LASER HAIR REMOVAL - THE FACTS
Lasers have been used for treating skin problems for many years and new uses are
being found all the time. Like many discoveries, the idea of using a laser to remove
hair was made by accident. However following worldwide trials, The Alexandrite
Laser is an extremely effective method of hair removal without some of the side-effects
and pain associated with other methods.
How does normal hair grow?
Hair is made up of a shaft and a root ; the shaft is the hair you see on your skin, the
root is buried within the skin. At the lower end of the root is a swelling called a hair
bulb and this is surrounded by a socket called a follicle. The hair grows upwards from
the root and emerges from the skin. Each hair follicle has a growth phase where the
hair grows in length, a resting phase, and a shedding phase where the hair falls out.
This is known as the normal growth cycle. In this way hairs are continually grown,
shed and replaced throughout an individual’s life and at any one time, different hairs
will be at a different stage of this growth cycle.
Is hair distribution the same in all individuals?
No. The amount and distribution of body hair is largely determined genetically. This
may vary according to racial or familial characteristics. For example, those of Asian or
Mediterranean background may tend to grow darker, thicker hair than fairer, European
individuals.
What is hirsutism?
Hirsutism means excessive hair growth in females. This can be due to facial or
familial characteristics as mentioned above and also due to some medical conditions.
The presence of hair in certain regions of the body may be acceptable for some people
but not for others, hence the need to remove hair - a process which is known as
depilation.
What methods of depilation are available?
There are a number of methods used to remove hair today. These include plucking,
shaving, depilatory creams, waxing and electrolysis. All these methods have
problems; they may be painful, messy, need to be done frequently and treatment can
often take a long time. Until the Mid 1990’s, these were the only methods of depilation
available. Now however, due to laser technology, there is a method available which in
many cases is extremely effective.
What type of laser is used?
A number of different lasers have been shown to be effective for hair removal. Our
laser of choice is the Alexandrite Laser. This laser, which neither burns or cuts the
skin’s surface, has been used extensively in medical practice for a number of years
now.
How does the treatment work?
The light energy from the Alexandrite laser is absorbed by pigment in the hair shaft
and the melanosomes of the hair bulb. The duration of each laser pulse has been
carefully chosen to be just long enough to heat and destroy the hair and its growth
mechanism but not so long that excess heat is transmitted to the surrounding skin.
Treatment is only effective on those hairs in the growth phase.
Can all types of hair be treated?
The response and hence the number of treatments depends on a number of factors. It
seems that fine hair may respond more quickly than thick hair and similarly, darker
hair is more effectively treated than fair hair Blonde hair generally does not respond to
treatment. We also know that the methods of hair removal used by people prior to
attending the clinic can have an effect in the number of treatments required.
Is the treatment permanent?
Laser hair removal results have been very encouraging. The majority of patients who
have been treated using the Alexandrite laser have had excellent long term treatment
results on both facial and body hair. It has been also shown that the laser can
permanently destroy some hair follicles and miniaturise others. It should be
emphasised that everyone has the potential to create new hair follicles at different
stages of life.
How many treatments are necessary?
This varies from individual to individual because different hairs are at different stages
of the hair growth cycle. Typically, approximately six to ten treatments may be enough
for some patients for hair removal, considerably more for others. Once the area is
substantially cleared, further treatments may be required in the future as completely
new hairs grow. Certain patients, in particular those with coarse, light hair, may find
that the treatment is not effective.
Can the laser stimulate hair growth
In a tiny number of cases worldwide it is thought that a laser may have stimulated hair
growth. In the majority of these cases changes in the treatment parameters have
controlled the growth.
Can all areas of the body be treated?
Yes. All areas can be treated although we would not recommend in the treatment of
hairy moles, the nasal septum or very close to the eye. Prior to treatment the hair is
required to be trimmed or shaved, although the hair can be left in order for an
assessment to take place during the free consultation. We cannot treat hair if the area
has been plucked waxed or epilated within a four week period or if the hair has been
bleached or their depilatory cream used within ten days of treatment.
Can all skin types be treated?
Because the light beam from the laser is absorbed well by melanin skin pigment, it is
possible that dark skinned people may get damage to their skin. For this reason, we are
extremely cautious in offering treatment for patients with dark coloured skin and
would strongly recommend that areas to be treated are not sun-tanned. In addition we
strongly recommend that people do not use sunbeds or fake tan.
Does it hurt?
Most patients experienced little discomfort at the treatment site because of the dynamic
cooling. Active cooling at the time of treatment minimises the side effects of excessive
heat in the skin. The degree of discomfort varies with each person depending on his or
her pain threshold.
Are there any after effects following treatment?
World-wide clinical trials have found laser hair removal to be remarkably safe. A
slight irritation of the skin, including redness and some burning sensation can occur for
the first few days following treatment. Cooling the area as will happen during
treatment and also after treatment with, for example ice packs or cooling gels, should
help reduce inflammation. Slight blistering or crusting may occur in a very small
minority of patients. Rarely is any specific treatment required and it will usually clear
within a few days. If blistering does occur, prolonged immersion in water e.g.
swimming should be avoided and when bathing or showering the area should be patted
dry and not rubbed. Rarely, some patients may find that the area of skin treated
appears darker. This is known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and this will,
almost always, settle with time. Even more rarely, the skin may become lighter
following treatment, known as hypopigmentation. Again, this would normally settle
although complete return to normal pigmentation cannot be guaranteed in either case.
Direct exposure to strong sunlight should be avoided following treatment. There is an
incredibly small risk of scarring.
What are the costs likely to be?
This will be discussed at the initial consultation, which we offer entirely free of charge
and with no obligation to undergo treatment. Treatment costs will vary between
individuals according to the areas treated as well as the density of hair growth and
number of repeat treatments required. All patients wishing to have laser hair removal
following the free consultation will have an initial test area treated for which there will
be a small charge. Only if both patient and the Practitioner are happy with the results
of treatment to the test area will full treatment begin. The procedure can take as little
as 10 minutes or up to an hour depending on the area treated. As a guide, prices start
from as little as £150.
Is laser treatment safe?
Yes. There is no published evidence to suggest that treatment can lead to skin disorders
or an increased risk of cancer. Furthermore, every precaution has been taken to ensure
the safety of the patient. The lasers are regularly serviced and there is a Laser
protection supervisor and Laser Protection Advisor appointed by NHS Grampian
Radiation Protection Services. In our clinic, laser hair removal treatment is carried out
by fully qualified and registered doctors or senior nurseries only. The patients are
required to wear approved protective goggles at all times.
Please note that the information given on this sheet is for guidance only and each individual may respond in a different
way. At the time of a consultation you will be given the most current information available