Laser Quest.

I don't know about you but I find most hair removal solutions quite short-term and frustrating. I try to be good and grow my hair ready for it to be waxed every month, but I either get caught out (cue the Impulse advert) by the sun suddenly shining or me wanting to go swimming and end up reaching for the razor and regretting it the next day when the stubble appears. Worse still, I triumphantly last till I get a wax then have to deal with ingrowing hairs and bumps because I forget to regularly exfoliate. I yearn for a smooth, silky body but it just isn't so! It's an ongoing battle and one, I imagine, most girls can relate to...

I've always been fascinated with the idea of a more permanent hair removal solution since my friend in California told me she had had her legs, underarms and bikini line lasered and never had to worry about not being 'bikini ready'. I thought this sounded like heaven because a) who doesn't want to be 'bikini ready' (even in sunny UK) and b) imagine never having to shave/wax again?! Since then I've known a few more people who have been lasered or had IPL or electrolysis, but I had never really understood what they all were or how they worked. It all sounded a bit scary and expensive.

This week, however, I was lucky enough to take part in a day's training in IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) at work, and I'm going to be training in electrolysis at college in the next few months.

I offered to have my underarms practised with IPL yesterday and I'm converted! I'm now planning to continue treatments on my underarms and be hair-free by my wedding next year!! The training was provided by the Lynton Clinic, which was set up in Manchester over 15 years ago providing world-class aesthetic solutions, such as laser hair removal to tattoo removal to pigment and red vein removal. 

We were trained in IPL hair removal (face and body - it works wherever there is hair) and vascular removal, such as thread veins, rosacea, sun damage and port wine stains. IPL can do much more, such as skin rejuvenation and anti-ageing, but I will mainly be using it for hair removal.

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What is IPL?

How does it work?

IPL provides a long-term solution to unwanted or excess hair for women and men and is suitable for most parts of the face and body. Dark hair can be treated most easily as it has a high concentration of melanin (pigment) which is targeted using heat and ultimately destroyed, so sadly people with grey, white, blonde and red hair would struggle to be treated. Think of it like black clothing, it absorbs heat whereas white clothing reflects it - it works the same way with hair. 

Both therapist and client needs to wear protective glasses to protect eyes from the laser beam, which is quite funny!

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How does the treatment feel?

Treatment sensation varies depending on your own pain threshold, the the time of the month, any medication you are on, etc, but is often described as a ‘flick of an elastic band’.  No anaesthetic is required and most clients describe the discomfort as moderate and tolerable. The therapist will always carry out a patch test if a higher frequency is required and will ask you how much it hurts between 0-10 (10 being unbearable!). Personally speaking, I found it ok! It stings for a second but you instantly forget it.

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How many treatments are necessary?

Only hair that is actively growing is affected, therefore multiple treatments are needed. Treatments are conducted every 4 to 8 weeks depending on the area being treated, until a good result is seen.  The number of treatments varies, although typically 6 treatments or more are needed for optimum results. So for my underarms we're looking at about 6+ months - but possibly a lifetime of being hair free!!

Light is absorbed by the melanin (the pigment in the hair follicle).  The light energy heats the pigment and effectively destroys the cells in the hair follicle which are responsible for hair growth, without damaging the surrounding cell. The IPL device is placed on the skin and a short pulse of light is released, which targets many follicles simultaneously.  The applicator is then moved to the neighbouring area of the skin and the process is repeated until the entire area is covered. For IPL treatments, a thin layer of gel is applied to the skin to help guide the light and protect the skin.

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What will I see after treatment?

The hair follicles are damaged by the heat but the hairs remain in the follicles.  The dead hairs shed after 1 to 3 weeks as the epidermis renews.  During this period the hairs will seem to grow as they are pushed out by the new epidermis.

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Are there any side effects?

The skin may be red immediately after treatment and the hair follicles may be swollen and raised but this usually subsides within a few hours. Adverse reactions are rare but may include a small blister or temporary lightening or darkening of the skin.

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How long does a treatment take and cost?

Treatments can take as little as 10 mins and up to 90 mins, depending upon the size of area being treated (underarms will only take about 15 mins per session). This therefore affects the price so you'll be looking at approx. £40 per session for upper lip up to £295 per session for full leg and standard bikini line.

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How does it differ to laser and Electrolysis ?

There are pros and cons for all types of long-term hair removal, and it is always worth doing your research and working out what's better for you individually; think about your pain threshold and budget. 

IPL and laser are similar in that they use light therapy to remove hair, whereas electrolysis uses a probe with an electric current. Laser is, on the whole, thought to be the most effective method of hair removal, as it is quicker with minimal pain, but electrolysis is known as the ultimate method for permanent hair removal. IPL uses multiple wavelengths that scatter across the skin, whereas laser uses one single wavelength which targets a specific hair or skin concern. IPL can, therefore, target more than just hair removal and improve the skin tone in that area (it even encourages collagen renewal - which is a nice side effect!). Electrolysis can treat those with light, blonde or grey hair so is often the only choice for some people.

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For now I'm excited to give IPL a try, both personally and by carrying it out on clients, and I will update you on my progress. I will be learning electrolysis at college in the next few months and will desperately require some models, so please keep an eye out on my facebook page and join me in being hair-free!!

See you laser......

Laura x