Hair Removal by Pulsed Light or Laser
1. HOW OR LIGHT WORKS
Two words about light
The sun is a natural source of light.
There are also other sources of light such as a candle or incandescent lamps. Light is also called white light or visible spectrum.
Light moves in a wave-like manner.
If you look at a light source from the front, you can see that it travels in concentric circles, like waves on the surface of water.
If we cut these concentric circles, we observe waves with maxima and minima.
The distance between two maxima is called the wavelength. This wavelength is expressed in a sub-multiple of a metre called the nano-metre.
Thus, there are waves with different maxima.
Operation by pulsed light “Gold Light”
A pulsed light device or flash lamp is a system for delivering a high-energy beam of natural light.
This beam is emitted in pulses of very short duration. The characteristics of the emitted beam are essential to ensure the effectiveness of the device as well as the safety for the patient.
The applicator is applied to the patient’s skin and transmits the light energy from the device to the skin.
The difference between pulsed light and lazer
Pulsed light is often confused with laser.
The basic technology is similar, but the characteristics of the light beam are completely different.
In both cases, the origin of the light energy is a lamp called a flash lamp. This lamp contains a special gas, usually xenon.
In laser technology, the original light beam passes through a very sensitive solid or liquid element, which enables a single wavelength to be selected precisely and the initial energy of the beam to be amplified.
Finally, the laser beam is focused, i.e. it is reduced to a surface, which is not the case with pulsed light, which can treat larger surfaces in the same time.
In dermatology, there are 4 main lasers commonly used: Ruby, Alexandrite, Diode and Yag.
These four lasers together represent only four wavelengths, whereas a pulsed light alone covers a spectrum about 150 times wider.
The skin
The skin is the most extreme organ of the body. Through its colour, texture and hairiness, it allows us to differentiate between individuals. This information is genetically coded.
The expression of this information is called the phototype. In order to codify it, we classify individuals into 6 categories. This classification is called the Fitzpatrick classification.
The phototype of an individual does not change over time.
On the other hand, his pigmentation can vary over time depending on the time of year or the geographical area.
This is the case with tanning, which darkens the skin to protect it from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays. This pigmentation is temporary.
The skin is made up of 3 different layers.
1. The most extreme layer is called the EPIDERM.
Its thickness varies depending on the area of the body.
The main active cells are the keratinocytes producing keratin and the melanocytes producing melanin, the protective pigment.
2. The second layer is called the DERM.
It contains various glands: the sweat glands, which produce sweat, and the sebaceous glands, which produce sebum, the skin’s oily layer.
In the dermis is the hair implanted in an invagination of the epidermis.
3. The last layer is the HYPODERM
This layer mainly contains adipocytes or fat storage cells.
These cells are distributed throughout the body but are more concentrated in certain areas, depending on the sex and the individual.
The skin has multiple functions.
It has a role in mechanical protection, chemical protection and protection against the sun’s UV rays.
Similarly, the skin has a major function in the metabolism by synthesising vitamin D, which is essential for the body.
The skin also ensures the thermoregulation of the body, through the production of sweat and the vasodilatation of the blood capillaries.
Finally, the skin ensures a relationship with the environment, thanks to the multiple sensory receptors located in the different layers.
The hair
The hair visible on the surface of the skin originates in the dermis, while remaining a structure of the epidermis.
It is mainly made up of keratin and melanin, which give it its colour.
The hair follicle consists of four layers.
There are two types of hair.
- Down, a fine hair with a superficial hair follicle. It contains little melanin.
- Terminal hair, thick hair with a deep hair follicle. It generally has a high concentration of melanin.
The hair grows according to a well-defined cycle. This cycle is artificially divided into three phases.
- The first phase is called the anagen phase, or growth phase. During this phase the hair grows until it appears on the surface of the skin. The hair will then continue to grow. The duration of this phase varies greatly depending on the individual’s ethnic origin, lifestyle and location, and the area of the body. It can last from a few months for underarm or leg hair to several years for hair.
- The second phase is called the catagen or hair destruction phase, which is very short-lived and lasts from one to two weeks. During this phase, the bulb, the swollen part of the hair, detaches from the hair follicle. The hair is then gradually expelled from the hair shaft.
- The last phase is called the telogen phase.
During this phase, the hair follicle is at rest and the dead hair is being expelled. This expulsion is often completed by the growth of a new hair during the next anagen phase.
HOW DOES OR LIGHT HAIR REMOVAL WORK?
Or Light, quality, safe and effective treatments
Hair removal is one of the major applications of pulsed light. It is now possible to provide quality, safe and effective treatments.
The target is the hair follicle. The hair follicle of a terminal hair can be implanted deep, up to 7 mm deep.
The hair follicle does not contain pigment, so it is the indirect or secondary target of the light.
The main target is the pigment or melanin, contained in the hair bulb. Melanin is the pigment of the hair, giving it its colour.
There are two types of melanin: dark melanin or eumelanin and light melanin or pheomelanin.
Light melanin absorbs very little light and is therefore difficult to reach. This is the case for blond and red hairs.
White hair does not contain melanin and therefore cannot absorb light.
This is why white, blond and red hairs are difficult to treat.
After a treatment, if the settings are correctly selected and the hair is in the anagen phase, the hair follicle is inhibited.
The hair then naturally detaches from the follicle and is gradually expelled over a period of 15 days.
During this period the hair seems to continue growing. Afterwards, this hair will not be able to grow any more. However, if for various reasons the treatment was not optimal, the hair may grow back finer and lighter.
The number of hairs in the area will decrease with each session.
Results and number of sessions
The result and the number of sessions depend on the individual and the body area.
- With Intense Pulsed Light technology, the results depend on 3 elements:
- The quality of the device
- The operator, his experience and the settings used
- The client’s skin colour, hair colour, hair cycle, body area and physiological characteristics
- The number of sessions varies from one individual to another and from one area of the body to another.
Contraindications and recommendations
Contre-indications
- Lupus
- Eczema
- Roaccutane
- Stains of unknown nature
- History of tumour
- Pregnant woman
- Breastfeeding period (3 months after stopping breastfeeding)
- Diabetic
- Pace maker
- Haemophilias
- Photo-sensitising treatment
- Cortisone: essential oil-based cream (e.g. Bergamot), citrus fruit, carotene-based food supplement
- Pathology
- Vitiligo
After a tanning session: one month before the session.
Recommendations
Before a treatment cycle:
- No waxing or tweezing 15 days before.
- No depilatory cream 1 week before.
- No bleaching or colouring in the week before the treatment.
- No sun exposure 15 days before.
- No application of self-tanning lotion.
- Do not take any photosensitizing medication.
- If necessary, do a test with a control 15 days later.
After the session
- Do not expose the area to the sun or UV rays for 15 days.
- Use a sunscreen in case of sun exposure.
- If necessary, maintenance with a razor, or preferably a depilatory cream.
PHOTOLIFTING – OR LIGHT
OR-LIGHT is also the excellence of an efficient photo lifting treatment.
Skin aging
Skin aging is a natural process. It begins at the age of 25. Skin modifications act at the level of :
- Texture
- The colour
- The relief
- Moisture
Aging can be genetic or environmental:
Genetic aging is linked to age or hormonal changes, it is genetically programmed. It causes a thinning of the layers, a slowing down of cellular activity and a reduction in the capacity to maintain hydration.
The result is dry skin, thin layers and reduced elasticity and tone.
Environmental aging is linked to external factors, such as the sun, tobacco, pollution.
It causes a thinning of the skin’s texture, a change in melanocyte activity and a weakening of the fibres.
The result is the appearance of age spots, wrinkles and telangiectasia
Rejuvenation
Several rejuvenation solutions exist:
- Creams
- Massages
- Dermabrasion
- Chemical peeling
- Laser resurfacing
- Injections
- Surgical lifting
- And many more …
Consumer demand
The consumer is looking for a treatment
- Non-traumatic
- Painless
- No side effects
- Fast
- Provides quick results
- Affordable
What can Photorejuvenation treat?
Photorejuvenation acts on :
- Pigmentation (solar hyperpigmentation): hyperpigmentation, lentigines, freckles
- Slight vascular lesions: telangiectasia, rosacea, diffuse redness
- The relief: dilated pores, loss of elasticity, fine lines
It is essential to treat only the appropriate phototypes. Phototypes 4, 5 and 6 are not suitable for photorejuvenation with pulsed light. The patient should not be exposed to the sun for three weeks prior to the treatment and should not be exposed to the sun for the following three weeks.
Contraindications and after treatment
Photorejuvenation is not suitable for :
- Questionable pigment spots
- Vitiligo
- Tumour history
- Pregnant women
- Diabetics
- Pace maker
- Haemophilias
- Anticoagulant treatments
- Epilepsy
- Photosensitising treatment
- Skin pathology
After treatment, the following may temporarily occur
- Erythema
- Edema
It is necessary to avoid any exposure to the sun, except with a total screen (SPF 50) for 15 days.
Are you ready to take the step?
Gold Light hair removal technology is a technology mastered by the Ruth Niddam Institute.
Thanks to the combination of our innovative technologies and our 20 years of experience, you will benefit from visible and immediate results.
Please contact us to make an appointment or get more information at 01 40 73 10 10
