SOPRANO LASER HAIR REMOVAL: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
In the super hair removal mode it is
painless, safe and effective. Fast treatment with proven clinical
results. The first consultation and test patch are free of
charge.
WHAT IS IT USED FOR?
For hair removal and long term hair reduction on most skin
types. Dark hairs are most easily treated due to
the large concentration of dark melanin in these, which gives
maximum absorption and conversion of light energy to heat.
Very fair hair has less melanin and consequently less heat is
produced making it slightly less certain of
permanent destruction of the hair follicles. Grey (white) hair
has almost no melanin and cannot be efficiently treated.
The upper skin layer of the epidermis, also contains melanin and
the concentration increases when the skin is exposed to UV light.
We are therefore unable to treat dark skinned and very tanned
individuals.
WHO CANNOT HAVE THE TREATMENT?
- Previous history of cancer, in particular skin cancer
- Pregnant (including IVF) but also anyone breast
feeding
- If you are on a photosensitive medication or herbal remedy/or
taking blood thinners
- Prolonged exposure to the sun or artificial tanning 4 weeks
before or after treatment
- Active Herpes Simplex (cold sores) in treatment area
- History of Keloid scarring (overproduction of scar tissue)
- Diabetics
- Very fragile or dry skin
- Epilepsy
- We will not treat under the age of 16
WHY IS GEL USED?
To aid the gliding of the laser head across the skin.
HOW IS THE TREATMENT CARRIED OUT?
The applicator is placed in contact with the skin and either the
laser light is passed as the head is moved across the skin for
super hair removal or in static shots for normal hair removal.
DOES IT HURT?
Super hair removal is painless. Normal hair removal can produce
some mild discomfort. In both cases the treatment is assisted by
cooling heads.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE AFFECTS?
The skin of some patients becomes
quite red immediately after treatment and very rarely small
blisters as from excessive sun exposure can occur. However, most
patients experience no side effects at all and the described skin
reactions usually disappear within hours to a few days.
DOES THE PATIENT NEED TO SHAVE PRIOR
TO TREATMENT?
Hairs should be 1 to 2mm long when the
patient comes in for treatment so it is possible to mark out the
treatment area.
Long hairs take up the energy and
prevent all of it reaching the hair follicle. Therefore hair is
trimmed just before
treatment for maximum transmission of
the energy. If the hair is normally shaved and can be seen when
shaven then patients can shave right up to the day of treatment
although plucking and bleaching should not be done.
By avoiding epilation and waxing 4
weeks before treatment it ensures as many follicles as possible
contain a hair and thus can be destroyed by the light.
WHY TO HAIRS ‘GROW’ AFTER
TREATMENT?
Hairs are not vaporised by the Soprano
treatment. The hair follicles are killed by the heat but the hairs
remain in the skin and often becomes attached to the epidermis.
They will fall out after 1 to 4 weeks as the epidermis is renewed.
During this period it will seem that the hairs are growing as the
epidermis pushes them out.
HOW LONG DOES TREATMENT TAKE?
The facial treatment can take as little as 10 minutes whereas
both legs and/or an entire back take approximately 1½ to 2
hours.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE
NECESSARY?
Only hair in the growth phase can be
treated. The number of hairs in this phase varies from 10% to 70%
depending on the body site. The lengths of the growth cycles also
vary. For most patients (unless there is a hormone imbalance) up to
eight treatments is sufficient to remove virtually all hairs on the
body.
Facial hair may require more
treatments. After the first treatment most patients get a
significant reduction in hair density also new grown hairs tend to
become finer. It is important to know that the first treatment is
believed to synchronize the anagen (growth) phase of the non-anagen
hairs.
This may cause what seems to be
re-growth but which is actually just the sleeping hairs starting to
grow at the
same time (new growth). This in turn
makes the next treatment(s) more effective.
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR TREATMENT?
Patients should avoid tanning 1 month ahead of and during the
entire treatment scenario to avoid excessive discomfort and
complications from excessive light absorption in the epidermis.
Immediately after the treatment the skin is particularly sensitive
to UV light and strong sunlight should be avoided for 4-5 days.
Please do not apply deodorant, perfumed products or aromatherapy
products on treatment day.