Permanent Hair Removal Methods
Long Term And Permanent Hair Removal Methods
There are several new, long-term, and even permanent hair removal methods available today which include:
- Laser hair removal therapy
- Intense pulsed light therapy (more commonly known as ipl hair removal)
These two types of permanent hair removal methods use relatively new technology in the field of hair removal products, and have been the most controversial to date, with some manufacturers making unsubstantiated claims regarding their amazing success. To highlight the controversy, in July 2000 a paper from the ‘Washington Institute of Dermatological Laser Surgery’ said ‘None of the currently approved (laser hair removal) systems can yet be said to induce permanent hair removal. This controversy will continue until long-term trials over many years have documented evidence to the effectiveness of laser hair removal methods for permanent hair removal, preferably under medical supervision.
In America the definition of long-term or permanent hair removal, is that of reduced hairgrowth of 3 months duration or more. In February 2000, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) gave clearance for one manufacturer of hair removal systems to advertise that hair removal products are permanent, if hair removal is achieved when there is a long-term stable reduction in the number of regrowing hairs. This must be over a time greater than the duration of the complete and normal growth cycle of the hair follicle, for example 3 to 12 months or longer, depending on the area treated by the particular permanent hair removal methods. Regardless of the fact that such a lot of permanent hair removal systems are new technology and no one knows how long hairgrowth reduction will last, be it 3 months, 3 years or 13 years.
It is far too early to say permanent hair removal has been achieved as these hair removal methods are so new, and have not been proven over many years. On the other hand electrolysis hair removal has been around since 1875 and has been tried, tested and proven, when used by skilled and experienced electrologists.
Having said that, in England, they state that they can offer a long-term or permanent hair removal to improve the quality of their client’s lifestyle, when using any form of permanent hair removal methods. In my opinion there is a place for this new technology alongside electrolysis hair removal in clinics and salons for many years to come. This new laser and ipl hair removal technology is not suitable for everyone and is expensive. Given time, intense pulsed light therapy and laser hair removal will become more efficient and less expensive – as technology improves it generally becomes more affordable to both the operator and clients.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum Used In Permanent Hair Removal Methods
The electromagnetic spectrum is made up of a variety of wavelengths, which include both visible and invisible light rays, producing radiation that can be both beneficial and harmful to the skin tissues. The visible light spectrum (white light) is composed of seven colors, violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. The color of light is determined by its wavelength, for example short infra red rays are of a shorter wave length covering a broad band of the electromagnetic spectrum between 700-1400nm. These electromagnetic waves carry energy which both the lasers and intense pulsed light units are able to use as their destructive source, depending on the equipment design. Infra red rays are able to penetrate the skin tissues quite deeply between 3-5mm, with their energy being absorbed by the skin’s molecules ie, water, melanin or blood which cause these molecules to vibrate rapidly and generate heat within the skin tissue targeted (hair follicles), thus producing a rise in skin temperature.
Permanent Hair Removal Methods Using Lasers
Laser hair removal was first introduced during the 1990′s, and only really became available in clinics and high end salons towards the end of the century. With laser hair removal a cooling gel is first applied to the area to be treated, then the laser beam is focused across the area and scans across in a sweeping motion. Short bursts of light energy are directed at the skin which generates heat and causes the hair shaft and follicle to dry out. This in turn either reduces or completely destroys the ability of the follicle to regrow hair, so in some cases it results in long term results and in others it would create permanent hair removal.
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