Aesthetic Laser Care utilizes the LightSheer diode laser to target the pigment located in hair follicles. Flashes of laser light cause thermal injury to the targeted hair follicle, causing the unwanted hair to fall out, while avoiding damage to the normal surrounding tissue. The laser offers a cooling device that automatically cools on contact to protect the skin while directing the laser energy to the hair follicle. For optimal results, Aesthetic Laser Care recommends a series of 3 to 6 treatments four to twelve weeks apart (depending on the area being treated).

FAQs

Hair Removal With The LightSheer™ Diode Laser

The LightSheer laser system from Lumenis is considered the gold standard for permanent hair reduction. Aesthetic Laser Care uses the Lumenis’ LightSheer diode laser to remove unwanted hair faster, with less discomfort and more reliably than any other method.


Understanding Hair Removal

Hair grows in cycles, and many factors influence its growth. Age, ethnicity, medications, hormone levels, and body site all influence the length, coarseness, and colour of body hair. How much hair you have depends on how many hairs are in their active growth cycle and how long that cycle lasts. Hair revolves through three phases of growth: anagen, catagen, and telogen.







Anagen 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, and contains an abundance of melanin (pigment) allowing for the most effective treatment.

Catagen is a brief intermediate phase between anagen and telogen. It is the regression phase when the lower part of the hair stops growing but is not shed, and the body absorbs the lower third of the follicle.

Telogen is the resting phase. The hair bulb is no longer present, and is now a club hair, which will fall out, or be pushed out of the follicle by a new anagen growing hair.

How LightSheer works:

A laser produces a beam of highly concentrated light. The light emitted by the LightSheer diode laser is well absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair follicles (fig. 1). Prior to the procedure, the treatment area is shaved (fig. 2). During the procedure the upper layer of the skin is compressed and cooled with the patented ChillTipTM (fig. 3). This procedure protects skin and makes the procedure more effective. The laser pulses for a fraction of a second, just long enough to heat up the hair and destroy the follicle's ability to re-grow (fig. 4). The result: permanent hair reduction in the treated area.

What are the Advantages of the LightSheer System?

There are three main advantages to the LightSheer hair removal technology: comfort, safety and reliability. The LightSheer has a patented contact-cooling handpiece (ChillTipTM) that helps to cool the skin and reduce pain and burning at the treatment site. Though no procedure is pain-free, most clients are able to tolerate the procedure without having to use topical anesthetics. Finally, the LightSheer is a precise instrument that can be adjusted to the exact parameters that will disable only the hair follicle while minimally affecting the surrounding tissue and epidermis.

Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?

Yes. The LightSheer was developed from years of research at the Massachusetts General Hospital's Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine, one of the world's leading research institutions. The laser parameters were carefully designed to inhibit the regrowth of hair by studying the anatomy of the hair follicle and precisely matching the laser output to the size, depth and location of hair follicles. The actively cooled sapphire hand piece was designed to conduct heat away form the skin before, during and after each pulse.

Eye protection is required during treatment.

Though no evidence exists to show that laser hair removal is dangerous during pregnancy, Aesthetic Laser Care will not treat you if you're pregnant.

People treated commonly experience reddening of the skin, follicular swelling and histamine/hive reactions. Most skin reactions resolve within 1 to 2 hours but can last for up to one to two days following treatment. Other temporary adverse side effects like hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) and hypopigmentaion (lightening of the skin) are possible but less common. You can lower your risk of pigmentation changes by following the pre-treatment instructions and avoiding sun exposure, suntan beds and self-tanning lotions.

Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?

The LightSheer is equipped with a cooling hand piece (ChillTipTM) which helps conduct heat away from the skin. The laser pulse is often described as a wave of heat with a pinprick or rubber band snapping sensation. Some areas of the body are more sensitive than others, and you may elect to have a topical anesthetic applied in order to increase your comfort during the procedure.

How Many Treatments Are Recommended?

The laser works by disabling hair follicles that are actively producing hair (anagen phase) at the time of treatment. Since other hairs will enter the growth phase at different times, additional treatments will be necessary to disable all hair follicles in a given area. In general, 3 to 6 treatments are required at four to twelve week intervals (depending on the area being treated) to achieve satisfactory permanent hair reduction in most people. Many factors can affect treatment results: hair color, hair thickness, skin color, body site, hormones, medications, age, and metabolism. Due to the cyclical nature of hair growth, and the body's ability to reproduce new hair follicles, follow-up treatments may be necessary.


What Skin and Hair Color Responds Best to Laser Hair Removal?

Individuals with fair skin, and dark hair are typically the best candidates, however the LightSheer can adapt its settings to treat any skin color. If you have white, gray or light blonde hair, have had recent sun exposure (including self-tanning lotions, and tanning beds), are pregnant, or you are taking a sun sensitive medication (like Accutane), you may not be eligible for treatment.

Does the LightSheer work on tanned or different skin colors?

The LightSheer diode laser system safely and effectively treats all skin types (Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-VI) as well as tanned skin. For darker skin types and people with tans, appropriate fluences are generally lower and appropriate pulse widths are generally longer to prevent damage to the epidermis. Using the appropriate treatment parameters, people with all skin types can benefit from laser hair removal with the LightSheer.

Before Your Hair Removal Treatment:

• We recommend no sun or tanning bed exposure for four to six weeks prior to your treatment. Significant burns may occur if laser hair removal is performed on recently tanned skin. It is your responsibility to notify us of recent tanning.
  
• Sign the procedure consent form.
  
• Photographs may be taken if you wish.
  
• Hair in the area of treatment should be completely shaved.
  
• An anesthetic cream may be applied to the treatment area (needs to be applied 30 to 45 minutes prior to treatment).
  
• Lip rolls may be used between teeth and gums to reduce teeth sensitivity during treatment around the mouth.

After Your Hair Removal Treatment:

• The treated area may look red and slightly puffy. Most of the redness will fade within 24 hours.
  
• May feel like a mild sunburn for a day or so. Aloe vera gel and ice may help in relieving discomfort.
  
• You can return to normal activities.
  
• Avoid sun or tanning bed exposure for two to four weeks.
  
• Use skincare products as recommended.