APL / Laser hair removal is very quickly becoming the number one treatment for hair reduction. As your specialist I will customize all APL / Laser settings according to your hair colour, thickness and density, as well as your skin type and your comfort level, while maintaining the highest standards of safety. During treatments, the APL / Laser produces an intense, but gentle, monochromatic beam of energy that passes through the skin and is selectively absorbed by the target (melanin in the hair follicle), destroying it without causing significant thermal injury to the surrounding tissue (selective thermolysis). The APL / Laser energy only works on the growing hairs (Anagen phase) and not on dormant hairs (Catagen & Telegen phase). This amounts to approximately 10 to 15% of hair that are in the active growth (Anagen) phase during a treatment session. Therefore, several treatments, generally 6 to 12 or more, will be necessary to obtain a significant, long-term reduction of hair growth. Several factors can contribute to the effectiveness of laser hair removal such as the treatment area, treatment consistency and individual circumstances. Genetics, hormones, medication and hair colour may interfere with the hair removal process and there is a very slight possibility that you may not respond to the treatment at all. You may experience fewer, thinner, lighter, slower re-growth of hairs, temporary hair loss or permanent hair reduction. The treatment is only effective on hair with colour and does not treat white, gray, very blonde or red hair. My hair reduction machine (APL) has a handpiece with a cooling component that remains in contact with the skin to help with the sensation of heat and cooling to ensure the safety of the skin from the treatment. Everyone in the treatment room must wear protective eyewear in order to prevent permanent eye damage from the energy produced by the laser. Failure to comply with pre and post-care recommendations may increase the probability of complications and will terminate the contract of this treated area.
APL / Laser Hair Reduction and Electrolysis go hand-in-hand to achieve your desired results in permanent hair removal. Simply Electrolysis Clinic offer both services to assist you, the client, to reach your goal of permanent hair removal.
APL / Laser Pre-Treatment:
I use a certified medical grade APL machine that is Health Canada approved (certified) to affectively assist in hair reduction.
- Most areas require 6 to 12 treatments (or more) to achieve 50 to 75% or more hair reduction (depending on skin and hair type).
- In general, we say 6 to 12 treatments are required to achieve 50 to75% or more hair reduction. This can vary from person to person, treatment areas and skin type.
- As Laser is classified as permanent hair reduction, we can discuss adding Electrolysis to complete your desired results.
- As APL / Laser is attracted to pigment in the hair we can only treat hair that is pigmented. This means white, grey, very blonde and red hair have no pigment and therefore will not qualify for this type of treatment.
- It is important that no hair is present on the surface of the area to be treated, as overlying hair will absorb the APL energy and cause superficial thermal injury to the skin, as well as reducing the amount of energy absorbed by the hair follicle.
- Hair should be completely removed with a razor only, 24 hours before your appointment. No waxing, sugaring, tweezing, or threading 3 to 4 weeks before or during the course of your treatments, as this pulls the hairs out of the follicle and APL will not be effective. A close, clean shaved area will result in a more comfortable and effective treatment.
- For optimal results treatments should be spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. Sticking to your schedule will help ensure we get the best results possible. Facial hair can be more stubborn. Maintenance treatments may be required with facial hair removal as well as body treatments, as hormonal changes may occur. (Pregnancy, menopause and other normal hormonal fluctuations).
- Sun exposure MUST BE AVOIDED on the area(s) being treated. The proper use of a SPF (30 plus) can protect the skin and allow me to always give you the most effective treatment possible.
- As I am aiming for permanent hair reduction, heat from the APL machine is essential. During the treatments there is a slight pinprick sensation of heat that may feel uncomfortable but should always be manageable. My APL machine has a cooling component on the handpiece that help to minimize this sensation and make the treatments as comfortable as possible.
- Ensure to inform Simply Electrolysis Clinic if you have a history of hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin during healing). In this case you should seek medical advice and possibly prescribed a topical lightening cream to be applied for 2 to 4 weeks prior to treatment.
- All Melasma pigmentation (darker skin patches/darker than your normal skin tone) must be pre-treated with a pigment regulator for a minimum of 2-4 weeks prior to any facial laser hair removal treatments.
- Confirm that you have not been on any medication that you have not informed Simply Electrolysis of. Accutane must be discontinued for at least 6 months prior to APL treatments. Other photosensitive medication (antibiotics) will need to be avoided during treatments as well.
- Heat from the APL may trigger cold sores. If you are prone to cold sores (herpes) in the area to be treated, you may need an anti-viral prescription from a medical doctor prior to having the treatment. APL treatments cannot be performed during herpes breakouts, if in the treatment area.
- Vitamin A or retinol products must be discontinued for a minimum of 3 to 5 days in the treatment area prior to hair reduction treatments and 3-5 days after treatment.
Post-Treatment:
- Erythema/follicular edema (redness & swelling around follicles) is a normal response that may last 24 to 48 hours. This may feel like a moderate sunburn.
- A red “razor burn” type rash may happen following your treatment which is normal. This is temporary and will subside after a couple days.
- Treated hairs may appear to be growing following treatment; however, this is actually the dead hair exfoliating. This may or may not appear within approximately 2-4 weeks post treatment.
- Avoid sports and/or strenuous exercises for 24 hours following treatment. Avoid hot baths, hot tubs, steam and sauna rooms for 24 hours following treatment.
- Depending on the area and your personal growth cycles, multiple treatments are necessary over a span of 4 to 6 week intervals.
- Shaving is permitted between treatments. Do not use any other hair removal methods on the treated area during the course of the treatments (such as tweezing, waxing and depilatories), as it will prevent you from achieving your best results.
APL / Laser Hair Removal Pre & Post Treatment Information
Potential and common side effects that may occur with laser hair reduction treatments:
- DISCOMFORT / PAIN – Some discomfort and/or pain may be experienced during treatment. Some areas are more sensitive than others. Topical anesthetic maybe used and purchased from a drug store.
- REDNESS / SWELLING/BRUISING – Short-term redness (erythema) and/or swelling (edema) of the treated area is common and may occur. Bruising, although not common, may also occur.
- FRECKLES / PIGMENT – Existing freckles/pigment in the treated area may temporarily or permanently disappear.
- PUSTULES or PIMPLES – may develop in the first few days following treatment.
- HYPOPIGMENTATION / HYPERPIGMENTATION: (changes in skin colour) – During the healing process there is a slight possibility that the treated area may become either lighter (hypopigmentation) or darker (hyperpigmentation) in colour compared to the surrounding skin. This is usually temporary, but on rare occasion it may be permanent.
