FAQs > Laser Hair Removal

1. What is OPT? What is the difference between OPT and Laser?
2. How does it work?
3. Why should I go for Laser Hair Removal?
4. What to expect during an Laser treatment session?
5. How many treatment sessions are required?
6. How long does each treatment takes?
7. How often do I need for treatment?
8. What areas of the body can be treated?
9. Who can undergo Laser treatments?
10. Is the procedure painful?
11. Is Laser hair removal permanent?
12. Are there adverse effects of the Laser treatments?
13. What do I need to know before and during the Laser treatment?
14. What do I need to know after the Laser treatment?
15. What happens after the treatment?
16. Can I remove hairs in between treatment?
17. Why is my hair still growing after the treatment?
18. What if I have a tattoo on the treatment area?
19. Can dark skin be treated?

Q: 1. What is IPL? What is the difference between IPL, OPT and Laser?

A: IPL stands for Intense Pulsed-Light. It is a semi-permanent hair removal solution that  using beams of specially filtered light to disintegrate hair from the root, slowing the hair growth and even stop the hair growth.
Basically IPL and Laser has same effectiveness, but in Paradis OPT can treat wider range of skin and hair type, 
to achieve best result in shortest period of time. 

Q: 2. How does it work?

A: OPT(Optimal Pulse Technology) targets the colour pigment (melanin) in the hairs. Therefore white hairs CANNOT be treated. Dark hairs on fair skin have the best and quickest results. Fair hairs will require extra treatments with lesser results. Caution is required when treating hairs on darker skins.

Light energy is safely transmitted through the skin, which specifically targets the pigment in hair follicles. When the light is absorbed by the follicles, it is converted to heat to damages the hair follicles and destroys the hair, as well as prevents the cells responsible for new hair growth from growing new hair.

Q: 3. Why should I go for Laser Hair Removal?

A: 

• Provides you with a semi-permanent hair reduction solution
• Helps to reduce the occurrence of ingrown hair substantially
• Helps to reduce uneven skin pigmentation
• Helps in appearance of pore size

Q: 4. What to expect during an Laser treatment session?

A: A consultation is absolutely required to determine if you are a good candidate for Laser treatments. Before your first treatment we will determine that the Laser machine is on the most appropriate setting for your specific treatment.

The treated area will be cleaned to prepare the skin. Our thepist will shave the hairs on the treated skin and ultrasound gel is then applied. It is imperative that the light is targeted down the hair shaft to the bulb. We don’t want to treat (and heat) hairs on the skin’s surface.

Before the treatment starts, both of the therapist and customer are required to wear an eye protection sunglasses provided by us to protect your eye from the bright flashes of light. The head of the hand piece is held against the area to be treated and the light is pulsed.

The hand piece is moved to cover the entire area. Each pulse of light will have a slight warming sensation followed by what customers describe as a flick of a rubber band on the skin. The dead hairs will then detach from the hair follicles and fall out over the next 1-2 weeks time.

Q: 5. How many treatment sessions are required?

A: Hair grows in three cycles called Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen. Laser technology most effectively interacts with hair in the Anagen (or active growth) phase when the hair is highest in pigment.

The hair growth cycle

Hairs grow in constant cycles:  Firstly hairs are actively growing, then they become dormant (resting), and finally they loosen and shed, only to be replaced by more new, actively growing hairs. Only hair follicles in the active growth stage are disabled by Laser treatments.

Hairs in the dormant stage of the growth cycle normally remain anchored in the follicles for weeks or months, depending on their location, but their follicles and associated hair germination cells are not disabled by Laser treatments.

These follicles will be treated in subsequent sessions.   This is why you need repeated sessions.  Hair growth becomes sparser with each session.   All treated hairs should shed within about two weeks.

Though results can be seen as early as your first session, six to eight sessions are common for optimal results.

Q: 6. How long does each treatment takes?

A: The duration of each treatment session varies on what body part you have treated and your hair type.

Small areas such as Under arms will take under 10-15 minutes, areas such as Half Leg Bottom, Shoulders and Arms will take about an hour and large areas such as Full Legs might takes up to one and half hour. However, in general, sessions last 15 to 45 minutes.

Q: 7. How often do I need for treatment?

A: A course of 5 to 10 treatments is usually required to treat hairs at all stages of the hair growth cycle, at 4 to 6 week intervals; which varies depending on hair type and color, thickness, hormones, ageing, prior hair removal and the location being treated. Fair hairs will require extra treatments.

A maintenance session may be necessary from time to time, due to the development of new hair growth appearing, as our hormonal balance continues to change with age, or due to the influence of stress, illness, disease and drugs i.e; steroids or contraceptive pills.

Q: 8. What areas of the body can be treated?

A: Laser hair removal can be done on most of the area of the body. Commonly treated areas include legs, under arms, bikini area, and arms.

Q: 9. Who can undergo Laser treatments?

A: Anyone can basically undergo Laser treatments. (please note if you are under 18 you will have to have a parent present during the consultation and treatment) However, it is essential to note that there are certain contraindications that need to be considered.

• Diabetes – people with diabetes should understand that their condition compromises their immune system, therefore, a longer than normal healing of adverse effects is a possibility. Risks of infection are also of utmost concern;
• Pregnancy – pregnant women are not ideal candidates for this treatment due to the hormonal and pigmentary changes brought about by their pregnancy;
• Chemotherapy – patients who are currently undergoing chemotherapy possess a compromised immune system which makes them not ideal for Laser treatments;
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) – In many cases these therapies promote hair growth so they are not the ideal candidates as results are less predictable.
• Hirsutism – A condition characterized by unnatural hair growth, these individuals are not the ideal candidates for permanent hair reduction. When treating these individuals you must set realistic expectations of treatment. Hair ‘management’ is the best way to describe the procedures in these cases.
• Photo-Sensitive Drugs – there are a handful of photo-sensitive drugs that may potentially intensify one’s sensitivity or response to Laser treatments. It is important to inform the specialist beforehand if you are on certain medications.

How long should I be off photo-sensitive drugs (like Retin-A, miticyne, acne medications, anti-cancer medications, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, sedatives, antihistamines, antimicrobials, hypoglycemics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs etc.) prior to pulsed light treatment?

Ideally it is recommended that you stop taking photo-sensitive drugs four weeks prior to receiving any pulsed light treatment, but dependent on the degree of photosensitivity, in some cases this period of time can be less.

• Menopause – Women in this phase of life will potentially have a lower resistance, hence greater reaction to light based therapy. Menopause as a condition should be disclosed in the client consult so that the appropriate adjustments can be made to the treatment parameters and post-treatment instructions.
• Tanned skin( sunless tans and true sun exposure) – you will have to wait at least 2 weeks before treatment. This is because the Laser can target the melanin produced by a tan and lead to pigmentation changes.
• Menstrual Cycle Period – customers within their menstrual cycle are more sensitive to the sensation of intense pulsed light. Reschedule customer subsequent to completion of their cycle prior to performing the pulsed light treatments.

Q: 10. Is the procedure painful?

A: Basically, it all depends on the individual’s pain threshold. It is less painful and more comfortable compared to other modalities because the procedure is fast. For Laser hair removal, hair is not directly pulled off from the follicle.

Thus, it is less painful compared to waxing. The active cooling added on the hand-piece also provides comfort during the treatment. The experience is often described as a snapping of a rubber band or some stinging sensation.

It is certainly not unbearable, and we can always reduce the intensity if you feel the need. Immediately after some treatments you may feel a mild heat for a few minutes, or a couple of hours, but after most treatments you will feel next to nothing at all.

Q: 11. Is Laser hair removal permanent?

A: There is NO any hair removal treatment is guaranteed to be 100% permanent, though 80-90% permanent reduction in hair is common. Hair that does continue to grow is generally lighter in colour and finer in texture.

Q: 12. Are there adverse effects of the Laser treatments?

A: Side effects are rare. Subsequently, most people experience some mild redness and/or warmth of the skin. In rare cases, some scabbing or darker/lighter skin changes may occur, but will generally subside over a short time.

The after-effects of the treatment generally vary from person to person. Although the discomfort can be effortlessly tolerated and does not interfere with your normal activities, you can opt to use cold, wet compresses if necessary.

Q: 13. What do I need to know before and during the Laser treatment?

A: Prior to the treatment, you must remove all makeup and/or creams from the treatment site;  Do not wax, tweeze or bleach the treatment site;

Avoid sun tanning four weeks prior to / and in between the procedures; and allow your tan to fade so that skin pigment is ‘normal’ prior to the first treatment; If you are on prescription medications, please do inform the specialist upon consultation

Q: 14. What do I need to know after the Laser treatment?

A:

• After the treatment, limit your sun exposure as much as possible.
• Always use a high SPF factor sunscreen when exposed to the sun between / and after treatments.
• Cool the area which remain warm after treatment with cold compresses or aloe vera gels to soothe the treatment areas.
• Discontinue sun bed and tanning products.
• Do not wax and/or tweeze after the treatment.
• Avoid extremely hot baths, heavily chlorinated pools, whirlpools and/or saunas 12-24 hours subsequent to treatments.
• Avoid using scented lotions and exfoliating creams to the treatment site.
• Avoid using perfumed deodorants subsequent to hair reduction treatment of the underarms.
• Avoid vigorous exercise for 12 – 24 hours subsequent to treatments.

Q: 15. What happens after the treatment?

A: Laser works in a minimally invasive manner to thermally destroy the hair. This is what makes the procedure so fast and comfortable.

Two or three days after the treatment, stubble may reappear. This is NOT new hair growth, you can expect approximately 20-30% of your hairs are shed off with each session. After every treatment, your hair will become sparser and less dense.

When this hair is completely shed, it’s time for your next treatment (typically four to six weeks).

Q: 16. Can I remove hairs in between treatment?

A: NO! You definitely cannot tweeze or wax. If you tweeze or wax between treatments, it will remove the hair from the follicle. The hair contains the pigment which the laser targets for the treatment.

You physically remove the target hence reduce the Laser’s ability to destroy it (you can’t destroy what isn’t there).

Q: 17. Why is my hair still growing after the treatment?

A: This is a common comment for new customers of Laser treatment. The laser does not magically extract the hairs as they are being treated. After treatment, the hairs will slowly be expelled from the skin allowing you to notice gradual lessening of the density of hair growth in the treated area.

Even though it appears as though hair continues to grow, it is actually the body shedding the hair entirely, and over time the treated hair will grow out of the skin. Do not pluck or pull on the hairs to help them along, they will do just fine on their own.

The nice thing is that you will not need to shave as often as usual once the treatments begin.

Q: 18. What if I have a tattoo on the treatment area?

A: We will have to avoid the tattoo even if there is unwanted hair growing on the area. There is a possibility that the hair removal hand-piece may also cause some removal of pigment and potentially fade the tattoo.

Hence it is not recommended to remove hair on areas which are also tattooed, unless informed consent clearly identifying the potential to fade or completely remove portions of the tattoo is authorized by you, the customers.

Q: 19. Can dark skin be treated?

A: Light produced by Laser is absorbed by the color pigment, melanin, which is present in our hair and skin. Caution is required when treating people with dark skins and some other skins which tan very easily.

Hyper-pigmentation or blanching of the skin is likely to occur if there is too much melanin present in the skin. It is possible to treat medium to medium/dark skins on a low intensity.

Strict guidelines must be adhered to, when treating darker skinned people, using only low levels of intensity at each session, and therefore more treatments will be needed to achieve a result.