Laser Hair Removal

What it is

Laser energy targets melanin in the hair follicle for permanent hair REDUCTION (NOT complete removal).

Treatment protocol

Number of treatments:

• Face: 8-12 treatments

• Body: 6-8 treatments

• Hormone affected areas: 10-15 treatments

Intervals (CRITICAL to follow):

• Face: 4-6 weeks

• Upper body (arms, armpits, chest): 6-8 weeks

• Lower body (bikini, legs): 8-12 weeks

Why multiple treatments?

• Only hair in the growth phase (anagen) is affected

• 20-30% of hair in the growth phase at any given time

• Must "capture" all hairs throughout the cycle

Progression:

• Treatment 1-2: 10-20% reduction

• Treatment 3-4: 30-50% reduction

• Treatment 5-6: 50-70% reduction

• Treatment 7-10: 70-90% reduction

Procedure

1. Calibration based on skin type

2. Cooling is activated

3. Laser pulses are delivered systematically

4. Cooling before, during and after each pulse

5. The area is reviewed 1-2 times

Preparation (IMPORTANT!):

SHAVING the area 1-2 days before:

• Hair MUST be short (1-2mm)

• DO NOT wax, tweezer or thread 4-6 weeks before

• Avoid sun/solarium 2-4 weeks before

• No makeup, cream, deodorant on the day of treatment

Duration

Varies by area (5-180 minutes)

Pain level

• Description: "Flicking" or "snapping"

• Intensity: 3-6 out of 10

• Most sensitive: Bikini, face, armpits

• Least sensitive: Arms, legs, back

Handling:

• Integrated cooling

• Anesthetic cream on sensitive areas (applied 30-60 min before)

• Paracetamol 1 hour before

• Breaks when needed

Downtime

• No real downtime

• Can work the same day

• Makeup from the next day

• Avoid exercise for the first 24 hours (sweating irritates)

Healing time

Day 0 (Immediately):

• Redness ("goosebumps")

• Mild swelling

• Feeling of warmth

• Smell of burning hair (normal!)

Day 1-2:

• Redness gone (usually within 24 hours)

• Swelling disappears

• Slightly dry skin

• Hair appears to be growing (but is dead)

Day 3-14:

• Hair starts to fall out - "pepper spots"

• Hair slips out when washing

• Small black dots (exfoliating hair)

• NOT all hair falls out

Week 2-4:

• Treated area hair-free or almost hair-free

• "The Silky Period"

• Some stumps may persist

Week 4-8 ​​(before next treatment):

• New hair grows

• This is NORMAL - hair in a resting phase

• New hair often thinner

• Don't panic - that's why you need more!

Side effects

Very common (expected):

• Redness and "goosebumps" (hours to 1 day)

• Mild swelling (1-2 days)

• Sensitivity (1-3 days)

• "Pepper spots" (1-2 weeks)

Common (20-40%):

• Transient hyperpigmentation - darker spots (2-8 weeks)

• Dryness and flaking (3-7 days)

• Itching during healing

• Acne/folliculitis (1-2 weeks)

Uncommon (5-15%):

• Transient hypopigmentation - lighter spots (2-6 months)

• Small blisters (rare)

• Prolonged hyperpigmentation (in darker skin types)

• Paradoxical hair growth (very rare)

Rare (<2%):

• Burns (extremely rare)

• Permanent pigment changes (extremely rare)

• Scarring (extremely rare)

Aftercare

First 24-48 hours:

• Avoid hot baths, saunas, steam rooms

• Avoid intense exercise and sweating

• Unscented products

• Soothing moisturizer

• Avoid exfoliation

First week:

• SPF 50+ (critical!)

• DO NOT wax, tweezers, threading

• Shaving is OK (recommended)

• Light exfoliation after 3-4 days helps hair fall out

Between treatments:

• SHAVING ONLY - no waxing/threading!

• Why? Removes the hair root that the laser must target

• Daily SPF

2-4 weeks before the next one:

• Avoid sun and solarium

• Not self-tanning

• Shave 1-2 days before

Who is this suitable for?

BEST RESPONSE:

• Dark hair (brown to black)

• All skin types (diode safe for I-VI)

• Coarse, thick hair

Who is this not suitable for?

BAD RESPONSE:

• Light hair (blonde, red)

• Very fine, light hair

• Hormone-influenced hair (PCOS, etc.)

NO EFFECT:

• Gray/white hair (no melanin)

Important information

This is HAIR REDUCTION, not hair removal:

• FDA definition: "Long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs"

• 70-90% reduction after completing series

• 100% removal is NOT achieved

• Maintenance is necessary for most

• Remaining hair is often finer and lighter

Documented Effect:

• 70-90% hair reduction after 6-10 treatments

• Long-term effect: 60-70% reduction persists for 12+ months

• Individual results vary considerably

• Lighter hair responds less well

• Hormone-affected hair needs more treatment

Contraindications

Absolute:

• Pregnancy

• Active tan/sunburn

• Active skin infection

• Photosensitivity disorders

Relative (discuss with doctor):

• Isotretinoin last 6-12 months

• Vitiligo or keloid tendency

• Darker skin types (requires caution)

• Hormonal imbalances

Medications:

• Photosensitizing (antibiotics)

• Blood thinners (increased risk of bruising)

Warning signs

• Blisters or burns

• Increasing pain/redness after 48 hours

• Signs of infection

• Large areas of hyperpigmentation

Individual variations

Fast and strong (30-40%):

• Dark hair + light skin

• 80-90% reduction after 6-8 treatments

• Minimal maintenance

Average (40-50%):

• 70-80% reduction after 8-10 treatments

• Periodic maintenance required

Slow (10-20%):

• Lighter hair or darker skin

• Hormone-affected hair

• 50-70% reduction after 10-15 treatments

• Frequent maintenance

Weak (5-10%):

• Very light hair

• Hormonal imbalances

• 30-50% reduction

• Alternative treatments should be considered

Maintenance

First year after series:

• Every 3-6 months

Then:

• 1-3 treatments annually

• Hormone affected areas: Every 2-4 months

Face in women:

• More frequent maintenance (every 2-4 months)

• Hormone-influenced

Without maintenance:

• Gradual hair growth over 12-24 months