We use two types of equipment for laser hair reduction, a Softlight™ laser and an Ellipse™ IPL machine.
Here are the answers to the most popular questions questions we get asked about IPL and laser hair reduction. If you have any further questions, please give us a call or, even better, book a free consultation.
A hair follicle is a tiny sac which is responsible for the production of an individual hair. The root of the hair is anchored in the follicle and the (usually fairly painful) process of waxing, threading or plucking rips the hair out of the follicle. Removing the hair in this way does not destroy or disable the follicle, so these methods of hair removal only have a temporary effect.
Laser hair removal techniques, in common with electrolysis, target the hair follicle itself. The aim is to destroy or damage the hair follicle so that it stops producing hair growth.
Laser and IPL treatments both work by using light energy to heat up the root of the hair so that the hair follicle is damaged or disabled.
Our ndYAG laser works with an activation lotion which is applied to the treatment area to penetrate the hair follicles. The energy from our IPL machine is absorbed by the naturally occurring melanin which gives your hair its distinctive colour. White or fair hair contains very little pigment so it is not possible to successfully treat very light coloured hair.
No anaesthetic is required. Most people describe the sensation as moderate, rather like the snapping of an elastic band against the skin.
All laser and IPL machines are high powered devices. It is therefore vital that they are used by appropriately qualified and experienced operators in a controlled environment.
Until recently, use of lasers and IPL machines was regulated by the Care Quality Commission, the government organisation which inspects private and NHS hospitals. We have been inspected and approved by the Care Quality Commission.
The inspection and regulation of laser and IPL treatments is now overseen by the local authority. We have a Special Treatments Licence covering our provision of laser and IPL services.
ndYAG lasers, like the Softlight machine we use, have been used for over ten years. The Softlight laser system has been used to treat thousands of people with positive results.
Clinical trials on the Ellipse IPL machines have been carried out over a number of years by leading doctors prior to the release of the equipment. The results of these clinical trials have been published in respected medical journals.
These treatments target hairs that are in the growth phase. Growth cycles vary from person to person and are affected by many factors including hair density, ethnicity, hormone levels and age. At any one time, approximately one third of hairs are in the growth phase.
Normally three to six treatments are required spaced approximately six weeks apart.
The cost of IPL and laser treatment is based on the area to be treated and the hair growth involved. For some standard areas, we have listed prices below.
The best course of action is to take advantage of our free consultation to discuss your exact requirements with one of our experienced therapists. This allows us to assess the areas to be treated and provide advice about all your treatment options.
Laser or IPL does not suit everybody and may not be the best solution for the management of your hair growth. We may suggest different treatments such as electrolysis or indeed, no treatment at all.
The costs for some 'standard' and easy to define areas are listed below.
It is not possible to guarantee permanent removal of all hairs using laser or IPL treatments. Treatment will remove the hair, but it will not remove the reason for the hair growth in the first place. Hair management or hair reduction are terms that would be better used to describe the process.
Following the first treatment, most people experience a significant reduction in hair growth. Any hairs that regrow are finer and lighter in colour.
Serious side effects are extremely unusual.
Occasionally erythema or redness may occur following these treatments. Very rarely, hyper or hypo-pigmentation may occur. This is where the skin gets darker or lighter than normal.
Further side effects of Softlight / ndYAG lasers may very rarely, include blisters, light burns or bruises, yellow spots or welts.
A patch test is required 7 to 10 days before any treatment is started to assess how your skin reacts to the proposed treatments.