Laser Hair Removal | Tay River Reflections

Laser Hair Removal:

Lasers have been effectively used to remove unwanted hair for some time. The laser energy is transferred to the hair follicle to selectively destroy the hair germination apparatus, resulting in cessation of hair growth.

The process relies on the melanin (dark) pigment in the hair shaft that absorbes the light energy, which is converted to heat and then transferred to the hair follicle. For this reason, the darker the hair, the better, and more efficient the treatment will be.

For the best result, it is important to shave the hair just before the treatment. This allows the hair shaft to be even with the skin for best absorption of the laser energy. Tweezing or waxing causes the hair shaft to be broken or removed from below the surface of the skin so that it is not directly in the path of the laser light. It is therefore not advisable to tweeze or wax for several weeks prior to the laser treatment. Melanin pigment in the skin from tanning can interfere with absorption of the laser light by the melanin in the hair shaft. For this reason, it is important to avoid sun exposure or suntanning for at least one month prior to laser hair treatment. Laser treatment to tanned skin can cause loss of pigment in the skin.

Multiple laser treatments are required to achieve long-term hair reduction. This is because laser is most effective for hair which is in the growth or anagen phase. Since hair grows in cycles, not all of the hairs are in anagen at any given time. Additional sessions are necessary to catch all of the hairs when they are in the active growth phase. It is impossible to tell what degree of hair reduction a patient will achieve, and how many sessions it will take. Dark hair absorbs more laser energy and is easier to treat. Course dark hair responds best to laser treatment. Light hair is more difficult to treat. Blonde or red hair is very difficult to treat. Multiple treatment sessions are required, and results are variable. Blonde or red hair usually contains pheomelanin, which absorbs laser energy less avidly than eumelanin which is present in black or brown hair. White or gray hair which is lacking in pigment cannot be treated with laser. Electrolysis is the only treatment to remove white or gray hairs permanently.

Any area where there is excess unwanted hair may be treated, except adjacent to the eye. The most common areas requested are the face, upper lip, neck, chest, periareolar, underarms, back, abdomen, bikini line and legs.

The laser used for hair reduction at Tay River Reflections is an Apex 800, which is a state of the art diode laser made by Iridex in California. There are currently only 7 of these lasers in Canada. The Apex 800 features an advanced cooling tip which cools the skin at the exact moment that the laser pulse is delivered. This allows the hair follicle to be effectively heated without causing burning or a painful sensation in the skin. Large areas of the skin can be treated quickly and comfortably.