Laser Epilation

Laser Epilation

What is the Mechanism of Action in Laser Epilation?

The laser and light systems destroy the hair follicle. The aim here is to permanently damage the hair follicle, while keeping the surrounding skin intact. Laser energy reaches the hair follicle under the skin. The color cells (pigments) in the hair follicle absorb the laser energy. The laser energy focused on this point burns the hair follicle without damaging the surrounding skin and tissue. The damaged hair does not grow again.

A certain portion of the burnt hair falls immediately, and some other portions are eliminated from the skin within only 2 to 3 weeks. As different from electric epilation applied to hair strands one by one, this technique burns dozens of hair strands with each of the energy shots.

In this way, large areas such as the back, shoulders, arms, legs and face can be treated in a short time. Laser epilation can be applied to any area of the body, without requiring anesthesia. Even sensitive areas such as the nipples, upper lip area, and bikini line can be easily treated.

What are Laser Epilation Systems?

Alexandrite Laser

Diode Laser

ND YAG Laser

How Often is Laser Epilation Applied, and How Long do Its Sessions Take?

Laser applications should be made at intervals of 6–12 weeks. This intervals are needed for allowing for the availability of adequate amount of pigment in the hair follicles. Any subsequent application should be made within 12 weeks but not before a 6-week interval.

A session takes 1 to 2 minutes in areas such as the upper lip area, and may take 30 to 60 minutes in all large areas such as the legs and back.

Which Regions of the Body Can be Treated with Laser Epilation?

Laser Hair Removal can be used to treat any body area where you are experiencing unwanted hair.

What is the Superiority of Laser Epilation Over Other Alternative Procedures?

Laser epilation provides rapid, safe and long-lasting results. Laser epilation can be applied to any area of the body. Since hair follicles are affected in laser epilation, the hair returns later and in the form of thinner hair strands.

What are the Risks of Laser Epilation?

Its short-term side effects are redness on the skin and edema in the hair follicles. These side effects disappear within 1 hour but may last several days in considerably sensitive skins. With some types of laser, applications on dark and bronze skins may cause color changes, blistering and crusting. Such problems are rare and recede within a few days. The laser procedure does lead to skin cancer. It does not damage internal organs.

Is the effect of laser epilation permanent?

The effect of laser epilation is mostly permanent. The amount of hair strands is reduced by 70 to 90% after four to six sessions. The hair strands becomes thinner and lighter colored. This reduction lasts for years. However, a completely hairless skin should not be expected. The efficacy of the treatment should be assessed within 6 months after the completion of the treatment sessions. The hair strands, which will grow again, appear within 6 months.

In What Proportion do the Hair Strands Grow Again, and How Long Time Does the Return of the Hair Strands Take?

If the correct application is made after a laser epilation, a certain portion of the hair falls immediately. The remainder portion of the hair is eliminated from the skin within only 1 to 3 weeks.

A significant reduction may be unobservable in the first two session of laser epilation. The amount of hair strands begins to decrease significantly after the third and fourth sessions. After 4 to 6 sessions, the amount of hair strands decreases, in such a way that the hair strands do not grow again for years. Thin hair maintenance sessions may be performed in some patients.

Hair strands that grow in small quantities after laser treatment are thin and light colored. The technique does not constitute any cosmetic problem.

Why are at Least 4 Treatment Sessions Needed in Laser Epilation?

All lasers are effective in the active period of hair strands. Hair follicles at the resting phase are not affected by laser. Hair strands on the body enter in active and resting phases in various periods. During operation, laser affects active hair strands. After a while, hair strands in resting phase become active. And they are destroyed in the next application.

Which Hair Colors Give the Best Response to Laser Epilation Therapy?

The pigment in the hair follicle is important in terms of laser treatment. Accordingly, black or brown hair constitutes the group that gives the best response to the treatment. White and gray hair do not respond well to the treatment.

What are the Rules to Take into Consideration During Laser Sessions?

Because laser energy is effective on active hair, classical epilating waxes, liposoluble waxes, tweezers, needle epilation, and epilation devices should not be used six weeks prior to the application. These methods eliminate the hair follicle, on which laser would be effective.

Although certain types of laser can be applied to dark skins, the patient should not sunbathe, go to the tanning booth and use self-tanning creams before the treatment. Undesirable burns and color changes may occur. In addition, the effectiveness of the laser may decrease.

How Should the Patient Prepare for Laser Epilation?

Razor blade and depilatory cream can be used. Hair removal done one day before the laser application would be the optimal way. Hair removal done in the treatment day or immediately before laser application may make the skin more sensitive. If hair removal is not done in advance, the hair strands remaining on the skin burns, causes pain, and absorbs the laser energy; and consequently, reduces the efficacy of the laser, ad prevents the hair follicle from getting adequate amount of energy.

Pre-Treatment Recommendations for Laser Epilation

  • Abstain from using certain methods such as hair removal with classical epilating waxes, liposoluble waxes, and tweezers, for a period of one week before the treatment. Otherwise, you pluck the hair follicle required to be affected and destroyed by laser energy. This reduces the efficacy of laser energy.
  • Reduce the sun exposure for a period of one to two weeks before the treatment. Tanned skins reduce the efficacy of laser energy.
  • Do not apply cosmetics to the application area. Cosmetics absorb laser energy and reduce its effectiveness. This results in less amount of laser energy delivery into the hair follicles. Cosmetics increase the laser temperature and may cause irritation or burnt on the skin. Cosmetics can be applied after the laser treatment.
  • Please get a shave or cut the hair one day before the treatment. Long hair on the skin wastes the laser energy by absorbing it, and reduces the amount of laser energy delivery into the hair follicles. Long hair also leads to an increased risk of burnt and skin irritation.
  • If your pain threshold is low, it may be appropriate to take a painkiller 2 hours before the operation. In addition, since some women are more sensitive to pain during menstrual periods, the application may be unpreferable before and during menstrual periods.

Post-Treatment Recommendations for Laser Epilation

  • The redness that appears after laser treatment will be diminished when you arrive at your home. Some skins are sensitive and dryness can be felt after the operation. In such a case, a moisturizer can be used.
  • Abstain from sunbathing for a period of one to two weeks after the treatment. Sun exposure may cause spot formations. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
  • Hair strands in the hair follicles may grow within 1 to 2 weeks after the laser treatment. If you get annoyed of them, you can get a shave.
  • During the session intervals, you can use razor blade and depilatory cream but you must abstain from methods such as hair removal with classical epilating waxes, liposoluble waxes, tweezers and thread. Otherwise, such methods reduce the effectiveness of the next laser session.
  • Blistering and crusting are rarely encountered after a laser treatment, and they regress within a few days to a week. An antibiotic cream can be applied frequently.

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