Color |
Sun
exposure results in: |
| I |
Northern European |
always burn/never tan |
| II |
Northern European |
always burn/can lightly
tan |
| III |
Mediterranean |
can slightly burn/tans
easily |
| IV |
Asian/Middle Eastern |
never burn/always tan |
| V |
Indian |
always tan easily |
| VI |
African |
always tan easily |
Before starting laser hair removal, it is essential
that you meet with a technician to discuss your treatments.
They will give you more updated information and be able to
access your skin and provide the most accurate information.
You will get lots of different answers to this
question. But the fact remains that when the laser shoots
into the skin, there is some pain associated with the high
temperatures of the laser. If the pain is too much, you can
ask the laser technician to lower the joule (temp) settings
and it should reduce the pain.
However, there are topical aneseptics that will
reduce and almost elimate the pain. The best is Topicaine
made by Esla labs. It works in about 30-45 minutes and is
available over the counter without a prescription. You can
also order it from Laser-Directory
at a signifigant saving.
When applying Topicaine,
use a tounge depressor and gloves and avoid contact with eyes.
After applying the cream, wrap the area air-tight with Saran-Wrap
and avoid as much movement as possible of the area. Topicaine
is most effective when it has very little contact with air
and can soak into the skin.
Because laser treatments only work when the
hair is growing, you will need at least 3-5 treatments per
area. It is very important to stay on schedule to catch all
the growing hairs before they go dormant. For areas on the
body, treatments should be spaced out 7-9 weeks and for areas
on the face, treatments need to be 4-5 weeks apart.
The only place that we would not suggest treating
is under the eyebrow because it is too close to the optical
nerve. See your doctor before you have this area done.
Otherwise, the laser can treat any part of the
body.
Tans can present a problem for laser treatments
because the laser is attracted to pigment. Consult with a
laser technician before beginning treatments and make sure
to tell a technician if you have been tanning between treatments
so they can adjust the settings.
There is also a natural skin
lightening system that uses Kojic acid and will help to
reduce pigment in the skin for laser treatments. It is available
on Laser-Directory.com for your convienence.
The FDA does NOT allow any laser company to
claim permanent hair removal. Any company that does is falsly
advertising. Laser hair removal will provide a drastic reduction
in hair growth and speed of that growth. Most hairs will be
removed, however, some hairs will grow back as finer baby
hairs.
Here are some suggestions compiled by Jeff Lemoine,
R.N., that we suggest prior to treatments:
- Shave the area to be treated the day before
or the day of the treatment.
- Take 600-800mg of Advil/Ibuprofen 1 hour
prior to treatment with a small meal to avoid stomach upset.
- Apply Topicaine cream as directed, if applicable.
- For bikini/underarms or areas afflicted with
ingrown hairs, apply Neosporin 3-5 days prior to treatment
1-2 times a day.
- Do not wear makeup or lipstick in treating
the face, or deodorant for underarms.
- It is also important that your laser nurse
know if you are currently taking any medications that make
you photosensitive to sunlight such as cretain antibiotics
or even herbal medicines.
- Avoid electrolysis, waxing, plucking, or
tweezing hairs to be treated for approximately 4-6 weeks
prior to your treatment and between treatments as well.
This will facilitate adequate destruction of the root of
the hair follicles by the laser. Bleaching and shaving is
permitted before and in between laser treatments.
- Avoid sun tanning the area for 4-6 weeks
prior to your treatment. This is important as to prevent
any adverse reactions such as burns from the laser because
tanned skin will atrract the laser. Use SPF 30 or higher
and/or keep the areas well protected with clothing.
- After the treatment you
may use ice for swelling and apply Tea Tree oil and/or Aloe
Vera for redness and swelling. Also, you may apply Hydrocortisone
1% twice daily until side effects subside.
- Take Advil as needed for discomfort.
- Do not wear tight clothing, shave, expose
skin to the sun, or use a jacuzzi or bath for 2-3 days following
the treatment.
- Shedding of the treated hairs may occur 5-14
days after the treatment. This is not necessarily new hair
growth. Those hairs can be removed by wiping with a wet
cloth or accelerated with a scrib brush or sponge.
- Follow the same instuctions before and after
each treatment.
NO! The area must be shaved as close to the
skin as possible before the treatment for the best results.
It is also required that you not wax, pluck, or tweeze the
hair 4-6 weeks prior to a treatment because the root is needed
for best results.
The laser will cause adema to form on the skin
from the trauma it has just experienced from the laser. This
will look like little red welts. Your skin might also be a
little swollen, especially under the chin. This redness can
last from a day to a week depending on your skin type.
Also, the hairs that died will still be in your
skin and the follicle will slowly push them out over the first
week after the treatment. This will look like you cannot get
a close shave in that area. After about 10-14 days, your skin
should be completely smooth and clear until about 1-2 weeks
before your next treatment. If it is not, please contact your
laser technician for more information.
You can reduce the recovery time by babying
your skin after the treatment. We strongly suggest a regiment
of TendSkin twice daily, Hydrocortisone
cream as needed, Tea Tree Oil as needed, and Aloe Vera.
The TendSkin is a new product
that has yielded amazing results in speeding up recovery.
It is available on Laser-Directory.com
at a 50% discount.
Another new product that Laser-Directory.com
also suggests is TNS Recovery
Complex created by Skin Medica.
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