Laser Electrolysis Laser Hair Removal Needle
Electrology Needle Electrolysis
FAQ
[Abstract] Full Text [PDF]
Introduction
There are two methods of achieving permanent hair reduction.
Laser and Needle/probe Electrolysis.
Laser
The word laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
Laser hair removal works through selective photothermolysis - an energy source in the form of highly concentrated light that can be precisely directed into the hair follicle.
Very specific wavelengths of light are used to penetrate the skin without causing skin damage.
Melanin (color) in the hair follicle absorbs the laser light. This causes very brief, high temperatures in the hair follicle but not the surrounding skin.
The high temperature in the hair follicle damages the structures responsible for hair growth (the papilla).
Treatment consists of placing a small hand piece near the skin and administering laser pulses over the area to be treated. The laser light is pulsed for a fraction of a second - just long enough to disable the hair follicle.
Unlike needle electrolysis, practically any area of the body can be treated. For men, it is also possible to treat the face to retard the growth of a beard.
Is it dangerous?
Lasers can be dangerous in the wrong hands! And can seriously damage your skin
if set incorrectly - leading to blistering. This is why it is recommended that
you insist on a test patch first - this will cost more but is worth it!
Secondly remember your eyes are at risk and protective eyewear is essential,
special total 'black-out' eye goggles similar to those worn in sun beds are
essential - sun bed glasses are not suitable! This protection will be supplied
by your technician.
The American Medical Association (AMA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognize laser electrolysis as the only permanent method of hair reduction. When done by a
professional.
Does a laser hurt?
It depends on the competence of the technician, but the speed it moves across
the face coupled with a cooling gel applied gives you the sensation of being
flicked on the face with a tiny elastic band! Medical practitioners that use
this technique for example Mr
David Gault at Mt Vernon Hospital London can arrange some skin calming
treatments.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of laser - electrolysis treatments you'll need depends on the area being treated and the growth patterns of your hair. Laser - electrolysis works best by disabling hairs that are principally in their active growth phase during the time of treatment. Because other hairs will enter the growth cycle at different times, additional treatments are necessary. Hair develops from a series of chemical interactions between different elements of the skin. Not all hairs are actively growing at the same time. The duration of each phase in the growth cycle is dependent upon several factors. Age, ethnicity, medication, hormone levels, other methods of temporary hair removal and location of hair may influence the length and coarseness of hair. How much hair you have depends on how many hairs are actively growing.
It also depends upon the pigment of your hair darker hair absorbs the pulse
better than fairer beard.
Side effects?
Reactions vary. Effects from either a laser or electrolysis treatment depend on the area treated, age, ethnicity, medication and hormone levels. Typically, as a result of treatment, your skin will temporarily become slightly reddened. This usually subsides within twenty minutes.
Cost?
Laser fees are based on the amount of hair and the body area to be treated. An individual consultation is necessary to determine the exact cost. Long term results usually make laser a very cost effective treatment.
However, a medical practitioner would charge anything up to £300 per session!
However, it maybe possible to get this funded on the NHS for UK citizens -
speak to your Gender Identity Clinic and ask for a referral.
Electrolysis fees are a fixed cost based on the amount of time scheduled for an appointment. Cost alone should not be your deciding factor in selecting a hair removal specialist. Look for a certified laser - electrolysis technician on the basis of their experience, training, professional affiliation and their personal style.
Needle Electrology
Because hair grows in cycles (anagen or growing phase, catagen or shedding phase, and telogen or resting phase) and can best be eliminated during its growth cycle (anagen), successful electrology requires a series of scheduled treatments. These treatment sessions typically last from fifteen minutes to an hour.
Electrologists treat unwanted hair by applying a small amount of electrical current to the base of the hair follicle by means of a very fine sterile probe.
The energy from this hair-fine probe destroys the growth center of the hair follicle, called the papilla. The probe never punctures the skin. Rather, it is inserted directly into the hair follicle.
Fig
4
There are three medically recognized techniques used by electrologists today. The original method invented in the 1800s is called electrolysis. It uses direct current (DC, also called galvanic current) to produce a chemical reaction that destroys the papilla. The second technique, called short wave or thermolysis, uses alternating current (AC) to generate heat which cauterizes the follicle. The third technique, known as blend, combines direct current and alternating current (DC + AC) to eliminate hair growth cells.
The device that regulates the type and amount of energy delivered to the probe is called an epilator. After each follicle is treated, the hair is removed with sterile
tweezers (see fig 4).
Laser Services
Laser
electrolysis performed by Mr David Gault Consultant Plastic
Surgeon
Other Services
This website also contains useful information and links Click
Here
Electrolysis
Cambridgeshire
Sandra Edmonds 01205 369830
Cheshire Cristianos 0161 929 5560
Hampshire
Beauty Matters 01264 333451
Wendy Auld 01252 716049
Cameleon, Southampton 023 8022 1771
Hertfordshire
Cameleon, Watford 01923 242565
Kent
Face to Face, Bexleyheath 020 8304 4456
Veronica Lowe 0956 277634
Jacky Thurston 01227 272045
Lancashire
The Northern Clinic of Cosmetic Surgery, Preston 01772 880032
Lincolnshire
Sandra Edmonds 01205 369830
London
Alice Jahns 020 8445 7604
Almadon 020 8537 0537
Andrea Earth 020 8641 1698
Erica Poole 01932 867502
Jessica Green 0121 451 1018
Sara Thomas 020 8933 6487
HairMM.com 020 7419 1716
Chantal Beauty Salon 020 8767 2030
Veronica Lowe 0956 277634
Norfolk
Sandra Edmonds 01526 860943
Greater Manchester
Sandra Lawrence 0161 737 4152
Tricia Green 0161 973 3131
Middlesex
Denise and Ally 01344 84330
Scotland
Fife Alice O'Sullivan 01383 625110
Surrey
Andrea Earth 020 8641 1698
Erica Poole 01932 867502
Denise and Ally 01344 843308
Chantal Beauty Salon 0208 686 0133
West Midlands
Jessica Green 0121 451 1018
Laser
Berkshire
The Laser Center, Maidenhead 01628 631177
Chiltern Medical Clinic,
Reading 0118 947 8040
Cheshire
Cristianos Laser Clinic, Altrincham
0800 0850661
Hampshire
Cameleon, Southampton 01703 221771
Hertfordshire
Cameleon, Watford 01923 242565
Kent
The Bridge Clinic, Maidstone 01622 679 222
London
Laserase 020 8530 7040
London
laserhair removal 020 7535 8666
Plastic Surgery Partners 020 8735 6060
The Wellback Laser Clinic 020 8950 9484
Cristianos (London) 0800 085 0661
Royal Free Hospital 020 7435 7521
Northamptonshire
The Laser Hair Clinic, Northampton
01604 634999
Sussex
Shadi Danin, Hove 01273 777177
West Glamorgan
Morriston Hospital 01792 703869
West Midlands
Sellyoak Hospital, Birmingham 0121 627 8905
Laser Care Clinics,
Birmingham 0121 507 3535 (accept NHS referrals)
Yorkshire
Cristianos Laser Clinic, Leeds 0800
0850661
