Hair Removal using Broad Band Light
Hair Growth Phases
Hair revolves through three phases of growth: anagen, catagen and telogen It is only during the growing phase, anagen, that hair is sensitive to laser light. The goal in hair removal is for laser light to penetrate to the depth of the hair follicle and damage it during the nagen phase to achieve long-term results.
Anagen
The phase of the hair cycle during which synthesis of hair takes place. This is the active growing phase in which the hair bulb is intact. The hair grows in both directions, upward and downward. Early anagen is when the bulb is closest to the surface of the skin allowing for the most efficacious treatment. The time span for this phase is measured in months/years.
Catagen
Brief intermediate phase between anagen and telogen. During this phase, the body absorbs the lower third of the follicle. The time span for this phase is measured in weeks.
Telogen
This is the resting phase. The hair bulb is no longer present. It is now a club hair, which will fall out or be pushed out of the follicle by a new anagen growing hair. The time span for this phase is measured in weeks/months.
Patient Education (Expectations)
The Profile laser is used to reduce or eliminate unwanted hair. Patients must understand that results vary with each individual. Duration of hair growth cycles varies as to the body location being treated.
The laser can only eliminate the hair that is currently in an anagen growth cycle (table 2). Multiple treatments are necessary over a time span (6-8 week intervals) to remove hair from most areas.
Final results may not be apparent for several months post treatment.Suggested treatments and treatment intervals are
Lip 3 - 4 treatments at 6 - 8 week intervals
Face 3 - 4 treatments at 6 - 8 week intervals
Male Bikini Line 4 - 5 treatments at 6 - 8 week intervals
Under arm 4 - 5 treatments at 6 - 8 week intervals
Please note that once suggested treatment is reached, you may need to still continue to have treatments to keep you hair free.
Erythema/follicular oedema may be seen for 4 - 6 hours following the laser treatment. The treated hairs can take 7 - 14 days to exfoliate and may appear to be "growing" during this time.
Pre Treatment Procedure
For better results, patients are to avoid sun exposure, tanning beds and tanning creams for 2-3 weeks prior to treatment and throughout the course of their laser treatment. Sunless tanning lotions must also be avoided for 2-3 weeks prior to treatment.
Recent sun exposure may result in cancellation of the treatment.
You will be asked shave the treatment areas 24 hours prior to treatment.
This is to remove the overlying hair from the treatment site. Thick overlying hair (if not shaved) will absorb the laser energy and superficial thermal injury can occur as well as reducing the amount of energy absorbed by the hair follicle.
The Treatment
The Broad Band Light is passed over the area to be treated, cool gel is put on your skin, the sensation that you will feel from the light is like a rubber band snapping at your skin. You may smell some burning hair, this is normal.
