Are there any side effects to the treatment?  

No, the procedure is very safe.  Most clients will report an overall improvement in the texture, feel and condition of their skin.  This is primarily due to the discontinuation of the chronic irritation (dermatitis) caused by the constant shaving and plucking that normally accompanies the condition of unwanted hair. 

Why should you buy a Laser Epilation System?

If you suffer from unwanted hair growth and want a no-nonsense, easy and fast answer, this is your solution.  If you are a professional (or planning to enter the industry of epilation cosmetology) the QCW Diode Systems have everything needed for success in business. 

Empirical Evidence/Clinical Study Introduction

This study reports treatment using the semiconductor diode laser system, a high power, long pulsed diode with a wavelength of 808nm for laser hair reduction.

Laser hair reduction operates on the principles of selective photothermolysis. This process combines the selective absorption of light energy by the melanin in the hair follicle with suitable fluences and pulse durations to allow selective injury to the hair follicle while sparing skin(1).

The major 'absorber' of radiation in the skin between 300 and 1200nm is melanin(2), which is found primarily in the epidermis, hair shaft, and hair follicle. This study was conducted using the 808nm wavelength diode laser for its increased tissue penetration, optimized melanin absorption and safety for treating a wide range of hair diameters/colors and skin types.

The 808nm wavelength penetrates deeply to reach the germinative cells of the hair bulb and the bulge in even the deepest follicles. The 808nm wavelength appears to be the correct balance, offering safety on darker skin types while providing enough absorption to effectively treat finer and/or lighter hairs.

To achieve selectivity, the laser energy is applied in a pulse duration that approximately equals the thermal relaxation time of the hair shaft, but exceeds the thermal relaxation time of the epidermal melanin. This causes injury to the hair shaft resulting in growth delay and reduction, but allows the heat to dissipate away from the epidermis without causing injury. The semiconductor diode laser system can deliver short pulses or pulse durations up to 100msec. The thermal relaxation time for the hair follicle is dependent upon its diameter; thus longer pulse durations are theoretically best suited for medium to coarse hairs(3) while finer hairs may require shorter pulses.

Clinical studies have shown that aggressive skin cooling allows the use of higher fluences and results in a greater margin of safety for all and especially for darker skin types(4).  Contact with the patient's skin after each laser pulse provides a thermal quenching effect and additional epidermal protection.

Methods and Variations of Laser Application

This prospective study looked at hair reduction in 36 healthy subjects (33 women and 3 men) between the ages of 28 and 78 years old. All subjects had tried various hair removal methods in the past without satisfactory results. These methods included shaving, tweezing/plucking, waxing, electrolysis, prescription medications and other hair laser machines. Eligible subjects had black or brown hair, Fitzpatrick skin type I - IV and lacked exclusion criteria. The exclusion criteria included active herpes infection, history of accutane use in the last 12 months, keloid or hypertrophic scarring, photosensivity disorders, severe lentiginous photoaging, compromised skin integrity or HIV infection.

Once the initial screening was completed, the subjects were educated on the potential risks and side effects of laser hair reduction and pre-and post-treatment care. Informed consent was then obtained. Subjects were instructed not to use any other method of hair removal, except shaving or trimming if needed, during the study period. Subjects were asked to return for four sessions, four to eight weeks apart.

Prior to each treatment session, a photograph and hair count was performed on a section marked in a 1cm x 1cm or larger square. The treatment area was cleansed with alcohol and trimmed of any excessively long hairs.

All patients were treated with the semiconductor diode laser system at 808nm wavelength setting. The energy density (J/cm2) and pulse duration (msec) were adjusted according to the subject's Fitzpatrick skin type classification, hair count/hair reduction and skin response. The system is capable of cooling from -2 to 5 degrees Celsius, pulse durations up to 100msec, fluences up to 50J/cm2 and repetition rate up to 4Hz. The area was treated with sufficient energy to elicit follicular edema and erythema within 2 - 5 minutes after laser irradiation. The settings were adjusted with each subsequent treatment if adequate reduction was not evident in the hair count or verbalized by the subject. Topical steroids (class III - V) were applied to the treatment area immediately after each session, with samples provided if needed. Prior to each session, the area was evaluated for skin/hair response and potential complications.