How does depilation with a laser work?
The laser-beam enters the upper skin layer. The pigment of the hair follicle absorbs the light energy specifically.
Trough conversion of light into heat, the surrounding area is heated and the follicle cell suffers a heat damage which causes the death of the root of the hair and the hair follicle.
How many treatments will I need?The light flash only damages hair, which is in an early growth stadium. Other hair keeps growing normally. Therefore each region needs 4 to 8 treatments. The more treatments are done, the higher is the chance to treat every hair in its damageable growth stadium.
Is the laser procedure effective?The effectiveness of the treatment depends on the colour, thickness and depth of the hair, thus red, blond and grey hair reacts less than black hair. The outcome of the treatment also depends on the hormone level. To reach a high effectiveness it is important to set up a treatment plan with your doctor depending on your skin type and hair consistency.
How can I reach the best results? The best outcome is reached on light, un-tanned skin with dark hair. To avoid unwanted side effects the skins needs to be as light as possible, because the targets of the laser are dark, pigmented parts which also can be found in the upper layer of tanned or dark skin. One possibility is to start the treatment in autumn.
Can all hair be treated?Since the laser beam targets the pigments in the hair, black or dark hair can be treated the easiest. Treatment of blond and grey hair is seldom possible.
What kind of results should I expect?The scientific literature shows that 12 month after the end of treatment there are very good effects with last generation lasers. It can be microscopically proofed that the hair follicles are definitely damaged. It is unknown, if and how new follicle can grow out of nothing.
How will the treatment take course?After application of a hydrous gel the hand piece of the laser is held onto the skin and moved over the parts to be treated. The laser sends a round light impulse of the size of 8-14mm, what feels like soft stitches. It is possible to apply a salve to the skin before the treatment which causes a numbness, so there is no pain at all.
The treatment is very comfortable thanks to the skin cooling system of the laser device.
What happens after the treatment?
After the treatment a redness of the skin, strong feeling of warmth or wheals can occur. Overall the side effects are like a light sun burn or allergic reaction.
After a few hours the treated parts might darken and built up a small scrap, that degenerates within 2-10 days.
The hair loosens and drops out after 5 days to 2 weeks. The re-growing hair is mostly thinner and lighter than the natural hair.
How much time is there between treatments?The next treatment can be done after 4-8 weeks, when a definite hair growth is noticeable.
What needs to be considered before the treatment?Ø shave the hair one day before the treatment
Ø avoid tanning of the skin
Ø avoid cellulite treatment up to 4 weeks before the treatment
Ø do not do plucking, waxing or electrical epilating 4-6 weeks before treatment
Ø before treatment apply Elma-salve to sensible areas of the skin to be treated
Ø remove make-up and deodorant
What needs to be considered after the treatment?Ø cool the treated skin as long as it is comfortable to you
Ø if crusts built up, do not manipulate them
Ø protect treated areas against sun light or intensive light (solarium)
Ø use suntan cream (20-50) if you stay outside longer
Ø if skin changes should occur, that are not named above, contact your doctor immediately
What complications can occur?No medical treatment is totally free of risk. Normally laser-treatment is very low in risk. Lightening of the skin or hyper-pigmentation can temporarily occur. Both is regulated by the skin itself. In very few occasions small scars can occur.
