LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Unfortunately, not all hair types can be treated equally effectively with a diode laser:

• The diode laser is particularly effective for removing dark, coarse hairs because these hairs contain a high amount of melanin (pigment). Melanin absorbs the laser light, which damages the hair follicles and reduces hair growth.
• However, white, gray, blonde, and fine hairs have little to no pigment. This makes it difficult for the laser to detect these hairs and absorb enough energy to damage the hair follicle. Therefore, these hairs are much less suitable for laser hair removal and will not yield optimal results.

Pain varies from person to person, but diode laser hair removal is usually experienced as painless:

• due to the use of a cooled tip (head) and cooling gel
• because the treatment at our clinic is gradually built up in continuous interaction with the patient, allowing the intensity to be adjusted based on comfort.

Some areas, such as the upper lip, may be slightly more sensitive.

In contrast, traditional hair removal methods (epilation, waxing,…) and IPL (flash lamps) are often experienced as much more painful.

Laser hair removal is permanent (the treated hair follicle is gone forever), but this does not prevent new hairs from growing.
This can occur, for example, during periods of hormonal changes (pregnancy, etc.).

Shaving is the only allowed additional hair removal method during laser treatment.

You should not wax or epilate, including the thread method, during your laser treatment, as this also removes the hair roots. Without hair roots, the laser cannot effectively treat the hair follicle.

After a laser treatment, the hairs usually start to fall out within 2 to 3 weeks, so you will notice that additional hair removal may be needed less frequently as you undergo more treatments.

To prepare well for a laser hair removal treatment, you can follow these steps:

• Shaving: Make sure the area to be treated is shaved about 2 days in advance.
• No waxing or epilating: It’s best to avoid these hair removal methods from 6 to 8 weeks before the laser treatment and throughout the entire treatment process.
• Do not use lotions or deodorants on the day of the treatment.
• Sun exposure (including tanning beds): Proper protection is required to avoid pigment spots.

Traditional hair removal methods, such as epilation and waxing, are:

• painful
• do not provide permanent hair removal
• often cause ingrown hairs and skin irritation.

Hair removal with flash lamps (IPL systems) is sometimes mistakenly referred to as laser treatment. IPL uses intense light with different wavelengths, meaning that:

• more treatments are often required because deeper hair follicles are difficult to reach
• it is often more painful because it usually doesn’t use a cooled tip.

The safety of the diode laser has been extensively scientifically researched and proven. The device is widely recognized as the gold standard for permanent hair removal. Various medical and aesthetic journals have declared the diode laser as the best method for hair reduction.

Here are some key points about the safety and reliability of the diode laser:

• FDA Approval: The diode laser is the only laser method approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for permanent hair reduction. This means it has been tested for safety and effectiveness for all skin types, including tanned and darker skin types.
• Long-term safety: The diode laser has a proven track record with over 30 years of data on safety and effectiveness. This is longer than IPL systems, which have only been on the market since the 1990s.
• Consistent quality: The quality of the diode laser remains constant, as the technology is stable during use. Unlike IPL systems, whose effectiveness may vary depending on the condition of the lamps (new versus worn-out lamps), the diode laser offers a more reliable result.