We are passionate about achieving the absolute best results for our clients.
Before starting a series of laser hair removal treatments there are a few things you need to understand.
Here we have explained the top 10 important things you need to know before having laser treatments to prepare you and ensure your results are as hair free and silky smooth as possible!!
1) HOW DOES LASER HAIR REMOVAL WORK?
Laser hair removal is science, not magic!!
Here at Bella Pelle Body Clinic we use a Candela GentleLase PRO, which is FDA Approved, CE Approved and TGA listed as highest grade medical laser with gold standard wavelengths 755nm light for treatment of unwanted hair, benign pigmented lesions, vascular lesions and wrinkle reduction.
Lasers are electronic devices that generate a single colour of light by amplifying photons with more energy.
The laser transmits this concentrated beam of light directly into the pigment of your hair follicles. Heat is absorbed and destroys the cells lining the hair follicle specifically around the bulb, bulge, and vascular supply, stunting the growth, and enabling the hair to grow back.
There are many, many factors that need to be taken into consideration by your laser therapist to ensure you get the best result possible. These factors include but are not limited to, your ethnicity, fitzpatrick type, medications, health conditions, lifestyle habits, sun exposure, fake tanning habits, hair colour, hormonal conditions, skins healing abilities and more.
Laser hair removal is a serious cosmetic procedure and is governed by strict regulations. This is not a simple point and shoot procedure. Please ensure before booking any laser treatment that you are seeing the right professionals. Check that your Laser Specialists are fully qualified, certified and trained laser therapists.
2) YOU MUST HAVE A CONSULTATION AND SKIN SCREENING PRIOR TO STARTING YOUR SESSIONS
A very thorough consultation and skin screening must be had prior to receiving any laser treatments. We conduct a screening with every client before their treatments…
- to identify the area to be treated and advise you how to prepare the area before each treatment.
- to assess if the GentleLase treatment is appropriate for you & to check your eligibility.
- to fully explain the process and what to expect
- to give you guidelines to your expected outcome
- to perform a patch test to identify the appropriate energy level for your first treatment
- to advise of the cost of your treatment program and how many sessions may be needed
3) NO WAXING!!! SHAVING ONLY!!
Laser hair removal affects hair follicles only when they are in the Anagen or growth phase (a nice mature, juicy bulb at the base of the hair follicle). The root of the hair must be present in the follicle for the laser to identify it, so you must avoid waxing, epilating, the use of depilatory creams or anything that might remove or disturb the bulb in the hair follicle.
So if you need to be hair free in between your laser treatments you must shave only!!
Leading up to your laser treatment we encourage you to shave the treatment area 8-12 hours before your appointment (this avoids shavers rash or skin irritation). A clean shave with a sharp, NEW razor is a must. If longer hairs are present (ones that sit above the surface of the skin) we run the risk of the laser only targeting the hair above the skin and not going into the bulb where we need to kill off the stem cells that feed the hair to grow. This means your treatment may be ineffective. Also, this runs a risk of causing burns to the skin.
4) NO TAN, FAKE OR REAL IS A SAFE TAN WHEN IT COMES TO LASER!!
Let us make this VERY, VERY, CLEAR…
You CAN NOT have a laser treatment if you have any tan, real or fake, on the treatment area!!
Because our laser is pigment driven the laser light/energy will be attracted to the closest pigment it see’s first. Therefore the pigment on the surface of your skin will be its target, which then may result in burning.
If you come to your treatment with fake tan on we will refuse to treat you and you may be charged for that appointment time or a session may be forfeited. We have some great tan removal products available to purchase at Bella Pelle Body Clinic.
5) AVOID DIRECT SUN EXPOSURE!!
Like the tanning explanation, we can not treat you if you have had sun exposure within two weeks of your laser hair removal treatment either. This is because exposure to UV rays stimulate the melanocyte cell within the skin (the pigment producing cell). This melanocyte cell, when stimulated, can over inject packages of melanin when an injury or in this case, heat is caused within the skin. Laser can also grab and pull out any pigment on your skin from the sun exposure. This means that if you are sunburned, or even just tanned, you may need to reschedule your appointment. If you’re a bit of a sun lover, you may wish to start your treatments during the winter months to avoid any disappointment or inconvenience.
6) HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
No laser company or clinic can claim 100% hair removal. It is impossible, because dormant hair follicles can become stimulated and active due to hormones and other biological factors that vary from each individual’s circumstances. Also, although after several sessions laser hair removal can result in the rate at which the hair grows, therefore being severely diminished, the hair follicles aren’t completely destroyed. If they’re not completely destroyed there’s still a slight chance that they can repair and begin producing hair again.
However since the follicles are damaged they should produce much less hair.
Keep in mind that the human body is an unpredictable system therefore it will take multiple sessions of laser to see the absolute best results and results do vary from person to person.
Once you have completed an initial treatment plan, you should expect long-term hair reduction however it is to be expected that maintenance treatments will be required.
7) COME TO YOUR APPOINTMENT PRODUCT FREE
On the day of your treatment it is best to come with your skin clean and completely product free. That includes no moisturiser and no deodorant.
8) TREATMENT CONSISTENCY IS KEY
The timing of your treatments dramatically influences the outcome of your laser hair removal due to the hair growth cycle.
For best results, make sure you attend your appointments religiously, at the intervals advised by your laser technician. We suggest that you pre-book your course/sessions of laser hair removal to avoid sporadic appointments or missed treatments.
9) AFTER CARE & POST LASER PRODUCTS
After your laser treatment your skin can feel stimulated or similar to a mild sunburn. Cold compresses are key to ensure you are removing heat from within the skin reducing any discomfort.
In some cases where edema or a histamine response occurs, topical cortisone creams like Dermaid can help to instantly treat, calm and prevent PIH (post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation)
Post Laser Gels must be used to help with the healing process and as an antibacterial treatment for the area. We have multiple post laser products available at Bella Pelle Body Clinic and your laser therapist will advise which one is suited best for you.
Avoid sun exposure and apply an SPF 30 or higher. No plucking, waxing, tweezing, epi-lady or depilatory creams post treatment or at all during your series of laser sessions.
No sauna’s, spa’s, exercise, heating up of the body or skin for 24 hours post laser as not to increase your body temperature which can cause sweating and create a potential breeding ground for bacteria. This could lead to infection. Your laser specialist will go through your aftercare with you during your consultation process.
10) LASER HAIR REMOVAL IS NOT EXPENSIVE $$$
To get the best possible price for your laser treatments, it is necessary to have a laser consultation with one of our laser technicians. We charge on laser time not area as we find this is the fairest way for the customer as not all people’s hair growth areas are exactly the same size, so why should you pay the same price?
We also have the fastest laser on the market, so most areas take 5-10 minutes max!
Areas start from as little as $34.50 per session, however, keep in mind that this is just a guide and the more minutes/areas someone needs the cheaper the rate will get therefore an accurate price and number of treatments needed must be quoted to each individual.
So if you’re sick of shaving or waxing, then pick up the phone and call or DM Bella Pelle Body Clinic to arrange your no obligation free laser consultation today. ‘Forget the razor, Let’s Laser!!’
