All about Men’s Laser & IPL hair removal

So what is Laser Hair Removal?

There are lots of different types of cosmetic lasers and IPL’s. The ones used for hair removal use the colour that is in your hair to heat up and damage the root enough to stop the hair growing again. If you are considering laser hair removal here is what you need to know.

Fact #1 No hair colour no hair removal
If you’re very blonde or grey there is not enough hair colour to allow the laser to heat and damage to root and prevent future hair growth.

Fact #2 If your hairs not growing the laser can’t work
Every hair on your face and body is in one of three stages. The first stage in the cycle where your hair grows is called the Anagen phase. Only hairs in this growth phase can be treated successfully. Which is why you need an average of 8 treatments at 4 or 5 week intervals to get close to the result you’re looking for.

Fact #3 Laser hair removal is rarely permanent
After 8 -10 treatments most people would be consider the treated area to be hair free, with the only hairs left growing being short fine vellus hairs. But it’s not uncommon for some hairs to regrow and occasional future ‘top up’ treatments being necessary.

Fact #4 Laser hair removal hurts
We’re not talking about child birth levels of pain, but more like the equivalent of a light flick of an elastic band. Needless to say, some parts of the body can hurt more than others.

Fact #5 Lasers are dangerous
The lasers that work are very powerful and potentially dangerous. Use the wrong settings for your skin and hair colour and horrific burns can be caused. The laser operators skill is a key part in preventing damage to your skin. At The Men’s Grooming Salon we will make sure that one, will make the treatment as comfortable as possible and two, Teh IPL machine will be perfectly set for your skin and hair type.

Fact #6 It’s not cheap or quick
Everything from the cost of the best machines to the red tape that allows you to provide treatments is expensive. This means treatments are not cheap. To help we offer package deals and the cost can be spread over the 8 – 10 months the treatment plan normally takes to complete.

What parts of the body do we treat?
We’ve treated most areas of the body. Popular treatment areas for Men laser hair removal is also becoming increasingly popular. The most common areas we treat are shoulder, back and chest hair. Alos, Brazilian, Leg and bikini areas are very on demand right now.

IPL or Laser Hair removal?
It’s common to think that they are the same. Especially as IPL is often referred to as IPL Laser Hair Removal. They are actually very different, and at our Laser Hair Removal Clinic we use both a ND:YAG laser and the latest Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) system.
The benefit of Long pulse lasers are that they can be used on all skin types even tanned skin, allowing treatment of a wider patient base than many other systems. They even allow us to offer treatments to the often difficult-to-treat finer hairs that are left by other systems after a number of treatments.

IMPORTANT: The choice of IPL Hair Removal or Laser Hair Removal depends on your individual skin and hair type. What is important for you to know is we will select the machine best for individual requirement. The machine we believe we will get the best results.

Are the results permanent?
No matter what you may have read. Using a laser to remove hair probably won’t remove 100% of hair permanently, but should dramatically reduce growth to what often feels like permanent. Any hair re-growth is likely to be paler and weaker. So if you’re guaranteed “permanent laser hair removal” – worry!

This is because lasers need the pigment within the hair to work with different results being obtained based on the hairs colour. White, grey or platinum blond hair do not respond nearly as well as dark hairs.

Additionally, hair removal treatment works best on new hairs that are just starting to grow, which is why you will need a number of treatments in the same area to ensure you capture the hairs as they begin their growth cycle. Even then new hairs can grow or hairs that simply managed to avoid treatment whilst in the right growth phase can get missed.

What happens during a treatment?
You will need to wear special goggles to protect your eyes. Very cold air or a cooling gel will be applied to the treatment area. Lasering stings or tingles, and takes 15-45 minutes, depending on the size of the area. The same area is lasered once a month for about eight months, until all the hair follicles have been treated in the optimum growth phase.

After a treatment the skin may look red and slightly swollen, but this should disappear within 24 hours. You can return to normal daily life straight away.

Results
Most people need an average of 8 sessions for best results. The damaged hairs are shed gradually in the two weeks after treatment.

The risks
Laser hair removal works best, and has fewest risks, on pale skin.
Let any sun tan fade before you consider treatment.
The skin can be left with dark marks or pale patches, which should fade over several months.
Laser hair removal does not always work well on red hair or grey hair because laser energy is absorbed by pigment and there is little or no pigment in these hair colours.
People with darker complexions, run the risk of too much energy being absorbed and damaging the skin, however our IPL and laser is suitable for darker skin types as we can control the amount of energy absorbed and therefore reduce the risks of side effects.
You should also avoid laser hair removal treatment if you are particularly sensitive to light or have any infection around the place to be treated.
You should not have laser hair removal treatment if you have been treated for acne with Isotretinoin in the previous year.

Any questions please email us here info@mensgroomingsalon.com.au