LASER HAIR REMOVAL

At Allure Skincare, laser hair removal is performed by experienced hair removal specialists using the most advanced laser technology available on the market today. We use the IPL Quantum SR by Lumenis which has a large spot size and is equipped with the high power, and the Syneron Emax with the power of elos technology that is equiped with the highest power combined with speed! This means that now we could treat large areas in shorter time with most effective results.
We treat all skin types and hair of all colors.
 

Laser Hair Removal Pre-Treatment:

The effectiveness of laser hair removal is highly dependent on patient cooperation. There are many things a patient can inadvertently do to decrease either the safety or effectiveness of their treatment. It is, therefore, imperative to follow directions by the provider.

Tanning is one of the biggest factors. Most practitioners believe it is the single most important act that patients do to decrease the effectiveness of their treatment. Although we have a laser that is able to treat tanned individuals, the laser may not always be the ideal laser for an individual’s hair type. These lasers usually have a longer wavelength and are much better at treating coarse hair than fine hair.  Tanning should be avoided for 4-6 weeks prior to treatment. Self-tanning creams and sprays need to completely fade also. During the course of treatment, if a patient is exposed to sun, sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 applied as a thick layer 20 minutes before sun exposure is recommended.

The hair needs to be in the follicle at the time of treatment. Lasers target the pigment melanin in the hair beneath the surface of the skin. Because of this, patients should not wax, tweeze, bleach, thread, or use depilatory agents for 4 weeks prior to treatment. If facial hair is being treated, usually avoidance of these methods for only 2 weeks is necessary because facial hair grows faster. If a form of hair removal is necessary, shaving or clipping can be done because these methods allow the hair to stay in the follicle. It is usually advisable to see some hair growth on the day of treatment.

Lotions, creams, makeup, and deodorant are removed before treatment as well. These can obstruct or refract laser light negatively.

Patient cooperation is essential for the success of laser hair removal.

Patients need to follow explicit directions with regards to tanning, other hair removal methods, and topical agents.

Laser Hair Removal Post-Treatment:

Although pre-treatment instructions are probably more important for a patient to follow in order to ensure safe and effective results, most patients concern themselves more with post-treatment care. Below is a list of post-treatment instructions.

1) Immediately after treatment, there should be mild redness and swelling at the treatment site, which may last up to 2 hours or longer. The redness may last up to 2-3 days. The treated area will feel like a sunburn. Apply ice in 15-20 minute intervals for first few hours after treatment to reduce any discomfort or swelling. If redness or swelling persists, ice can be continued in 15 minute intervals 3-4 times a day for 3 days.

2) Makeup may be used immediately after the treatment unless there is blistering.

3) Avoid sun exposure until skin has returned to its normal baseline (no redness or swelling).

4) Avoid picking or scratching the treated skin. Do not use any other hair removal treatment products or services (waxing, electrolysis or tweezing) that will disturb the hair follicle in the treatment area.

5) Wash the treated area and pat dry for 3 days after treatment. Do not scrub.

6) Start gently scrubbing treated area on the 4th day (ex-foliate).

7) Anywhere from 5-20 days after the treatment, shedding of the surface hair may occur and this appears as new hair growth. This is not new hair growth.

8) At 1 week post treatment, attempt to pull hairs out gently. If the hair comes out, as if unattached to the skin, proceed to pull out the hairs. Otherwise, wait 2 to 3 days and try again for up to 3 weeks.

9) For 2 to 3 weeks after treatment, ideally avoid shaving the shedding hair, although if absolutely necessary, gently touch hair with razor. Shaving can be performed on newly growing hair.

10) After the underarms are treated, ideally use a powder instead of deodorant for 24 hours after the treatment to reduce skin irritation.

11) There are no restrictions on bathing except to treat the skin gently, as if you had a sunburn, for the first 24 hours.

12) Use post-laser lotion (if available) twice a day for 3 days.

At the next visit, it is important for the patient to let the practitioner know how long the redness lasted after treatment and when significant hair growth was noticed in the area. This info will allow the practitioner to individualize treatments to achieve the desired results.

Syneron Emax:

Q: How does hair removal with elōs work?

A: elōs (electro-optical synergy) uses a unique combination of radio frequency and light to isolate the treatment area and leave the surrounding skin free from potentially harmful side effects. Using gentle pulses of two targeted energies means better results with lower overall energy output — assuring the highest level of safety and comfort.  Other systems using only one energy source can’t compare.

Q: Is hair removal with elōs right for me?

Q: When can I expect to see results?

A: Hair growth is reduced with each treatment. Sometimes it takes a couple treatments for you to see the difference. The total number of treatments required is based on your hair color and type, body area, and skin tone.  During your initial consultation, your medical practitioner will personalize your treatment schedule for maximum results.

Q: Does it hurt?

A: Individual experience varies, but most people only feel a slight sensation like tiny pin pricks, or rubber band snaps. For your added safety and peace of mind, elōs technology features an advanced patient comfort system, which monitors your skin and keeps it at a soothing cool temperature during the procedure.

Lumenis Quantum SR:

Q: Why should I do IPL hair removal rather than the methods I've been using
for years?

A: Traditional hair removal techniques, such as shaving, plucking and waxing, provide only temporary relief. Until now, the only long-lasting hair removal solution has been by Electrolysis - which can be time-consuming and is usually limited to small areas, because each hair is treated individually. IPL hair removal is non-invasive, and safely removes unwanted body hair without damaging the delicate pores and structures of the skin.

Q. Is treatment painful?

A: Some sensitive areas, such as bikini and underarms may be more sensitive
than the larger areas such as the face, legs, back, chest and arms. At Allure Skincare
we offer all our patients the choice of applying numbing cream which significantly reduces
the sensitivity to the laser pulses.


Q: How does the Quantum SR Laser System work?

A: The system emits near-infrared laser light that is absorbed by the pigment
located in the hair follicle. The laser is pulsed, or turned on, for only a fraction of
a second. The duration of each pulse is just long enough to damage the follicle,
while the system's unique, patented contact-cooling hand piece, the ChillTipTM,
helps protect the skin by conductive cooling during the laser energy delivery.

Q: What advantages does the Quantum SR have over other laser hair removal systems?

A: The Quantum SR Laser System was designed from the ground up for
laser hair removal, so it has the wavelength, fluence, pulse width, and active
skin cooling system - are ideally suited for laser hair removal. It was designed
by Lumenis, the largest laser company in the world that has developed laser for
cosmetic and medical applications for over 30 years. The Quantum Diode Laser
System's design provides for enhanced comfort during treatment, minimal risk of
infection, speed and accuracy. Since the system uses a unique cooling handpiece,
it minimizes skin irritation that other methods may create.

Since it is non-invasive (no needles to penetrate the skin), the risk of introducing
bacteria into the skin is minimal. Because the system is fast, it allows for larger
areas to be treated, considerably increasing the efficiency of the hair removal
process. Finally, the Quantum SR is a precise instrument that can be adjusted
to damage only the hair follicle while minimally affecting the surrounding skin.

Q: Does the Quantum SR work on tanned or different skin colors?

A: The Quantum laser system safely and effectively treats all skin types
as well as tanned skin. For darker skin types and people with tans, appropriate
fluences are generally lower and appropriate pulse widths are generally longer
to prevent damage to the epidermis. In experienced hands the Quantum can
be used to treat people with all skin types effectively and with minimal risk for
side effects.

IPL vs LASER:

Well before we compare that what are the points of differences between the two hair removal techniques and which one is a better option than the other, let us understand why these treatment methods are in the news these days. The main reason is the obvious one that they are the best methods to remove unwanted hair. Some people also contradict this statement and comment that these methods are not permanent. Some contradict and comment that though these methods are permanent - they actually are not permanent hair removal methods due to the fact that new hair grows with age. Truth is that: They both are permanent hair reduction methods.

So, if you are going for IPL or laser hair removal then do keep in mind that you can have hair growth but once in a bluemoon. The principle behind both the treatment methods include heating the melanin under the hair follicles. Those people who are tanned can experience some side effects (i.e bruises) because of the reason that melanin under the skin can also get heated while the laser is heating the melanin under the hair follicles.

Talking about the differences, between IPL (intense pulsed light) and laser treatment. The first thing is the coverage area of IPL is almost 8 times the laser spots that can be treated in one go. Another technical difference is the wavelength used. Laser uses a single wavelength while IPL uses a waveband. Thus it will be much safer to opt for IPL if you are someone with tanned skin.

Talk to one of our technicians to effectively determine which is best for you.