Laser Hair Removal

A 1064 nm laser called the Lyra was the first laser FDA approved for hair removal of all skin types. Prior to this laser, dark complexion and tanned patients could not be treated with a laser due to the high absorbency of light to melanin in the skin. The 1064nm wavelength's low absorption to melanin in the skin makes it an ideal and safe treatment, achieving outstanding results while maintaining the normal appearance of the skin. The Sciton Image™ Laser delivers this 1064 wavelength faster and more comfortably then previous generations of lasers. The laser beam passes through the skin and is absorbed in the hair follicle residing underneath the skin surface. The laser energy destroys the follicle with the heat that it generates. Destroyed hairs are then either dissolved within the skin or extruded by the body. Because the laser beam is larger in diameter than the hair follicle, a large number of hairs can be treated simultaneously.

The number of treatments required to obtain optimal results varies with hair density, hair color, skin types, the treatment area and your hair growth cycle. The density of your hair and its growth cycle are affected by many things such as your age, ethnic background, hormones or medications. Laser treatments impair the growth capacity of hair follicles when they are in growth cycle at the time of the treatment. All hair follicles are not active at the same time. Depending upon the growth cycle of the follicles when the treatment is applied, 4 to 8 times depending on your goals. Treatments being every 7 to 14 week intervals depending on areas being treated.

The laser causes permanent hair removal, but your body will always have dormant hairs that may or may not grow due to such changes as stress, hormones, diet, weather changes and emotional disorders. The laser may also result in reduction and delayed re-growth of the treated hair follicles. Also, re-growing hairs were shown to be thinner and lighter than previously. Because the laser tends to treat hair follicles that are in an active growth phase, more than one treatment will be required to disable hair follicles that subsequently enter this growth phase. However, one to two treatments may result in a significant enough improvement that it may be all you desire or require.

Costs can vary based on the area being treated and your goals. Compared to other hair removal methods, laser can actually be far more economical financially, and time-wise in the long run.

What is electrolysis?

It has been said that: "Removing hair by electrolysis is like mowing grass -- one blade at a time!"

With electrolysis, the operator inserts a needle into the hair follicle and tries to have the needle tip reach the hair root. The operator then triggers a small electrical charge to disable the hair root. The hair from that follicle is then removed with tweezers. There can be considerable variation in the results between electrolysis therapists, and the rate of permanent hair loss has been reported to be from 15 to 50%. Electrolysis can be a tedious process and is a difficult undertaking for some clients. Even a small area like the face, for example, in the case of a woman with heavy facial hair, could require electrolysis for 2 -3 hours per week for 2 years, with further treatments over an undetermined period of time, for a total treatment time exceeding 210 hours. Despite its popularity over the past two decades and its use for over 100 years, there is little in the medical and scientific literature about electrolysis.

Hair removal is much faster with a laser because each "pulse" of laser light disables a large numbers of hair follicles, and pulses can be delivered as often as twice every second. Electrolysis operators can only treat those hairs that they can see and which they can reach the follicle through the hair shaft. The Sciton Profile™ laser treats all "active" follicles, even if the hair has not yet reached the surface of the skin, is "ingrown", or if the hair shaft is not straight.

Other lasers and intense pulsed light systems include:

• First generation Ruby 694 nanometer (Epilaser, Epitouch, Chromos)
• Second generation Alexandrite 755 nanometer (Epitouch ALEX, Photogenica LIPR, GentleLASE)
• Third generation Diode 800-810 nanometer (LightSheer, Apex)
• Fourth generation Ndyag 1064 nanometer (Sciton profile)

By contrast, the Sciton Profile™ Laser uses the longest available, deeper penetrating 1064 nanometer wavelength. The Sciton Profile™ Laser reaches even the deepest hair roots, which can be 4-6 mm below the skin surface in some cases.

The long 1064 nanometer wavelength of the Sciton Profile™ Laser makes it possible to safely and effectively treat all people — even those with tanned, very dark or black skin.

Sciton Profile™ Laser also allows the operator to adjust the duration of the pulse of laser energy to best suit the thickness of the hair shafts on different parts of your body. Some older laser systems lack this degree of fine control.

The Sciton Profile™ Laser cooling system provides an extra margin of safety and comfort with the chill plate and a clear view of the area to be treated.

Over the years, laser hair removal has proven to be a relatively safe procedure. But now with the new Sciton, the risks of laser have been greatly reduced. The main concern with laser has always been the damage that the heat can cause, but with our laser having a chill plate and being deep to the skin, this is no longer a concern.

Because the Sciton Profile System targets the PIGMENT in hair roots, they work best on black or brown hair. Naturally red or some darker blondes may respond partially. It really depends on the base of the hair. If you have a blonde\red hair with a darker root, you may have better results. Depending on the tone of grey, laser may also work partially on that as well.

White hair does not respond at all to treatment - so get your unwanted hair removed before it turns grey or white!

After each treatment there will be a reduction of hair anywhere from 5% to 20%. After each treatment you will notice the hair will still grow for approx two weeks. After that your hair will start to "shed". Within a month or so you will notice the re-growth coming back. How much hair you have in the Anagen phase at the time of the treatment will dictate the amount of hair loss there is.

1. AVOID WAXING\SUGARING\PLUCKING. Basically anything that pulls the hair from the root. Without the ACTIVELY GROWING hair root there is no highway for the heat from the laser to enter the follicle.
2. AVOID TANNING. Having a tan with our machine is very safe and not a problem. We treat any and every skin type from African American to Scottish and everything in between. But, the lighter the skin at the time of treatment, the better the laser carries through the skin to the hair roots where it is needed.
3. TIMING, TIMING, TIMING!! It is so very important to keep the treatments consistent. It takes approx. 9 to 13 weeks for the body, 7 to 9 weeks for the face and 10 to 14 weeks for legs to develop the next crop of active hair roots and develop the pigment which is the target. There is no problem having your treatments more frequently but they will be less efficient and you will essentially need more treatments to complete the process.

There is nothing that you need to do to prep yourself for laser hair removal except for shaving the area to be treated. You may shave the day before or preferably the morning of. With treatments to the face it is important to remove all makeup. There may be a slight chance of the laser energy being absorbed by makeup. There are no restrictions on what you eat or drink prior to your appointment. Depending on the length of your procedure you may want to have a good meal before you come in. Everyone in the treatment room must be wearing protective goggles while the Sciton Profile is in use.

With the new SCITON PROFILE SYSTEM, treatments can be virtually pain free. There is a chill plate that is approx. 5º C. It is used pre\during\post treatment. The heat from the laser is what causes pain, so with the area being chilled, you don't feel any pain.

That being said STRESS can also be a factor in whether or not you feel any discomfort. Keep in mind that having a "bad day", lack of sleep and/or food or any other situation that promotes stress may lead to some discomfort. When it comes to treatment day, remember to have a good night sleep, food in your tummy and a smile on your face.

The hair on our body grows in cycles. There are three phases of hair growth per cycle. They are:

The first phase of the cycle is when hair removal works. It is the only phase of the cycle where the hair is still attached to the follicle. The heat from the laser then travels down the shaft of the hair and penetrates the follicle. When this happens, the heat will destroy the follicle and it will no longer be able to produce hair. There is usually no more than about 20% to 30% of our hairs in the Anagen phase at any given time. This is one of the main reasons why a person needs multiple treatments for laser hair removal.