Cosmetic Laser Hair Removal London, UK
Laser stands for ‘light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation’.
Lasers are able to provide effective long term hair removal. Compared to other forms of hair removal, lasers are able to provide much longer hair free periods with fewer side-effects and quicker treatment times. A single treatment can reduce hair by 10% to 40%. Multiple treatment sessions can reduce hair by as much as 90%. Top up treatments can sustain these hair free periods indefinitely.
Medically Supported Laser Hair Removal
At Rejuvence we provide medically supported laser hair removal services. Our experienced laser Aestheticians work together with our aesthetic doctors to provide safe and effective hair removal services for both men and women of all skin types. Thanks to this unique cooperation we are able to provide laser hair removal treatments to those suffering with medical conditions that result in increased hair growth erratically on various parts of the body. Laser hair removal can also help with conditions such as pseudofolliculitis (razor bumps), ingrown hairs and even keloid and hypertrophic scars.
Lead Laser Aesthetician at Rejuvence Clinic
Our laser services at Rejuvence are headed up by Rita Al-Moula. Rita has been working in the industry for more than 20 years and has tremendous experience in laser and skin treatments specialising in laser hair removal and hydrafacial. She has previously worked as a manager in a well-known chain of aesthetic clinics. She has also owned her own thriving clinic. Whilst owning her own clinic she ran a VTCT (vocational training charitable trust) school. She has successfully treated many clients over the years including celebrities and we are extremely pleased to have her working alongside our team and heading up Laser Hair Removal at Rejuvence.
Rita Al-Moula
What is your skin type?
What laser is used at Rejuvence?
At Rejuvence we use the Cynosure Elite Plus aesthetic workstation. Melanin has an absorption wavelength between 600nm and 1100nm. The Cynosure Elite Plus System consists of an Alexandrite and Nd:Yag solid state laser.
Alexandrite operates at a wavelength of 755 nm whilst the Nd:Yag laser operates at a wavelength of 1064 nm. These are both within the absorption wavelengths of melanin and hence extremely effective at laser hair removal. In addition thanks to their specificity for follicular melanin these lasers can be used to treat all skin types including very light Caucasian skin right through to dark African with minimal side effects.
How does laser hair removal work?
Laser stands for ‘light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation’.
Lasers are able to provide effective long term hair removal. Compared to other forms of hair removal, lasers are able to provide much longer hair free periods with fewer side-effects and quicker treatment times. A single treatment can reduce hair by 10% to 40%. Multiple treatment sessions can reduce hair by as much as 90%. Top up treatments can sustain these hair free periods indefinitely.
What factors affect the outcome of laser hair removal?
The ideal patient for laser hair removal has thick, dark hair and light skin. However this does not mean laser hair removal is not possible in darker skin types. Skin colour is classified according to the Fitzpatrick classification system. This consists of six skin types ranging from light Caucasian skin (skin type I) right through to dark African skin (skin typeVI). The variation in skin colour is directly related to the amount of melanin in the skin. Lighter skin types have less melanin. Darker skin types have more melanin. This has a significant impact on laser hair removal and indeed the type of lasers as well as the power and number of treatment sessions.
Lighter skin types have less melanin and hence usually are able to tolerate a much higher setting on the laser machine for effective hair removal. In darker skin types there is more melanin and hence it is important to use lasers at a lower setting (less power) and often require a larger number of treatments for effective hair removal.
There are four stages to the hair cycle that each hair follicle goes through. The stages are as follows: anagen, catagen, telogen, exogen. At any point approximately 10 to 15% of hairs are in the catagen or telogen phase of the hair cycle. Hair in the anagen phase is most vulnerable to laser treatment as it contains melanin. Hair in the other stages do not have melanin. They’re not as responsive to laser. This is why multiple sessions are needed in order to catch all hairs in the anagen phase.
There are generally two types of hair found on the body. Terminal hair is coarse, dark (more melanin) and thick. Terminal hairs are found on the scalp, underarm and pubic areas and specifically the face in men. Vellus hairs are thinner, lighter (less melanin) in colour and short. This type of hair is found on the face, arms, stomach and legs. During puberty vellus hairs are replaced by terminal hairs especially in certain parts of the body in response to hormonal changes, specifically testosterone. Terminal hairs respond better to laser hair removal and need fewer sessions. Vellus hairs are more difficult to treat and need more sessions.
The best results for laser hair removal are achieved in those with lighter skin types and dark coloured body here. The contrast between the colour of the skin and the colour of the hair is essential for determining the ideal wavelength of the duration of the laser pulses. Generally smaller wavelength lasers with shorter pulse durations work better for patients with lighter skin and darker hairs. Higher wavelengths with longer pulses are used for patients with darker skin for better penetration and less absorption by melanin and as a result fewer side-effects. This is why a combination of alexandrite and Nd:YAG laser system is used at Rejuvence. The alexandrite offers a smaller wavelength laser whilst the Nd:Yag offers longer wavelength and hence we are able to treat all skin types.
Hormone levels can affect hair growth and the subsequent response rate to laser hair removal. Medical conditions that have effects on hormone levels include polycystic ovarian syndrome PCOS), thyroid problems, overactive adrenal glands and high prolactin conditions. These sorts of conditions all affect hair growth. For effective laser hair removal in a hormonal condition, it may be necessary to supplement laser sessions with medication to control the underlying causes of hirsutism (increased body hair).
Pregnancy results in changes in hormone levels. There are increases in prolactin and this results in an increase in melanin production in the hair follicles. This makes laser hair removal less effective. As a result laser hair removal should not be carried out during pregnancy.
What is Alexandrite Laser?
The alexandrite 755nm laser is a solid state laser. It is able to penetrate 3 mm into the skin with moderate absorption by melanin. It’s considered to be the gold standard for hair removal using laser. It is suitable for both lighter and slightly darker skin types. Generally this means skin types I to III.
What is Nd:YAG laser?
The Nd:YAG 1064nm laser is also a solid state laser and has the least absorption by melanin and hence is very safe for darker skin types. It has much fewer side-effects in darker skin types especially compared to conventional lasers used for hair removal such as IPL. It can penetrate to around 4 mm into the skin and is generally considered to be the gold standard for skin types IV to VI.
Laser hair removal is based on a process known as selective ‘photothermolysis’. Laser for the purposes of hair removal results in selective thermal (heat) damage to hair follicles, with minimal damage to surrounding skin. The ‘chromophore’ (target) for laser hair removal is melanin. Melanin is a substance that gives pigment (colour) to your skin, hair and eyes. The specific type of melanin that is targeted with laser hair removal gives colour to your hair and sits at the base of the follicle.
When treated with laser the melanin contained in the hair is heated and subsequently damages the hair follicle. This results in gradual thinning of the hairs and eventually complete removal.
Common side-effects associated with laser hair removal include pain and discomfort, some degree of redness (erythema), bruising,crushing, folliculitis and temporary post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin). Adverse effects specific to alexandrite and Nd:Yag laser generally last between 2 to 4 days. A degree of redness (erythema) should be expected after all treatments. Almost all complications are temporary. In extremely rare cases it is possible to burn the skin.
Laser hair removal with alexandrite and Nd:YAG laser is associated with some degree of pain. This is the case for almost all laser devices. The pain experienced is generally described as tolerable by most patients and in fact in some areas, it can be painless. Topical numbing cream can be applied to sensitive areas 30 to 60 minutes prior to treatment. Cooling of the skin alongside laser is carried out for all treatments to reduce pain as well as the risk of burns. This involves the attachment of a device to the laser head unit that blows cool air across the treatment areas during laser sessions.
