In the debate about which laser is best for hair removal, many theories are broken. If we consider all the hardware methods of hair removal, i.e., photo-, electro- and laser hair removal, then among cosmetologists the last method is the most popular. The laser gives the greatest effect. And very easy to use. The article describes three types of laser hair removal, their features. You will learn how often it is necessary to carry out the procedure, what the cosmetologist and the client must do to make the procedure as effective as possible.
The essence of laser hair removal
Laser hair removal is performed on three types of lasers. Diode, alexandrite and neodymium. Laser hair removal is based on electromagnetic radiation with a specific wavelength, which allows the laser beam to focus strictly on the hair follicle. Unlike photo radiation, laser scatters a little. And the risk of damaging the surrounding tissue is minimized. Consider which laser to do hair removal more efficiently.
Pigmented hair removal
The wavelength of the alexandrite laser is 755 nanometers (nm). It is ideal for combating dark hair on fair skin when the contrast between skin color and hair color is high. For darker or darker clients, this type of laser can cause burns.
The wavelength of the diode laser is 808 nm. A diode laser for epilating dark hair on fair skin is also ideal. Although manufacturers often claim that it "works" on dark and tanned skin, the degree of tanning is a relative concept. A slightly tanned European with a III phototype is not at all the same as an African V or VI phototype.
The phototype is the separation of people by the amount of pigment melanin in the skin, hair and iris. The best alexandrite lasers for hair removal are considered systems of such manufacturers as Candela, Deka and Quanta System.
Blond hair removal
There is an opinion that gray, red, blond, and fluffy hair is not amenable to hardware hair removal. There is an opposite point of view that modern equipment operates in different modes and allows you to remove any type of hair by changing the wavelength.
In fact, advertising is misleading consumers. Laser hair removal of the face (for example, removal of cannon hair above the upper lip or on the cheeks) is carried out on a neodymium laser.
It is also used to combat gray, blond hair on fair skin and dark hair on dark skin, that is, in cases where the contrast between the color of the hair and skin is low. The wavelength of the neodymium laser is 1064 nm.
Rating of lasers for hair removal
It is not entirely correct to compare a neodymium laser with a diode and alexandrite one. Since the former is suitable for certain phototypes, the rest are effective for others. If we evaluate alexandrite and diode lasers, then the first is a notch above the second.
The cost of laser hair removal on an alexandrite apparatus is higher, this is due to higher efficiency. What is it manifested in? Firstly, the power of the alexandrite system is four times higher than that of the diode system.
Secondly, the multi-pulse operation mode allows to process twice as large area per unit time. And this means that the procedure time is reduced.
Thirdly, after hair removal on an alexandrite laser, they fall out after a week. When processing with a diode laser, you have to wait up to three weeks.
The cost of laser hair removal depends on a lot of factors, but we will give the average prices for the treatment of the most popular zones. The upper lip - 1800 rubles., Axillaries - 3000, deep bikini - 6000, legs - 10 000, legs completely - 20 000.
The effectiveness of hair removal and hair growth stages
Laser hair removal is effective when the hair is in the growth phase. Why is that? At this stage, the connection between the hair follicle and the vessels, nerves that fit to it, is very close. Therefore, the hair is able to absorb a maximum of laser radiation. It is transmitted to the vessel, it coagulates, blood supply stops. And the hair stops growing. In the stage of dying or the formation of a new hair, the connection between the follicle and blood vessels is broken. When this is a new hair, it is still too small to absorb enough energy, transfer it to coagulate.
The importance of selecting individual parameters
Each professional laser for hair removal is set to average by default, but all clients are individual. Skin color, hair thickness, bulb thickness, hair color, zone - all this must be taken into account. Whether a woman came to the procedure at the end of the cycle or in the middle - it depends on whether there is fluid congestion in the hair growth zone. Whether a woman smokes, does she drink alcohol - all this affects the condition of the skin, the hair follicles. Finding out which laser is best for hair removal does not make sense if you make a mistake in selecting parameters. How can a beautician do it right?
First you need to select those parameters that are recommended by the manufacturer of the device. Make one flash, ask the client if it hurts. If there are no sensations and hyperemia (redness) - this means that there is no reaction, that this parameter is too weak for the client. It is necessary to increase the power or duration of the pulse. It is important not to overdo it, so that it does not hurt too much, so that the client does not receive a burn.
When a client says that he feels a slight tingling sensation, and the beautician sees redness on the skin, this is a correctly selected parameter. The selection of parameters is individual not only for each person, but also for its different zones. On the shins, in the armpits, in the bikini area - everywhere different skin sensitivity, hair color, and bulbs. Selection is often difficult. And it is not always possible the first time.
Frequency of procedures
The amount of hair in the growth phase on different parts of the body is different. For example, on the head it is 85%, and on the lower leg - about 20%. Theoretically, it turns out that in order to get rid of all 100% of the hair on the lower leg, you need five procedures, but in life it's not so perfect. Firstly, the doctor cannot hold the manipulation strictly perpendicular to the skin. Secondly, the color and thickness of the hair, even in one part of the body are different. Thirdly, the vessel is not always sealed.
When epilation with a neodymium laser, the radiation energy is lost in the vessels of the skin, so it is not enough for coagulation of the vessels that feed the hair. Therefore, the number of procedures on a neodymium laser is greater than on other types of lasers.
The correct interval between the first and second procedure is 4-7 weeks. With each subsequent procedure, sleeping follicles wake up much more slowly. For someone, the interval between the second and third procedure will be 6 weeks, for someone - 10, all individually. This should be monitored by the doctor and patient.
Tenderness of hair removal
Unfortunately, it is still widely believed that painful hair removal is more effective. This judgment appeared in those years when laser and photoepilation were not yet there, only electroepilation existed. The fact is that with this type of hair removal, the temperature should destroy not only the bulb, but also the hair growth zone, the place where it originates. For this, the temperature should be 90-120 degrees Celsius. It reaches this limit in only 3-4 seconds, this is the peculiarity of electroepilators. Not surprisingly, such a procedure is very painful.
The bulb dies at 80 degrees, but the growth zone does not. After 1-1.5 months, a new hair grows. If both the one and the other die, then the efficiency during the first procedure reaches 30%. A laser, in order to achieve such a high working temperature, unlike an electroepilator, needs only 0.01 seconds. Nerve endings with such a pulse duration simply do not perceive pain. It seems to the client that something was a bit prickling.
Which laser is better for hair removal, in terms of pain sensations? The task of the cosmetologist is to choose the parameters so that the client has a slight tingling and slight hyperemia. It passes after 3-5 minutes. To choose these parameters correctly, you need to take into account skin color, hair growth zone, because in different parts of the body the hair lies at different depths, have different bulb thicknesses.
Ingrown hair
After laser hair removal, clients often complain of ingrown hair. Which epilation laser is best to avoid this nuisance?
Hair grows in the canal, into which the sebaceous gland enters. With inflammation, especially with acne, inflammation of the canal itself occurs. Connective tissue grows inside it and it closes. During electrolysis, if the beautician incorrectly got a needle and burned the canal, it is scarred, and the growth zone remains intact, and then the hair grows inward. With laser hair removal, this does not happen. If you already have ingrown hair, you can only use the laser technology to destroy both the bulb and the hair growth zone.
Preparing the client for the procedure
Before hair removal, it is not recommended to shave off the hair, you need to leave hemp 3 mm long. Why is it important? If you leave long hair, then part of the laser energy will be given to them. Hair can curl, i.e. burn out and even cause a burn on the skin. Laser energy will not reach the bulb, especially the hair growth zone. It just won't be enough. Therefore, it is recommended not to shave the hair, but to cut it. Then the beautician will see the areas in which there is hair, and those in which they are not. He will not irradiate zones without hair in vain.
Note. When we shave off our hair, we partially destroy the epidermal layer, then the infection that is on the surface of the skin, and there are about 64 types of infections, can cause inflammation of the hair channels of the bulbs. If the client shaved her hair, then she needs to wait 3-4, or even 5 days before taking.
It is important for a cosmetologist to see hair, not only because it does not irradiate the area in which it does not grow, but also in order to calculate the amount of hair per centimeter. This is necessary for subsequent monitoring of the effectiveness of hair removal. When the client arrives in a month, the beautician will compare the amount of hair per centimeter - this is how he controls himself whether he has chosen the right parameters. Both the diode laser for hair removal and alexandrite will not work if the procedure is performed on completely shaved hair.
How a cosmetologist prepares a client for hair removal
The first thing they do is make-up remover. This term means not only removing makeup from the face. In fact, the skin constantly produces sweat and fat, dust from the air sits on it. During the procedure, all this can enter through the enlarged pores and cause inflammation. Therefore, before epilation, the skin is always wiped with antiseptics.
It is impossible to use colored gel during exposure to the device, because any color absorbs radiation, and the procedure becomes ineffective. It is forbidden to apply the gel, for example, on the shin, epilate this area and transfer the used gel to the thigh. In this case, together with the gel, skin particles are transferred to a new area, which reduces the effectiveness of hair removal.