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Laser Hair Removal – All You Need to Know

Hair growth in unwanted places has been a major concern for most people. In the earlier days people used to use extreme measures like plucking each hair, using a clam and so on. But thanks to modern technology hair removal is no longer so painful. There are several ways to get rid of unwanted hair like waxing, bleaching, shaving and so one. But these methods do not provide a solution for permanent hair removal or reduction. That’s where laser is a boon. Laser hair removal is a treatment which promises permanent hair reduction or removal and is less painful than any other hair removal method.
How does it work?

The hair growth has three phases, the anagen phase, catagen phase and the telogen phase. The laser hair removal works laser hair removal works by targeting the hair follicle in the anagen phase.

The laser light targets the melanin in your body and disables follicle. The laser hair machine aims a beam of light at the hair follicle. Melanin in the skin absorbs the light and disables the hair follicle. The laser hair treatment can be used anywhere on your body like the face, leg, arm and so on.

Types of Lasers used for Hair Removal

Intense Pulsed Light/ BBL Laser: it is suitable to treat the fine hair.

YAG Laser: It is suitable for people with dark skin or tanned skin.

Ruby Laser: It is suitable for people with light to medium toned skin.

Preparing for Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a treatment which requires a skilled specialist and has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Before choosing a salon or doctor for the treatment make sure to check the credentials for the same
If you are using an at home IPL machine make sure you do a patch test and ask your doctor if you can use the machine if you are on medication.
Let your hair grow for at least 6 weeks. Try not to pluck, wax or epilate your hair as this will remove the hair root and make laser ineffective.
Avoid sun exposure during, before and after getting the laser treatment. Make sure you apply SPF before stepping out in the sun.
Make sure you do a patch test for the laser treatment as well.
Consult your doctor before opting for laser treatment and avoid taking any photosensitive drugs before the treatment
Apply aloe vera gel or to the treated area to reduce redness or swelling and heal the skin.
Avoid scratching the treated area and using cosmetics on it.
Make sure you protect your eyes as there are chances of eye injuries during laser treatment.

Cost

The cost of getting a laser treatment is one of the major factors people consider when opting for the treatment. If you are investing in something you expect to see results. The cost of a laser hair removal in london or anywhere for that matter of fact is based on several factors. But it the cost of getting a treatment for a small area starts from £ 50 and for large areas like the hands, back or legs starts from £150. The cost of the treatment is based on the type of laser you are opting for, the number of sessions required, the salon or doctor credentials and so on.

Pros

No more waxing, shaving, bleaching or anything, as laser hair treatment gets rid of unwanted hair. Since the hair follicles are disabled laser gets rid of hair permanently most of the time.
Laser Treatment is more long lasting than any other hair removal technique.
Home IPL machines are user friendly and cheaper to use when compared to going to a salon for laser treatment.
Laser treatment can be used for getting rid of hair from all parts of the body.
Laser is less painful when compared to threading, epilating or waxing.
In case you experience hair re-growth, the growth will be less dense and thick when compared to before getting the treatment.
If you are getting laser treatment at a solon which has skilled professionals then the treatment is usually accurate, faster, and safer.
A skilled professional will advice the best treatment based on your skin type. This makes the laser hair removal treatment more effective and there are lower chances of you getting an infection.
Smooth hair free skin. You don’t have to worry about going to the parlor or using any DIY techniques for hair removal.

Cons

The cost of getting a laser hair removal treatment is usually high. The cost of getting a treatment for a small area starts from £ 50 and for large areas like the hands, back or legs starts from £150. The cost differs from place to place and is based on the type of treatment you are looking for.
The effectiveness of laser depends on your skin type and hair type. If you have dense hair then there are chances of experiencing some re-growth.
One of the side effects which can be experience is skin burn as laser removes hair by burning the hair.
There are also chances of hypopigmentation, which means that there are chances of skin darkening or hyperpigmentation which means that there are chances of lightening of skin.
Multiple sessions: For a long term effect one has to go for multiple sessions and complete the course of the treatment. The duration of the session is based on the area being covered.
Laser hair removal treatment is not suitable for all people. It does not work for people with blonde, red or gray hair.
Laser hair removal treatment is also not effective for people with dark skin.
Laser hair treatment does not guarantee permanent hair removal and cannot prevent growth of new hair follicles.
You might experience some stinging, redness or itching.

Here is a video from Pulse Light Clinic, giving you some more details on the Laser Hair Removal.

To get the best results, consult an expert go for a treatment which is most suitable for your skin type.

SmoothSkin Gold IPL Permanent Hair Reduction Review

Hair grooming has been a part of the beauty regime for ages. People have been using drastic rituals to get smooth hairless skin. Thanks to technology we don’t have to go through any of those. Recently, I talked about at home IPL machines vs. professional laser hair reduction solutions and since then I have been doing a little experimentation and went on to try a home IPL machines.
I have been using the SmoothSkin Gold IPL device and currently am on my fourth session. Read on if you want to know my thoughts about the product.
There are a million techniques you can adopt for hair removal like laser, waxing, epilators and IPL is one of them. So far, I feel that using an at home IPL device is a cost effective and painless way for hair removal or hair reduction. There are a lot of IPL devices available in the market and I chose to go for SmoothSkin Gold due to the features it had. SmoothSkin Gold is a hand held device with an automatic skin tone selection feature which supports the skin tone from 1 -5. The speed time between the shots is 0.9 to 1.9 seconds and the device has a lamp life time of 200,000 and 300,000 flashes.

It is one of the most powerful devices currently available in the market. The key features of the product are that it has two modes, the glide mode and the stamp treatment mode. The glide mode is to cover small areas like the upper lip, chin or side locks, whereas, the stamp treatment mode is for covering large areas like the hands, legs or bikini line. The product is safe to use on the face and also has a gentle mode for those with sensitive skin. It is simple and effective and does not need any type of gel for hair removal.

How does SmoothSkin Gold work:

The light energy transmitted through the device is absorbed by the melanin in the hair follicle disabling it and preventing and further growth.
Treated hair falls out over the course of 1-2 weeks.

How to use SmoothSkin Gold:

Prepare your skin by shaving any visible hair on the area you want to treat.
Plug in the device in a power source and press the power button to start the device.
The device is ready once the power light turns white.
Place the device firmly on the area you want to treat.
The power bars on the side indicate your skin tone and the device customizes appropriate settings.
Press the activation button once you are ready.

Since the device has two treatment modes if you are using the glide mode:

Keep the activation button pressed continuously and move or glide over the area you want to treat.

If you are using the stamp mode:

Press and flash the activation button.
Move on to the next area when done.

Usually the results are visible in about 3 sittings but it really depends on your skin and hair type and tone. Currently I am on my 4th session for some parts and can see visible difference. Each flash gives a warm sensation on your skin and is completely painless. For best results, the device and routine is recommended for 2-3 months.Tips for better results:

Exfoliate your skin to have an effective treatment. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin and allows for better light absorption.
Keep your skin hydrated and moisturize it daily.
Use the correct treatment mode. For tricky or small areas like the underarm or the face use the stamp mode. For large areas like the legs use the glide mode. When using the glide mode ensure you use a steady pace to make sure you don’t miss any spots.
The best part about using an at home IPL device is that you can control the settings. If you are not comfortable with the settings then use the Gentle Mode until you are ready. The gentle reduces the power output.
Before using any IPL machine or treatment for hair removal make sure you do a patch test to see how your skin reacts to it.
Keep the device in a pouch free from dirt and clean it regularly to get rid of any hair.
The Reflector should be cleaned after every treatment with a lightly damp cloth. Make sure the part is dry before re-fitting it.
Do not use water to clean the device.
Use SPF cream after treatment since your skin is sensitive.

Pros

Automatic skin detection technology which customizes the treatment for you.
Cost effective method for permanent hair removal when compared to salon treatments.
Easy to use, mess free and painless method for hair reduction.
Dual Treatment mode: Stamp and glide mode.
Gentle treatment mode for sensitive skin
Safe to use on face
No need for cartridges.

Cons

Takes a bit longer and you have to do the hard work
For best results the treatment is supposed to be carried out for 12 weeks or 3 months.
The device is not safe for very dark skin.
The device is not suitable for people with grey, white or red hair, as these hair types don’t have much pigment in the hair follicle to absorb the light, so it doesn’t work as well
Results vary based on skin and hair type.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Price: £299.00 for 200,000 flashes.

I would recommend SmoothSkin Gold if you are looking for a cost effective at home IPL Machine for permanent hair removal. But before using any hair removal or reduction technique make sure you consult a doctor if you are taking any medications and do a patch test. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Have you tried any IPL machines at home? If so then, let me know your reviews in the comments section below.

Home IPL Machines vs. Laser Treatment – All You Need to Know

Hair growth in unwanted places has been a problem faced by both men and women. To address the same issue there are many safe and effective methods for hair removal including shaving, waxing, epilating, laser, electrolysis and so on. Each method of hair removal has its own pros and cons. For example, electrolysis is a permanent hair removal method but is painful and time consuming. Professional laser treatments and at home IPL machines is an alternative treatment which helps in hair reduction.

So today I am going to be focusing on 2 modern hair removal methods i.e. Professional laser treatments vs. At home IPL machines.

At Home IPL Machines

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. In the past few years it has become one of the most popular techniques for removing body hair. One of the major reasons it is so widely accepted is that it is faster and more affordable than other methods. IPL hair removal treatment uses light which destroys the hair follicle after which the melanin is broken down. This helps achieve permanent hair reduction, i.e. one can expect some amount of re-growth. Due to the popularity of the treatment even home use systems are available, which are a lot smaller and are designed specifically for hair removal. They are widely available in shops at a number of large pharmacies, as well as online.

PROS

Affordable: Buying the at home IPL machine is way cheaper than getting a laser treatment and is usually a onetime investment. However, depending on the type of machine you may have to invest in replacement of certain parts like bulbs.
Convenient: You can go at your own pace, whenever you want and wherever you want.
Flexibility: As soon as your hair starts growing back, you can treat them straight away instead of having to wait for your appointment at a salon. Many devices also offer flexibility in terms of different features.
Privacy: If you are someone who is conscious about your body then using a at home IPL machine is perfect for you.
You regulate the pain: if your device has flexibility in terms of how strong do you want the light to be then you can adjust it as per the results you want. The weaker settings will be less effective at removing hair, but it’s ideal for people have a low pain threshold. You can switch the light settings to a stronger setting at any point if you feel ready.

CONS

Cost of replacement parts: Some at home IPL machines come with bulbs which need to be replaced frequently. These replacements parts are expensive.
Skin Type – Most suitable for people with light skin and dark hair. IPL treatment takes a longer on dark skin to work as the melanin in the skin absorbs some of the light and making it less effective.
Usage: Some body parts that you may want to treat may be difficult to reach. Thus you may need someone else to help even with a home IPL machine.
To achieve the desired result one needs to do a number of regular sessions.
Time consuming: Procedure needs to be repeated as hair growth is uneven and one may be slower when performing the treatment on you.
Lack of professional assistance: A professional or expert at IPL will be able to give better results, give advice and take care of any problems which may occur.
Side effects like itching, swelling or burns may occur. Hence it is always advisable to go for a patch test before.

Salon Laser

Laser treatment for hair removal is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the world. What happens in a laser treatment? Highly concentrated light is beamed into hair follicles to achieve hair reduction. Pigment in the hair follicles absorbs the light which destroys the hair. Lasers can be used for removing unwanted hair from the face, arm, leg, underarm, back, bikini line, and other parts.

PROS

Larger areas can be covered quickly and getting professional laser is an efficient method for hair reduction.
It is generally safer than at home IPL machines since the treatment is carried out by qualified professional
Suitable for all skin types
For permanent hair removal electrolysis is a better option, but professional laser treatment can achieve permanent hair reduction.
When compared to waxing or any other hair removal technique, professional laser requires less number of treatments.

CONS

Professional laser is more expensive than at home IPL machine and one needs to be ready for a big financial commitment.
Since hair growth it uneven, one need to go for multiple sittings and one needs to make prior appointments for the same.
Usually laser hurts somewhere between an elastic sting and a moderate burn, but it really depends on ones pain threshold. But since it is higher intensity, it can be more painful.
Does not work on blonde or grey hair as they laser cannot sense pigment in hair follicle.
Side effects like itching, swelling, discoloration or burns may occur. Hence it is always advisable to go for a patch test before.

Both salon laser hair removal and at home IPL machines can achieve hair reduction and each has its own merits and demerits. It is ultimately your choice by weighing the pros and cons of both the options. Salon treatment would be safer, quicker and long lasting, whereas, at home treatments would be cheaper, convenient and provide more flexibility.