HAIR REMOVAL TREATMENTS

The new generation in hair removal technology systems uses simply light and heat to create the energy to safely, quickly and efficiently eliminate or reduce the amount of hair. Most areas of the body can be safely treated for long lasting removal or reduction of excess and unwanted hair. Hair is removeable from the face, back, underarms, pubic area, underarms and legs. We cannot treat the eyebrows, however.

A series of several treatments is all it takes for treatment. The machine used in this office is FDA approved and has a large spot size. This means that with each impulse generated more hair area is treated. This means less discomfort and quicker results. Most older hair removal technology has a very small spot size. Therefore, more treatments are required with generally more time and expense involved.

Other hair removal techniques such as depilatory methods and shaving only remove the hair at the surface of the skin. This certainly leaves you with short-term results.

Waxing or electric epilators painfully pull the hair out somewhere along the shaft. Hair regrowth is very quick. More than that the procedure is painful. OUCH!

In order to achieve longer lasting results it is necessary to focus on the hair bulb itself. Light Heat Energy (LHE) addresses this by targeting the hair down to the root.

LIGHT HEAT ENERGY(LHE)

How does this new technology of LHE (light heat energy) machine work? It works on the principle of selective photothermalysis also known as selective killing of the hair follicle by light created heat and the energy. To remove hair and damage the bulb, LHE emits an optimal spectrum of light waves. The energy level is adjusted prior to the treatment depending upon your skin type and hair color to ensure maximum safety and efficacy of the epidermis-dermis matrix. Then, flashes of broad spectrum light and heat energy are applied to the target area of hair containing skin. The light selectively targets the melanin in the hair, elevating the temperature of the hair follicle.

Heat energy from the light assembly is harnessed and deposited on to the skin and conducted down the hair shaft. This further increases the hair follicle temperature needed to coagulate the hair bulge and hair bulb. The combined energy of the light and heat results in subsequent destruction of the hair follicle. The destroyed hair is eliminated by a natural process of the body that effectively gets rid of the debris left by the destruction of the hair follicle and hair bulge.

LONG TERM REMOVAL

The result is long-term hair removal/reduction for skin! Sometimes the hair may return but usually is finer in quality and lighter in color!  A study published in June 2003 by Yosef Krespi, M.D. states that this technology “…provides the same long term hair removal results as existing laser and IPL hair removal systems, while maintaining a safety margin which is superior to the safety margins provided by traditional technologies. …Hair clearance of more than 50% six to nine months following the final treatment, with only minor side effects such as erythema that resolved within a few hours up to a few days post treatment….”

We use an LHE machine that is FDA approved for hair removal/reduction. It is safe and reliable. The impulse generated selectively targets and destroys only the hair follicles while avoiding the high heat levels which can create depigmentation problems. There are no pretreatment procedures necessary. The  treatment time is quick. You simply get more results for your money than some older machines.

The machine itself uses intense pulsed light to remove or reduce unwanted hair. There is a slight stinging sensation connected with each impulse of the machine. There is always a slight chance that the energy can be too great for your skin type and create a burning or actual slight burn. 

SEVERAL TREATMENTS REQUIRED

Since hair grows in stages from active to passive growth we will miss some hairs with each treatment. This is the reason that several treatments are necessary. We simply have to wait for the hair follicles to reach the active stage of growth.

Multiple treatments are performed at intervals of usually one month apart for several months. The exact amount and number of treatments will vary and depend on the particular patient and the anatomical location being treated.  The usual result is a complete temporary hair removal followed by a permanent hair reduction i.e. the reduction in the amount of growing hair. Some hairs which may regrow are lighter and thinner than before. This gives a significant cosmetic improvement.

LENGTH OF TREATMENT

Treatments will depend on the individual area of the body being treated. The visit schedule is based on the natural growth cycle of the hair.

Body areas such as biking lines, legs and underarms:6-8 visits depending on size of the individualt

Facial areas(not beards which do take longer): 8-10 visits

Chest or back: 8-10 visits

An average visit takes approximately 5-45 minutes depending on the area of the body being treated. For optimal results it is essential that the hair being treated be in the active or anagen growth phase.

STAGES OF HAIR GROWTH

What are the stages of hair growth? Generally there are three stages.

The three stages of hair growth Anagen hairs are the new hairs coming through the skin. Water and salt are present in the follicle during this stage, and when light and heat is applied to the follicle sodium hydroxide is created. The sodium hydroxide disables the follicle from producing additional hair. This is the only cycle of hair growth that the follicle can be disabled. Once disabled it will not produce another hair. Catagen hairs are in the brief transitional period between growth and the resting cycle. During this stage, the hair is no longer attached at the root and the water and salt are drying up. The hair follicle can be damaged but not disabled during this stage. Telogen hairs are in the final resting stage of the hair growth cycle. This stage lasts until the hair is finally shed by friction such as combing and brushing. No damage can be done to the follicle during this stage because the salt and water are not present and sodium hydroxide cannot be created.

Also, hair must have some melanin(color) in it to be removed with this system. You cannot remove the stray white hairs or many grey hairs that most of us have on our chins.

HOW LHE CAN BENEFIT YOU

The side effects are generally mild and not long term. It is gently on your skin as we use no harsh chemical or messy gels. The results are caressingly smooth and silky skin that lasts .