Laser Hair Removal
If you are fed up with waxing, shaving and plucking, then why not look seriously at laser hair removal? It is a way of permanently reducing hair in any area of your body. Most of us have unwanted hair to one extent or another, both women AND men. It can be embarrassing and cause a loss of confidence, and can even interfere with your personal relationships. By treating you with lasers and Intensed Pulse Light (IPL), we can provide permanent hair reduction. This means no more painful waxing, plucking or shaving. IPL and laser hair removal can be used anywhere that you have unwanted hair. We can even tailor the treatment to your own skin and hair colour.
Procedure for hair removal
If you are having laser treatment, you will need to shave the area before the treatment. For IPL treatment, a very short trim is usually all that is needed. At ReJuvenis we prefer to use lasers for hair removal. On the Lumenis One platform we have the Lightsheer® device, which is a dedicated hair removal laser, which gives excellent results.
If you have a tan from sun exposure or sunless tanning products, you must wait until the tan fades completely before undergoing laser hair removal. A tan increases your risk of side effects such as blistering and discoloration. Avoid sun exposure four to six weeks before treatment, and for two week after treatment.
Laser hair removal is effective only on short, visible hair. Avoid waxing, plucking, and electrolysis for three weeks before treatment.
You will be asked to wear special protective glasses to prevent damage from the laser. A special gel is applied to the area, and the doctor will then move the laser all over the area to be treated. The laser works by heating up the hair follicle, and permanently destroying it so that no more hair will grow. This is in contrast to waxing, shaving or depilatory creams that leave the follicle in, with consequent regrowth of hair. Treatments can last from a few minutes to an hour or more, depending on the size of the area to be treated. Almost any area of the body can be treated, face, back, chest, breasts, pubic/bikini area, legs, arms, underarms and even hands. Using the Lumenis One laser system, incorporating the Lightsheer®head, we can safely treat all skin types, including Asian and Black skins.
Side Effects
Some people experience a slight discomfort when the laser is fired, similar to an elastic band being flicked on the skin. There is usually slight reddening of the skin afterwards for a short time, and a slight feeling of heat. Soothing cream should be applied to help with this. You will also notice a slight burning smell as the hair follicle is destroyed.
How many Treatments will I need?
Studies show that for suitable candidates, hair removal lasers can reduce hair counts by 40 percent to 80 percent. Results vary from person to person, however, and some people respond better to treatment than others.
Multiple treatments can prolong the duration of hair loss, but hair re-growth is possible. Also as you age, unwanted hair growth inevitably continues, and you may need repeat treatments in the future.
Because hair grows in cycles, with some hair actively growing, and other hairs dormant, when you have your first treatment, the only hair to be destroyed will be the actively growing hairs. Those that are dormant will not be destroyed, but will grow to full hairs in due course. For this reason, to permanently reduce all the hairs in an area, you will need to come back several times, sometimes up to 6, spaced several weeks apart. In this way it is possible to produce beautiful, soft, smooth, hair-free skin.
Remember, hair removal is for MEN as well as women. So come on guys, don’t let the ladies be the only smoothies out there!