Laser and light-based hair removal technologies offer some of the most cutting-edge methods of removal available today, effectively targeting pigment in hair follicles to decrease and prevent future growth while leaving surrounding skin undamaged.
Lasers rely on melanin detection in hair color-varying wavelengths in order to work. Unfortunately, not all colors of hair offer equal opportunities in this respect.
Red Hair
Modern laser technology works effectively on red hair. However, it requires specific wavelengths in order to bypass melanin-rich red locks and reach their respective follicles directly – furthermore it takes more treatments than darker colors to permanently reduce unwanted growth.
MeDioStar diode laser stands out in this respect: using intense pulsed light (IPL) to target and warm melanin in hair follicles before using radio frequency energy for additional growth-restrictive effects, it successfully targets and kills all stages of hair growth cycle – with results typically showing in as little as seven weeks.
While IPL and other light-based methods may work, they may cause side effects that are both uncomfortable and even painful, including redness, swelling, bumps and discoloration of both skin and hair. MeDioStar laser is safe for all Fitzpatrick skin types and hair colors – including those with tanned skin – and boasts Sapphire Touch cooling technology to make treatments more bearable.
As you go through a laser hair removal treatment, you may experience a mild to moderate sting as IPL or laser energy is applied to your skin and hair follicles. The discomfort typically lasts only seconds to minutes; many clients compare it to a rubber band snapping against their skin.
If you have sensitive skin, your provider will provide topical anesthetic and cool gel to minimize discomfort during treatment. As is normal with tanning sessions or laser settings that haven’t been tailored appropriately to meet the individual’s skin type needs, mild redness may occur post-procedure; this often happens with tanning applications or laser settings not properly set to accommodate for your specific type of skin tone.
Electrolysis has been used for more than 135 years to destroy individual hair follicles with heat, making this method effective against red or lighter tones of hair, though multiple sessions may be necessary and it takes much longer than newer laser technology in terms of speed – not to mention discomfort, especially for those with naturally ginger locks!
Blonde Hair
Laser hair removal is a safe, effective solution to eliminate unwanted facial or body hair. Treatment utilizes a laser machine emitting a pulsating beam of light that binds with melanin in hair follicles before being converted to heat energy to destroy them, effectively stopping future hair growth. Multiple sessions should be administered for best results.
Laser hair removal works best on darker hair and skin tones; however, it may still be effective for those with blonde or light brown locks. Blonde locks may prove more challenging to treat due to lack of pigmentation within their follicles which attract light energy; in these instances some lasers use topical dye that must be applied prior to treatment – though this solution has proven successful on some occasions, it isn’t as reliable as new generation diode laser technology.
Diode laser technology differs significantly from IPL in that it does not directly target melanin; rather it enters tissue to selectively heat melanin around hair follicles while sparing surrounding tissues – providing for safer treatment across skin types including those with tanned skin and integrated cooling to keep your treatment comfortable and safe.
At our clinic, the Eneka PRO laser system offers state-of-the-art diode laser technology. It offers large spot sizes, multiple wavelengths, and maximum peak power of 2100 watts for efficient treatment sessions that take less time overall. Plus, its built-in pulse cooling ensures your comfort and safety during treatments.
Before beginning laser hair removal sessions, it is vital that the treatment area be thoroughly shaved and that no self-tanner or spray products be applied; furthermore, waxing or threading must not take place within its borders.
Diode laser hair removal offers a long-term solution to hair removal; however, touch up sessions are required annually as hair grows in cycles with only some follicles active at any given point.
Grey/White Hair
Laser hair removal offers an effective, quick, and long-term solution to unwanted body hair. The procedure uses laser light beams to use laser energy on hair follicles responsible for hair growth to destroy them and delay or prevent future hair growth. Safe for most skin types, this treatment can remove unwanted hair from any part of the body; its effectiveness depends on factors like skin tone, hair color and thickness.
People with darker skin can find traditional methods of hair removal more challenging due to having higher melanin content, making them prone to burns and other side effects from laser technology. Luckily, there are lasers specifically tailored to treating people with dark skin such as the Eneka PRO from Lumenis which uses multiple spot sizes and wavelengths for treating all Fitzpatrick skin and hair colors while providing maximum patient comfort with its Sapphire Touch cooling system for ultimate patient safety and satisfaction.
Laser hair removal works by targeting pigments – skin and hair pigments which absorb light – with laser beams. When they hit melanin pigment, this heats up and damages hair follicles and stops further production of hair from that follicle. This process must be repeated multiple times over a set period to ensure all follicles have been damaged and cannot produce more hair growth.
Unfortunately, diode lasers do not work on white and gray hair due to lack of melanin targetted by their laser beam. If you have many white or grey hairs that cannot be destroyed effectively by other traditional means such as waxing or shaving alone, try traditional techniques instead; but these will likely not provide lasting solutions.
Diode laser treatment is considered one of the safest and most effective methods for all skin types; especially for people with darker skin tones and hair colors. Join our MeDioStar live webinar on December 14, 2020 to gain more insight into this advanced and innovative technology!
Dark Hair
Laser hair removal works by emitting light energy into the skin tissue to target melanin in hair follicles without impacting adjacent areas of skin, turning that energy into heat and damaging its ability to grow hair in future cycles. Through this process, shaving and waxing are no longer needed in order to maintain smooth skin.
At one time, people with darker hair had difficulty using laser hair removal devices because it was difficult to distinguish melanin from skin color during treatment – leading to burns and discoloration of their melanin. But thanks to diode laser technology, all skin colors (Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI) can now safely undergo laser hair removal without fear of complications.
With our Eneka PRO laser system, we have the power to treat darker hair and skin types more efficiently and precisely than older IPL machines. It features an advanced cooling system which keeps skin comfortable during procedures. Furthermore, numbing cream is available for added comfort during any discomfort-inducing processes.
Are laser treatments painful? That depends on your personal pain tolerance; most clients report feeling slight discomfort that resembles snapping of a rubber band against their skin, but this quickly goes away after applying our numbing cream for added comfort.
Laser hair removal requires multiple sessions for permanent results to take place, as its effects on active growth cycles of hair follicles must take hold before any resultant laser effects can take place. Upper body areas like face and underarms usually need at least eight treatments while legs and bikini lines usually only require up to four.
With proper laser hair removal sessions, you will be able to permanently eliminate unwanted body hair without ever needing shaving or waxing again. Please keep in mind, however, that regular touch up sessions with your technician will still be required in order to maintain permanent results.
