Both treatments have been available commercially since the mid 1990s, but are distinctly different. The issue here is that many hair removal clinics claim to provide “laser” hair removal, when in fact they only use IPL. In this article, we clear up some misconceptions and shoot straight when talking about the difference between laser hair removal and IPL hair reduction. After reading this, you’ll know what to look out for.

Both hair removal treatments involve producing light energy, which is then absorbed into the dark pigment of the hair to ultimately cause damage to the hair follicle. The goal is to destroy the hair root and also reduce hair growth.

Light is absorbed best and attracted to dark objects. We have all heard about wearing dark clothes in summer and being much hotter compared to wearing white. It’s true! Darker clothes absorb the light energy and convert it into heat, while lighter clothes reflect it. In a similar way, laser energy is absorbed much more by dark pigment in the skin (but with much more speed and intensity). In more technical terms, this dark target matter (chromophore) can be naturally-occurring or artificially introduced. Melanin is considered the primary chromophore for most lasers. Hair removal lasers selectively target one of three chromophores: carbon, haemoglobin, or melanin.

Laser has three unique properties

• Laser is monochromatic meaning that the light emitted from a laser is of one wavelength (colour). In contrast, ordinary white light is a combination of many different wavelengths (colours).
• Laser is coherent, meaning the light is totally reinforcing and does not cancel itself out. The coherent light produced by a laser differs from ordinary light in that it is made up of waves all of the same wavelength and all in phase (i.e., in step with each other) – ordinary light contains many different wavelengths and phase relations.
• Laser is “collimated” meaning the light waves are parallel. This makes laser light very powerful, as nearly 100% of the light can be effective in the treatment of hair reduction.

Lasers utilise one wavelength to selectively target one specific chromophore, which is melanin. This allows for deeper penetration and the energy is directed straight to the target and not absorbed by the other chromophores in the path of the beam. Lasers will selectively destroy specific targets and not cause harm to the surrounding tissue when used properly. Laser machines are set to emit the exact wavelength required to treat your hair.

Intense pulse light (IPL)

IPL devices on the other hand are not lasers. These devices produce a broad spectrum of wavelengths (like a light bulb) and cannot be focused to a concentrated beam. Because a range of different wavelengths is dispersed at a variety of depths only some of these are effectively absorbed by the hair follicle, causing substandard results and increasing the risk of burns.

• Intense pulsed light (IPL) is not monochromatic, meaning that IPL has many different colours and only a small percentage of these are effective in the treatment of hair reduction.
• IPL is not coherent and is not reinforcing making it less effective in the treatment of hair reduction.
• IPL is not collimated and is therefore quick to spread out making it less effective in the treatment of hair reduction.

Intense pulsed light – not so intense…

IPL machines typically use a range of wavelengths from 500 – 1000 nm. As these wavelengths are exposed to the skin, there is no ability for the light to discriminate between chromophores within the skin. Due to the broad spectrum of light, obtaining sufficient energy to destroy certain deep targets such as hair is often challenging. Smaller more superficial targets such as pigment and vascular legions absorb the majority of the energy. In order to heat deeper targets, higher energy levels need to be employed, but this increases the risk of burns and various complications. These adverse effects include hyper-pigmentation, hypo-pigmentation, blistering, and potentially scarring.

The advantages of using laser over IPL:

• IPL is a cheaper, less effective technology for reducing body hair.
• Lasers are far more precise and can selectively target dark, coarse hair while leaving the surrounding areas undamaged.
• Each laser pulse takes a fraction of a second and can treat several hairs at a time.
• Laser settings can be adjusted to suit your specific skin tone and hair colour.
• Lasers have the capability to safely treat all skin colours, whereas IPLs can cause burn on darker skin types.

The main difference between laser and IPL for hair removal lies in the technology that each use to generate light as well as the different properties of light being used.

Laser technology is simply much more effective, and achieves substantially better results than IPL with most clients achieving optimal results of permanent hair removal of 80% or greater after four to eight treatments.

However, IPL machines do have an important place in the treatment of skin. IPL provides adequate treatment for skin problems such as superficial pigmentation, redness, and capillaries, but it is not suited to hair removal. In addition, these devices are not suitable for darker skin.

How can we help you?

We offer only the safest, most effective treatment options for laser hair removal and skin rejuvenation. Why choose us?

• We only use medical-grade lasers.
• All of our therapists are qualified and laser safety certified.
• We are “Candela Certified”, ensuring maximum safety and results with our laser devices.
• We are Victoria’s most experienced clinic, having founded in 2005.

Unparalleled service and innovative treatment options mean that effective laser hair removal treatments are now available to everyone.

Contact us for a consultation with one of our expert therapists.

The post The difference between Laser Hair Removal & IPL appeared first on Victorian Cosmetic Dermal Clinics.

“I will drink more water this year”

“I will be consistent with my skin care routine”

“I will wear sunscreen everyday”

“I will stay out of the sun as much as possible”

You get the idea. The fact is, Melbourne weather can wreak havoc on even the most disciplined skin care aficionado and that is due to the harsh climate we live in but also the wild swings in weather between extremely hot days, to wet, humid and cool changes and everything in between.

For many of us, a new year is an opportunity for a fresh start and that is exactly what our REVERSE skin package will do for you.

To kick start 2018, we’re doing something really exciting…

We’ve put together an incredibly effective treatment package, we refer to as REVERSE. We’re excited to bring you this combination treatment at a very special price; but there’s a catch.

Before we tell you the price and the catch, let’s discuss what the REVERSE skin package is.

How does it work?

REVERSE combines 2 treatments including a specific blend of product infusion. The Q-switched laser delivers a specific wavelength of light deep into the skin at high speed, which works to break down underlying skin concerns such as deep pigmentation, sun damage, compromised collagen and elastin (responsible for firmness and overall youthfulness of the skin) congestion, as well as acoustically exfoliating the surface layers of the skin.

Sonophoresis is also incorporated to the treatment which uses sound wave technology to vibrate and push serums & products approximately 800 times deeper into the skin layers as well as increasing circulation and tone of the skin, with results being almost immediate. This relaxing treatment is completely pain free and feels like a ‘warm massage’.

Your face AND hands are the two most exposed areas of your body and of course, most susceptible to skin ageing and so REVERSE targets both the face & hands.

Along with this treatment, you’ll experience a laser correction hand treatment that incorporates a specific blend of product infusion using Sonophoresis. It works to rejuvenate the hands, smooth fine lines and rehydrate.

REVERSE is suitable for all skin types and most conditions (with the exception of acne vulgaris/active pustules) and takes under 60 minutes to perform.

Check out some of these incredible results

The price and the catch

This package is normally valued at $467.

HOWEVER….

We will be offering it to the first 20 clients to book in for just $199. You’ll experience great results after just one treatment however PHENOMENAL comes in once you have REVERSE in a course of 6 or 10.

You WILL LOVE the difference you’ll see in your face and hands after just one treatment.

HOWEVER IF YOU CHOOSE TO GO FOR PHENONEMAL, we’ll offer you another 5 or 9 at $199 each (that’s the price of the Laser Correction Facial alone!)

 ON TWO CONDITIONS….

• You allow us to use you as a case study. We won’t disclose your full name and if you like, we can even cover your eyes in the images.
• You commit to coming to the clinic at two week intervals. You’ll get ‘phenomenal’ because the results are cumulative and having them in the right time interval is imperative

Why are we doing this?

REVERSE is the ultimate anti ageing treatment combination. We are going to be showcasing our results more than ever in 2018! Call us now to book in to your closest clinic.

The REVERSE skin package is your gateway to healthier, younger, looking skin both on your face and hands, the two areas most vulnerable to skin damage.

The post REVERSE the effects of sun damage and premature ageing appeared first on Victorian Cosmetic Dermal Clinics.

With so many beauty and laser clinics out there flooding the industry, not only with cheap knock offs, and home care devices being advertised all over TV, exactly how do you know what to choose and who you can trust? This article will clear up some of the confusion out there and hopefully give you some valuable knowledge to be able to make the right choice next time you are thinking about having laser hair removal done on yourself or recommending it to a friend or family member.

“What do I look for? How do I know if I’m getting the real deal?”

There are very few devices on the market that can call themselves true, medical grade lasers. Many times, unscrupulous clinic owners disguise their devices and call them lasers when in fact they are not; There are so many different types of laser hair removal devices available which all use different technology. If you are shopping around for laser hair removal, we recommend you insist on the gold standard system which is called the “Gentlelase” made by Syneron Candela. This technology has been around for over 20 years and is still the best device on the market which produces permanent and impressive results if used with correct settings.

“I’ve had treatments on the Gentlelase system however I am not happy with the results!”

Trust me; we hear you!

There is a dirty little secret in the industry that we like to call “Under Treating”. This is basically where companies will refuse to treat your hair removal session with any real intensity or “turning up the heat” so to speak. The reason for this is two fold. In some cases particularly with inexperienced operators, this approach can be the safer option as there is less risk for complications and burning the client. However, by not treating on the maximum possible energy settings, you are not achieving the required heat to penetrate and destroy the hair follicle. This means more treatments are required more frequently for you to stay hair free. If you are coming back to have laser hair removal treatments every 4 weeks for the body as an example, then you are being under treated plain and simple! A destroyed hair follicle should take between 8-10 weeks to re-appear after successful laser hair removal treatment….not 4!

Do your homework and do your research. It’s not worth the risk!

If you are reading this, then we probably don’t need to remind you to always do your homework and research which provider you will choose for your laser hair removal treatments. Inexperienced operators although don’t mean any harm are unfortunately placed in a position where they are using highly complex and powerful devices which have the ability to burn you and cause other complications due to inexperience.

If you are in doubt of your therapist, ask them if they are certified and accredited to operate the device. Usually we recommend that the therapist has 2 types of certifications and these are:

1. A current Laser Safety Officer certification – This course is designed to explain the safety risks and potential hazards of operating lasers and medical aesthetic equipment. It also focuses on laser theory and safe operation of laser devices
2. Manufacturer Certification – Usually the manufacturer of the equipment will provide their own in-house certification and training to ensure that the therapists are fully competent with operating the device. This in depth training can mean all the different particular for therapists who may be new to the Industry

What about home care devices? Are they safe?

Home care devices which are very popular on late night television infomercials offer little to no safety or effectiveness. The main reason for this is that sophisticated lasers are very expensive pieces of equipment to produce and if you are paying significantly less than the market average, you know you are getting a lemon.

Another thing to consider is that these home care devices are not calibrated or serviced frequently. You could have more energy or less energy than expected being delivered to your skin and you would not even know.

Take Home Message?

At the end of the day, there are many many choices out there these days to have your laser hair removal treatments performed. Many will use cost as the main deciding factor, some will choose convenience, and others will choose an experienced and reputable company with a tried and tested track record of excellence. Working with the skin has its risks and benefits so you should always choose the most experienced operator possible to give you the safest and best results.

Laser Hair Removal is not a scam, however always do your research and do not settle for anything but the best treatment outcomes and safety in mind. For a no obligation FREE consultation, please contact us to see what we can do for you.

The post Is Laser Hair Removal a scam? appeared first on Victorian Cosmetic Dermal Clinics.

Ingrown hairs are perhaps one of the most common skin concerns experienced by men and women all over the world. They can occur at any given time and for no particular reason regardless of which ethnicity you are.

This uncomfortable skin condition generally occurs during the hair growth cycle, where instead of the hair piercing through the epidermis and growing outwards, the hair become trapped underneath the skin causing a host of symptoms. Symptoms of ingrown hairs include:

• Rash
• Itchy Skin
• Hair which remains under the skin despite shaving
• Infection (otherwise known as folliculitis)
• Razor Bumps or Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
• Pimples/Pustules
• Keloid Scarring

What causes ingrown hair to begin with?

Although not a hard and fast rule, ingrown hairs generally seem to occur more often in people who have curly and course hair. The reason being is that the hairs can begin to grow backwards or even sideways into the epidermis much easier than if the hair was naturally straight to begin with. If you find that ingrown hairs occur frequently, you may be interested in some treatment options which are discussed below.

Where can ingrown hairs occur?

The most common areas for ingrown hairs to occur include the bikini line, genital region and anus however can also occur on the face and neck particularly in men. If left untreated, these ingrown hairs can cause a great amount of discomfort and even embarrassment. You can find more detailed information regarding the different types of ingrown hairs on our laser hair removal FAQ.

How can I prevent and treat ingrown hairs?

There are several ways that we can effectively prevent and treat ingrown hairs. Best of all, one of them does not require much of an investment at all, just some time and consistency!

Topical creams to help reduce ingrown hairs

Over the years there have been many creams and topical lotions that have been developed in order to prevent ingrown hairs. The jury is still on out whether or not they actually do work. The real question is if you are willing to subject yourself to a lifetime of applying topical cream or lotions in the hopes of preventing ingrown hairs.

Exfoliate to prevent ingrown hairs

The simplest and cheapest way to prevent ingrown hairs is to regularly exfoliate your skin with a loofah glove or brush. By exfoliating regularly, you are essentially removing the top layer of dead skin, making it far easier for your hair to penetrate the epidermis during the growth cycle rather than becoming stuck within excess layers of skin. Exfoliation is particularly important during the summer months as we tend to perspire more, and have greater chance of bacterial infection. We also see that during the summer months, there is more rapid cell turnover of the skin therefore you will find exfoliating during summer to be far more beneficial.

Laser treatment to eliminate ingrown hairs for good.

For many people, simply exfoliating regularly is not enough to prevent ingrown hairs. The reasons for this vary including genetic factors, hormonal environment and lifestyle however we find that clients with thick, course and curly hair are more susceptible to ingrown hairs regardless of their exfoliation routine. For these clients, we always recommend laser hair removal treatment as a way to permanently destroy the hair follicle, and prevent hairs from becoming ingrown in the first place. We find this treatment particularly beneficial for those that suffer from pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor burn) and for those who have a tendency to develop keloid scarring due to the ingrown hairs. A course of laser treatments no matter the colour of your skin, can greatly improve skin irritation from ingrown hairs, but also prevent them from occurring in the first place.

I already have ingrown hairs, what can I do?

If you are already suffering from ingrown hairs there are a few of ways to treat them, some of which not being ideal yet necessary in some cases.

1. Exfoliate regularly and wait until the hair hopefully penetrates the epidermis and comes to the surface of the skin
2. Use a sharp and sterile object to try and pry the ingrown hair out. (Recommended to be performed by a professional)
3. Have a laser hair removal treatment performed by experienced staff who specialise in this type of treatment. The laser hair removal treatment can destroy the ingrown hair from the follicle, allowing it to fall out naturally in time (which is what occurs during regular laser hair removal treatment). We also offer more information on laser hair removal.

Contact us if you are interested in learning more about how you can quickly, safely and permanently remove your hair.

The post Ingrown hairs – What are they and how can they be prevented? appeared first on Victorian Cosmetic Dermal Clinics.

More often than not, the correct application of make up can be all the difference between achieving the look you are really after, and being left disappointed in how your skin looks and feels.

Here are Victorian Cosmetic Dermal Clinics’s top 5 tips for applying make up correctly. Our resident make up expert Nadia has been working with cosmeceuticals for many years, having worked for cosmetic giants such as Lancome, Clinique and others. If you have a question for Nadia or anyone of our laser & skin therapists, please feel free to contact us here.

Victorian Cosmetic Dermal Clinics’ Top 5 Make Up Tips

• Line and fill in your lips with your lip liner then apply your lipstick, not only will this make your lipstick last longer but it also intensifies the colour.
• If you struggle with liquid eyeliner application, try applying your mascara first and then your eyeliner. Most people find it easier this way rather than applying it first.
• Replace your makeup on a regular basis. We all know make up has a shelf life and this varies for a mascara, lipstick, eyeshadow etc. When purchasing a product you will see on the package a little symbol like this

Basically this tells you how many months the product is good for once it’s opened. In this case it would be 12 months. Next time you purchase a product, write the date you open it so you know when to replace it. (This is not put to there to get you to buy more makeup but cosmetics like many other products stay fresh and stable for a limited time).

• Try touching up your makeup with a translucent powder through the day instead of more foundation/powder. This will freshen your makeup without making your makeup look heavy and darker. (Try ASAP’s pure base as it suits most skin tones and gives the skin radiance).

• Apply your blush along the cheek bones. Imagine a line from the corner of your mouth to your ear. Keep your blush above this line, applying below this ages you.

If you want a consultation on how you can better care for your skin and slow the ageing process, get in touch to speak with one of our dermal professionals.

The post Top 5 Make up tips – Learn from the experts in skin care! appeared first on Victorian Cosmetic Dermal Clinics.

Stretch marks are unfortunately one of the most common skin concerns faced by women. They can arise from sudden and excessive weight loss, after giving child birth, and even with sudden weight increase. Fortunately there are effective treatments options available that do not require surgery but first, let’s look into what stretch marks are exactly.

Our skin is comprised of three major layers:

• The epidermis, the outer most layer of the skin (the part of your skin you see everyday); the surface
• The dermis, the layer beneath the epidermis, is where there are collagen & elastic fibers, hair follicles, sweat glands & sebaceous glands
• The hypodermis, which is the deeper layer made of subcutaneous tissue, fat & connective tissue

Stretch marks (or striae) occur in the dermis and is the result of our skin stretching suddenly. The dermis is made up of strong interconnecting fibres and allows the skin to stretch as your body grows. However if a part of your body grows rapidly over a short time these fibres can become thin, over stretched and some may break. When this occurs tiny tears develop and the blood vessels that lie under your skin show through; This is why stretch marks can have a reddish/purple  appearance when they first begin to surface and may feel itchy.

The blood vessels do eventually contract, leaving the fat under the skin visible. The stretch marks eventually fade to a silvery white or grey colour and appear as flat stripe like lines however over time they usually fade and look like slightly depressed white streaks. Stretch marks can occur anywhere where the skin has been stretched in both men and women, however due to many factors such as genetics and lifestyle, some of us are more prone to stretch marks than others.

Our bodies naturally produce a hormone called cortisol and this hormone is released under times of stress but also has many other functions in the body; one of which is to break down sugars for use as energy. It has been suggested by some dermatologists that this excess cortisol environment is what can make some people more prone to stretch marks. Cortisol decreases the amount of collagen (the protein that helps with skin elasticity) in our skin and so this is a major contributor to the creation of new stretch marks.

Most common areas for stretch marks

Stretch marks usually occur on your:

• Abdomen
• Buttocks
• Thighs
• Upper arms
• Breasts
• Shoulders & Lower back (often seen with men who perform regular resistance training)

Stretch marks often occur:

• During pregnancy
• After rapid weight gain
• During puberty due to growth spurts
• If you have a family history of stretch marks
• Health conditions and other hereditary (genetic) disorder such as Marfan syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal gland diseases can cause widespread stretch marks
• After the prolonged or inappropriate use of corticosteroid medication

Pregnancy

Stretch marks are common during pregnancy, particularly in the later stages. Whether or not you’ll get stretch marks depends on your skin type, how elastic it is and obvious genetic predispositions.

As a baby grows, stretch marks can develop on the stomach due to the skin stretching at a rapid rate. Stretchmarks can also develop on the thighs and breasts as they get become bigger during the pregnancy.

After childbirth, stretch marks usually fade and become less noticeable, however they do not always disappear completely.

Rapid weight gain

If a lot of weight is gained  over a short period of time, stretch marks can occur as the skin is suddenly stretched and can still remain this way even after losing  the weight again.

As weight fluctuates rapidly, stretch marks can occur, however by losing weight slowly and steadily the skin is not put under as much sudden strain, in turn helping to reduce/prevent stretch marks.

It’s very common for bodybuilders and athletes to develop stretch marks as their muscles increase in size.

Puberty

During puberty, the body often develops very quickly in growth spurts and this sudden growth and stretching of the skin can result in stretch marks in both boys and girls.

Boys may develop stretch marks on their shoulders and lower back, and girls may develop them on their hips, thighs and breasts.

Family history

If stretch marks are common amongst your family you may find you will be more likely to develop them yourself.

Treatment Options

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy can help fade stretch marks and make them less noticeable. Several different types of laser therapies are used to treat stretch marks such as Low Intensity Laser Therapy which is a very therapeutic and a fairly natural process for rejuvenating the skin and promoting cellular regeneration. Laser skin treatments using the Medlite Q switched Nd Yag laser have also been shown to be effective and safe treatment options. Both treatments work on the deeper layers of the skin to repair and stimulate collagen production.

Skin Needling

Skin needling is one of our specialties at Victorian Cosmetic Dermal Clinics and it is also known as CIT (collagen induction therapy). This treatment stimulates collagen production in your skin and assists your skin to produce more of it’s own natural collagen. By promoting a rebuilding of the collagen fibres within the skin, we are then able to lay down new foundations to improve the surface skin appearance.

Creams, gels and lotions

There are a huge range of creams, gels and lotions available out there and they can help make the skin feel smoother however they cannot remove stretch marks. In order to treat stretch marks a product needs to be able to penetrate to the deeper layers of the skin (the dermis) and these creams simply do not. That’s not to say you should not try them as some can definitely make the skin feel softer and smoother and can help improve the appearance of the skin.

However if you’re wanting to remove the stretch marks and see a visible change in the skin you will need to look into a treatment option that effectively targets collagen production on the area where the damage has occurred (the dermis). This key factor is what makes skin needling and laser therapies so effective as the treatment is targeting the dermis to repair the damage from the deeper layers up. A course of treatments is required for both, however to get more information speak to one of our experienced dermal therapists to find out the best treatment option for you.

Get in touch to consult with one of our dermal professionals about how you can fade away your stretch marks.

The post Stretch mark treatments are available – Don’t hide your skin! appeared first on Victorian Cosmetic Dermal Clinics.

Acne is a common skin condition that affects both men and women. Generally it develops during teenage years but can present itself during adulthood as well. Many acne sufferers will in a desperate attempt to rid themselves of the condition quickly try natural home remedies, products off the shelves in pharmacies/supermarkets, purchase infomercial products and even medications, going from one to another to another and more often than not end up disappointed with the results. Acne can dramatically affect a person’s self esteem and confidence but is not something you have to live with or wait to outgrow. Although currently there is no permanent cure, we can certainly control acne and improve overall skin quality.

Acne can be classified as two types:

Non-inflammatory – Blackheads & whiteheads are examples of non-inflammatory acne lesions. Not red or inflamed.

Inflammatory – as the name suggests, there is inflammation, redness and swollen lesions. A typical pimple is an example.

What causes acne?

• Hereditary factors – We can inherit certain genes from our parents that can determine how our bodies and our skin look, function and behave. These are known as hereditary factors. If either of your parents had acne or excessively oily skin, there is a good chance that you may develop acne also.
• Stress – Put simply, stress causes an increase in androgenic (male dominant) hormones that cause an increase in the production of sebum (oil). This can lead to breakouts.
• Humidity/dirt – If you’re exposed to a lot of dirt/humidity you could be more prone to breakouts. An example of this would be working in a hot environment/kitchen. Cleansing your skin thoroughly and having a good skincare regime will keep acne at bay.
• Hormones- specifically androgens, which cause the stimulation of the sebaceous glands which creates more oil, which in turn can cause inflammation.
• Hormonal Changes – premenstrual changes, pregnancy, puberty. The obvious hormonal changes (and possibly some level of stress) causes the acne.

A lot of women who never had acne in their teenage years find that they develop the problem in their 20’s to 30’s. Factors like comedogenic products, stress and hereditary factors could also be contributing, but usually hormones play a major role or an indicator of an imbalance in the thyroid. Speak to your doctor for more information or a test

For most skin types with acne comes acne scarring, this forms when the skin is trying to heal itself.

The skin produces lots of collagen to try and make up for the lack of normal skin functioning; these types of scars are usually raised. You can get ‘pits’, and these occur from the destruction of the tissue while the skin is inflamed. Unfortunately cystic acne almost always causes scarring.

This scarring can be treated and the skin condition can be improved to a point where you don’t even notice the scars! Speak to our therapists for more information about the treatments.

Can I do something about it?

Breakouts can be prevented. So many factors can contribute to acne and we only have control of some of a few. Making a few small changes can have a dramatic impact.

An important thing for those with acne is to choose cosmetics and skin care products that are non comedogenic (non clogging).

Don’t pick or squeeze, unless you know how to perform extractions correctly you will most likely only cause scarring.

• Avoid over cleansing/over exfoliating. Stripping your skin of all it’s oil or over exfoliating will aggravate & sensitize skin as well as over stimulate oil production and make breakouts worse. Cleanse 2 (3 times max) a day & exfoliate 2 – 3 times a week.
• You always have bacteria on your hands so avoid touching your face.
• Always remove your makeup before going to bed.
• Oil and dirt can build up on your pillow from your hair and skin so change your pillowcase at least once a week.
• Use a skincare routine that’s suited to your skin type. You’re best to speak to a therapist who can provide a skin analysis & recommend the most effective range.
• Assess your lifestyle. It’s important to make sure you are getting enough sleep, have a healthy & balanced diet & drinking plenty of water, if everything is healthy & functioning as it should on the inside you’re skin generally reflects it. External factors such as comedogenic makeup, dirt/grime, humidity can contribute to acne, but a lot to the time it can be internal factors such as genetics, diet, hormones, digestion & unless these issues are addressed, topical treatments alone usually won’t be able to get the results you’re wanting.

Book yourself in for a consultation with a therapist who can offer a thorough skin analysis, recommend suitable products & develop a long term treatment just for you. This is not a condition that can be cleared in a day and one single product or a single treatment is not going to be the solution. Potentially it will take a combination of products, treatments and a deeper look into what the possible causes may be in order to provide long term results.

The post How can I prevent Acne? appeared first on Victorian Cosmetic Dermal Clinics.

So what’s the alternative? Laser hair removal – a safe and effective procedure which offers permanent hair removal.

So what is a laser?

Did you know that LASER is an acronym which stands for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation”?

The definition of a laser is an “electronic device that generates an intense beam of single color light by amplifying photons with more energy through collisions with other photons. Laser beams can travel vast distances without dispersion and can carry enormous amounts of energy.”

Complicated right?

Well, basically a laser is a very strong and very focused beam of light. Lasers are used in a huge range of applications, from industry, to communications, to mapping. Laser hair removal relies on specially designed medical grade lasers that are safe to use on human skin.

The three stages of hair growth

To understand how laser hair removal works you need to understand the different stages of hair growth. Hair has 3 different stages of growth and not all hairs grow at the same time. That’s why you may have found sometimes when you wax about a week later there is hair starting to grow again. Usually these are not the same hairs you waxed a week ago, they would be hairs from another follicle that were at a different stage of growth.

The three different stages of hair growth are:

Anagen – the active growth phase. At this stage, the bottom of the hair follicle (the bulb) is attached to the dermis and its blood supply through the dermal papilla.

Catagen – the transition phase. The hair follicle begins to die and enters the catagen phase

Telogen – the resting phase. In this phase, the remains of the hair bulb are inactive and the attached hair easily falls out.

How do lasers remove hair?

Laser hair removal works because the light of the laser beam can be converted to heat. The light is attracted to the pigment (melanin) in the hair. Dark pigment absorbs the light and the converts it to heat. The heat then affects the hair follicles to prevent hair growth.

In order to destroy a hair follicle, the bulb of the hair follicle where the blood supplies the hair with oxygen to grow needs to be destroyed as well as the stem cells which are responsible for hair regeneration. To be able to do this, a temperature of about 70 degrees needs to be reached.

The darker and the thicker a hair is the more pigment it will hold, and the more light it will absorb. This is why it is important that you don’t wax or pluck your hair before a treatment, because if there is no hair there, there is no way for the laser light to treat that hair follicle.

So to recap, what happens is that the light is emitted, is then absorbed by the pigment in the hair, travels through the hair and is converted to heat and destroys the root. That hair is destroyed and does not grow back! It’s just so simple and effective.

Is laser hair removal permanent?

There are 3 main factors that can affect whether or not we can achieve permanent hair removal.

Only hairs in the growing stage (hairs that are in the anagen phase) can be treated successfully, however not all hairs grow at the same time. For example, at any one given time on our body, only about 20-40% of hair is growing (in anagen phase) the others are either in the transition or resting phase. This is why a course of treatments is required to get the different hairs as they enter the growing stage. Treatments are every 8 weeks for the body and 4 weeks for the face.

Secondly, only hair that has pigment can be treated. If you have white, grey, blond or red hair, it is important that you understand these will not respond, as there is no dark pigment in these hairs to hold that light. Therefore the laser cannot generate enough heat to destroy the hair. Also the finer and lighter the hair, the harder it will be to achieve permanent hair removal as there is less pigment in the hair.

The thicker and darker the hair, the more pigment it contains, which means the light will be absorbed, convert to heat and reach a temperature of about 70 degrees, and therefore destroy the root of the hair. If this temperature isn’t reached, the treatment will only damage the hair which will result in lighter finer hairs growing back. In this case the hair follicle will not be effectively destroyed.

And the third factor is skin colour. The lighter your skin the higher the fluence (intensity) you can be treated with. If your skin is darker, the therapist will need to use a lower the fluence to treat you. This is because laser light does not know the difference between the pigments in your hair or you skin, so if you have a tan you increase the risk of burning your skin. It’s best to keep your skin as light as possible, because you can then be treated on a higher fluence. And that’s why if you have a tan, you need to stay out of the sun, wear sunblock every day and start your treatment when the tan is gone.

A safe and effective treatment

Hopefully this article has answered some of your questions about how laser hair removal works, and who the treatment can be effective for. Laser hair removal is an incredibly effective procedure that can eliminate the need to spend countless hours on shaving, waxing and plucking, and means you’ll never be caught out in an embarrassing situation because you didn’t plan ahead.

If you have any more questions about how the procedure works, our therapists are all highly trained & experienced in the use of medical grade lasers, are all laser safety certified and would be more than happy to answer any questions or concerns that you may have about the treatment. Contact us to learn more about the safest, easiest, most permanent method of hair removal.

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