Hair Removal
Men and women with unwanted hair in any site can be safely and effectively treated with the latest laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL™) systems. We can customise your treatment according to the colour and texture of your hair, and the area of the body to be treated.
Procedure
The aim of the treatment is to destroy the hair follicle without damaging the surrounding tissue. This is done by heating the follicle to a destructive temperature. First you will be given a skin test. This involves testing a small area of skin to see how it responds. Generally patients are seen a week later to assess the effect on the skin, and this can be used as a guide to optimise treatment.
If you are having laser treatment, you will be asked to shave the area prior to treatment. For IPL treatment, trimming of the hair to a few millimetres is adequate. You will be given darkened glasses to wear to protect your eyes from the light. Cool gel will be applied to the area to be treated, and the doctor will then work systematically over the area with the hand piece. There may be a slight smell of burning, but this is quite normal. Treatments can last from a few minutes to an hour or more, depending on the size of the area to be treated.
Advantages
Larger areas can be treated by these methods, rather than by electrolysis or tweezing. It is effective in almost any area of the body where smoother, hairfree skin is desired. Hair regrowth should be finer, sparser and lighter in colour.
Side effects
The area treated will look red and feel hot. The hair follicles may appear swollen, but this is normal. Care should be taken to prevent trauma to the affected area for 4-5 days following treatment. If the skin is broken or a blister appears, an antibiotic ointment can be applied. Rarely, very dark skin may lighten following treatment, and skin that is tanned may burn.
Treatment programme
The number of treatments required depends on the area you wish to have treated, your skin type and your hair's growth cycle. Treatment continues until the hair is gone, and several treatments are often necessary.
