LASER HAIR REMOVAL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY CONSIDER LASER HAIR REMOVAL?
The results from laser hair removal cannot be achieved using traditional methods of hair removal.
You will save money in the long run as well as a lot of time that would have been spent removing the hair.
You will have smoother skin all year round.
HOW IT WORKS?
The laser removes the hair by a process called selective photothermolysis. This is processing the right amount of laser energy at the right wavelength to destroy the hair follicle without destroying the surrounding skin.
The Light energy from the laser is transferred into thermal energy in the hair follicle.
The Laser targets the Melanin, the pigmented region of the hair follicle and when the heat is absorbed by the Melanin, the follicle is destroyed.
The Result – permanent hair reduction.
THE HAIR GROWTH CYCLE?
In order to understand Laser Hair Removal further you need an understanding of the Hair Growth Cycle. The Hair growth cycle has three distinct growth phases. These are known as the:
Anagen: Active growth phase
Catagen: Regressive phase
Telogen: Resting phase
Special Note: It is ONLY during the active growth ‘Anagen’ phase that Laser can permanently disable hair growth.
The cycle for Facial Hair renews every 4 weeks
The cycle for Body Hair renews every 6 weeks
The cycles for each hair is not syncronised, it is because this that we recommend having multiple treatments & at the correct time for optimal results. ie. Every 4 weeks for Face & 6 weeks for Body treatments.
SKIN COLOUR?
All skin types are suitable for Laser Hair removal including dark skin. The GentleMax Pro posseses both an Alex 755nm and Nd:YAG 1064nm wavelength; our Nd:YAG Lasers are safe to use on dark skin types.
WHO WILL LASER HAIR REMOVAL BENEFIT?
Laser is suitable for male or female with overly dark facial hair and prone to suffer from ingrown hairs.
You will benefit if you find traditional methods of hair removal difficult or inconvenient ad would like a quick and permanent solution for hair reduction.
Laser Hair Removal is perfect if you desire smooth, soft skin after hair removal as laser treatments will ensure that rough, dry skin becomes a thing of the past.
All skin types are suitable for Laser Hair removal including dark skin. Our Nd:YAG Lasers are perfect for safe usage on darker skin types.
The golden rule for Laser Hair Removal is that the hair needs to be darker than the skin, the darker the hair the better. Unfortunately, we cannot treat white/grey, blonde or red hairs.
Your medical history will be taken at the consultation in order to check you are medically suitable to have the treatment performed.
HOW WILL LASER HAIR REMOVAL BE PERFORMED?
The hair should be shaved prior to the treatment. We need the hairs to be as short as possible to make the treatment more effective & as comfortable as possible.
The area will be wiped & marked out.
The area will be treated with a laser applicator, with a cooling device to ease pain & reduce sensitivity.
At the end of your session cooling Aloe Vera Gel & Sun Protection (if necessary) will be applied.
IS LASER HAIR REMOVAL PERMANENT?
At The Sutton Clinic we make it very clear that there is no such thing as permanent hair removal, it is called Permanent Hair Reduction.
The goal of the treatment is to significantly reduce the amount of hair growth, and for the hair to grow back lighter and softer, giving you a long hair free period.
Laser treatments will get rid of coarse dark hair & leave you with much smoother skin.
IS THE TREATMENT PAINFUL?
We have cooling devices to cool the skin so you don’t feel the heat from the laser as much. Candela’s Dynamic Cooling Device™ sprays Cryogen Gas into the skin before the laser to make the treatments as comfortable as possible.
However, expect there to be a slight discomfort but nearly all our clients find it tolerable.
DO I HAVE TO GROW MY HAIR?
You should have short visible hair when you come for a consultation so we can better advise you on your hair type and suggest the most appropriate treatments.
There is no need to grow your hair out for regular treatments; you may shave as many times as you wish, this will not affect the results.
The following methods are suitable for removing hair:
Shaving – removing the hair by using a blade.
Trimming – removing the hair by the use of a machine to cut the hairs; or
Hair Removing Creams – removing the hair by applying a non-invasive cream that removes the hair without it affecting the follicle.
The following methods should not be used to remove hair:
Bleaching – Lightening the hair using harsh chemicals.
Epilating – removing the hair, including the follicle, by a pulling motion. Included in this are Waxing, Epilating Machines, Plucking, Threading, Tweezing and more.
WHAT ABOUT A PATCH TEST?
A patch test is done on a small section on each different body areas you want treated.
The Patch Test provides us the optimal temperature for your skin and checks the sensitivity leave if your skin. The purpose of the patch test is to highlight any adverse reactions you may have to the treatment.
You are required to wait a minimum of 24 hours before your treatment begins.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
Treatment on a full face can take as little as 30 minutes.
Treatment on the under arms will take 15 minutes, whereas full legs will take up to 45 minutes depending on the surface area.
Are there any Possible side effects?
After the treatment you can get temporary erythema (redness) or temporary per-follicular oedema (swelling/lumps)
In some rare cases, people have suffered from temporary blistering and scabbing.
Any initial reactions should settle down within a 48 hours period.
Aloe Vera Gel and cool/ice packs should be used to reduce irritation.
There is also a very slight risk of hyper- and hypo- pigmentation. This is the darkening and lightening of the skin, which is why it is important to protect the skin from the sun using medical grade sunblock of SPF 30 or above.
WHAT RESULT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE TREATMENT?
Hair will become reduced in the treatment area and it will be much finer and less pigmented.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I REQUIRE?
The number of treatments are dependant on the individual.
The number of treatments is also dependant on medical background & hormonal changes in the body.
Some clients are happy after 6 sessions; whereas some people will desire more. It is important to note that maintenance sessions will be required.
Usually, woman’s faces require more treatments than bodily areas. Women are predisposed to grow new hair on the face as they get older. Hormones, menopause & medication all increase growth.
Areas like legs, bikini & under arms are 95% successful because women are predisposed to lose hair in these areas as they get older.
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO COME IN?
During the initial 6 treatments, we recommend treatments very 4 weeks for the face & every 6 weeks for the body areas.
After the initial 6 treatments, the time between treatments varies from client to client