Laser hair removal

Whether you suffer from an underlying medical condition, have excessive hair growth naturally or are just fed up with shaving and waxing, laser hair removal in Reading offers you a long term solution to help diminish your unwanted hair, nearly anywhere on the body.

Please contact Skin Wise for more information or to book your laser hair removal in Reading

		Subject: Female Age: 37 Site: Face and neck Courtesy of The Iranian Laser Centre Supplied by Lynton Lasers
Before	After 4 sessions

		Subject: Male Age: 35 Site: Beard area Courtesy of Brenda Mansour Supplied by Lynton Lasers
Before	After 8 sessions

How does laser hair removal work?

The treatment works by introducing pulses of light into the hair follicle. First a clear cool gel is applied to the skin and the light pulsed through the gel into the skin, where the energy is absorbed by the pigment within the follicle. The sensation felt by the client is that of a very quick splash of hot fat which is instantaneous and lasts for micro seconds.

When the light is introduced into the hair follicle, the temperature of the follicle is raised which in turn destroys the lower part of the follicle. The light is introduced in pulses to gradually build up the heat within the hair follicle without overheating the skin’s surface.

The hair follicle goes through a continuous cycle of:-
1. Active growth
2. Transitional stage
3. Dormant or resting stage

During the 1st (growing) stage of development, the follicle is actively producing a hair and the pigment content within the follicle is at its highest level. This is the most responsive stage to treat unwanted hair. After a period of time, the follicle goes into a transitional stage where it begins to shrink and the hair starts to move up the follicle. Follicles treated at this stage will require further treatment but re-growth will be finer. The final phase is the dormant, resting stage where there is no hair present in the follicle, therefore no pigment. Treatment on these follicles will not work.

How many laser hair removal treatments will I need?

It is because of the hair growth cycle that more than one treatment will be necessary in order to achieve long term results. The number of laser hair removal sessions will vary between 8 to 12. This will also depend on the area of the body being treated.

During a course of Lumina treatment, it is anticipated that pigmented hairs will be reduced by up to 80% on a long term basis.

This versatile treatment is effective on a wide range of hair textures and colours and is suitable for the majority of skin types and colours. However, due to the nature of the treatment, i.e.: light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair; it is not possible to remove white/blonde hairs successfully. The colour of the hair must always be darker than the colour of the skin.

Are there any side effects with laser hair removal?

Mild hyper or hypo pigmentation may occur from time to time but this usually fades within a short period of time. It is essential that during a course of treatment, the skin is not exposed to sun light without the protection of a high factor sun screen. Small blisters rarely occur, but provided these are not interfered with, they will cause no adverse after effects.

What is Electrolysis?

The term electrolysis has come to be used for all types of hair removal by electrical means.

There are however, three main types of hair removal with electrolysis.
1. Short Wave Diathermy
2. Galvanic
3. Blend (a combination of Short Wave Diathermy and Galvanic)

The aim is to coagulate the base of the growing hair in order to cut off the blood supply and nutrition to the hair, preventing any new growth from developing. Short Wave Diathermy does this by heat and Galvanic creates a chemical reaction. Blend combines the two properties of each current. The type used will depend on the client’s skin type, the strength and density of the hair and the area to be treated.

How does the Lumina compare with Electrolysis?

The Lumina can cover a larger area during a treatment session, removing a far greater number of hairs in a single visit and laser hair removal treatments are recommended every 4 to 6 weeks. Electrolysis treatments need to be carried out on a more regular basis i.e.: weekly/fortnightly. With electrolysis, a fine sterile needle is inserted into the follicle and heat applied to the base to coagulate the cells which produce the new hair.

The hair is then lifted out with tweezers. Treatment sessions take 15 to 60 minutes per visit depending upon the extent of hair growth present and size of area to be treated. Appointments may be booked weekly or fortnightly with the length of time between treatments increasing as the problem improves.

How does the cost of Lumina compare with the cost of Electrolysis?

Short term Lumina is more expensive, however long term it is more cost effective.

Is everyone suitable for Lumina treatment?

There are few conditions where it would not be advisable to attend for treatment. i.e.: any one suffering from diabetes, epilepsy, during pregnancy or if you are receiving medication which is photo-sensitive. It is not possible to have treatment when there is an active tan present on the skin or after recent exposure to sunlight.

With this new technology, why is there still a need for Electrolysis?

Electrolysis has been around since 1865 and is still the only proven method of permanent hair removal. The Lumina is not suitable for everyone as it cannot treat white/blonde hairs, due to the lack of pigment in the hair. Also, for those clients who cannot have treatment due to medical reasons. Many clients may have a mixture of pigmented and non-pigmented hairs. Offering both electrolysis and the Lumina IPL system, each clients individual needs can be met. Electrolysis may be a slower alternative but is still reliable and safe.

Is permanent hair removal possible?

For more than 100 years, the only recognised method of truly permanent hair removal has been electrolysis. Over the last 2 centuries, machines and techniques have improved extensively to offer long term hair reduction.