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COSMETIC MEDICINE<br />
PERMANENT<br />
HAIR REDUCTION<br />
The permanent hair reduction market in Australia has boomed over the past<br />
decade with a variety of light-based technologies offering safe and effective<br />
solutions to excess and unwanted hair. Laser/IPL treatments can eliminate<br />
unwanted hair from all over the body and face with a series of relatively easy<br />
treatments. Most laser and IPL technology is best suited to pigmented hair.<br />
Permanent hair reduction, when performed <strong>by</strong> a fully trained operator, offers<br />
both men and women several benefi ts compared with other hair removal options<br />
such as shaving and waxing. Clients generally notice the hair grows back less<br />
quickly and also fi ner with the added bonus that there are rarely spots, ingrown<br />
hairs or itchiness.<br />
Before considering permanent hair reduction, consumers need to be aware<br />
that lasers and IPL machines are medical equipment. First and foremost, clients<br />
considering hair removal should visit a qualifi ed and skilled operator who knows<br />
what they are doing to avoid unnecessary complications.<br />
LASER<br />
Laser light is different to normal light for many reasons: it travels in a synchronised<br />
fashion; retains its intensity over a long distance; is monochromatic (of the same<br />
wavelength or colour); and can be pulsed.<br />
The principle behind lasers is light absorption <strong>by</strong> targets that selectively absorb<br />
pulses of radiation. Selective absorption means hair follicles are destroyed but<br />
the skin is left undamaged. The same as a black car will be hotter than a white<br />
car because it absorbs more wavelengths of light, certain target tissues will<br />
absorb certain wavelengths of light more effectively. In the case of hair removal,<br />
the target is the pigment, or melanin, in the hair follicle that colours the hair.<br />
Effectiveness is limited if there is no pigment – for example light blonde,<br />
white or grey hair. Second, in the telogen growth phase, the hair bulbs are unpigmented<br />
and therefore do not absorb light. The early anagen phase is the best<br />
stage to maximise responsiveness to laser and light treatment. Two or three<br />
days before treatment you need to either shave or use hair removal cream over<br />
the area to be treated. No sun, solarium or fake tan should be used two weeks<br />
before your treatment or superfi cial burning or pigmentation may occur.<br />
Laser hair removal has been described as being similar to a small rubber<br />
30 // DR EDDIE ROOS WWW.COSMETICELEGANCE.COM.AU
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