Laser Hair Removal Equipment

Written by on August 25, 2009 · Leave a Comment

When you’re at the stage of considering a particular treatment center or clinic, be sure to ask questions about which type of laser hair removal equipment they have and which machines you will actually be treated with.

Obviously the more state of the art the better. If their equipment is 20 years old, run a mile because equipment is constantly improving and if a clinic is not reinvesting in new technology then you are not getting the best results that could be achieved for your time and money. While these machines cost tens of thousands of dollars and clinics can’t constantly change them, that is not your problem and you do want to find a clinic which uses the latest and best.

Also remember that different types of equipment are suitable for different skin and hair types. When you go for your initial consultation ask why they recommend a particular piece of equipment for you over others that they may have. If they have only one type of laser equipment ask why they chose it and whether it is the best one for you.

laser hair removal equipment

Which laser equipment will be right for you?

The different types of laser equipment which you might encounter at clinics are:-

  • The Ruby Laser is a 694 nm wavelength machine. (Also see brand names Epilaser, Rubystar and Palomar E2000). This was the first laser hair removal system used commercially and has been extensively tested. The light waves are very selectively absorbed by melanin (the pigment in the hair and skin). It causes selective damage to hair follicles, minimising injury to the skin. There is a 2 second period between each laser pulse designed to allow the skin to cool down and cause less injury and pain. This type of laser also only works on light skin colors
  • The Alexandrite Laser Machine – This machine has a 755nm wavelength and works in a similar way to the Ruby laser. It is also only suitable for treating very white skin. It appears under the brand names of GentleLASE, Apogee and EpiTouchPlus.
  • The Nd: Yag (1064 nm wavelength) laser which appears also under brand names CoolGlide, Medilite IV, Varia, Athos, Lyra and Image is meant to be capable of treating all skin colors however the evidence is still lacking about whether long term hair removal can be achieved for everyone. It was not designed specifically for hair removal and is more often used for removing tattoos. It must be used with a carbon lotion to effect hair removal and there is the difficulty of getting the lotion to penetrate to the follicles. If it doesn’t skin damage can occur according to the British Association of Cosmetic Doctors. It appears this is not the safest option
  • The Diode laser (800 nm or 810 nm wavelength). There are lots of brand names for this type of laser including SLP 1000, FI Diode, Light Sheer, MeDioStar, LaserLite, Epistar and Apex 800. This kind of laser penetrates further into the skin than Ruby and Alexandrite lasers and may be used to treat darker skin although tests are still ongoing as to how effective they are at long term hair removal.
  • Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) laser also appears under brand names Ultimate Light, EpilLight, PhotoDerm, Quantum, AcuLight or Vasculight. These type of lasers can safely treat all skin colors as there are many parameters on the machine which can be adjusted by a trained operator to effect hair removal in a more personalized way. See IPL hair removal for more details.

Which laser hair removal equipment will work best for you?

Unfortunately the FDA only approves systems as being safe and does not compare how effective one system is over another. And with most of the machines tests are ongoing regarding how permanent hair removal actually is. So you are left with requesting the evidence from the clinics you are thinking of using about their particular system or researching on the web where you may be fed stories put about by the manufacturers. By the far the best is personal recommendation of laser hair removal equipment from someone who has had success with it and has similar hair and coloring to you. Failing that get as much information about any particular machine as you can from independent medical websites.

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The Best Laser Hair Removal Treatment

Written by on September 1, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Getting the best laser hair removal treatment starts before you visit the clinic for the first time. Look around online at all the places offering laser hair removal in your area. Send for their information and compare notes. Visit those places which appeal – not just those offering the best brochures but a good range of laser centers and clinics to find the best one for your treatment.

You see some laser treatment centers will have very capable sales and marketing people but you want the centers with the best laser hair removal equipment and the most trained technicians not just the most persuasive sales people. You have to read between the ads for each laser clinic to get the best results and customer service for your money.

What should you be looking for in quality laser hair removal treatment?

Are there medically trained operators at the laser clinic?

Are there medically trained operators at the laser clinic?

1. State of the Art Laser Hair Removal Equipment

Laser hair removal equipment improves all the time but as those machines cost several thousand dollars each clinics don’t always stay up to date. Research the equipment that the center uses. And if you have anything other than light skin and dark hair (the easiest combination to treat) check that they have specialist machines which cater for you.

2. Well Trained Operators

Of course, all operators will all be fully trained an have certificates to prove it (this will be required by law in most cases) but what results do they achieve at this particular laser treatment center? Do they have before and after pictures of numerous clients as they go through their treatment showing improvement and real reduction in hair? Do they have believable testimonials?

3. Realistic Promises

Try and get round the sales hype and find out from the clinic what may actually be achievable by you with your skin and hair type. Don’t trust a clinic which glosses over the fact that you probably won’t achieve complete, permanent hair removal. Ask about how painful the treatment is and don’t trust any clinic which talks about pain free. As a minimum you will feel some discomfort – like being pinged by tiny rubber bands. Trust a clinic which tells it exactly as it is, not the one which hypes things up.

4. Guarantees

If a laser treatment center is offering to treat hair until it is gone for good with free of charge follow up appointments then that is great because every type of skin and hair reacts differently but it is more likely that you will a get certain number of follow up sessions included in your package if hair is not fully removed. Just weigh up the likely cost of follow up laser treatment at each clinic if it is not including when you are considering different packages.

5. General Environment

Do you feel comfortable with the clinic? Is it clean? Does it seem that it is efficiently run? Do you get the feeling that they are just after your money or truly care that you solve your unwanted hair problems? (Not always easy to tell but if they are putting you under pressure to sign up before you have had a chance to make up your mind you have your answer) Even small things like appointments being available when you need them may sway your decision between one clinic and another.

6. Plenty of Information

Do they tell you exactly what to expect before, during and after each session? Do they have information you can take away and read? For information about what they should be telling you see the articles on the main part of the Simply Hair Removal site about what to expect at each stage of treatment: See the Laser Hair Removal section

7. Costs

Finally the cost of the treatment. Look at the overall cost given the number of sessions you are likely to need (including top up treatments) and compare it to the average laser hair removal price as well as the cost of other clinics in your local area. (Prices do vary quite a lot between different regions from $350 on average per session to $500). Check out any payment plans on offer which may help you to afford laser hair removal treatment too (but don’t forget to add on the cost of any finance charges to the overall price).

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Laser Clinic : Good or Bad?

Written by on July 21, 2010 · Leave a Comment

If you are weighing up whether to use a particular laser clinic or you are trying to decide between one particular hair removal treatment center and another, you need to know which criteria to use to judge the particular clinic or clinics you are looking at. Here are the good and bad signs I would look for in making my mind up.

Bad Signs for a Laser Hair Removal Clinic

  • The clinic puts you through a slick selling process without giving you time to consider your options
  • The consultant does not explain exactly what you can expect before, during and after treatment.
  • There is no mention of pain levels or the pain relief options to combat them.
  • They do not explain how your skin and hair color might influence the success of the treatment (Be especially wary if you have dark skin or fair, red or gray hair, and this is not discussed.
  • You are not told the exact cost of laser hair removal sessions or the likely price of a full course of treatment.
  • There is too much emphasis on getting you to sign up for a payment plan if the treatment is not affordable.
  • Cheap laser hair removal advertised by the clinic suddenly becomes expensive when all the extras are included.
  • There is no guarantee offered so that you could end up spending thousands and being no better off.
  • Any signs that the laser clinic is in need of maintenance or that any aspect of hygiene is lacking should make you think twice. Peeling paint may not affect your treatment but it is a sign of sloppiness you are best to avoid.

Good Signs

Of course, you can just look for the opposite of the bad signs, but here are a few more things to look out for.

  • The clinic uses state of the art laser hair removal equipment and they explain why the particular equipment is best for your skin and hair.
  • You feel at ease with the consultant and not under any pressure to sign up for a course of laser hair treatment. You have all the time you need to make your decision.
  • After you have seen the consultant you are fairly confident you know what you will experience and the type of results you might get (best and worst scenario).
  • You are clear about laser treatment prices and any payment plans offered have a sensible rate of interest.
  • You are happy with the appointment times and the ease of getting to the clinic.
  • You have a good feeling in your gut about the place. Sometimes instinct is the best way to judge, all things being equal.

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