How laser hair removal works and how it works: the whole truth about the hair removal procedure

How does a laser epilator work for home use?

The mechanism of operation of a laser epilator is simple: when turned on, the device emits an infrared beam that penetrates the hair follicle. There, light energy is absorbed by the brown pigment melanin and converted into heat energy, heating and damaging the hair root. As a result, hair falls out. After several procedures, the bulb is completely destroyed.

Thanks to the pigment melanin, light energy is converted into heat, having a destructive effect on the follicle

Laser hair removal becomes effective only during the active phase of hair growth, which is not easy to catch. Therefore, hair often continues to grow after the first procedures. Typically, several sessions are required to completely remove excess hair. Sometimes this lasts for 5–6 months.

Important: laser hair removal is only suitable for those with dark hair and fair skin due to the high content of melanin pigment.

A home device differs from a salon device in terms of smaller power and grip area, so it will take more time to completely get rid of hair at home. In addition, when carrying out the procedure yourself, it is important to strictly follow all the rules for using the device, otherwise there is a high risk of not only not achieving the desired effect, but also getting burns. In this case, you will have to take full responsibility for your health.

A home laser epilator differs from a professional one in terms of power and grip area.

But from a financial point of view, a laser epilator for home use looks much more attractive than visiting a salon. By paying once, you get an unlimited number of procedures. This is very important, because it is not known in advance how many sessions you will need to completely get rid of unwanted vegetation.

Laser epilators - criteria for choosing devices, principles of their operation

Epilators for laser hair removal in salons are noticeably different from the technology that girls use at home. First of all - its size. Professional hair removal machines weigh from 30 kg and cost a small fortune. In a salon setting, a separate room is allocated for them.

Laser for home hair removal looks different and is not as powerful. Complete hair removal will take more time, but the principle of getting rid of annoying hair is the same for all types of devices. The device emits light waves in a certain spectrum, which affect the color pigment in the hair - melanin. When heated, the pigment affects the adjacent cells of the growth zone and the vessels that feed the hair follicles. As a result of this treatment, the hair root dies and the hair itself falls out.

To completely remove hair, several procedures will be required, this is due to the characteristics of the body, the area being epilated and the hormonal state of the girl.

To carry out laser hair removal at home, there is a range of compact equipment with waves of different lengths - this determines their effectiveness. The choice determines skin sensitivity, hair type, thickness and color.

Ruby

Ruby devices were the first of their kind and are still common today. The device in the housing (rod) creates a stream of light waves. The beam of these lasers is short, it is 694.3 Nm. This device can effectively eliminate dark hair, but is intended for girls with fair skin. This is due to the length of the beam.

Application has an effect on melanin in the skin, which can cause the appearance of age spots. On dark skin and moles, the device will cause burns. Ruby depilatories do not affect light hairs with low pigment content. Since the ruby ​​laser must be in contact with the skin to affect the hair, the use of such a device is painful. Over time, the removed hair will be restored. This laser epilator should be used with caution at home, given its dangerous properties.

Alexandrite

These home laser hair removal devices are less aggressive due to their longer wavelengths. They replaced ruby ​​devices. Their effectiveness is higher, side effects are lower. The emitter in the housing has a similar structure. The beam reaches 820 Nm, the length starts at 700, so the device does not require contact with the skin.

These lasers work well on dark hair and can be used for light tanning. They have a cooling system that reduces the risk of burns. Alexandrite lasers do not work on blonde hair. They can cause pain and burns on heavily tanned and dark skin, and damage moles. Less dangerous than ruby ​​counterparts, but requires continued caution, especially when treating delicate areas. After removal, the hair may partially grow back.

Diode

It's called sapphire. This is a universal device, suitable for removing vegetation from any part of the body. Creates a light beam of 800 Nm, which is safe for tanned and dark skin. But may have little effect on dark-skinned people.

Home laser hair removal with a sapphire device ensures complete destruction of hair follicles in a short time, which will eliminate hair forever. Diode laser treatment is painless and removes hair of any color. The exception is gray hair, which lacks melanin.

Neodymium

These representatives of the line of laser depilators are the most powerful. The wavelength in them is 1064 Nm, and hair removal occurs according to a different principle. High-intensity light rays affect the vessels that nourish the hair follicles. Hair falls out from lack of nutrition to the hair follicle.

Neodymium devices are safe for dark-skinned and dark-skinned girls and remove gray and very light hair well. The effect of such depilation is temporary and the treatment will need to be repeated.

Neodymium lasers are painless and safe, but are not suitable for home laser hair removal. Devices of this type are expensive, they are not found in every salon, and only a cosmetologist or a physician can work on them. Inept use or application by a “handicraft” craftsman will not lead to a good result.

Choosing a home laser device

Before purchasing a device for home use, there are several factors to consider:

• phototype of your skin (the device must be equipped with the correct type of laser);
• areas that you are going to treat (there are specialized devices for different areas of the body).

Types of device

Epilators are equipped with an alexandrite or neodymium laser. In the first case, the laser is effective only for those with dark hair and light skin; the second option has a wider spectrum of action. The most effective and versatile type of laser is diode. It is designed to work with any skin phototype. Unfortunately, no laser epilator can handle very light or gray hairs.

There are devices with Single and Scan functions. The difference is that the Single household epilator can only act on one hair, while the Scan model is equipped with a scanner that determines the location of the hairs, automatically directing a beam of light at them. The impact area of ​​epilators with the Scan function reaches 60 square meters. mm, which significantly reduces the procedure time. In addition, the scanning function allows you to avoid burns that can be caused by mistakenly pointing the spot epilator at an area where there is no hair. There are also devices that combine both functions.

Criterias of choice

So, if you have weighed the pros and cons and are ready to buy a laser hair removal machine at home, you need to pay attention to the following aspects:

• financial opportunities. According to experts, cheap devices will not bring the expected results, so it is recommended to pay attention to devices with an average cost of 400–500 dollars;
• service. Typically, laser epilators do not require replacement components. Photoepilators with similar functions, on the contrary, have a limit of emitted flashes, and therefore require regular replacement of the lamp. Don't get confused;
• parameters of laser radiation. The longer the wavelength, the deeper it penetrates into the epidermis. It is recommended that a dermatologist work with waves longer than 800 nm. The exception is epilator models equipped with an intelligent scanning system and automatic selection of radiation parameters;
• convenience of the device. Laser hair removal is a lengthy process, so make sure that the device fits comfortably in your hand, has convenient dimensions and a sufficient cord length;
• processing area. The smaller it is, the correspondingly less time will be required for hair removal;
• presence of cooling function. Sometimes a laser hair removal session can be painful, which is why some models are equipped with a cooling system. This option will minimize all unpleasant sensations;
• manufacturer. Choose a well-known and reliable manufacturer.

Table: popular models of laser epilators

Photo gallery: review of laser epilators for home use

Remington IPL6250 laser epilator has Multi Flash and Single Flash modes

HoMedics DUO Salon AFT + IPL epilator (laser + photoepilator) is suitable for any skin phototype

Laser epilator DEZAC RIO 321029 (x20 + scan) is equipped with a skin type scanning function

The BABYLISS G946E IPL laser epilator has 5-level light adjustment

The Rio Salon Laser Tweezer laser epilator is capable of only targeting hair

Main stages of laser hair removal

Laser hair removal is divided into several stages: the preparatory stage, the hair removal procedure itself and the subsequent period of skin care. Since laser hair removal is a delicate process, one procedure is not enough to obtain a 100% result.

How many procedures will it take to remove

If the principle of laser hair removal is the same for all skin types, then its result is not. The duration of procedures and their number depend on skin type, hair color and structure, as well as on the area of ​​the body that is being treated. The number of sessions for complete removal varies from four to eight.

Laser hair removal is an intervention in the natural processes of the body; let us clarify what you need to know to avoid unpleasant consequences.

There must be a certain interval between procedures. Cosmetologist specialists insist on increasing the interval between procedures by two weeks after each, that is, we get the following:

• after the first session – from 4 to 6 weeks;
• after the second – from 6 to 8 weeks;
• the interval after the third is from 8 to 10 weeks.

Preparing for laser hair removal

Before laser hair removal is performed, it is necessary to prepare for the procedure. For two to four months, it is not advisable to use tweezers or hot wax; you can use a razor or depilatory cream.

It is necessary to avoid sunbathing and solariums a month before hair removal, at the same time you need to use a cream that protects the skin from UV rays.
You must stop using lotions containing alcohol within seven days. The day before hair removal, it is not recommended to use cosmetics: cream, deodorant, any decorative cosmetics. Important ! The length of the hairs in the area to be treated must be at least one millimeter.

Laser hair removal

The result of laser hair removal, as stated in the description of the procedure, depends on the phototype of the patient’s skin. Before starting the procedure, a test is performed on a small area of ​​skin to determine sensitivity to the laser. If the patient has a high pain sensitivity threshold, he is offered an anesthetic cream.

Now let's talk about how laser hair removal works. Both the patient and the doctor wear protective glasses during the process. The hair removal session is carried out on clean and dry skin. The device is directed to the desired area of ​​skin, and when it operates, laser pulses, so-called flashes, are generated.

Between flashes, the cooling system is turned on, ensuring a painless process. There may be a tingling sensation that causes mild discomfort, but not pain.

How to properly use a laser epilator at home

After purchasing a suitable model, be sure to read the instructions for the device. This way you can achieve the most effective results and avoid mistakes. Before using the epilator, consult a dermatologist.

Preparing for hair removal

Both salon and home laser hair removal sessions require a preparatory stage. Compliance with the following recommendations will make the procedure safe and most effective:

• limit your time in the sun 2 weeks before the procedure;
• 3-4 days in advance, shave the hair in the desired area. By the time of laser treatment, the hairs should be 2–3 mm long, in the active growth phase;
• immediately before the procedure, wash and dry the areas of skin on which hair removal will be performed;
• Before using the epilator for the first time, perform an allergy test. To do this, treat a small area and see how the skin reacts after a few hours. If there is no itching, redness or irritation, you can proceed to further work.

Conducting a home session

There is nothing complicated in the process of laser hair removal; even the most inexperienced girl can handle it, but for the first time everyone may experience a little anxiety. Relax, the procedure is safe. You just need to follow a simple algorithm:

1. Place the head of the turned on epilator firmly on the desired area of ​​the body.
2. Wait for the light flash.
3. Move the device to the next area.

During one session, each area is treated with the laser only once

Important: during one session, each area can be treated with a laser only once.

All! As you can see, the process is very simple and fast. Please note that instant hair loss will not occur. As a result of light exposure, hair weakens and falls out within 2–3 days. Therefore, you should not immediately sound the alarm and lament the ineffectiveness of the device. Do not try to pull out hairs with tweezers, as there is a risk that you will damage the hair shaft and the bulb will remain in place. Just be patient and calmly wait for the result.

The next session should be carried out after 3-4 weeks, when the new hairs have grown a little and are in the active growth phase. Between sessions, it is prohibited to carry out any shaving procedures, as well as do other types of hair removal.

How to behave after the session

It is very important to follow the recommendations of specialists so that removing unwanted vegetation does not cause you harm:

• immediately after the procedure, do not wear clothes that fit tightly to the skin, especially those made of synthetic materials;
• Do not use alcohol-containing cosmetics for 2 weeks;
• do not rub the skin with a washcloth or scrub;
• avoid sunbathing for 2 weeks;
• do not receive massage sessions for three days;
• in the summer, apply sunscreen with SPF of at least 30 before each time you go outside.

What to do to make laser hair removal painless

First of all, carefully choose a cosmetologist (dermatologist) who will perform the procedure. This must be a qualified specialist who has experience working with a specific laser. Before contacting a particular beauty salon, look for reviews. And of course, make sure that the laser device is certified and that your cosmetologist has completed the necessary training course.

Next, listen to yourself. The sensations during hair removal depend on various factors, including:

• Individual pain threshold. What will be unpleasant for one woman, another will not even feel. Perhaps you are one of these lucky ones.
• The area of ​​skin where hair is removed. The more pain receptors there are, the more unpleasant the procedure. Laser hair removal on legs or arms is less painful than treating the sensitive bikini area or armpits.
• Monthly cycle. During PMS and menstruation, the pain threshold decreases. Therefore, it is better to carry out hair removal a few days after your period ends: then it will be as painless as possible.

Possible consequences

Swelling and redness may occur immediately after the procedure. They do not require special treatment and will soon go away on their own. Cooling the treated area during and after the procedure will help avoid unpleasant consequences. To do this, it is recommended to use a special gel for laser hair removal (if the device is not equipped with a cooling function). The intensity of the reaction depends on the thickness, color and thickness of the hair. A dense flow of energy is absorbed by the bulbs, they heat up, resulting in swelling and redness. Most often this occurs in those with sensitive skin.

Contraindications

Contraindications to home laser hair removal are:

• malignant formations, including skin;
• diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease;
• phlebeurysm;
• the presence of inflammation, wounds, cuts in the treated area;
• a large number of moles, warts, papillomas on the treated area of ​​skin;
• allergic diseases in the acute stage;
• viral infections;
• During pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Side effects

Side effects may occur as a result of non-compliance with the rules of preparation and subsequent care of the treated area, as well as if contraindications are ignored. The main side effects after laser hair removal include:

• the appearance of burns. This usually happens due to incorrectly selected laser parameters, as well as non-compliance with the rules of conduct after sessions;
• folliculitis (inflammation of hair follicles). It may appear in people with excessive sweating, as well as when visiting a bathhouse or sauna immediately before the procedure;
• the appearance of pigment spots on the skin;
• allergic reactions. There is no allergy to the laser itself, but a reaction to related cosmetics may occur;
• exacerbation of dermatitis and other skin diseases.

Side effects may occur if safety rules are not followed during laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal: a brief description of the procedure

Laser hair removal is perhaps the most common and popular cosmetic procedure today. The popularity of the procedure is due to the safety of the process. By following all recommendations before and after the procedure, the patient will not have any side effects. The effect of laser hair removal is smooth skin for many years, and this is not an advertising slogan, but reality.

How laser hair removal works: the method is based on the destruction of the hair follicle, after which it simply stops growing in the treated area. The laser device is capable of removing hair from small and large areas of the skin; the cooling device with which the device is equipped protects the skin from overheating and the appearance of age spots.

The duration and result of the procedure depends on the structure of the skin of the treated area: on thinner skin (armpit and bikini area) hair is removed faster, on the back - a little longer. For example, the mustache above the upper lip will disappear in approximately 25 minutes, a deep bikini takes up to 45 minutes, a classic one – 20 minutes.

Since hair does not grow evenly, laser hair removal will need to be repeated. After the first procedure (again, depending on the skin area), from 15 to 40% of the hair is removed.

Find out more about the pros and cons of laser hair removal.

Reviews: laser epilator for home use

I have the X60 RIO model. I bought it in the fall. I was satisfied. There are instructions and even a disc with a video. There is no pain. Now I gave it to a friend to use. The instructions say that the service life is up to 7 years. I completed the course, and nothing has grown for 4 months. So cool that you don't have to think about it! I used to have waxing every 3 weeks.

Eve

https://www.babyblog.ru/community/post/krasota/1462065

I bought it a year ago for 16 thousand. It helped me a lot. True, this is a tedious and long-lasting task; in home lasers the coverage area is about 1 cm by 1 cm. Can you imagine how much time it will take you to get your legs in order? But on my own, I will say that the game is worth the candle. I got my bikini area and armpits in order, my legs are in the process. The only thing is that for some reason it really doesn’t help brunettes. It didn’t help my sister.

Guest

https://www.woman.ru/beauty/body/thread/3878258/

I don’t want to upset you, it’s better to check with a specialist, but it seems to me that dark skin is an absolute contraindication for laser hair removal. As for reviews of devices, I use RIO Laser Tweezer. I chose it because of the average price and small size. Because I often travel around the cities of the country. The device is not bad, but only for removing single hairs. Ideal if you had laser hair removal in a salon, and then sometimes you need to remove “surviving” hairs.

Shashkova

https://epilus.ru/forums/topic/kto-delal-lazernuyu-epilyatsiyu-v-domashnih-usloviyah/

So, it is now possible to get rid of unwanted vegetation quickly, painlessly and forever without even leaving your home. Specially designed devices will cope with the problem in just a few sessions. The main thing is to make sure that the epilator is suitable for your purposes, choose a quality device and follow safety rules.

• Author: woman
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Features of laser hair removal of the face, legs, abdomen, bikini area and other parts of the body

The vegetation on the body is heterogeneous; in some areas the hair follicle lies deep, in others it is not. There is also a dependence on the stage of hair growth: early or mature. These reasons have a great influence on how laser hair removal proceeds in the deep bikini area or the area above the upper lip.

Deeper hair follicles lie in the following areas:

• armpit area;
• breast;
• back;
• hands;
• thighs and legs;
• bikini area

In these areas, the follicle can lie at a depth of 4 mm, which means that a device operating on long waves is needed here.

It is also known that when treating the bikini area and armpits, the patient will experience more pain than during the procedure on the legs , for example.
This is already due to the fact that in the armpit and bikini area the skin is much thinner, and therefore more sensitive, than on the back or legs. Important !
The face and bikini area are the areas most affected by hormones. This means that any hormonal surge in the body can lead to hair growth after the procedure. The procedure is simpler and easier for the cosmetologist and the patient in areas with a shallow follicle, such as the forehead, chin, area above the upper lip and cheeks. These areas take less time and are less susceptible to irritation and discomfort during the procedure.

In addition, this procedure can be performed with almost any type of laser. How laser hair removal is done on more delicate areas, for example, in the deep bikini area - most often with a diode laser . Cosmetologists recommend it because of the provided cooling system, which partially relieves discomfort.

Clients of cosmetology clinics are not only women; many men experience discomfort and embarrassment due to the abundant hair on their back and abdomen. Patients who have resorted to laser hair removal describe the procedure as a panacea.

The result remains for many years, the procedure is almost painless and takes little time. One procedure on the back takes up to one and a half hours, on the stomach – up to forty minutes. For women who have the same problems, the procedure time for the abdominal area is 20 minutes, about 30 minutes for the sacrum and décolleté area.

How does hair removal proceed - from preparation to the final stage

When there are no contraindications to home laser hair removal, you can begin the session. During processing, care is taken and technology is strictly followed to avoid burns and complications. In salons, a cosmetologist is responsible for this matter; with self-depilation, everything depends on the woman herself.

The first step requires a tolerance test. When depilating a new area on the body, it will have to be done again. If the legs tolerate the beam well, this does not guarantee the same resistance of the armpits. An undesirable reaction of the body to an outbreak is considered to be itching, redness of the skin or burning (if any of the symptoms lasts longer than 24 hours). In this case, the selected zone does not tolerate the laser. This method cannot be used to remove hair from it.

The treatment takes place on dry skin, without traces of sweat or dirt. Operating rules for different models are specified in the instructions for hair removal lasers. At home, power is selected using them. Eye protection is not required. The device's manipulators are equipped with a mechanism that does not allow part of the beam to pass through from the outside. It acts specifically on the treated area.

The working part of the epilator is applied to an area on the body and pressed to activate the light flash. A light pressure is enough for the beam to pass through. Then the manipulator is removed from the surface and moved to the next area. You cannot drag it while maintaining pressure - the impact must be point-specific.

The coverage area of ​​the device for home laser hair removal is small, usually up to 5 cm. This can be clarified in the instructions for the device. The processing principle is indicated there. The same area should not be treated twice due to the risk of burns, so coverage area is important.

Rules aimed at consolidating the results and safety are followed for several days. After laser hair removal at home, for 2 days it is prohibited:

1. Apply deodorant or perfume. This rule applies to the treatment of the axillary area.
2. Overheat - take a hot bath, shower, visit baths and saunas.
3. Irritate the skin - this includes scrubbing, peeling, rubbing.

Repeat the procedure after 3 weeks. When the skin has calmed down, hair can be removed with a machine or cream applied, but only 3-4 days after treatment. To completely get rid of hair, you will need 5 or 6 sessions of home laser hair removal. Hair will stop growing for a long period; a new course will be needed when the hair follicles that were inactive “wake up”.

Features of laser epilator

A laser epilator only affects hairs that are in the growth stage, so it becomes necessary to repeat the procedures many times in order to destroy all vegetation. The laser affects the melanin pigment, which is part of both the structure of the skin and the hair shaft itself. Therefore, it is impossible to remove light and gray hairs with a laser, but it copes with dark hairs on light skin without any problems. Dark skin rich in melanin can cause burns, so sunbathing is prohibited a week before the procedure.