The biggest limitations to laser hair removal in the past were firstly pain, and secondly, it was not safe if you had dark or tanned skin. However with the newer generation of diode lasers (which are the gold standard for laser hair removal worldwide), the treatments are more comfortable (some may say even painless), and also safe for dark skin types.

The procedure is quite a gentle process. Instead of the standard pulse method of treatment, the new diode lasers use an innovative in-motion technology that treats in a continuous sweeping motion. During the treatment, a high energy beam of light goes through the skin and is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle. The laser energy does not go into the skin as a painful blast, but rather heats the hair follicles safely and gently until they no longer produce hair in the treated area.

How safe is laser hair removal

The removal of hair by lasers has been recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an effective and safe treatment. As the laser only destroys the ability for hair to grow and does not effect the surrounding skin tissues, it is generally deemed a very safe and popular way for removing hair.

How many sessions are needed for effective hair removal

The number of treatments depends on the individual as hairs grows differently depending on your age, metabolism, hormones, weight and several other factors. As a general guide about 4-6 treatments are required to achieve a permanent reduction of hair growth.

Several sessions are needed as the hair may be in a different growth stage. In the active growth stage (85% of your hair), which can last several years, the hair grows steadily and the hair contains melanin. When melanin is exposed to the laser, the hair follicle is destroyed which makes this hair growth stage ideal for hair removal.

However, after the growth stage there is the regression stage (3-4%) during which the hair stops growing, and the resting stage (10-13%) where the hair is getting ready to be replaced before falling out. During these 2 latter stages there is hardly any melanin present and therefore the hair will be difficult to remove through laser treatment. As the hair in the treated areas may be in different stages it is necessary to repeat the treatment at various times.

On what parts of the body can laser hair removal be used?

You can do laser hair removal on almost every part of the body, but the most common areas for treatment are the underarms, arms, legs, upper lip and chin.

Which laser hair removal method is used?

At our aesthetic clinic we like to use the Soprano XL that uses a unique IN-Motion technology which treats in a continuous sweeping motion. Instead of a pulsed movement of treatment where the laser energy goes into the skin as a painful blast, hair removal through the Soprano XL laser heats the hair follicles safely and gently until they no longer produce hair.

The emphasis is on having a pain free and effective treatment that makes the hair removal process a comfortable one. Some people even describe it similar to a “hot stone massage”.

Written by Dr Isabelle Yeoh from IYAC Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Clinic at Camden Medical Centre in Singapore. Dr Yeoh specialises in aesthetic & anti-aging treatments like fillers, botox, laser hair removal, IPL and laser skin treatments, hormone balancing and weight control.

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IPL stands for Intense Pulse Light and is a way to get rid of unwanted hair permanently.

Why use IPL for hair removal?

Although there are various ways of removing unwanted hair (like  plucking, waxing, shaving and so forth), these techniques only remove hair temporarily. The hair follicle stays intact and may even stimulate it which can lead to increased and stronger hair growth.

IPL not only treats the hair but also the follicle, which may lead to permanent hair removal.

How does it work?

IPL is a light energy that is applied to certain parts of the body, so that the target structure – whether it be hair or blood vessel in the skin – absorbs the energy and is destroyed. The IPL machine produces a burst of light that is applied to the skin through a hand piece. Through the hand piece the light energy is transmitted into the skin. The skin itself will be cooled with a cooling gel.

In order to destroy the hair follicles the hair needs to be heated as much as possible without damaging the skin. This is achieved by giving 5 or 6 light pulses in quick succession. The pulses heat up the skin while the pauses in between cool it down again. As the skin cools faster than the hair follicle the IPL pulses are able to destroy the follicle while leaving the skin intact.

How is IPL hair removal different from traditional laser treatment?

Unlike other types of hair removal lasers that use a single light wavelength concentration, IPL lasers use a full spectrum of light wavelengths. The IPL’s greater wavelength spectrum may also lead to less precision and less control, which could mean an increased risk of burns and hair removal side effects with misuse.

One of the biggest reasons why IPL lasers are so popular in the hair removal industry is the lower cost. On average, IPL treatments are cheaper. They can also treat larger skin portions at a time, so areas like the legs and back can be treated in a fraction of the time required with standard lasers.

Advantages

• You can achieve permanent hair removal
• More cost effective than standard laser hair removal

Disadvantages

• IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), as well as laser, are potentially harmful when used incorrectly so make sure that you see an accredited practitioner
• It is possible that not all hair is permanently removed as some of the hair follicles escape destruction either by having very light or narrow hairs, or the follicles are in a reproductive phase during treatment.
• All skins are different and some skin may may be so sensitive that it can burn, which could lead to blistering and cause pigmentation. This is why many clinics will perform a patch test at your first consultation: IPL treatment is performed on one part of the skin that is not clearly visible. If there are no reactions after a few days, it is safe to proceed IPL hair removal treatment of the other skin areas.
• The treatment may not be completely painless (depending on your pain threshold)

Singapore IPL Professionals

There are many beauty professionals and aesthetic clinics in Singapore that offer IPL treatments. Please check our beauty professionals directory in the IPL hair removal section. If you want to have a look at what you can expect with an IPL treatment, you can have a look at the video on the right.

We would like to know your experience with IPL hair removal. Please let us know in the comments below.

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