faq - Laser hair removal

How does it work?

The laser light is calibrated to target the dark pigment of the hair follicle (melanin). It heats the hair structure up to 70ºC and the intense heat destroys it.

What hair type can be treated?

The hair with high amounts of melanin (black). Since the laser light targets the darkest areas, the tone of skin is also significant. The lighter skin and the darker hair (bigger contrast), the better results. Peach fuzz, grey hair and light hair are not candidates for laser hair removal.

What should I do to prepare my skin before my treatment?

The most important recommendations are not to tan and remove your hair mechanically, at least two weeks before the planned treatment. The day of the treatment you need to shave the hair. If you are not able to shave, you can add this to your service.

Why shouldn't the target skin be tanned?

It is important, because sunbathing stimulates the melanin production in the epidermis. Laser is absorbed by melanin, however, it is desired, that it is the hair melanin. If the laser light comes across melanin before reaching the hair melanin - in epidermis (while hair is rooted deeper) - a significant part of energy will be absorbed by the epidermis melanin, and not by the hair melanin.

As a result, the treatment will not bring the expected effects, and, additionally, will cause epidermis burns. The LightSheer Duet system offers the possibility of performing hair removal in patients with very dark skin, due to long pulse duration and the vacuum pressure function, which reduces the density of epidermal melanin.

However, the producer does not recommend performing the treatment on the skin with a fresh tan (including self-tanners), and so, it is advised to wait for about a month from the last UV exposure, before undergoing the laser hair removal treatment.

Why the hair should not be mechanically removed before laser hair removal?

During tweezing, waxing or epilating skin with a mechanical device, we remove the hair shaft, which contains melanin. Therefore, the laser is left with no object to operate on. While in the dermis, there are still hair germ cells left, and so the hair will surely regrow.

Why should the hair in the target area be shaved immediately before the treatment?

During the procedure, if the external hair shaft is present, the laser will burn it, which in turn may lead to burning the skin. Additionally, such treatment will be less effective, because a part of the energy emitted by the laser will be absorbed by the hair shaft and not by the hair, which is placed deeper in the skin (where also the cells responsible for the hair regrowth are placed).

Can I expect permanent effects after a completed series of laser hair removal treatments?

After a full series of laser hair reduction, we may permanently eliminate about 60-90% of hair. The remaining percent of 10-20, is the hair that may appear during lifetime. In women, it will usually take place during critical periods in life, connected with changes in hormonal balance, such as: pregnancy, taking hormonal medications or during menopause. It is however fine hair, which may be also eliminated with laser, if necessary.

What happens to hair after treatment?

The hair damaged (carbonized by the laser) during the procedure, is being shed from the hair follicle to the skin surface, and patients may believe that their hair is regrowing. During this period, if the damaged hair is particularly bothering (rough and stiff), it can be shaved. Nonetheless, most of them (more than 80%) fall out of skin after about 2-4 weeks. The skin becomes smooth (or almost smooth) and stays in this state, until successive hair proceeds from the resting phase to the growth phase.

As the resting phases differ with regard to the anatomical areas, the time interval before follow-up treatments will be different. For the face, it is usually after about 4-6 weeks, on other sites, such as the back, after about 6-8 weeks, and on legs, the growth delay is usually two to three months.

When will I notice the difference?

Hair reduction takes place during each session. Each time, about 20-30% of hair is eliminated. Patients can actually notice the hair reduction effects, when it becomes more spectacular, meaning when the percentage of hair reduction reaches about 50%, which is usually after 3rd procedure.

Why do the treatments have to be repeated?

Because not all hair is in the same phase of the hair growth cycle at a given time - each strand of hair on the human body is at its own stage of development. A single hair undergoes successively: growth phase, transitional phase and resting phase. Laser light may only work against hair being in the growth phase, namely the ones that we see on the skin surface.

The transition of hair from one phase to another is not concurrent (as it is in case of some animals undergoing molting), therefore, a series of sessions is recommended.

How many treatments will be necessary to get rid of unwanted hair?

The number of required treatments varies from 3 to 10. With LightSheer diode laser, on average, 4-6 sessions are needed.

Will my unwanted hairs be eliminated permanently?

Laser hair removal is approved for permanent, but partial hair reduction. Permanent hair reduction involves up to 80-90% of hair. The remaining hair may grow back during a lifetime, however, it will be thinned out, softer and lighter.

Is the procedure painful?

When the pulse of light is delivered, some patients experience a mild pinching or stinging sensation. Since not all people have the same pain threshold, it depends on the skin sensitivity, target treatment area, color and thickness of the hair.

No local anesthesia or pain medication is typically required, however some patients may prefer to use a topical anesthetic (e.g. EMLA cream) when sensitive areas are treated. The head of LightSheer Duet is equipped with a sapphire touch cooling system, which cools the skin, acting like an additional anesthetic. Moreover, a cold gel may be applied to relieve any discomfort to the area.

What if after a series of treatments the hair is not reduced?

It might result from the presence of a factor stimulating the growth of new hair follicles. In most cases, it is due to the presence of hormonal disorders.

Concerning the above, should the patients with hirsutism avoid laser hair removal treatment?

No, however, they should simultaneously follow the instructions from their endocrinologist or gynecologist. Patients with hirsutism need to accept the potential necessity of performing more sessions than in a usual course of treatment as well as eventual repetition of treatment in the future.

For how long before laser hair removal should I grow my hair?

There is no need to grow one's hair, it is only recommended to stop mechanical hair removal, in case of hair growing on the face, for about one month before the planned treatment, and, in case of hair on other body parts, for about 1,5-2 months. It means, that during this time, you should not use wax, tweezers or mechanical depilator. Patients are allowed to shave or to use depilatory creams or foams.

Sometimes patients cannot wait for so long and come for their treatment earlier, with less hair. Then, they need to accept that the treatment effectiveness may be lower and that it might be necessary for them to undergo more laser hair removal sessions.

What does the procedure of laser hair removal look like?

During the procedure, our trained specialist places the laser head on the patient's shaved and cleaned skin. The head has a built-in laser spot emitting a laser beam. The head is then placed next to one another and the whole area covered with hair is treated.

What does the skin look like after treatment?

Immediately after the procedure, it is common for the treated area to have some redness, which should disappear over the next 2-3 hours. Additionally, there may appear redness and swelling of the hair follicle.

This is, again, a desired clinical endpoint, seen with most laser hair removal procedures. Laser hair removal treatment do not exclude people from their everyday life. Following the treatment, you can return to their normal activities right away, meaning get back to work, school, etc.

What are the recommendations after treatment?

The most important recommendation is not have direct sun exposure for at least 2 weeks after the treatment, as there is a risk of skin discoloration. Additionally, for a few days following the treatment, you should not use any alcohol-based skincare products or use swimming pools or hot tubs which may cause skin irritation caused by chlorinated water.

Can I wear make-up after laser hair removal?

Immediately after the procedure, it is best recommended to avoid make-up (except Minearl make-up) on treated areas, so as not to irritate the epidermis. However, make-up may be applied the following day, as long as there is no redness on the skin. Contraindication to wearing make-up is the occurrence of any complications.

What complications are possible after the treatment?

It is vital, that complications after the LightSheer diode laser are extremely rare. Most often they relate to skin burns and include blisters and scabs. Other, rarer conditions are related to pigmentation disorders and are known as hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. There is also a risk of bacterial and viral skin infections, as the treatment is directed to the epidermis. Nearly all complications are curable and leave the treated skin without permanent scaring results.

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