TL;DR:
- Laser hair removal offers permanent hair removal for all body parts, popular for men and women.
- Advantages: eliminates ingrown hairs, reduces irritation, saves time/money, reduces excessive sweating, and improves hygiene.
- Indications: frequent irritation, ingrown hairs, visible dark hair post-shaving, aesthetic/practical purposes.
- Preparation: avoid tanning, certain meds (e.g., photosensitizing drugs), moisture skin, shave gently before the procedure.
- Procedure: uses light to destroy hair follicles in the growth phase; multiple sessions needed for full results.
- Types of lasers: Diode (most efficient), Alexandrite (shallow penetration), Neodymium-YAG (rare, painful).
- Vectus diode laser: FDA-approved, features cooling, melanin-sensing, photon recycling, works for light/dark hair.
- Post-treatment: avoid sun exposure, acids, saunas; use sunscreen; shaving allowed, no plucking.
Ever since the first lasers designed for laser hair removal appeared on the market, this treatment has become one of the most frequently performed in most beauty salons. It became a cure for many problems and made daily life more pleasant for a huge number of people. Despite the fact that lasers at the time were not perfect, the procedure was widely recommended. Nowadays, there has been a huge development in technology, relative to the first hair removal devices, and you can enjoy many additional options such as self-selection of parameters or a smart skin cooling system. Find out all there is to know about laser hair removal and which laser is worth choosing for it.
What does laser hair removal consist of?
Laser hair removal is a procedure that allows permanent hair removal from any part of the body or face. Patients most often choose to have it performed on the mustache, armpits, intimate areas or legs. Depilation of the chest, abdomen, buttocks and ears is also common. It is opted for by both men and women, because it allows you to permanently forget about other methods of getting rid of unwanted hair. During laser hair removal, a device emitting a specific length of light beam is applied to the skin, which allows for very precise action, avoiding side effects and guaranteeing smooth skin.
Advantages of laser hair removal
The main advantage of laser hair removal is that it works permanently, while other hair removal methods guarantee only a temporary effect – from one to several days. As a result, you're always ready to go to the beach, the gym or away for the weekend. Laser depilation is also an ideal solution for people struggling with sensitive skin. Although your skin may be mildly red for the first few days after treatment, this is only a temporary effect. After shaving with a razor or other types of hair removal, irritation and pimples often appear on sensitive skin. With laser hair removal treatments, you can also forget about the problem of ingrown hairs and folliculitis. It makes it easier to maintain proper hygiene and at least partially reduces problems with excessive sweating. Those who have benefited from laser treatment no longer incur the costs associated with buying razors, shaving foams or hair removal creams and patches. They also save the time it takes to remove hair at home.
Indications for the procedure
Indications for laser hair removal include frequent skin irritation associated with shaving, the appearance of pimples and ingrown hairs. People with dark hair, which is still visible even after shaving it off, will also be very satisfied with the procedure. Laser hair removal can often be a lifesaver for women who have a thick and dark mustache and don't want it to be noticeable during daily activities. The primary, most frequently cited indication for the procedure is aesthetic and practical reasons, related to saving time and money.
Preparation for the procedure
Proper preparation for the laser hair removal procedure is incredibly important. It will help avoid potential complications and painful conditions. Before the laser hair removal treatment you should not use photosensitizing drugs, blood clotting disruptors and retinoids. You should also refrain from tanning and applying self-tanners. Four weeks before your appointment, you need to abandon classic skin hair removal and other methods of pulling out hair. Two weeks before the procedure, it is advisable to moisturize the skin intensively to reduce the risk of skin irritation on the day of the visit. Do not take antibiotics during this period, and discontinue supplements containing St. John's wort and calendula. The day before the procedure, you should gently shave your hair and no longer apply any cosmetics such as lotions or deodorants to your skin.
Photosensitizing medications, that is, what kind of medications?
Photosensitizing drugs are those that, when combined with the sun or a laser beam during laser hair removal, can cause an adverse skin reaction. Although, it does not necessarily occur in everyone, and its severity can vary, it is imperative to discontinue such medications prior to treatment. Failure to do so can result in skin burns, brown, gray, blue or even black discoloration and the formation of pimples and papules of varying severity. Photosensitizing drugs include:
- tricyclic antidepressants – used for affective or anxiety disorders such as neurosis and depression. Examples of such drugs include sertaline or clomipramine.
- Sedative and anti-emetic drugs – used for anxiety disorders, neurosis and motion sickness such as chlorpromazine and promazine.
- Diuretics and drugs used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases – used in cardiovascular diseases and the treatment of kidney disorders. These include furosemide, losartan and pravastatin, among others.
- Antihistamines – administered for a variety of allergies, e.g. hydroxyzine, loratadine.
- antibiotics and antifungals – used for bacterial and fungal infections, e.g. demeclocycline, tetracycline, griseofulvin.
What before the procedure?
Laser hair removal treatment always begins with a consultation to detect and eliminate any possible contraindications to the procedure. If there are none, the patient, after appropriate preparation, reports for an appointment. People with extremely sensitive skin may benefit from an anesthetic ointment, but this is usually not necessary.
How does laser hair removal proceed?
The person performing the procedure applies a laser head of the appropriate size to the skin from which hair is to be removed. After selecting the appropriate parameters of the device, it performs so-called shots, that is, emits a beam of light, which, absorbed by the melanin contained in the hair, is converted into thermal energy. This allows the permanent removal of any hair in the growth phase, along with the hair follicle, so that the hair does not grow back. The head is moved gradually over the skin to cover every part of the area to be depilated. Depilation takes anywhere from a few/ten to several minutes, depending on the area being treated.
Why should a series of treatments be performed?
Although the results are already visible after the first treatment, depilatory lasers only affect hair in the growth phase. Since hairs on the body grow at different rates, it is impossible for all of them to be in the same phase at the same time. Hairs in two of the three phases (catagen and telogen) are weaker and do not absorb enough of the beam, so their roots may retain the ability to grow again. **Doing a series of treatments will get rid of all unwanted hair permanently. After laser hair removal is completed, it is a good idea to perform it once a year as a booster treatment so that the hair does not grow back again.
Types of lasers for hair removal
Laser is most commonly found in beauty salons:
- diodine – currently the most common due to its incredible efficiency, the possibility of deep penetration of waves and efficient hair removal. Allows you to remove hair on light and slightly darker complexions.
- Alexandrite – emits a shorter wavelength that penetrates more shallowly than a diode laser. It is safe to use, and treatments using it are not painful.
- neodymium- yag – an extremely powerful laser, whose wave penetrates very deeply into the skin. It is used very rarely, because treatments with its use are associated with great pain.
Vectus diode laser
Diode laser treatments are called the most efficient, effective and pleasant for people with the phototype characteristic of Polish residents. The Laser emits a beam of light evenly, so it can successfully remove hair, but without causing skin irritation. A unique advantage of the Vectus laser is that hair removal with it is virtually painless, as the laser has a built-in skin cooling system.
The laser is also equipped with an intelligent system that reads melanin levels, called SkinTel. It independently selects the most favorable treatment parameters to remove hair with the gentlest possible light beam. The Vectus device comes with two types of handpieces – smaller and larger. They can easily be adjusted to the extent of the area to be treated. As a result, a treatment covering even a large part of the body will go quickly and smoothly.
About the Vectus laser
The Vectus laser emits a light beam with a frequency of 810 nm. Since it is equipped with a special reader, it can independently read not only the melanin level, but also the skin phototype and thickness of the hair to be removed. The Laser is also equipped with a special type of Photon RecyclingSM head, which uses light twice, relative to a regular laser. As a result, once the first beam of light is activated, it is reflected by small mirrors placed in the head and reused. Since the Vectus laser is the most modern device on the market today, by using it, the number of treatments required can be reduced. The Vectus device has received FDA certification, which attests to its superior quality and safety of use.
Can light hair be removed with the Vectus laser as well?
Although, laser hair removal treatments are said to work best on people with fair skin and dark hair, nothing prevents laser hair removal from also being performed on people who have darker skin or light hair. Such a procedure is carried out without the slightest problems, choosing a slightly higher laser power, which you do not need to be afraid of. Both the laser and the person performing the procedure control the entire process and prevent skin burns. Occasionally, more treatments may be necessary for extremely light hair than for dark hair. Ultimately, however, the treatment results will be the same.
Recommendations after laser hair removal treatment.
Vectus laser treatments are the safest, painless and do not generate the risk of burns, but following post-treatment recommendations is just as important as with standard laser hair removal. **You should not sunbathe after the procedure, and you should lubricate your skin with UVA/UVB sunscreen before leaving the house each time. It will also be a bad idea to exfoliate the skin and use cosmetics with acids, use saunas and swimming pools. No plucking of hair is allowed between treatments, and the recommendations are virtually the same as before the first epilation. Hair can be shaved or trimmed if it becomes problematic
Conclusion
Laser hair removal has transformed the way we deal with unwanted hair. It offers lasting results, smoother skin, and eliminates the hassle of shaving or waxing. With advancements like the Vectus diode laser, treatments are now faster, safer, and nearly painless. The key to success is proper preparation, following guidelines, and committing to a treatment series. Whether it's for convenience, aesthetics, or sensitive skin, laser hair removal is a proven solution. Choose the right laser and clinic, and you can enjoy permanent hair reduction and a worry-free routine.
