How does laser hair removal work?
Laser hair removal uses a process called selective photo thermolysis. Heat from the laser destroys cells that have a darker pigment than the skin. The hair transfers heat to the hair follicles during the growth phase of the hair (anagen phase explained below) and destroys them, so the hair can no longer grow.
Removal is only effective in the first stage of growth (anagen phase) which occurs every 4-6 weeks, hence why we wait this amount of time between appointments.
The are 4 stages of hair growth:
- Anagen Phase
Also known as the ‘Growth Phase’ or ‘Active Phase’, the Anagen Phase is when the cells in the root of your hair are most rapidly dividing so more new hair is formed. During the Anagen Phase, the hair grows around half an inch a month. This stage lasts around 3 – 5 years. - Catagen Phase
Following the Anagen Phase, the hair cycle enters a short transitional phase known as the Catagen Phase, which signals the end of active hair growth and cuts individual hairs off from the blood supply. This lasts around 10 days. - Telogen Phase
This is the resting period whereby strands remain in their follicles but are not actively growing. This lasts around 3 months or 100 days. - Exogen phase
When individual hair strands are released from their follicles and fall out to allow the entire process to start again.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
Laser hair removal is deemed permanent. However, most clients will need top-up appointments to keep hair growth fully at bay. This differs from client to client and is highly dependable on hormones. So, I would suggest top-ups either every three months, six months or annually.
How many treatments will a client need for laser hair removal?
This is dependent on two things: the client and the machine used. As an approximate, most machines will take 8 – 12 sessions, at 4 – 6 week intervals.
If a client has hormone issues, for example, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), maintenance will be required (more than likely) as an ongoing process. However, the difference laser makes to this subset of clients is incredible. Most go from shaving every day to once per month.
How do clients prepare for laser hair removal appointment?
Your clients need to shave 24 – 48 hours prior to their session. The laser needs the root of the hair to target and so waxing and epilation are not permitted. For clients of darker skin tones, the machine used should be safe for dark tones and treatment will need to be left for longer after the patch test, for safety and to ensure no pigmentary changes occur.
What are the different types of technology used for hair removal?
There’s a wide range of equipment for laser and light treatment available on the market for hair removal. Starting with the types of lasers available for these treatments:
Intense pulsed light (IPL)
590 – 1200 wavelength. The pulses are generated by a lamp or pulsed ‘flash lamp’. Filters are used to determine the most appropriate spectrum according to the patient’s skin and hair type.
Diode laser
800 – 810 and enables the variation of pulse duration.
Ruby laser
Filters are used to determine the most appropriate spectrum according to the patient’s skin and hair type.
Alexandrite laser
This emits a wavelength of 755 nm.
What is intense pulsed light (IPL) laser for hair removal?
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light and works by concentrating a beam of light into the hair follicles by heating them up and therefore stunting their growth. Technically this isn’t actually a laser treatment. Different wavelengths can also be used for other skin conditions including rejuvenation, acne treatment, thread vein and pigmentation treatment.
What is diode laser for hair removal?
A diode works differently to IPL in so far as it delivers high energy into the skin to be selectively absorbed by the melanin surrounding the follicle whilst keeping the surrounding tissue intact. As the melanin heats, it destroys the root and blood flow to the follicle, again stunting growth.
What is an nd: YAG for laser hair removal?
This laser emits light pulses which is absorbed by the melanin transferring it to the root where the energy destroys this in much the same way as the diode. These are the safest devices to use on darker skin types as they leave the surrounding skin untouched.
What is the best type of laser for hair removal in the UK?
As you can see from above, there are many types of technologies available. The route you take as a practitioner depends on your budget and space available as well as the treatments you want to offer.
When will laser hair removal be regulated in the UK?
The industry has been discussing regulation within the laser industry for some time now. However, this still hasn’t come to fruition. What this means is that any practitioner looking to offer laser treatments within their clinic, can do so only with an accredited qualification.
I believe knowledge is key to gaining the best and safest results for clients and therefore, I encourage all my learners to attain their qualifications via the correct channels to achieve VTCT regulated Level 4 in laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) and above should this be necessary.
What this will also mean, is that when the regulations do come in, which could be any day now, you will be ahead of the game, and have achieved all you can at present to ensure that your knowledge is of a high standard.
What is the current legislation for laser and light treatment and the importance of compliance with regulations?
There is lots of legislation surrounding laser and light treatment, including:
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations. This requires employers to assess the risks that arise from the use of substances used on the client and those used for cleaning.
- Data Protection Act/General Data Protection Regulations. GDPR stands for General Data Protection Legislation. It is a European Union (EU) law that came into effect on 25th May 2018. GDPR governs the way in which we can use, process, and store personal data (information about staff and clients.
- Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations. All businesses should have at least, one member of staff that holds an emergency first aid at work (EFAW) qualification, should the need occur.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE). Including gloves, aprons, masks and glasses for both practitioner and client.
- Fire safety and evacuation plans.
- Appropriate waste disposal.
- Appropriate hazard signage for the area.
- Insurance. All relevant insurances to be held by the business, most importantly, public liability insurance, treatment risk insurance and product liability insurance.
- Different regions have different legislation and so it’s important for the practitioner to thoroughly investigate the requirements for their specific region as well as national regulations.
- Manufacturers Guidelines. Always refer to these for specific use of the equipment and work to these protocols.
Non-compliance to regulations could be costly. The responsibility is to the client, but also to staff. The practitioner needs to ensure all legislation is in place so as to prevent injury and have in place processes and procedures in the event of something negative occurring. Otherwise, penalties and fines could be incurred, there could be a risk to reputation and the business could be shut down.
What is the Fitzpatrick scale of skin typing?
The Fitzpatrick Scale classifies six different skin types based on their melanin content. The amount of melanin within the skin is responsible for UV sensitivity. Pale skin doesn’t have a lot of melanin and is consequently a lot more sensitive to UV exposure than darker and more pigmented skin colour. This plays a vital role in laser treatments as different photo-types, or skin types, react differently to laser exposure.
Before commencing treatment, each client should complete a Fitzpatrick survey themselves to identify their skin colour/type. In addition, the practitioner should then analyse the skin by looking at the client and also testing via an electronic handpiece if available. These should all match-up.
This can then be utilised to determine the level of the laser (depending on which laser the practitioner uses).
Inaccurate identification of client skin type/colouring can be damaging. Many traditional lasers are only suitable for skin types 1 to 3, while causing damage to skin types 4 to 6. This could include pigmentation issues (hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation), blistering, burning and/or other potential issues. Fortunately, there have been advancements in laser technologies, allowing for devices to treat all skin types. However, it is vital to determine the right laser setting for each client and adjust treatment parameters to suit the individual.
How does laser tattoo removal work?
In short, lasers remove tattoos by breaking up the ink with pulses of light energy. What people don’t realise is that the ink from a tattoo remains within the skin as a liquid and does not harden. Therefore, when this light hits the ink, it breaks into tiny fragments and in the coming weeks, the body flushes the ink out via the lymphatic system which is the body’s natural cleansing system.
The easiest colour to eradicate is black and the hardest colours to remove are white, yellow and green.
How many sessions do clients need with laser tattoo removal?
This all depends on the tattoo. I utilise a calculator to determine approximately how many sessions a client will need, taking into consideration the colour of their skin, the size of the tattoo, if there was any scarring, the density of the ink, the colours within the tattoo and the positioning on the body.
Many clients will approach a practitioner for cover-up purposes and therefore only require a 50% removal, so an artist can cleverly cover-up over the top. As a practitioner, you will learn how to effectively calculate the amount of sessions required.
What is a q-switch ND: YAG laser for tattoo removal?
These lasers utilise short pulses of intense light to shatter tattoo ink into tiny particles.
They are also known for their effectiveness in removing darker ink colours, especially black ink utilising a 1064nm wavelength. The 532nm works well with reds and browns.
These two wavelengths combined also work to treat fungal nail infection and add in a 755 and the three combined effectively treat skin hyperpigmentation.
The 755nm wavelength can also be used for the carbon skin peel.
What is a picosecond laser for tattoo removal?
These lasers utilise the same principle as q-switched lasers, but emit pulses at a trillionth of a second, making them significantly faster.
This increased speed allows picosecond lasers to break down ink particles more effectively, often resulting in fewer treatment sessions. They are particularly effective for lighter and more stubborn ink colours.
What training do I have to do to become a laser specialist?
There are a couple of different options. However, we would always advise practitioners to go down the regulated route (VTCT regulated level 4 laser and IPL). This will give advanced knowledge for the practitioner and ensure they are fully equipped for their clients. At device purchase, a practitioner can get going with an accredited qualification, so they you can start practising straight away. However, it is advisable to work towards a regulated qualification straight away.
What is the best way to market my clinic?
It’s really important to know your market – understand who you are selling to and where they might be looking. Every business needs a marketing budget. Set a small budget to begin with and measure the success of your campaigns. When you start generating income, you will then know which channel works best and can therefore attribute more budget to that area. It’s about trial and error and different marketing channels (i.e. social media, website, email marketing etc.) may work differently for different businesses in different locations. And remember, there’s so much more to gaining clients than implementing a few sporadic social media posts.
I offer business consultancy/coaching/marketing, so please get in touch for more information.
How would I incorporate laser into my existing beauty clinic?
Laser is an excellent addition to any beauty clinic as the ROI is excellent. As you already have the space set-up and existing clientele, then you are in the perfect position to add this set of treatments. I can help guide you through your journey.
How can I start this venture?
You will see from my story that I began with laser and then added in other treatments thereafter. If you are perhaps looking at a change in career or a new venture, laser is perfect.
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