Unwanted body or facial hair affects millions of women and men. A variety of methods such as waxing, plucking, shaving and depilatory creams have been used to remove such hair. These methods provide very temporary relief. Electrolysis may provide a more permanent solution, but is very slow and quite painful and may produce scarring.
Laser hair reduction is a safe, more comfortable way of reducing unwanted hair. It utilizes technology that combines light, electrical energy and cooling. The laser targets the hair roots precisely without damaging the surrounding skin, regardless of your skin type.
All laser hair reduction treatments at the Cosmetic Medicine Centre are performed by fully qualified registered nurses who are also certified laser operators with Queensland Radiation Health.
The handpiece has a special chilled tip which is placed in contact with the skin. This reduces the sensation experienced, and also protects the skin from heat produced by the laser/hair reaction. Sensitive areas can be further numbed by use of a cold air machine.
Hair can be removed from almost any area provided we can get safe access, and important structures, such as the eyes, can be fully protected.
For the treatment to succeed, hair must be present, therefore the area should not be waxed, plucked or threaded for six weeks prior to treatment. Depilatory cream should not be used either, as it may reduce the integrity of the skin. You should also avoid sun tanning the area or using fake tan.
After marking out the area, it will be shaved and then treated. Afterwards the area may look reddened especially around each hair, where there may also be a little swelling. It will feel warm and perhaps even a little itchy.
The treated hair may appear to still grow for a while, but this is actually just the hair being ejected.
The laser has the greatest effect on growing hairs. As not all hairs are growing at the same time, it will take a number of treatments to gain control of any area. The number of treatments this takes will vary with the area, the type of hair and the type of skin.
Recommended treatment interval for the face is 4 weeks and for the body 6-8 weeks. It must be remembered that the growth phase is the only phase affected by the treatment.
Sun exposure should be avoided before and after treatment and sunscreen should be worn each day.
Some people, especially those with darker skins, may experience some darkening or lightening of the skin in the treated area. This is usually temporary, but may in some cases be permanent.
Even people who get very good initial clearance, may experience some later regrowth. This will, however, be of lighter, finer hair.
Later in life, some hairs may convert to coarser hairs eg. after menopause. These hairs can still be treated, however fine, downy hairs will be only minimally affected.
