Laser Hair Removal

Traditional hair removal techniques such as shaving, waxing, plucking provide only short-term relief from unwanted hair and all have individual inconveniences. Until the laser treatment was developed, the only method which came close to permanent hair removal was electrolysis - which can be very painful, time-consuming and is limited to small areas.

Lasers can treat delicate facial areas, but also large areas such as chests, backs and legs, safely removing unwanted hair without damaging the delicate pores of the skin.

The laser emits pulses of high-energy light, which pass through the skin and are absorbed by the pigment in the hair shaft and follicle. The laser energy heats the follicle and damages the cells that produce hair.

Hair grows in cycles and the actively growing follicles (anagen phase) are the largest and darkest and are affected most by laser. Not all follicles are damaged each time. Treatments are spread out to allow for resting hairs to grow. An initial course of treatment (e.g. 3-5 sessions) is followed by top-up treatments if more reduction is desired.

At some point, the hair will stop responding because it is too thin for the laser and the pigmented follicle is too small to absorb the laser energy. Patients are usually happy at this point, however finer hair may still be present. The number of treatments depends on hair and skin colour, hormone changes, age of the body, family history and medications. Each body responds differently, so we cannot predict the exact outcome in every case.

For example:

Upper Lip	5 mins
A full chest or back	30-45 mins
Bikini Line	10-15 mins
Lower Leg	30 mins

There are no needles involved and discomfort is minimal.

Skinovate uses the Alexandrite laser, which is the most ‘gentle’ on the market and has an energy output that can be adjusted to meet the personal sensitivity of your body.

A local anaesthetic cream is available, if required, for sensitive areas.

The skin will be pink and feel warm for up to a few hours in most cases, sometimes a day or so. The pinkness can be easily covered with foundation if necessary. This is all most people experience and normal activities can be resumed.

Occasionally, in darker skin types, small fine crusts can form in a few spots but these fade in a few days by themselves. Darkening or lightening of the skin can occur and is usually mild and transient, typically resolving in several weeks (on very occasions this can be permanent).

See our research results [links to ‘research’ section below] below for more information.

The hair needs to be AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE ON THE DAY OF TREATMENT (2mm maximum), to minimise any stubble left behind. Any remaining stubble can be plucked, buffed, clipped or, when it grows a little, waxed.

Some hairs will fall out slowly, others will remain stunted and some will continue to grow at a slower rate. Re-growth can be patchy after the first few treatments but tends to even out with later treatments.

Avoid waxing, bleaching, plucking or sun-tanning two weeks before your treatment. Use a sunscreen on the area two weeks before treatment if sun exposed. The darker your skin, the more sensitive it will be. Bleaching cream can be used to lighten skin if required.

WE WILL NOT TREAT YOU IF YOU ARE PREGNANT OR TRYING TO BECOME PREGNANT.

A recent survey of our patients revealed:

Average number of treatments	2.9
Happy with treatment	93%
Very few / nil side effects	70%
No reduction / change	3%
Hair thinner	7%
Moderate reduction	41%
Significant reduction	35%
Very little regrowth	14%
No side effects	21%
Pinkness	48%
Minor swelling	14%
Minor crusting	12%
Blisters	2%
Pigment change	3%

Regrowth is thinner and less dense after each treatment. More hair may develop with age and hormone changes. Laser provides long term hair growth suppression, providing excellent results in THINNING and REDUCING hair.

Grey, white, blonde and light red hairs are NOT affected by treatment. Results vary depending on skin colour, hair colour, age, hormones, medication and family history. The thicker the hair, the better the results.