How do lasers work?

For many years lasers have been used safely and with great success in many areas of medicine. Lasers, and more recently Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) systems are now increasingly used as an effective method of hair removal.

How does laser hair reduction work?
Regardless of the laser/IPL type used, a short burst of light is fired at skin' s surface. This light energy is absorbed by the pigment in the hair shaft. If the hair is in the growth stage (anagen), the heat is transmitted down the hair shaft to the base of the follicle and to the cells lining the follicle shaft, causing their destruction whilst sparing surrounding tissues.

Hair caught in the growth stage will not tend to grow again. Other follicles, which are not actively growing may then produce new hair. These follicles will need to be targeted in the growth stage to effect follicle damage.

How many treatments are required?
Everyone is different and it is just not possible to be accurate. The exact number will vary depending on where the hair is, what has been done to the hair in the past and, of course, your individual response. Hormonal conditions, such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), will also have a significant bearing on how the treatment progresses.

Can all hair colours be treated?
Laser depilation works best on dark hair because dark hair contains more pigment to absorb light. Fair hair, white hair, very blond hair and some types of red hair will not respond to a laser or an IPL system.

Can all parts of the body be treated?
Mostly yes - including the chin, upper lip, cheeks, legs, arms, underarms and back - as well as sensitive areas like the chest and bikini line. Our Soprano laser is fast and even large areas like legs and backs can be treated in a relatively short period of time.

Is laser hair reduction permanent?
Results vary; actively growing hair follicles will be destroyed, so for some people we can say that the end result is permanent. However, as with all depilation methods, we cannot give any guarantee as the laser will only affect actively growing follicles and has no effect on dormant or 'resting' hair follicles. Therefore, it is always possible that new hair growth may take place from hair follicles not currently growing. It is also accepted now that some hairs are not destroyed but convert from a terminal (thick dark, noticeable) hair to a vellus (fine, blonde unnoticeable) hair.

Is the treatment painful?
Most people experience no more than a slight tingling sensation. People with darker skin will feel the laser more as their skin will absorb more energy. In this case more attention will be paid to cooling the skin, before, during and after treatment, to minimise skin reactions.

Are there any side effects?
The most common after effect is redness of the skin that can last for a day or so. Slight blistering can occur but this is very rare and would clear up within a few days. With certain skin types changes in skin colour can occur and you will be advised of any adjunct treatment necessary to minimise this. Because each individual's skin responds differently we always carry out a careful pre-treatment test patch procedure to minimise the risk of unexpected reactions during a full treatment.

Use of aloe vera gel immediately after treatment helps.

Is the treatment safe?
Yes. Lasers have been used in medicine for over 30 years and there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that the treatment can lead to skin disorders or an increased risk of skin cancer. Extensive clinical trials for laser depilation and years of experience at this clinic have resulted in a very safe technique with a minimal risk of side effects.

The Laserase Bolton clinic is registered and inspected by the Healthcare Commission in accordance with the Care Standards Act 2000.

Can anyone offer this kind of treatment?
You may not know that it a legal requirement for all users of lasers, IPL and LHE systems to be registered with the Commission. Registered facilities have a Registration number.

When enquiring, be sure to ask for a registration number - if you do not get a number that matches the format above, they are not a registered clinic and are operating illegally.

Our clinical staff are all trained to a very high standard and regularly update their clinical knowledge and skills.

Should anyone avoid this treatment?
The treatment should be avoided by anyone who is:

• Hypersensitve to light
• Suffering from live cold sores in the treatment area
• Suffering from vitiligo. (skin pigment loss)
• Pregnant / breast feeding

People with a darker complexion are at greater risk of pigment change. A full medical history will be taken prior to any treatment being offered to exclude any problems and a test patch is carried out to determine suitability for treatment.

How do I prepare myself for treatment?
The laser targets the pigment in the hair and skin and thus it is important that you do not have a suntan - whether natural or artificial (this includes spray/booth tans).

• If you have a tan you should wait at least 4 weeks after your last UV exposure until there is no activity in the pigment producing cells.
• If you are plucking, waxing or threading, you should stop 4 weeks prior to treatment and change to shaving or cutting the hair.
  The treatment area needs to be shaved immediately before treatment. There should be no visible hair growth.
• You should avoid perfumes, deodorants or any potential irritants in the treatment area before and after treatment.
• You should avoid alcohol, aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen for 48 hours before treatment. This will reduce the risk of a skin reaction.

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