If you’re looking for a laser or photoepilation device for long-lasting hair removal, you’ll find yourself lost in a sea of information. What’s more, everyone claims to offer the “best” and “most powerful” laser. How can you make sense of it all? Laser hair removal Or should you opt for photoepilation for a permanent result? Are there devices that can remove even light-coloured hair? What are the different types of lasers and how do you choose between them?
We asked ourselves all these questions before our first waxing session. Endless searching online doesn’t always lead to finding high-quality, useful information. That’s why we’ve tried to summarise some of our knowledge on the subject and bring it all together in one place. We’d also like to offer you some advice, backed by our expertise as medical professionals and more than 7 years’ experience with over 6,000 clients.
Shall we start by comparing laser hair removal and photoepilation?
IPL photoepilation is based on the principle of intense pulsed light. It comprises a multitude of wavelengths ranging from 600 to 1200 nm. Consequently, during photoepilation, we are exposed to an unnecessarily broad spectrum of light energy. The energy becomes ineffective because it is distributed between the melanin in the skin and the melanin in the hair – see the diagram. This is why its intensity is insufficient to reach the hair follicle and destroy it.
Photoepilation causes hair to fall out and slows down hair growth due to the heat, but there is one general problem. This is that the hair root remains intact and we can expect the hair to grow back. The devices commonly available in Bulgaria do not allow for adjustment of the wavelength, pulse duration, etc. This results in the same effect as waxing when removing hair.
There are few IPL photoepilation devices that allow for truly effective settings, but even those are rather slow and painful. For this reason, they are considered an outdated method of hair removal. This is also a good opportunity to discuss another important issue.
All home-use photoepilators are designed to be safe. To be used at home by people with no training whatsoever, without protective goggles, without cooling gel or cryo-spray, without settings for different skin and hair types, and without energy level adjustment (to prevent users from getting burnt), these devices are designed to operate at the gentlest possible settings. Unfortunately, they cannot destroy the hair follicle. They heat the hair and „wear it down”; it falls out, but the root remains alive. With prolonged use of this type of photoepilation, one sometimes observes slowed growth and thinning of the hair itself, but not a permanent effect.
That is why photoepilation is not a method of permanent hair removal.
A far more contemporary and logical choice is to opt for a modern and genuinely effective laser hair removal device – medical alexandrite laser for hair removal.
Laser hair removal is based on the principle of selective photothermolysis. The light energy is directed towards and absorbed by the pigment melanin in the hair. Because it is much faster than photoepilation, it manages to reach the hair root before the hair can dissipate the absorbed energy. There, it is converted into intense heat, which leads to the hair’s complete destruction. This is one of the main advantages of the alexandrite laser!
When looking for the right laser hair removal device, you should be aware that there are several different types. These are categorised according to the wavelength at which they operate. Within each type, there are different grades depending on who manufactured them, how they were made and where they were produced. Here’s what you can choose from.
This is the gold standardIn terms of laser hair removal equipment, we offer the very latest laser hair removal system. The high-end alexandrite lasers are medical-grade. Due to its unlimited capabilities, the alexandrite laser must be operated by a medical professional who can determine exactly which parameters to use. It is suitable for treating larger areas and for skin types I to III, and in some cases type IV. (It is not used on people with dark skin.).
Globally, this is the most widely used laser therapy device, but it is very rare in Bulgaria. The main reason is that, given its price – ranging from $50,000 to $160,000 – it requires a huge investment.
The wavelength of alexandrite lasers is absorbed most effectively by the melanin in the hair – this makes them proven to be the most effective lasers for hair removal. However, this is also the reason why they should not be used on dark skin or tanned skin. Treatments with this type of laser hair removal device are virtually painless (the sensation is similar to a pinch, but not a burning sensation or unbearable pain). Cooling is achieved not with gel, but with a cryo-jet. On top of everything else, the alexandrite laser is the only effective laser for light, fine and thin hairs, because it has the highest speed. When hairs are fine and thin, they dissipate the heat from the beam very quickly, which is why speed is crucial.
Of course, there are also attempts to cut corners when it comes to alexandrite lasers. There are cheaper models; some of them do not have all the safety certificates, whilst others simply have lower performance specifications.
The world leader amongst all alexandrites is Gentle Lase Pro. It is the fastest of all lasers of its kind, the most powerful, with the widest range of applications, and the most effective at removing light-coloured and fine hairs. Its only drawback is that it requires medical staff operating it to be highly qualified. This is necessary so that they can determine the most effective operating parameters. It also enables them to adjust these settings for each subsequent treatment based on the results achieved, so that in just 6 treatments your skin will remain smooth for more than 15 years. The good news is that, for the Gentle Lase Pro Alexandrite laser, Sofia can rely on laser centre Body Aesthetics. Our expert medical team will ensure that you achieve the best possible results in complete safety.
In the global rankings, our laser is followed by the slightly older systems from Cynosure and EpiTouch Plus.
A diode laser is a non-medical device for laser hair removal and, as such, does not require the operator to have medical training, which could compromise the procedure. It is suitable for all skin types, but is moderately effective, and only on thick, dark hairs. The reason for this is that their wavelength is not absorbed as strongly by melanin. After 2–3 treatments, the effect diminishes or stops because the hairs have become finer and lighter. As a result, they are not affected by the diode laser beam. At this stage, it is necessary to switch to another type of laser, preferably an alexandrite laser. If you are wondering whether to choose a diode or an alexandrite laser, bear in mind that only The second one is effective on fine, light-coloured hair.
With diode laser hair removal, the capabilities of the diode are limited. Due to the non-optimised wavelength – which passes straight through the hair follicle into the deeper layers of the skin – this type of laser does not have a wide range of settings. Furthermore, they cannot be adjusted to suit the individual characteristics of the hair growth of laser centre clients.
Diode laser hair removal is suitable for all skin types. It is even safe for tanned skin, but not as effective. The reason is that the energy from its beam is not absorbed as strongly by the melanin in the skin and hair. That is why the treatments only work on very dark hair.
For any centre, price is a key factor when purchasing a laser hair removal machine. The investment required for a diode laser is not substantial, and this is precisely why these devices are the most widely used in Bulgaria. The downside is that it is very difficult to gauge their quality. There are simply many compromise options and imitations of reputable brands available at prices as low as $2,000. Otherwise, the leading brands in diode devices are PrimeLase, Elysion Pro, LaserLite, Apex 800, Epistar and Alma Lasers.
Nd:YAG laser with a wavelength of 1064 nmВ laser centre At Body Aesthetics, we have always strived to offer a comprehensive range of services for every skin type, using state-of-the-art equipment. That is why we have added the Gentle Max ProPlus to our extensive „arsenal“ of services – Candela’s newly developed alexandrite + Nd:YAG laser for hair removal, skin rejuvenation and regeneration. It can be used both on tanned skin and on darker skin types (phototypes IV, V and VI). This is particularly important in the summer, when we are exposed to the sun and want to have both smooth skin and a tan.
Yes, laser hair removal using an alexandrite laser GentleLase Pro from the world leader Candela continues to be the gold standard throughout the world. Its only drawback, however, is that it cannot be used on tanned skin or on people with a naturally darker phototype. That is why we at Body Aesthetics have added the Gentle Max ProPlus to our collection of world-class devices. This means that laser hair removal in the summer is now fully achievable even for the darkest, sun-tanned skin.
GentleLase MaxPro is the global market leader. However, Cutera, CoolGlide, Fotona, Athos, Medlite IV, Varia, Lyra and Image are also commonly used.
This is the oldest laser hair removal device, effective mainly on thin and fine hair. It cannot be used on people with darker skin and complexions, but only on skin types I and II. The treatments are very painful, which is the main reason why this laser is rarely used nowadays. It treats small areas and is slow, which increases the duration of the treatment. It is considered an outdated method. The best-known ruby lasers are the Palomar E2000, RubyStar and EpiPulse Ruby.
We at the Body Aesthetics Laser Centre hope that, in the end, all this extensive information will prove useful to you. Our aim is to be objective, but not impartial. The reason is that we firmly stand by our choice of equipment for laser hair removal, having compared it with every other model on the market. Every single day, the Gentle Lase Pro proves its uncompromising effectiveness and justifies the significant investment made in it. Its outstanding reputation as the world’s number one alexandrite laser is confirmed by every satisfied client, both here and elsewhere.
So take a look at our laser hair removal prices and come and enjoy treatments using the most effective equipment for optimal results. The initial consultation is detailed and completely free of charge.
The material How do you choose a laser hair removal device? was first published on Body Aesthetics.
