Laser hair removal removes unwanted body or facial hair, and provides a long-term alternative to shaving, waxing, depilatory creams and electrolysis. At The Clinic we have the choice of two laser hair systems, Candela GentleLASE and Lumenis One LightSheer Diode, which safely remove hair without damaging the delicate pores and structures of the skin.
How it works?
The laser energy is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair and transmitted down the hair shaft, destroying the hair root growth mechanism. The laser disrupts the hairs that are principally in the active growth phase at the time of treatment. The Candela GentleLASE works best with patients who have a light skin color and dark hair. For darker skins we recommend the Lumenis one LightSheer Diode laser as it is suitable for treating all skin types.
Is the treatment Painful?
This is a common initial concern for many of our patients. Our GentleLASE laser uses a special cooling spray system that lowers the temperature of the skin at the treatment site, and the LightSheer Diode has a cooled tip which used in conjunction with a cool gel. Therefore, the treatment is generally not painful and is well tolerated. Some patients describe the treatment as a sensation like the snap of a rubber band. Topical anesthetic cream is an option for more sensitive areas, and taking two Panadol tablets 30-45 minutes prior to your treatment may help with reducing discomfort.
Possible Side Effects
Some after effects that patients may experience are;
Pain – some patients feel discomfort during the treatment. Exposure is limited to an extremely short pulse. This discomfort may range from mild to moderate but does not last long. A mild burning sensation may last for up to one hour.
Crusting / Blistering – this is superficial, and rarely results in any scarring and is treated like mild sunburn or any other blister.
Pigment changes – the treated areas will most likely heal without any pigment changes, however there is a slight chance that hyper-pigmentation (darker) or hypo-pigmentation (lighter) areas may occur. These are generally temporary and will fade within 1-6 months. Darkening of the treated area is more likely in people with olive or darker skin, or people who have had excessive sun exposure within 3 months of treatment. Your clinician can recommend a product to reduce this risk.
Infection / Scarring – is very rare and it is important to follow all the post treatment instructions carefully in order to prevent infection.
Swelling / Redness – may sometimes occur immediately after treatment. This usually resolves within 24 hours and is not harmful. Cold packs are effective in reducing the swelling.
How many treatments will be needed?
Hair grows in cycles. The number of treatments required depends upon your skin color, hair color and coarseness of the hair. Each treatment only works on the active hair growth at that time (anagen cycle). Repeat sessions are necessary to treat the follicles when the next anagen cycle occurs. Therefore, for effective permanent hair removal, most people require approximately four to six treatments at 6 week intervals to achieve the desired results.
How long will the procedure take?
This varies depending on the area of the body. Treatments can take anything from 10 minutes to 1 hour.
Are the results permanent?
Results vary depending on skin and hair type. The majority of patients will achieve an 80-90% reduction in unwanted hair. There is a minority of patients who do not respond well; furthermore 3-5% of these patients will only have a minimal response to laser hair removal.