Laser Hair Removal
Treatment Explanation
At Skin Zest, we understand that every question you have about laser hair removal deserves a thoughtful and comprehensive answer. Our advanced hair removal services, powered by Splendor X technology from Lumenis, redefine the path to smooth skin. Let us guide you through the process, addressing all your questions with clarity and expertise.
Laser Hair Removal Explanation
Laser hair removal uses laser light energy with a specific wavelength. During treatment, lasers emit energy in the form of light onto the skin. The melanin in the hair absorbs this energy and converts it into heat which then destroys the hair follicles to prevent or stop future growth. BLEND X technology harnesses the power of two wavelengths (Alexandrite and Nd YAG) for greater effectiveness for hair-free skin for all skin types.
Typically, people need 6-10 hair removal sessions, with one to two months between each session, to see optimal results. You’ll see some reduction in hair after your first session. The results may vary with each individual and it is impossible to predict how you will respond to the treatment and how many sessions will be required. While laser hair removal cannot guarantee 100% removal of all hair follicles, it offers substantial hair reduction.
WHAT FACTORS WILL AFFECT LASER HAIR REMOVAL RESULTS?
This procedure is more effective for individuals with light skin and dark hair due to the noticeable contrast, which allows the laser to effectively target the pigment in the hair follicles. Conversely, individuals with fair skin and light hair (blonde, red, or grey) may not experience significant results since there is minimal pigment in their hair follicles.
Clients with darker skin tones and dark hair may require additional treatments to achieve the desired results.
The outcomes of laser hair removal can differ based on the specific area being treated. Optimal results are typically seen in areas where there is a clear contrast between dark hair and light skin. For instance, achieving desired results in more intimate areas might require additional sessions.
The effectiveness of the treatment is influenced by your hair colour. Thinner hair may require additional sessions. Darker hair colours respond better to the treatment because the laser can easily target each hair follicle. The laser is not effective on grey, white, and blond hair. However, we provide electrolysis, which is the only proven method for permanent hair removal suitable for all hair colours.
Because hormone levels influence hair growth, your laser hair removal treatment may be affected. Higher hormone levels lead to faster hair growth, potentially requiring more laser sessions. Generally, it’s safe for individuals to undergo laser hair removal, but additional sessions might be necessary for optimal effectiveness and maintenance. Treatment can proceed for individuals with hormonal or endocrine disorders such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or uncontrolled diabetes, but ongoing sessions are needed, and results may vary.
No hair removal procedure can eliminate all follicles simultaneously due to the varying growth cycles of hair. Laser hair removal is most effective when hair is actively growing, but different body hairs don’t grow simultaneously. This is why we advise waiting four to eight weeks between treatments. It’s challenging to pinpoint your hair’s specific growth cycle at any given time. However, with multiple treatments, there’s a high probability of treating a significant percentage of the hair.
Expected Outcomes:
- Hair will be less dense
- Hair may become lighter in colour
- Hair becomes finer
- Hair grows slower
- Reduction of ingrown hairs
- Skin is left clear and bright with no shadowing in areas
- Improvement in skin texture
- 80-95% hair reduction
- After the successful completion of your hair laser removal treatment, you may find that occasional touch-ups are necessary to maintain the best results
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING AND AFTER SPLENDOR X HAIR LASER REMOVAL?
Consultation and patch test will be carried out before your first treatment. Patch test is carried out to determine the treatment parameters, discuss any contraindications and judge how your skin might react to a full treatment.
Patch test is a small trial in an area with similar hair and skin to the treatment site and allows the practitioner to assess how well the light energy is being absorbed and whether the skin is responding as would be expected. Your laser technician will adjust the laser to suit your skin tone and hair thickness. You’ll be given eye protection, and your laser technician will do a test pulse in the treatment area, to see if you have any adverse reaction. Your laser technician will then mark up / grid treatment areas to make sure thorough treatment will be conducted. Your laser technician will methodically treat one small area at a time, moving the handpiece as they go. With each pulse, the light from the laser energy will destroy the targeted hair follicles.
You may feel a warm sensation, ping like ‘elastic band’, but discomfort should be minimised by the device’s built-in dual cooling system Zimmer, which uses forced air to keep the handpiece and the surface of your skin chilled with each pass.
You may notice some immediate redness or swelling around the hair follicle called perifollicular edema . This swelling in the hair follicles indicates that energy was sufficiently absorbed and the follicles are slowly being disabled. Along with swelling, redness, itching, and stinging may last for a day or two, but it should resolve in a few hours. Clients with suntanned skin should postpone laser treatment by 2-3 months.
There is always a possibility of an unintentional missed patch as the laser technician should not overlap the treated area. If this happens, do not worry. Please let us know and we will invite you for a free touch-up correction session 2 weeks after your session.
There’s no downtime, and you can resume regular activities right away.
PRE TREATMENT ADVICE
It is important to implement and follow the below advice before your laser treatment to help minimise the side effects and achieve better results. We recommend the following steps before your appointment:
- Avoid waxing / threading / tweezing in the area for at least 4 weeks. Shaving is ok!
- Avoid injectables 6 weeks in or near treatment areas before treatment.
- Avoid any facial peels 6 weeks before treatment
- Avoid microdermabrasion & other facial treatments 6 weeks before treatment
- Avoid having any laser treatments on the area 4 weeks before treatment also avoid home IPL
- Avoid sun / sunbed exposure 4 weeks before treatment (sunburned or tanned skin will not be treated). Treatment may be postponed
- Avoid skin care containing active ingredients 7 days before treatment all skin irritants must be stopped (glycolic, salicylic acids, benzoyl peroxide, retinol products such as Retin A, Tazorac, Triluma, Differin, and Vitamin C) on the area being treated
- Advise staff when taking antibiotics. Certain antibiotics (Tetracycline, Doxycycline) can make a client photosensitive, therefore, treatment may not go ahead until two weeks after completion of antibiotic.
- Treatment cannot be done if you have an active cold sore or skin infection and will be rescheduled (facial Hair Laser Removal)
- Do not use self-tanner or spray tan products for at least 2 weeks before your treatment to avoid potential potential burns
- We recommend not to take Ibuprofen or Aspirin before your laser removal session. This medication may cause bruising after the treatment. Avoid taking products containing Ibuprofen at least 48 hours before the session.
ON THE DAY OF YOUR TREATMENT
- Area must be shaved within 12-24 hours prior to your appointment; treatment will not be provided for areas that are not shaved.The closer the shave the better. If it is your first time, leave a small patch of 2 cm of hair so that your specialist can examine it. Bikini services, don’t shave the part where you want to keep the hair.
- No makeup / lotion / deodorant or perfumes on the day of your appointment (in the treatment area). Make sure the skin is clean.
- Wear loose and comfy clothing to your appointment so that you can easily expose the areas to be treated and feel comfortable after the session.
POST TREATMENT DO'S AND DONT"S
To optimise your results and minimise side effects, follow these guidelines after your laser hair removal session:
- STAY AWAY FROM THE SUN (tanned skin will not be treated)
- Make-up can be applied after several hours, if the skin is not sore or broken however, we advise caution if the area is feeling sensitive. Remove make up carefully as rubbing the skin can cause irritation or infection. If the skin at the treatment area becomes broken, then make-up should be avoided.
- Care should be taken to avoid trauma to the treated area for 4 or 5 days afterwards.
- Do not apply ice packs on treated areas
- Avoid strenuous exercise and activities for at least 48 hours after treatment.
- Avoid hot treatments i.e. sauna and steam, excessively hot baths, massaging etc for at least 48 hours after treatment.
- Avoid swimming in chlorinated water, pools, rivers, sea, lakes for a week.
- Avoid picking, scratching, waxing, threading, tweezing, plucking, electrolysis and electrical epilation)
- Shaving is tolerated but avoid it for 72 hours after treatment.
- Avoid use of deodorants & perfumes for at least 48 hours after treatment.
- Take cool showers rather than hot baths. The skin should be patted dry and not rubbed.
- Wear loose and comfy clothing for at least 48 hours after treatment.
- Moisturise between the sessions and keep your skin hydrated.
- Use iS SHEALD or aloe vera gel to keep the area moisturised and the skin protected. If there is any discomfort, treat the area as you would sunburn.
- Use a sunscreen (SPF 30+ with zinc oxide) and protect the area from sunlight as much as possible between treatments and for at least one month after treatment ends. Failure to do this can lead to sunburn and hyper-pigmentation of the treated area. (Most cases of changes in pigmentation occur when the treated area has been exposed to sunlight, or in people with darker skin types).
- Once the skin has healed, a high protection sunscreen should be used daily for 12 months to prevent pigmentation changes.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS FROM SPLENDOR X HAIR LASER REMOVAL
- Temporary Discomfort: Itching and tingling sensations are common, varying in intensity.
- Redness and Swelling: These may occur, usually subsiding within a day, aided by cooling creams.
- Perifollicular Edema: Swelling around hair follicles indicates the treatment’s effectiveness.
- Skin Infection Risk: Folliculitis might develop, treatable with antiseptic creams.
- Changes in Skin Colour: Temporary pigmentation changes, either darkening or lightening, may occur.
- Crusting: This is a normal part of the healing process
- Blistering and Bruising: These are possible in some cases.
- Rare Side Effects: Permanent discoloration, skin burns, scarring, or eye injuries are exceptionally rare but possible.
At Skin Zest, your safety and satisfaction are our commitments. By understanding the process, adhering to pre and post-treatment advice, and recognising potential effects, you empower yourself to make the most informed decisions about your laser hair removal journey.
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