Laser Hair Removal FAQs – Laser Hair Treatment, Results Laser Clinic Sydney + Parramatta

How is unwanted hair treated?

Traditional treatments include shaving, plucking, waxing and depilatory creams. These methods only provide temporary fixes that are often inconvenient, messy and irritating for the skin. Electrolysis can have good results, but is time-consuming, sometimes painful and is useful only in removing hair in small areas. The Gentlelase laser and Multilux IPL light technology are rapidly changing hair removal treatment, providing gentle, non-invasive, long-lasting solutions to unwanted hair on any body area.

What happens during a Gentlelase Laser or Multilux IPL Hair Removal treatment?

Before each session begins, system settings are computer-customized according to skin colour and type and the area of the body being treated. Treatment begins by shaving or trimming away any hair above the surface of the skin and then conducting test spots to determine the patient's skin response to different device settings. Next, a cold gel (similar to ultrasound gel) is sometimes spread over the treatment area. This helps keep the skin cool and focus the light treatment. Patients wear special eyewear to protect the eyes from the bright light. The device handpiece is moved over the treatment area, while light-based energy is emitted in highly controlled flashes or pulses. This heats up the hair, significantly damaging the regrowth potential of the follicle. As part of the removal process, hair that is hidden under the skin during the treatment, will subsequently fall out over the next week or two.

How long do treatments last?

Sessions can vary from patient to patient, lasting from a few minutes to more than an hour, depending on the size of the area being treated. Typically a full face treatement will take between 20-30 minutes.

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments required depends on several factors related to specific skin types and colour, thickness and density of hair. Several treatments are necessary to achieve the best results. Your Results Laser Clinic consultant can provide an estimate of the necessary number of treatments.

How much time should there be allocated between sessions?

Hair begins to regrow following scheduled session. The timing for this can range from four to eight weeks, depending on hair type and the part of the body being treated. On average, appointments are scheduled four to six weeks apart.

Can all hair be treated?

Laser treatments have proven effective on a wide range of hair colours, from auburn to brown and dark black hair. Any hair with at least some pigment, can be treated. As a result, white and light blond hairs can not be effectively treated due to their lack of pigment.

What does the treatment feel like?

Most people respond to hair removal treatments very well. Discomfort is often described as a slight tingling or a pinch similar to the snap of a rubber band. Topical anesthesia can be used when treating particularly sensitive areas of the body.

Are there any possible side effects?

The appearance of the treated area immediately following hair removal treatments will vary from patient to patient depending on the extent of the procedure and skin type. Side effects, if any, are usually minor. There may be some redness and swelling around the treated hair follicles. Effectively, this is a desired clinical result indicating that the follicle has responded to treatment. This reaction typically disappears within hours. Most people return to normal activity right away. On rare occasions, some blistering may occur, but this typically resolves quickly. The skin can become darker or lighter following treatment, but will generally return to normal within a few weeks. Limiting sun exposure before and after each treatment will minimize the risk of complications.

What kind of results should I expect? Does this technology really remove hair long-term?

Yes. Scientific studies show that the use of targeted, light-based energy actually damages or destroys hair follicles at the cellular level. A permanent reduction in the number of regrowing hairs is usually achieved following each treatment.

Are these treatments FDA-cleared? Are they safe?

Yes, both the Gentlelase Laser System and the Multilux IPL [Intense Pulsed Light] System are FDA-cleared for the treatment of unwanted hair. The procedures have unparalleled safety records. Side effects are rare and generally well-tolerated.

How do these technologies differ?

Using the latest generation Alexandrite laser, the GentleLase Laser System operates at the optimal wavelength of light that is best absorbed by both the hair shaft and follicle while protecting the surface skin from heat damage. The GentleLase has been shown to be a successful method for permanent reduction of unwanted, unsightly hair. Numerous published studies in professional medical journals attest to the GentleLase system's safety and long-term effectiveness. The GentleLase system uses a revolutionary long-pulsed high energy alexandrite laser that emits a gentle beam of light which passes through the skin, directly to the hair follicle where the energy of the beam is absorbed. This energy pulse then heats the hair and damages the hair follicle without affecting surrounding skin, causing the hair to fall out and to not grow back for some length of time. After several treatments, permanent results will be visible as most hairs do not grow back.Unlike other hair removal tools, the GentleLase system also incorporates state of the art Dynamic Cooling Device technology where cryogen is sprayed onto the skin, which continuously cools the skin during treatment. This proprietary feature helps to:

- maximize the effectiveness of the treatment

- decrease skin damage

- minimize any discomfort

- allow for treatment of all skin types

In addition, the GentleLase system technology has proven effective on a wide range of hair colours, from auburn to brown and dark black hair. Most important, GentleLase systems successfully remove hair from all skin types — from porcelain white through olive to dark brown complexions, including tanned skin. Hair can be treated on any part of the body, no matter how deep the follicles may reside. Treatment of sensitive areas like the lips, ears, nose, underarms and bikini line can usually be tolerated easily.
Another key advantage is the GentleLase system's large treatment area, enabling the device to cover more area in substantially less time. In fact, approximately 100 - 200 hairs can be treated with each zap of the laser, so that large swaths of hair on the legs, back and chest can be treated quickly in a single session. At the same time, GentleLase can be very precisely focused, so that hair is eliminated from delicate places.

Multiple treatment sessions are typically required for permanent hair reduction. The success of GentleLase has been studied in numerous clinical trials, including hundreds of patients with a wide range of skin types and hair colours being treated and followed (in some cases) for several years.

This Multilux IPL (intense pulsed light)uses broadband technology to damage hair follicles for long-term hair removal. Unlike conventional laser systems, IPL’s differentiating factor is that it utilizes a broad light spectrum with a variety of wavelengths ranging from 590 to 1200 nm (green, yellow, orange, red and infrared). They also emit light energy in very carefully timed bursts to:

- maximize the effectiveness of the treatment

- decrease in potential for injury to the surrounding skin

- minimize patient discomfort

The Multilux IPL systems treat the hair by directing light energy through a light guide placed on the patient's skin. A thin layer of transparent gel covers the treatment area to focus the light energy and cool the top skin layer. The light energy heats and damages the hair follicle, typically causing the hair itself to fall out from the follicle. IPL system technology provides a procedure that is gentle and non-invasive, with nominal side effects.With its powerful, innovative software, IPL system treatment parameters can be selected by the consultant according to an individual's specific skin colour, hair colour and hair density. This major advantage allows the consultant to customise each individual treatment based on personal experience, as well as the unique attributes of the hair follicles.
As a result of this computer-generated precision, the IPL system has proven effective on a wide range of hair colours, from auburn to brown and dark black hair. Most important of all, the IPL system successfully removes hair from all skin types — from porcelain white through olive to dark brown complexions. In addition, IPL system technology enables the physician to efficiently remove hair from any part of the body, no matter how deep the follicles may reside. Treatment of sensitive areas like the lips, ears, nose, underarms and bikini line can usually be tolerated with minimal discomfort. Another IPL system advantage is its wide treatment area, enabling the device to treat patients rapidly. In fact, approximately 100 - 200 hairs can be treated with each flash of the light, so that large swaths of hair on the legs, back and chest can be treated quickly in a single session. Multiple treatment sessions are typically required for long-lasting hair removal. In a recent clinical study, researchers from Cornell and Duke Medical Centres reported an average hair loss of 64% at six months or more of follow-up after multiple treatments. Study results also confirmed that the IPL hair removal system uniquely achieves significant, long-lasting hair removal through selective cell destruction to hair follicles.

So what’s the main difference between the technologies and how does this benefit me?

The technologies differ in their wavelength colours that are emitted within each laser pulse. Whereas the GentleLase System emits a single concentrated light beam, the Multilux IPL System includes a variety of coloured wavelengths that work simultaneously to target the specific area being treated. Although this does not necessarily affect the patient, it provides Results Laser Clinic with a unique competitive advantage that allows us to assess which technology works more effectively on your body, thus ensuring that our individually tailored treatments allow optimum results for every patient.