Laser Hair Removal
Permanent laser hair removal treatment is called ‘epilation’ using a laser to remove the entire hair from the follicle. It was first introduced in the mid 1990s, and its popularity has grown ever since. Unfortunately, these laser treatments had to be carried out in courses at a beautician’s, which was often very expensive. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), although not strictly a laser, utilises xenon flash lamps to trigger phototricholysis or photoepilation, which kills hair at its roots. This prevents re-growth for a prolonged period of time. Laser hair removal treatment is a commonly used phrase to cover all the various forms of laser hair removal.
The fundamental principle of laser hair removal is that the treatment is careful to ensure the laser only causes a small amount of damage to the skin where the hair grows from (the hair follicle). The laser heats these darker areas where hair growth is found, whilst avoiding damage to any other part of the skin.
Rio is currently the most effective market leader in home laser hair removal systems. The technology used in their laser hair removal devices has improved, and now there are 20 hair and 60 hair versions, which respectively targets 20 and 60 hairs with the IPL beam.
At the moment there are many ways available to remove unwanted hair. Laser hair removal treatment is clearly one of the top choices on the market today, providing effective and long lasting hair removal. This is due to the fact that the more laser treatments that are undergone, the more the damage to the hair follicle, resulting in continuously less re-growth.
Permanent laser hair removal in the UK has lead to a number of innovative research studies on the subject, leading to significant technological advances which have helped laser hair removal devices exceed the boundaries previously posed by skin colour, hair colour and hair thickness.
The Rio Laser Hair Removal system can be used to treat many different areas of skin; women are able to use the laser treatment on theit face, neck, bikini line, underarms, arms and legs. For men, laser hair removal treatment has become completely acceptable, and they can use the laser on their face, neck, back and chest.
Does Laser Hair Removal Treatment lead to Scarring?
Lasers can definitely be dangerous if they are not set up or used correctly, but then any hair removal treatment itself can potentially cause scarring if carried out in the wrong way. Laser hair removal doesn’t increase the chances of scarring when compared to other hair removal methods.
Some people will be more susceptible to scarring than others:
Those with sensitive skin need to be very wary when it comes to the overexposure of lasers during laser hair removal. For example, those with genetic history of scarring or keloid formation will be more susceptible. Certain areas of the body are more prone to scarring than others.
Also, a small number of patients, 2-10% particularly those with darker skin, will experience short term pigmentary changes after any course of laser hair removal treatment, though this is not permanent.
After any course of laser hair removal treatment, you can expect the following side effects:
Pink or Red skin – Often described as mild sunburn
Bumpy – Often as a consequence from heat attempting to escape the hair follicle.
These reactions are not uncommon, and will often subside after a short while. Also, your doctor may prescribe a topical treatment to ease any pain you may have.
Additionally, redness or bumps can be treated with a cold compress, and anti-bacterial creams will speed up skin’s recovery. Remember not to scrub the affected area excessively and avoid long periods of direct sunlight.