Laser hair removal
Principle of operation
If you understand the principles of operation of devices for laser hair removal, it is important to understand that the "laser" itself is not a burning red ray from fantasy films, but a concentrated direct ray that affects the hair follicle. Directed light travels through the hair and heats the cells that contain melanin. This process leads to the destruction of the hair. In this case, the "laser" does not have any effect on the skin, but only slightly heats it during the procedure.
How is the process going
A few hours or days (depending on the device) before the procedure, it is necessary to remove the hair in the treated area with a razor. It is forbidden to use other methods of depilation (wax, sugar, epilator), since the laser works with the hair follicle in the growth phase. Since there are also invisible "sleeping" follicles in the skin, experts advise to do a course of laser hair removal. Thus, it is possible to achieve maximum effect on almost every hair.
Already before the procedure, the cosmetologist selects the power and depth of the light flux, taking into account the type of hair and skin. There are also machines that scan the level of melanin and build individual power. After that, a special gel conductor is applied, which is removed at the end, and a soothing cream ("Panthenol" and others) is applied to the treated area.
pros
The area to be treated is smaller due to the fact that one concentrated light source is used, but the efficiency is higher. And all this without ingrowth and strong irritation. At the same time, the procedure is considered one of the most painless and comfortable in comparison with hair removal with wax, sugar or an epilator. And the healing period is less than after photoepilation: irritations, redness disappear after a few hours.
Minuses
Most clinics use such types of "laser" as ruby and alexandrite. They are more effective and make the procedure less painful. However, they are not suitable for owners of blonde or red hair, as they affect the melanin in the hair. However, there is such a type of "laser" as neodymium. He just copes with light and red hairs, since it does not affect melanin, but hemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin, which are in the vessels and nourish the hair. Thanks to this, the vessel is sealed, the hair ceases to receive nutrition, which leads to the destruction of both the follicle and the hair. But the procedure using a neodymium laser delivers significant discomfort and is quite painful compared to other types of laser hair removal.
Time
Already from the first laser hair removal procedure, the effect usually lasts up to one and a half months. It depends on the individual characteristics and how fast the sleeping bulbs "wake up". Usually, to obtain the desired effect, an average of six to eight sessions are performed. Again, after a course of procedures, you must periodically repeat the epilation.
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Photoepilation
Principle of operation
As with laser hair removal, the melanin contained in the hair is affected by light. However, if the "laser" is one concentrated beam, then the "flash" is a set of light waves.
How is the process going
Similar to laser hair removal.
pros
During photo-epilation, it is possible to treat a much larger surface area thanks to the broadband light source. Therefore, this type of procedure is often chosen for the body. Unlike "lasers", the photoepilator copes with any type of hair, including light and red. However, the device does not "see" gray and thin fluffy hair.
Minuses
Due to the wide spectrum of exposure to light rays, the photoepilator rarely treats the face areas. It is never used for eyebrow hair removal as it can burn the cornea. Moreover, after photoepilation, the likelihood of complications is higher - sometimes pigmentation occurs at the site of burns.
Time
It is recommended to maintain an interval of two to three weeks between the first and second photoepilation procedures. Each subsequent visit is calculated with an increase of two weeks. That is, in four, six, eight weeks, and so on. Usually, after five to six sessions, most people have permanent hair removal. After a course of regular visits, a specialist, based on the type of hair, prescribes periodic repetitions of the procedure. For example, every few months or even a year.
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Elos hair removal
Principle of operation
In addition to light exposure to the hair, electric currents are also used. That is, Elos is a mix of photo and electrolysis.
How is the process going
The same as with laser and photoepilation. The only difference is that the procedure is noisy, because when electric waves are passed, the devices make a sound similar to a loud click. Moreover, this type of hair removal takes longer.
pros
The ability to affect any type of hair, including gray. Can also be used on tanned skin. Thanks to the heating of the skin at the first stage - light exposure - the electric waves penetrate deeper, which means that the procedure is more effective. An equally important advantage of Elos-epilation is the improvement of the quality of the skin. It becomes softer and smoother due to the stimulation of collagen and elastin production by electric waves.
Minuses
Elos hair removal is much more expensive than other competing types. Plus, it can seem quite painful.
Time
The first cycle of elos hair removal, for example on an area such as legs, usually consists of three procedures with an interval of one and a half to two months. The fourth session is scheduled no earlier than three to four months later. The next visits, again, are planned depending on the rate of hair growth and their type, structure.
PS All these types of hair removal do not guarantee absolute hair removal, since the result depends on the quality of the device, the professionalism of the beautician, the regularity of the procedures and hormonal levels - the latter, as you know, can change.>