SHR- IPL Laser Hair Removal
SHR- What is it?
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SHR is a newer form of IPL where the treated area is gently heated using a motion technique instead of the instant heat and usual stamping technique.. This means less pain and safer excellent results.
Excessive hair growth is more common than we think. Many people suffer from unwanted hair growth and we have hair growing in places
we don't expect - such as the face, neck, and chest, breasts, around the nipples, abdomen, bikini, buttocks and legs. Considering Laser hair removal may be your solution for this unsightly hair.
Imagine never having to pluck, tweeze, wax, bleach or use various hair removal creams which often provide a messy and sometimes painful and limited temporary solution.
The Science
IPL- Intense Pulse light
When the laser beam is emitted it penetrates the skin and is absorbed by the melanin (what gives are skin and hair its colour) present in the skin and hair. The light energy (Xenon) is transformed into heat (Photo thermal), which causes coagulation (irreversible necrosis without immediate tissue destruction) or volatilisation (a loss of material) depending on the equipment used.
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In layman's terms this means that the melanin in the hair heats up and causes the tissue around it to heat up, which kills the dermal pappila (the blood vessel supplying the hair follicle). Although the hair is the target for the laser light, it is the dermal papilla that needs to be destroyed to prevent future hair growth.
Hair removal works by the process of selective photothermolysis. This can be summarised as follows:
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Hair in the early anagen growth phase is most susceptible to permanent damage.
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IPL source of the correct wavelength is absorbed by the melanin in the hair root, which lies between 2mm and 7mm into the skin.
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This IPL source causes the hair follicle to heat rapidly, leading to destruction of the hair shaft and conduction of heat to the neighbouring cells.
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The cells are responsible for regrowth of the hair are heated above 70oC and destroyed.
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New hair growth appears as hairs enter the anagen phase.
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New hair growth can be treated and the % of regrowth decreases with each subsequent treatment.
What you need to know...
How many treatments?
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It is recommended that the average person will need between 6-12 treatments to achieve 80-90% of hair reduction. However those who have hormonal inlaces, taking certain medications like steroids for example are likely to need more.
So why so many?
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Hair growth happens in 3 cases: Anagen, Catagen and Telegen. The Anegen phase is the phase when the hair is growing. We have hundreds of thousands of hair follicles all over our body which are all in different stages of the hair growth cycle. This means that when performing the IPL treatment, not all hair will be affected. Around 20% of the hair will be destroyed per treatment, this is why it is important that you have between 6-12 treatments to ensure that you target all hair on the treated area.
Is it safe?
Yes. My laser clinic is registered with the Healthcare Commission and my priority is maintaining the highest health and safety standards. I am a full qualified specially trained laser therapist.
Consultation + Patch test.
You will need to have an in depth consultation and patch test at least 2 weeks prior to treatment. This is to determine wether you are able to have the treatment and what settings on the machine are tolerable for you.
How do I prepare for the treatment?
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No sun...
You should avoid sun exposure/tanning in the treatment area for I month ahead of and during treatments to avoid excessive discomfort from excessive light and heat absorption in the epidermis.
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Shave only...
Please shave in treated area 24 hours before and avoid any plucking, waxing, threading or hair removal cream for at least 1 month prior to treatment. This is because if you have pulled your hair out from the root there will be no hair melanin to absorb the light. Shaving trims the hair and leaves the hair root in the dermis/epidermis. In order for the light to penetrate deeper and destroy the papilla, we need all the light to focus on the internal hair rather than the hair showing on the surface of your skin, so shaving before treatment allows this.
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No products
Please avoid putting any oils, fragrances or unnatural products on your skin 24 hours before and avoid fake tanning. If you have fake tan on you will need to wait at least 2 weeks before treatment and lightly exfoliate before- We want the light to focus on the melanin in your hair and not the melanin on your skin.
Does it hurt?
The simple answer is no. Due to the newest technology- SHR- this treatment shouldn't
hurt, all you should feel is a gradual warmth. Bonus!
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What areas can be treated?
We are able to treat pretty much all areas of the human body!
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Are there any hair types and skin types that can not have it?
Silver or ginger hair on treated area will not be able to be treated.- Do not look at the colour of the hair on your head as that does not necessarily mean that the hair on your body is the same colour.
Unfortunately my current machine is unable to treat people with Middle Eastern or Black skin due to the high content of melanin. I am hoping that a new laser for my machine will be able to provide this service soon.
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How long between treatments?
Hair growth patterns differ on all areas of the body and so will determine treatment interval times for the success of the hair reduction. The treatment only works on hair that is in the Anagen hair growth stage, we can't determine when the hair is in this part of the growth cycle this is why it takes around 10-12 treatments to complete. Because parts of the body have faster growth cycles we also need to adjust how often you can have the treatments.
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Face- Hair growth patterns are a lot quicker on the face (anywhere between 2-4 weeks). Therefore truth time between treatments is shorter. I recommend one treatment every 3-4 weeks.
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Body- Hair growth patterns are a slower on the body, particularly the legs (usually between 6-8 weeks) Therefore it is recommended to have one treatment every 6-8 weeks.
Who can not have this treatment?
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Lupus ​
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Coeliac disease ​
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Psoriasis/ dermatitis/ eczema ​(ON TREATED AREA)
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Connective tissue disorders, e.g. Scleroderma ​
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Hepatitis ​
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Diabetes ​
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Keloid scars ​
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Pregnancy ​
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Epilepsy ​
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Loss of skin sensation ​
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Photo sensitive medication​
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Photo sensitive herbal – St Johns Wart​
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Skin pigment conditions – Melasma, Vitiligo​
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Auto-immune disease ​
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Cancer of any form ​(must be 2 years in remission with GP consent to proceed with treatment)
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Chemo/radio therapy treatments​
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Heart disorder ​
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HIV/Aids​
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Medication used to treat skin conditions, e.g. Roaccutane, including topical & oral steroid ​
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Anticoagulant medication
In some cases you may be asked to get permission from the GP before treatment.
Before every treatment you will be asked if there is any change in your medical circumstances that may require delaying treatment.
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But please don't worry all information is confidential but I have a duty of care to make sure that you are safe to receive treatment.
After care
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•Cleanse and Tone should be used twice daily
•No plucking or waxing the hair only shave in-between
•A Soothe gel (Aloe gel) should be applied twice daily for 7 days following the treatment
•Protect sun block should be worn at all times on areas visible to sunlight
•No sun beds or sunbathing prior and after the treatment
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24 hours after each hair removal treatment:
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•No hot baths or showers – tepid only
•No heat treatments i.e. saunas and steam rooms
•No deodorant, perfumes or scented body lotions/creams
•No swimming or Jacuzzis
•No steam ironing or cooking over boiling saucepans
PCOS (polycystic ovarie syndrome)
Around 70% of women who have PCOS experience unwanted excessive hair growth in areas such as the face, chest and buttocks due high levels of the male hormone Androgen. But fear not, with laser hair removal we can help you get your confidence back and remove the hair you no longer want.
However, due to this high hormone level, it is typical that you will need more treatments to achieve full removal and maintenance every yearn prevent dormant hair becoming active.
Prices and savings!
It is recommended that you have at least 8-12 treatments for best results.
Deposit required upon booking.
10% off for all military personnel and spouses
For laser treatments only
ID requested when booking.
Information videos!
