Laser Hair Removal – Sydney

The laser hair removal procedure

Hair should not be plucked or waxed for at least 3 weeks before Laser Hair Removal. This removes the hair shaft from the hair follicle, thus removing most of the pigment (melanin) which is the target of the laser beam. Hair should be shaved before the treatment. This preserves the pigment in the hair follicle and prevents the uptake of energy by the external hair. This will allow for a more effective treatment with reduced levels of discomfort.

What does the treatment involve?

All laser devices used for hair removal involve the application of laser energy over the treatment area, with some mechanism to cool the skin. The amount of discomfort depends on the amount of absorption, either by the pigment (melanin) in the skin and the hair follicle. Discomfort increases with increased laser energy, increased hair size and density, and darker skin types. The discomfort feels similar to the flicking of an elastic rubber band on the skin. The discomfort is reduced by cooling the skin and anaesthesia prior and post the delivery of the laser energy.

What do I do after the treatment?

In most cases, little needs to be done. Mild burning sensations and redness can be treated with ice packs and oral paracetamol. In cases where blisters occur it is recommended that patients call the clinic for further advice. Sun exposure should be avoided and a sun block should be worn at all times.

During the weeks after the treatment, the damaged hair follicles are extruded or shed, and may be misinterpreted as early regrowth of hair. This is especially noticeable in areas with thick, course hair

Expectations

Multiple sessions are needed for the best results. Laser hair removal works best on the hairs that are actively growing (anagen hair follicles). As the dormant hairs (telogen hairs) become active, usually within 3 weeks to 3 months, some new hair growth will be observed. Usually at least 6 to 8 treatments are necessary to achieve satisfactory, long lasting results. Treatment sessions are spaced out every 6-8 weeks. The female face, armpits and bikini lines are areas which respond fastest to laser treatments. Backs, arms, legs and chest usually need more treatments.

The permanence of laser hair removal is often questioned. In practice, no laser destroys all of the hair follicles. Some follicles are destroyed, others are miniaturised, and some are shocked into prolonged dormancy. It’s possible that with a sufficient number of treatments, true ‘permanent hair removal’ can be achieved however this may not occur for every single hair in the treatment area. As an example, only 30% of hair follicles on the back are in anagen (active growth) at a given time and 70% of the hair follicles are in the resting phase of growth. Assuming a single laser treatment permanently eliminates every actively growing follicle (the actual figure may be close to half), 70% of the hair follicles will remain. After another 3 months 30% of these hair follicles will enter the active growth stage, and if a second laser treatment eliminates every actively growing follicle, then only an additional 21% of the original hair follicles will be destroyed, leaving 49% of the original hair follicles able to regrow visible hair. A third treatment will leave 34% of the original hair follicles, a fourth 24%, and so on. So, there is an exponential decreasing reduction with multiple treatments which is a permanent.

What is the difference between the various Lasers/Light Sources Available?

IPL or Intense Pulsed Light is the most common machine used for hair removal. Technically it is not a laser as it emits a broad-band of light frequencies rather than a single wavelength. IPL systems are effective for hair removal.

At Cosmos cosmetic medicine, we utilise the Sciton BBL or the Sciton 1064 nm (Nd:YAG). These wavelengths are not attracted so much to the melanin in skin and are the safest and most effective laser for people with darker skin types, including Asian, European, Indian, African, and other darker skin types. Furthermore, these Lasers have contact cooling which allows the skin to be cooled during treatment and this reduces the likelihood of skin damage.

What are the side effects and complications of Laser Hair Removal?

Redness and swelling are relatively common. Blisters may occur, especially in dark or tanned skin patients, and these patients may experience transient pigmentary changes such as lightening or darkening of the skin, which may last weeks or occasionally months. The risk of scarring or infection is very low, but may occur if there is blistering which is contaminated or irritated. Cold sore outbreaks may occur when the perioral area is treated and herpes can be reactivated when the bikini areas are treated.

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