Laser Hair Removal Summary - What is laser hair removal?

and welcome to the laser hair removal website. Laser hair removal is achieved by focusing a laser beam of light of a specific wavelength from a small handpiece into the surface of the skin. The laser light is absorbed by dark material in the skin such as hair pigment (melanin). This absorbtion of laser light causes thermal damage to the hair follicle while the skin tissue surrounding the hair should remain unaffected. This technique is referred to as "selective photothermolysis".

During the hair removal process to prevent the skin from absorbing laser energy the colour of the skin must be lighter than the hair as dark pigmented skin will absorb laser energy resulting in burns and skin discolouration. Therefore tanned patients with light hair should not undergo this type of hair removal procedure and tanned patients with dark hair must wait until their tan has faded before they can undergo the laser treatment. Similarly the laser treatment will not be as effective on hair that has no pigment (grey), blonde hair or red hair.

The laser light, used for hair removal, is pulsed with a pulse duration long enough to destroy the hair follicle but not too long that the heat conducts into the surrounding skin causing burns. The ideal pulse duration is approximately 1 millisecond and the laser energy density required to prevent re-growth but not burn the skin must be between 10 -25 J / cm squared of skin.

Medication can affect photosensitivity
During the initial consultation the medical practioner will ask you for a full list of medications that you use prior to any treatments and should ask you to refrain from taking medications such as aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or dietary supplements such as niacin and vitamin E. Medications such as these can make the skin photosensitive. Also the practioner should test a small area of skin first in case of an adverse skin reaction to the hair removal process.

Are there any laser hair removal systems I can use at home?
A company called TRIA have released a cordless medical grade laser hair removal device that is designed for use in the home. The TRIA laser uses a patented medical-grade technology that they claim gives the efficacy of a Class 4 laser with the eye-safety of a Class 1 laser. The TRIA laser hair removal system can be used on all areas of the body, except around the eyes. The most popular treatment areas include the bikini, legs, underarms, backs and stomachs.

Each laser hair removal device includes a detailed, easy-to-follow 15-minute instructional video and complete Instructions for Use booklet. Click the link to see it for yourself TRIA home laser hair removal system. Other hair removal devices can also be used at home such as the .

Hair reduction claims
Some clients experience significant long term hair removal or permanent hair reduction, but there is a limited amount of data available to indicate how often such hair reduction results occur, the length of time hair reduction lasts, and the amount of hair reduction that is typical. It should also be stated that the long term effects on skin exposed to laser irradiation have not been established and therefore there could be as yet unknown risks.

Other claims
There are certain other claims that have been made about hair removal using lasers that are unfounded such as it hair removal is painless for all clients when although most people will tolerate the pain of the laser it is incorrect to say the hair removal process is completely painless. Ask the doctor about methods of minimizing the pain. One method is to apply a thick layer of a cream available from pharmacies that contains the anesthetic lidocaine to the area to be treated 45 minutes before the laser treatment. Other claims such as "100% permanent hair removal" and "guaranteed 0% re-growth" cannot be validated as some clients, even ideal candidates, do not respond well to the laser treatment.

How much is laser hair removal?
The cost for laser hair removal treatment varies extensively and should never be the most important deciding factor for such a potentially damaging treatment. There are a few clinics that do not charge for consultation fees and who will carry out free test hair removal treatments to gauge your individual skin reaction.

How to find a qualified laser hair removal clinic
Cosmetic lasers suitable for hair removal are Class 4 laser products and therefore their use will be regulated by the local health authority (in the UK under the ‘Registered Homes Act 1984’) who will be able to provide details of the registered clinics in the areas and the type of lasers they are registered to use. Local authority registration only ensures that the clinic adheres to the relevant safety guidelines but does not ensure the effectiveness of the hair removal treatment. Certification requires that laser hair removal treatment only be carried out by the clinic doctor or trained laser clinicians. By law the certificate of registration and the relevant clinician's training certificate must by on display in the clinic. Under no circumstances should you use an unregistered clinic.

Example questions to ask laser hair removal clinics
Here are some example questions to ask the laser hair removal clinic before visiting. Make sure you already know the correct answers to the questions you ask.

1. Are they registered with the local health authority?

2. Which laser do they use and can they explain how the laser removes hair?

3. How many patients have you treated? What kind of results can I expect?

4. What pulse duration and energy density do the clinic use?

5. Are consultations and initial test treatments free?

6. Who will carry out the hair removal treatment and are they certified by the local health authority?

Avoid laser treatment of areas around the eyes
Avoid having laser hair removal treatment around the eyes, on the brow area and in between the eyes as laser rays can penetrate deeply. These areas should be treated by tweezing, waxing or electrolysis.

Laser hair removal is only effective on short visible hair
The laser hair removal process is effective only on short, visible hair. Therefore 2 to 3 days before the hair removal procedure the area to be treated should be shaved and then allowed to grow to a stubble.

Further information
If you want to know about the different lasers that are used for hair removal, information about the hair growth cycle, the history of laser hair removal, terms, or links to other hair removal websites click the links. You can also view an animation showing how the laser destroys hair follicles by clicking here.