Photoepilation is one of the many terms used to describe the medical aesthetic procedure for removing unwanted hair. The name "photoepilation" suggests that such a procedure is carried out through the use of light. All unwanted hair removal procedures today are based on the projection of a certain type of light (with a given wavelength) onto the hair growing on the treated surface.
Photoepilation - what is it?
Photoepilation is a fairly effective procedure for removing unwanted hair on almost any part of the body with a prolonged effect. It consists in the following: melanin (dark pigment), when heated, transfers heat to the blood vessels that feed the follicle, in one way or another disrupting hair growth. With a repeated and regularly repeated procedure, the follicle atrophies over time, and growthhair stops completely.
Different types of photoepilation
The first photoepilation procedure was based on laser technology. In the early 1990s, the first laser hair removal machines were approved for use by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration, also responsible for ensuring the safety of new treatments). Since then, three other hair removal technologies have been developed: IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), LHE (Heat Light), DPC (Dynamic Control Pulse). The differences between the technologies mentioned above lie in their effectiveness in the process of removing certain types of hair. For example, individuals with fine blond hair will not get the maximum benefit from laser hair removal, unlike LHE.
Working principle
In order to carry out the procedure for removing unwanted hair, you need a special apparatus. Photoepilation is a procedure based on the action of light energy with certain physical characteristics. It works by passing heat energy through the hair shafts into the follicles below the surface of the skin.
Light is projected onto the surface to be treated and absorbed by individual strands of hair, this energy causes them to heat up to high temperatures. The heat is then transferred (conducted by the strand itself) into the hair follicle to its base under the surface of the skin.
Heated follicles detach a strand of hair growing from them (through which heat is transferred to them). A certain percentage of follicles (independing on the degree of their participation in the photoepilation procedure) also receives enough damage, as a result of which the growth of new hair is disrupted for a sufficiently long period of time. As a rule, it is 3-5 years.
How is the procedure?
Photoepilation - what is it? A cosmetic procedure like sugaring? Or is it still a medical procedure that takes place under the supervision of a qualified specialist in several stages? Photoepilation involves, firstly, a consultation with a specialist, during which the doctor examines you and creates a special questionnaire with your data: hair color, hair type, condition and skin type, and also necessarily establishes the presence or absence of contraindications. Based on your individual characteristics, the doctor develops a personal photoepilation program. Then you take a skin and hair photosensitivity test. That is why photoepilation at home is quite problematic. Before starting the procedure, a special antiseptic and cooling gel with aloe vera extract is applied to the skin. And in case of increased photosensitivity, a cream with an anesthetic effect is also applied to the skin beforehand (1-1.5 hours before the procedure). During the procedure, a slight unpleasant tingling sensation is felt at the exposure site, the pain of which varies depending on the individual sensitivity of the body. In addition, after the procedure, a slight redness remains on the surface of the skin, which disappears after a few hours. You sit comfortably in a chair, put on special goggles, andthe doctor passes over the skin with a manipulator connected to the device. After finishing, an anti-inflammatory agent and a cooling compress are applied to the entire treated surface. The duration of photoepilation varies widely and depends on the area of the treated surface and the degree of hairiness. The time interval between the first sessions of photoepilation is approximately 4-6 weeks, and over time increases to 2-4 months. On average, 6-8 procedures are required to completely remove hair in each specific area.
Photoepilation: opinions and benefits
As you know, laser hair removal is the most effective hair removal procedure, but it is effective only for dark hair and has some restrictions on certain areas of the body, and is also very demanding on the level of skin sensitivity. That is why photoepilation has appeared as a worthy alternative to the laser. What kind of procedure we have already described above, and now consider its advantages:
- almost painless;
- higher speed;
- few contraindications and hypoallergenic;
- contactless and comfortable.
Today, a fairly large percentage of women around the world have experienced firsthand what photoepilation is. Reviews about it mainly emphasize high efficiency and the absence of side effects. In some cases, women complain about incomplete hair removal. Most often this is due to the incompleteness of the course.
How to choose the right type of hair removal?
Modern salons offer a huge number of different hair removal procedures: laser, photoepilation, waxing, sugaring, etc. All of them have a lot of differences, the main of which is the duration of the result and quality. In this article, we consider such a procedure as photoepilation, reviews of which are optimal. As described above, different types of hair removal promise different results depending on skin type and hair color. Laser hair removal, for example, will provide the best results for individuals with dark and relatively thick hair.
Therefore, in order to achieve the best results, it is very important to choose a quality salon with a highly qualified specialist and modern equipment, which once again proves that photoepilation at home is almost impossible, and sometimes dangerous.
Results
Photoepilation, as noted above, is carried out in several stages to achieve maximum results. So, after the first procedure, about a third of the existing hair on the treated skin surface is removed. These hairs were in the stage of active growth. They will never grow again. After a few weeks (from 4 to 6, depending on individual characteristics), the procedure is repeated, and again a third is removed from the remaining hair. Thus, the number and frequency of procedures for complete hair removal depends on the degree of their density and growth rate.
Photoepilation at home
HowIt is known that science does not stand still, and therefore scientists have developed special portable devices for individual use. Photoepilation at home has a number of advantages and disadvantages compared to the salon procedure.
Pros of home photoepilation
- Safety and painlessness. Portable devices have a power regulator, so getting burns during the procedure becomes simply impossible. Consequently, the pain of epilation is reduced to 0.
- The effectiveness of the procedure is not inferior to salon hair removal. So, for complete and permanent hair removal, you will need approximately 6 to 12 treatments spaced a few weeks apart.
- Portable instrument easy to use. Unlike the most complex salon equipment, home photoepilators have instructions available to any user and a simple interface. Therefore, you do not need any special knowledge.
- The ability to remove hair in sensitive areas - on the face and in the bikini area. Some models, in particular German manufacturers, have special modes for removing hair on any part of the skin. However, in any case, you need to carefully study the mechanism, choose the appropriate mode in order to avoid burns. Remember to strictly avoid light on mucous membranes.
- The use of home photoepilators is no more harmful than a salon procedure. The light pulse penetrates only the surface layer of the skin (up to 5 mm) and does not harm the internal organs.
Disadvantages of home photoepilation
- The lack of a preliminary examination by a qualified specialist increases the risk of developing allergic reactions and negative consequences. As a rule, before the procedure, the doctor examines the patient in order to determine the presence or absence of contraindications, such as, for example, moles, age spots. Incompetence can affect the appearance of the skin after the procedure and how you feel.
- During hair removal in the salon, the doctor uses special cosmetic preparations that protect the skin from the effects of light. At home, finding high-quality drugs can be quite problematic.
- Due to more power, salon treatments will help you achieve the final result faster.
- The cost of portable devices is quite high, in addition, it should be borne in mind that the lamp of the device is designed for a certain number of pulses, after which it needs to be replaced. Thus, photoepilation at home in terms of its cost is quite comparable to the prices in the salon. And the professionalism of a specialist is much higher.
Harm and danger of photoepilation
Photoepilation is a relatively new procedure, and therefore causes a lot of controversy and discussion. Experts argue: "Photoepilation - what is it? A panacea or an unjustified risk?" So, doctors say that hypopigmentation of the skin, that is, the appearance of discolored areas, can become an unpleasant consequence of the procedure. The formation of colloidal scars, ingrown hairs is also likely. Besides,the question of the effect of photoepilation on the development of skin cancer remains open.
Contraindications
The main contraindication to photoepilation is the presence of dermatological and oncological diseases. In addition, experts do not recommend hair removal on tanned skin, in the place of accumulation of moles, in the area of birthmarks, mucous membranes. The tendency to allergic reactions, especially of the skin type, is also a reason to think about the appropriateness of the procedure and, at a minimum, it is necessary to consult a doctor. The same goes for infectious diseases.
Antennae removal with photoepilation
The appearance of antennae above the upper lip can be associated with many different reasons, including hormonal ones, and depends little on age. However, most often this problem occurs in women after 40 years. But in all cases, without exception, any woman has an irresistible desire to remove these hairs once and for all. Photoepilation of the upper lip is the ideal solution to this problem. The whole course consists of 3-5 procedures with an interval of several weeks. And the ideal result will delight you for several years, usually up to 5. Lip photoepilation has the same contraindications as other parts of the body, but the requirements for the professionalism of a specialist are much higher. And at least you should not carry out the procedure at home on your own in order to avoid sad consequences.
Photoepilation is one of the bestprocedures for removing unwanted hair according to the combination of the most important factors: effectiveness, safety, painlessness, versatility and cost. Despite the existing contraindications and rare side effects, it is popular among women all over the world and even men who want to get rid of the need for daily shaving. Especially considering the fact that the probability of developing side effects during photoepilation is less than 2%, and the effectiveness is 98%. To date, there is probably no worthy alternative to photoepilation among the whole variety of such services, which explains the disposition of patients to it.
