Cheshire Cosmetic

Hair removal

Hair growth on the upper lip, chin, cheeks, legs, gingers, on the back, bikini lines, feet or lower abdomen are very common skin problems amongst women and men. Women may however worry about this unwanted hair growth on their bodies more than men. There are various factors can attribute to unwanted hair growth such as hormones imbalance ( higher androgen, male hormone) , genetics, certain medications. There are many ways to get rid of unwanted hair.

What is laser hair removal?

This is the most popular method of hair removal. Many cosmetic centers use laser treatment for hair removal. Laser treatment effectively eliminates hair growth for a significantly long period of time.

Laser or IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) emits a wavelength of light which selectively heats and destroys its target. The pigment found in hair (melanin) absorbs the light energy, which turns to heat and destroys the hair follicle without damaging the surrounding tissue. Dark thick hair absorbs more light so is easier to remove, whereas light fine hair is more resistant to laser removal. Hair follicles can be in one of 3 stages : active growth (anagen), regression (catagen) and resting (telogen). Only hair that is in active growth will be receptive to laser removal, therefore 2/3 of all hair follicles 'escape' destruction during each treatment. This means it can take at least 6 treatments at 6 weekly intervals to achieve optimum results.

What does laser hair removal invove?

• Medical history to assess skin type and suitability for treatment
• Informed consent, pre treatment photographs and skin patch tests
• Any residual hair in the hair removal treatment area is shaved
• Protective eye goggles are worn and cool gel applied to skin
• Laser / IPL handpiece applied to small patches of skin at a time
• Each laser shot feels like an elastic band flicking the skin
• Hair is destroyed immediately and surrounding skin can be red
• Laser hair removal procedure takes 30-60 minutes to complete
• Laser hair removal treatment repeated at least 6 times at 6 weekly intervals

What you should do before hair removal treatment?

• You can use shaving and depilatory creams before the hair removal treatment
• It is better to avoid 100% sun tanning and artificial products
• It is better to avoid waxing, plucking of any areas that you plan to do the hair removal treatment on, at least 6 weeks before the laser treatment
• Shave the treatment areas within 24 hours before the laser treatment for hair removal
• Remove all cosmetics prior to the laser treatment
• 30-60 minutes before the laser treatment, anesthetic cream should be applied the treatment area

What are the side effects of laser hair removal?

• Redness and warmth at treatment site (COMMON)
• Blisters and swelling at treatment site (LESS COMMON)
• Burning and itching at treatment site (LESS COMMON)
• Post inflammatory pigmentation changes (RARE)
• Infection and scarring (VERY RARE)

Who should avoid laser hair removal treatment?

• Pregnancy and breast feeding
• History of diabetes or immune suppression
• History of skin cancer or keloid scarring
• Recent or planned sun exposure / tanning within 4 weeks
• Concurrent use of photosensitising drugs

Lasers types used for Hair Removal

Ruby Laser (694 nm, normal mode)

Ruby laser is more effective for darker hair. White hairs do not respond to ruby laser treatment While some people see a delay in hair growth after the hair removal treatment, some other people enjoy a permanent reduction in hair growth.

Alexandrite Laser (755 nm, normal mode)

Alexandrite Laser is also more affective for dark hair. Blonde and gray hairs are more resistant, but white hairs do not respond to this type of hair removal treatment. This is more recommended for the darker skin than the Ruby laser. Some people see the permanent reduction in hair growth.

Pulsed Diode Laser (800nm)

Pulsed Diode Laser is also safe for darker skins and not effective for fine hair. People who have thick and coarse hair will not see significant reduction in hair growth. Others may enjoy the delay in hair growth or permanent reduction in hair growth.

Intense Pulsed Light Source (500-1200 nm)

Intense Pulsed light source is recommended for the darker skin type and dark hair with fine and coarse hair.

Nd:YAG Laser (1064 nm, Q-switched)

Nd:YAG Laser can temporarily remove light hairs. This is safe and recommended for all skin types. This causes the least discomfort out of all the laser hair removal treatments. The procedure only takes a short amount of time but will not give a solution for permanent hair removal.

Is laser hair removal treatment painful?

It depends from person to person. Some people can bear the uncomfortable feeling without having a local anesthetic, whilst others need to apply local anesthetic cream 30-60 minutes before the laser hair removal treatment starts.

How many Hair removal treatments are necessary?

3-6 hair removal treatments are recommended for significant lifelong results. The time gap between two treatments varies from 4- 12 weeks. It depends on your hair colour as well as the type of laser treatment used and the place in the body that is treated.

Contact Dr Raj Acquilla at Cheshire Cosmetic in Cheshire for hair removal treatments in Cheshire for lines and wrinkles.

Laser Hair Removal Prices

Area	Price	Package (7 sessions)
1 facial area	£60	£360
2 facial areas	£95	£570
Neck	£100	£600
Underarms	£75	£450
Chest	£125	£750
Arms	£120	£720
Legs	£275	£1650
Hands & feet	£150	£900