Learn All About Laser Hair Removal
F or people who don’t want dark or coarse hair but also don't want to shave or wax, laser hair removal is a great alternative. Laser hair removal is a completely safe treatment that’s performed regularly at Nirunda Aesthetic Clinic in Bangkok.
The procedure was originally developed to rid the body of dark hair on light-colored skin. But with further developments to the technology, various types of lasers now work effectively on any skin type, dark or light or people of color.
The three most common types of lasers used for hair removal are alexandrite, diode, and neodymium YAG lasers.
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
People generally choose laser over shaving or waxing because of the convenience. People with thick hair often have to do daily upkeep to stay hair-free. Having laser hair removal reduces this maintenance time.
Some people develop skin bumps after shaving. A laser session does away with all the after-effects of shaving. Lasers can target the dark, coarse hairs for removal while leaving the surrounding skin unblemished and undamaged.
Having a laser session is also quick and easy. Even large areas like the back are likely to only take about an hour to complete. Small areas like the upper lip will take less than a minute.
It should be noted that the results of laser hair removal sessions can vary with different people. Some patients respond to laser treatments faster than others and require fewer sessions for the hair removal to become a permanent reduction. Some patients will always require periodic maintenance. But the maintenance treatments will often encounter less hair over time.
Most patients have total hair loss in the area of treatment after an average of three to seven sessions, depending on the thickness and density of the hair. But even these patients may experience new hair growth after several years.
Safety of Laser Hair Removal
Many patients are concerned with the safety aspects of using lasers on sensitive skin areas. Nirunda Aesthetic Clinic uses the Soprano ICE Platinum epilator, which is the newest epilator in the industry. This epilator combines three laser wavelengths to be more effective in removing all types of hair.
By using three types of lasers, the skin layer can be subjected to temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius. The Soprano ICE Platinum has Contact Cooling technology. This technology cools the skin at the point of contact down to -4 degrees Celsius to make the patient cool and comfortable when undergoing treatment.
Targeting the Hair Follicles
The laser treatment works by targeting the hair follicles. The reason that dark hair has traditionally responded much better to laser is that the highly concentrated light that penetrates the follicles is more effective the darker the pigment is.
As technicians experimented with the different types of lasers, they began to find that different lasers were effective on lighter colored hair follicles, expanding the number of patients who could benefit from the technology.
What to Expect from a Laser Hair Removal Session
Before your first session, your dermatologist will likely review your medical history and conduct a medical exam. This is the time to discuss your expectations and talk about the risks of the procedure.
You will have been instructed to limit electrolysis, plucking, and waxing for four weeks prior to the treatment. These hair removal treatments may remove the hair follicles temporarily and you want to ensure that the hair follicles you want to be removed are present at the time of treatment. You’ll also be advised to avoid chemical peels and collagen injections for two weeks before the treatment, as these treatments may cause irritation to the skin in the treatment area. You will also have been advised to avoid the sun for about one week before and after the treatment. Sun exposure can make complications after the treatment more likely and reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
You need to plan your treatments ahead of time, and choosing a qualified and well-regarded clinic like Nirunda Aesthetic Clinic in Bangkok should be part of your planning.
On the day of the procedure, you'll be asked to refrain from wearing perfume, cologne or deodorant on the area to be treated.
Before the procedure, your hair is trimmed down to just a few millimeters above the surface of the skin. Depending on the lasers used, you and the technician will also wear eye protection. A cooling system in the laser’s hand piece helps deaden the sting of the laser pulses.
The laser equipment will also be calibrated according to the thickness, color and location of the hair to be removed. After the calibration, the technician will check the laser to ensure that it's adjusted properly. They'll trigger a pulse of light to the treatment area, then watch and wait for several minutes to check for any reactions to the settings. If the skin shows no adverse reaction, the treatment will begin.
Recovery from a Hair Removal Session
After the session, the skin will look and feel sunburned from a few hours to 24 hours. Cool compresses and moisturizers can help reduce the sunburn-like pain until it fades away. If the treatment is to your face, you can wear makeup the next day. Some of the other possible side effects are swelling, redness and scarring. Swelling can be treated with ice packs directly after the treatment. Redness is common as the treated area has been subjected to intense light. Scarring or permanent changes to the skin color are extremely rare.
Continuing Treatment
Your targeted hair follicles will begin to fall out over 7-14 days. Wear sunscreen for a month after your initial treatment and any subsequent sessions. The sunscreen will prevent your skin from changing color temporarily in the treated area.
You should leave four to six weeks bet maintenance and possible permanent hair reduction, contact Nirunda Aesthetic Clinic in Bangkok to make an appointment.
To get started on the road to less hair maintenance and possible permanent hair reduction, contact Nirunda Aesthetic Clinic in Bangkok to make an appointment.
