Indications

• Superfluous, excessive hair on face, neck, chest, abdomen, armpits, bikini area, arms, legs
• Treatment and removal of ingrown hair

Description of the method
The laser diode emits light which is absorbed by melanin – a pigment inside a hair
follicle (the root of the hair). Laser operates just for a millisecond, but the pulse duration is sufficient to convert light into thermal energy which causes a thermal damage of a hair follicle. Due to the heat impact hair is completely destroyed or its growth is slowed down. Melanin absorbs the energy of laser and as a result of thermolysis glues a hair follicle. In 1 to 2 weeks’ time the hair withers away and falls out, but the sclerotic follicles are gradually absorbed. Laser affects only mature follicles thus in 4 to 6 weeks (it depends on the type of hair) new hair appears which during the treatment was in the resting phase. For this reason it has to be removed during the next treatment session.
Each session leads to one fourth or one fifth reduction of hair. The new grown hair is
fairer, thinner, softer, more fragile and less visible.
Laser hair removal is the only method for effective treatment and removal of ingrown
hair. The treatment course consists of 5 to 6 treatments spaced 4 to 12 weeks apart. A follow up laser hair removal is needed after nine months or a year. Between the treatment sessions the new grown hair should not be removed by methods during which it is pulled out.
The effect of treatment depends on the colour of skin and hair. As the energy of the laser beam is targeted at a pigment (melanin) inside the hair, the treatment is more effective with darker hair. This method is not suitable for removal of fair and grey hair as well as for the treatment of tanned skin to avoid the risk of thermal damage.
Laser hair removal is not applicable in case of pregnancy, acute skin infection, diabetes mellitus, malignant disease.

Description of the procedure

• In the evening prior to treatment session or in the morning of the day when it takes place, hair has to be shaven to the skin line.
• During treatment session a special gel is put on the skin area before it is treated by laser.
• During treatment a doctor moves the hand-piece of a device through which a laser beam flows, over the area of excess hair. The power of pulse is chosen to comply with a patient’s type of skin and hair. During the treatment hair is not pulled out and it continues to grow, but falls out in about two weeks’ time. In the period from the 3rd to the 7th day after the treatment the hair may seem to grow again, however it is the treated hair which will fall out.
• During a treatment session patients may experience a slight stinging pain that soon passes. However, if the treatment is unpleasant, patients are offered a numbing cream which is applied one hour before the treatment. The incorporated cooling system of the device minimizes the possibility of thermal damage to skin and improves patients’ comfort.
• After a treatment session applications of ice are put on the treated area to cool and comfort the skin.
• The length of a treatment depends on the area to be treated. Small areas like a face may take from 5 to 30 seconds, while larger areas, such as full legs, may require up to two hours.
• For no longer than a day patients may have a slight redness and swelling of skin which is a normal reaction to laser treatment.

Restrictions before and after the procedure

• Before treatment hair has to be shaven or cut. Two weeks before treatment hair should not be removed by waxing, tweezers or depilatory creams as this may have an effect on the laser’s ability to target the hair.
• Three to four weeks before treatment patients should avoid active tanning, should not visit solarium or use make-up.
• Skin irritation usually passes during the first day following the treatment session. However, seldom it may last up to two or three days. Skin care is also quite simple after the treatment. It is recommended to apply Panthenol or Bepanthen creams to the areas treated by laser to improve comfort of the skin.
• In case of very dark hair, brown dots may appear on the skin 2 to 3 days after laser treatment.
• Two weeks after laser hair removal patients should avoid sunlight and visits to solarium.
• In summer patients should use sunscreen on the open parts of the body to protect it from ultra-violet radiation.
• For three days patients should abstain from visiting sauna, swimming-pool and massage parlour.
• For 2 to 3 days patients should not use lotions containing alcohol, irritating deodorants or perform peeling.

Although laser hair removal does not eliminate the reason for excessive growth of hair
(due to retarded physiological functioning of ovary, adrenal/suprarenal glands, etc. during
post-climax), it effectively stops hair growth and development by the follicle. In the
majority of cases the therapy of hirsutism (excessive hairiness) does not require
correction by medical remedies. A few laser hair removal sessions can stop the growth of
hair. Sometimes before laser hair removal it is necessary to have a gynaecologist’s or
endocrinologist’s consultation for a duly diagnostics of hormone dependent cancerous
internal organs.