10 Things We Bet You Didn’t Know About Laser Hair Removal

If you’re feeling self-conscious about hairy parts on your face or body then laser hair removal is a good option for facial hair removal or body hair removal in Singapore. It’s a non-invasive procedure that works by rapidly pulsing lasers at the targeted follicles to remove hair and keep it from growing back.

Laser hair removal has been available since 1997, but there are still some misconceptions about its results, risks, and requirements. In this list, we’re debunking the myths and presenting little-known facts about this procedure, so you can decide if laser hair removal ticks off all the boxes for you.

Laser hair removal alone doesn’t work on blonde, gray, and red or ginger hair.

That’s because these hair colours don’t have chromophores in their molecules, which absorb the energy from the laser. A chromophore is that part of the molecule that “gives it colour.” The colours that we see through our eyes are within the visible spectrum—the ones that are not absorbed by certain wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum.

BUT even if you have light hair, your roots may be dark, which the dermatologist can check.

Remember, laser hair removal targets the dark root of the hair follicle. So, if you have a combination of light and dark hair that you want to get rid of, you can still get the treatment in tandem with electrolysis. It’s possible to have both procedures done in the same session, depending on the findings during your doctor consultation.

Laser hair removal does NOT cause cancer.

The laser used in this procedure shines a light directly on hair follicles, at a wavelength of 755nm and/or 1064 nm. The non-ionising radiation that the laser emits is generally harmless—like the radiation from radio waves, visible light, or ultraviolet lighting, which we’re constantly exposed to. The point is, the light is strong enough to disable hair follicle growth but it’s too weak to do any damage to our DNA.

IN FACT, there are types of laser treatments that are used to remove precancerous growth.

These precancerous conditions (which only a medical doctor can verify) include actinic keratosis, actinic cheilitis, and Bowen’s disease. Laser treatments such as these work by vaporising the skin’s top layer and, in the process, stimulate collagen production by heating up the underlying layers and speeding up the healing process.

Laser hair removal does NOT cause infertility.

The lasers used in this procedure target only the surface of the skin, and the minimal non-ionising radiation emitted isn’t strong enough to penetrate the internal organs. However, most laser treatments, for that matter, are not recommended for pregnant or lactating women, as well as patients with severe diabetes and those being treated for severe immunodeficiency. Therefore, proper patient selection is important.

Laser hair removal is generally safe on the skin.

But there’s a caveat: It’s a procedure that must be performed by a trained professional. Nowadays, doctors are treating more patients with burns, blisters, or infections from botched laser hair removal done at salons or spas. A lot of establishments don’t have the proper training to set the device correctly and don’t provide exhaustive consultation to check for pre-existing conditions, which could cause complications.

Home-use laser devices are NOT as effective as medical-grade lasers.

In fact, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorises home laser hair removal units not as medical devices but as cosmetic devices. Home-use laser devices aren’t as powerful as professional-use lasers, with modest results. To date, there are no long-term studies on how safe and effective these home-use lasers are compared to laser hair removal treatments done at a dermatologist’s clinic.

IPL and laser hair removal do NOT produce the same results.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) gives off a broad spectrum of wavelengths as opposed to the concentrated beams used in dual-platform laser procedures. The IPL’s varying wavelengths disperse at different depths, which means repetitive treatments are needed for it to be effective. IPL typically requires 10 to 15 treatments, and the results aren’t as permanent as laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal takes 6 to 8 sessions to see visible results.

A healing period of 4 to 6 weeks between sessions is required to prevent stressing or irritating the skin. Only 10% to 30% of the hair on our body is above the surface at any given time. Within the healing period, new follicles start to grow, hence, the follow-up sessions. In most parts of the body except the face, patients can expect results to be permanent.

GET MORE ANSWERS TO YOUR LASER HAIR REMOVAL QUESTIONS HERE

Why The Aesthetics Centre in Singapore for laser hair removal

Here at the clinic, we use the GentleMax Pro™ by Candela™, which has been used in the industry for over 20 years now. This dual-platform laser delivers a 755nm Alexandrite laser and a 1064nm Nd:YAG laser for different treatment options. It works on most types of Asian hair, too!

Alexandrite lasers produce a longer beam of light, which means fewer pulses are needed to get the work done while avoiding skin damage. They come with rapid pulses, making them appropriate for quick treatments on large surface areas and in darker skin. Fewer pulses mean less discomfort and results that are long-lasting compared to IPL.

Nd:YAG is much known for its use in removing hair on any skin tone. It also produces the longest beams, hence, requires even fewer pulses, shorter sessions, minimal discomfort, and reduced risk of complications.

The Aesthetics Centre sets the machine to wavelengths that will suit your specific skin and hair types. Our devices have built-in cooling systems that can be configured to the patient’s level of comfort. The result: smoother, silkier skin, so you can be confident and be hair-free as you please!

Set an appointment today for a thorough evaluation. Call us today at +65 6820 3308 / +65 6820 3309 or drop us a message at enquiry@theaestheticscentre.com.