Laser epilation is the process of removing unwanted hair on your body using laser light energy.
Throughout history, especially women have struggled with unwanted hair on their bodies and wanted to get rid of these hairs permanently. Laser epilation is used for long-term removal of unwanted hair on the face and body. The aim is to avoid damaging the surrounding skin while causing permanent damage to the hair follicle. Color cells (pigment) in the hair root absorb laser energy. The laser energy concentrated here burns the hair follicle without damaging the surrounding skin and tissue. Some of the burned hairs fall out immediately, while others are removed from the skin within 2-3 weeks. Unlike electric epilation, which is applied to hairs one by one, dozens of hairs are burned with each pulse of energy. Thus, large areas such as back, shoulders, arms, legs and face can be treated in a short time. Sensitive areas such as nipple, upper lip and bikini area can be treated.
Laser light has visible or invisible light properties and does not show radiation properties. There is no data about laser light causing cancer. The use of protective glasses during laser treatment is necessary and sufficient to protect against the harmful effects of laser beam.
What is the mechanism of action of laser and light systems?
The principle of laser epilation is the interaction between the applied laser light energy and the hair and the melanin pigment that gives the hair its color.
Melanin absorbs the laser light falling on it. (absorption)
Laser light applied to the skin in a very short time, such as milliseconds, passes through the skin without damaging it and reaches the hair and hair follicle (root). Laser light reaching the hair follicle is absorbed by melanin. The absorbed laser light is converted into heat energy, resulting in high heat that destroys the hair follicle. Permanent epilation is achieved with destroyed hair follicles.
Are the Laser Types Used in Laser Epilation Important?
There are several types of laser devices produced for use in laser epilation. Lasers such as Alexandrite laser, Nd YAG laser, Diode laser and intense light systems such as IPL are used in epilation. Examples of the mentioned devices can be given. Devices are distinguished from each other by the wavelength of the light energy they use. The color cells carried by the target provide selectivity. The target of each laser device differs with the wavelength of light energy it has. Therefore, the hair structure targeted by each laser type is different and their effectiveness is also different.
For dark and tanned patients, Diode 800-810 nm and 1064 nm Nd YAG lasers are preferred compared to IPL, Ruby 694 nm, Alexandrite 755 nm lasers.
Which parts of the body can be treated?
All body parts can be treated with laser. In women, the upper lip, chin, bikini area, arms, legs and armpit areas are most treated. For men, it is applied to the back, shoulders, chest area and beard area. The forehead and above the eyebrows can also be treated.
What is the number and duration of sessions?
Laser light energy is effective in the anagen phase of the hair. Only 20% of the hair on our body is in the anagen phase. Since the laser only destroys the hair in the anagen phase in each application session, it is not possible for a single laser session to be sufficient for permanent hair removal.
At what rate does the hair grow back and how long does it take for the hair to return?
If the correct application is made after laser epilation, some of the hair will fall out immediately. The rest is removed from the skin after 1-3 weeks.
A significant reduction may not be observed in the first two sessions of laser epilation. After the third and fourth sessions, a significant decrease in hair begins. After 4-6 sessions, the hair will decrease so that it will not grow for years. In some patients, infrequent maintenance sessions may be performed.
The small amount of hair that grows after laser treatment is thin and very light in color. It does not pose a cosmetic problem.
What factors depend on the number of sessions?
• Hair color (light-colored hair requires more sessions)
• Ethnic and genetic structure (people with dark skin require more sessions).
• Medications (e.g. Dilantin and cyclosporine can increase hair growth)
H Which hair colors respond best to treatment?
The pigment in the hair follicles is important for laser treatment. Therefore, black or brown hairs are the group that responds best to treatment. White and gray hairs do not respond to treatment.
Laser epilation application in men
In recent years, laser epilation application in men has been increasing rapidly. While men's unwanted hair increases in density on the back, shoulders, chest, arms, back of the hands and some parts of the face, in some cases, whole body laser epilation is preferred for men.
Both the hair structures and hormonal profiles of men and women differ, This difference sometimes provides an advantage in favor of men and sometimes in favor of women in terms of laser epilation.
Since men's hair structures are harder, thicker and darker in color, more effective results are obtained with laser epilation. Since the number of hairs in men is higher, they can notice the decrease relatively better after the application.
After laser epilation application for men, after the prescribed number of sessions, a decrease of up to 90% in hair density can be observed in the application area.
To whom is laser epilation not applied?
Laser Epilation is not applied to pregnant women with an ethical approach. In addition, the application cannot be applied to those with severe heart disease and diabetes, uncontrolled high blood pressure, epilepsy, or skin disease in the application area.
It is not applied to those taking certain drug treatments (thretionine, tetracycline...active ingredients).
People receiving drug treatment must convey their drug information to the physician.
Except for the situations listed above; Laser epilation can be applied to anyone over the age of 12
Rules to be considered during laser sessions:
Do not use wax, wax, tweezers, needle epilation and epilation devices!
Since laser energy is effective on active hairs, waxing, waxing, tweezers, needle epilation and epilation devices should not be used 2-4 weeks before. These methods eliminate the hair follicle where the laser will be effective.
Tanning should be avoided!
Some laser types can be applied to dark skin, but sunbathing, solarium and tanning creams should not be applied before treatment. Unwanted burns and color changes may occur. Also, the effectiveness of the laser decreases
You can use a razor and hair removal cream!
Razor and depilatory cream may be used. It is best to remove hair one day before laser application. Removing hair on the day of treatment or just before laser treatment may sensitize the skin.
Hair should be shortened before laser treatment. If the hairs are not trimmed, the hairs remaining on the skin will burn and cause pain and will absorb the laser energy, preventing sufficient energy from reaching the hair follicle, thus reducing the effectiveness of the laser.
Contrary to popular belief, the razor does not thicken, multiply or darken the hair. Therefore, you can use a razor or depilatory before the treatment and between sessions.
How often is laser epilation performed and how long do the sessions last?
Laser applications should be performed every 6-12 weeks. This period is necessary for the pigment of the hair follicles to be sufficient. It should not be earlier than 6 weeks and not later than 12 weeks.
While the session duration is 1-2 minutes in areas such as the upper lip, it can last half to an hour in large areas such as the entire leg and back.
Before laser treatment. Recommendations:
Recommendations after laser treatment:
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