Home Laser Hair Removal

Home Laser Hair Removal

How does it work?
Before you understand, how does laser hair removal device work you read some basic informations about hair lifecycle and their structure. Knowing these things will help you to better understand how to correctly use it.

Hair follicle is a skin organ, which produce hair. The two most important parts of hair follcile are papilla and bulge, which consist of matrix cells having a lot of melanin. These both cells types are the target of laser removal devices, cause killing them will stop hair growth.

There are three stages of hair growth: Anagen(Growth), Catagen(Involution) and Telogen(Rest) Phase.

Anagen phase(growth)
Approximately 90% of your hair are in Anagen phase, which is the growth stage. It lasts depending on the body part, for example several years for scalp hairs and 6-7 months for eyebrows hairs. At the end of the anagen phase the follicle to go into the catagen phase. The laser beam works only on the cells, which are in anagen phase, which means the other 10% of your hair still remains, and will remain until it enters the Anagen phase
Catagen phase
The catagen phase is a very short phase (lasts around 1-2 months) and is a transitional stage between Anagen and Telogen Phase. 1% of hair are in this Phase.
Telogen phase
The telogen phase is the resting phase of the hair follicle.

The device emits laser beam, while cells which contain high melanin concentration will absorb it. This results in rapid warm up of these cells and killing them. The very important thing is that only cells, which have a lot of melanin are sensitive to the laser, so it is for that reason possible to target hair follicle without having affected the nearby spots. However, you should accurate read your instrution, cause skin cells also contain melanin. You will read about this beneath.

Why you have to treat your hair several times?

This is due the fact that laser treatment can be only effective for the hair, which are in Anagen phase. Hair cells in this phase contain enough level of melanin, which absorb the laser light and therefore are being destroyed. Hair in other growing phases(catagen or telogen) need some time to progress to the Anagen phase. The progress time depends mostly on the body part and individual character. Below you can see the comparision of hair on different body parts.
Also, some cells will be not destroyed during first treatment. Because of this it is very important to repeat first treatment after 14-20 days, so all active growing hair follicles will be effectively treated.
Then you should repeat your treatment to destroy hair follicles which were before in resting phase and have progressed to the anagen Phase. The treating periods depends here mostly on the body part and should be repeated after few months 2 or 3 times.

How to properly set up the device?

Because our skin also contains melanin, which absorbs the laser energy it is very important to properly set up the device. Generally, new devices have usually build in scanning system, which measure skin tones and automatically set up the device. They also come with a skin sensor that will test your skin tone and determine if it's light enough to use.
Laser treatment is not recommended for people with darker carnation. Using home laser hair removal devices for dark skin can lead to burns and serious injuries. Laser hair removal for dark-skinned people is possible, however should be done in a physician's office.
Each level corresponds to a particular dose of energy. The modern devices have from 3 to 5 levels adjustment and will choose automaticaly the suitable energy level for your skin color. You should also read carefully the manual, cause each device can vary. I suggest to start treatment with lowest level and then go to the higher one. Also, note that higher energy levels are not recommended for people with dark or tan carnation.

During the treatment the device can get really hot. If you notice this, turn off your machine and let it cool for 5 minutes.

How much time does the treatment take?

The duration of one treatment depends mostly on the surface of the treated area. It takes me around 20-30 minutes to make entire treatment for my legs. Note, that you shouldn't expect instant results after first time. The hair need time to fall off and the diffrence is usualy visible after second or third time.

Similar to professional laser treatment, home laser hair removal often requires many applications to achieve the results desired. The device can only be used on small areas of skin at a time and applications are generally spaced out over a period of two to three weeks. At this rate, a treatment may take from six to nine months to complete.

Is it safe?

Yes, home laser hair removal is safe, but the device should be used properly! Most devies come with skin sensor, which measure if your skin color is safe for treatment. Laser hair removal is not recommend for dark skin or tan people, because they have to much melanin in skin pigment.
After the tretmant your skin may redden a bit, but it is only temporary.

Is it painful?

Feeling depends mostly on the person. Some feel nothing and some compare it to “an elastic band lightly hitting the skin.” You will accustome with time to the laser. One important thing: do not go to the higher level, when your skin hurts!

What are permanent hair removal techniques?

Permanent hair removal techniques include laser treatments and electrolysis. Both of these treatments require professional assistance. The success rate is highly dependent on an individual’s skin type and the amount, texture and color of hair to be removed. Sometimes people have to undergo several treatments to achieve the results they are after. In addition, the cost of these treatments can be quite expensive as compared to other forms of having body hair removed.
Which device should I choose?
Laser devices are available for different skin tones enabling you to choose the product that best meets your needs. Hand-held portable designs are easy to handle and come equipped with multiple settings for better heat control on your skin. Some models contain special sensors that can alert you to whether it is safe to use on your skin type or not. Some devices do not activate if your skin type is unsuitable for that product or if there is the possibility of causing damage to your skin. Yet another safety feature is an inbuilt alarm, which goes off when you are covering a particular area too extensively, and there is a risk of the device causing blisters or burns. These increased safety measures reduce the chances of burns and irritations during the treatment process. As a result, you can enjoy painless and effective laser hair removal at home.
If you have any questions or problems with your device, you can refer to the manufacturer’s website for supplementary information. You can also request help from online and phone support services as the need arises. Further proof of the safety of these products is evidenced by the FDA’s approval of these devices for home use. By carefully following the instructions that accompanies each home laser kit, you can eliminate risks of adverse side effects and harm.

What are the prices?

Home laser hair removal kits can be purchased online. Prices on average range between $250 and $450, with some models costing even higher. You can choose from a variety of makes and models to suit your personal preference and meet with your individual need. Compared to spending thousands of dollars for this treatment in a professional clinic or spa, the home laser kit offers a very viable alternative for permanent hair removal of unwanted body hair. With proper usage, women can experience the soft, smooth skin they desire for a more sexy and radiant appearance. Once treatment has been completed, you can enjoy the permanent results for many, many years to come.