Laser Hair Removal 101 (Part 2)
What was once thought asimpossible, virtually painless diode laser hair removal is now available. To
avoid the pain associated with conventional lasers, the breakthrough technology
called Super Hair Removal (SHR) uses low energy and rapid pulsing diode laser.
Single pulsed lasers use high energy to be effective, and would require the use
of numbing creams to ease the pain. The use of numbing creams can be harmful
if applied over large areas.
Epidermal cooling is
also used to reduce pain and prevent skin damage. Cool gel is applied on area
to be treated, and the chilled tip mechanism of the laser ensures the surface of skin stays cool and comfortable
throughout the treatment.
The number of sessions needed depends on the area of the
body being treated. Notably, the face requires around 8 to 10 sessions to
achieve desired results compared to 5 to 6 sessions for the legs. After that, 1
to 2 touch-up treatments every year maybe needed. Other factors to be
considered are skin color, coarseness of hair, and gender. Coarse dark hair on
light skin is easiest to treat.
Hair grows in several phases: anagen, telogen, and catagen. Laser treatment
works only on the currently active growing hair follicles, called the anagen phase. The hair population has only between 10 and 20% in anagen stage. Hence, several sessions are needed for effective long term result. Treatment sessions should be timed when inactive follicles are just starting to
grow again.
Treatment intervals can be from 4 to 8 weeks depending on the area being treated. The face usually requires more frequent treatments at 4 weeks apart, whereas arms and legs require around 6 to 8 weeks.
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| Painless diode laser hair removal on legs |
The hairs may appear to
grow faster after the treatment, but most of the treated hairs will shed in
about 2 weeks or so. If you pull the treated hairs with tweezers, there will be
no more resistance which means the follicles have been damaged. Subsequent
sessions will have longer treatment intervals as hair becomes thinner and regrowth
slows down.
Once
you have decided to have your laser hair removal, you should not pluck or wax
at least one month prior to the treatment. That’s because the laser targets the
hairs’ roots, which are temporarily removed by waxing or plucking. You should
also avoid unnecessary sun exposure on areas to be treated for one month before
and after treatment. Sun exposure increases the risk of complications during
and after treatment.
SkinStation
offers the best value in laser hair removal with the painless SHR available in
all its branches. Compared with a lifetime of shaving, waxing or plucking,
SkinStation can save you both time and money. Check out the very
affordable packages being offered.
______________________________________________________________________________________This was published in the June 19, 2012 issue of Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Section. The
author is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist
Award from Professional Regulations Commission for his achievements in the
field of cosmetic chemistry. He can be reached at fred.reyes@skinstation.ph.
author is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist
Award from Professional Regulations Commission for his achievements in the
field of cosmetic chemistry. He can be reached at fred.reyes@skinstation.ph.
