Laser hair removal. Which is better: diode or alexandrite laser for face, body, bikini area. Contraindications and consequences, results, photos

Removing unwanted body hair is a common cosmetic procedure. The greatest demand is for laser hair removal. The most common question is which laser to choose - diode or alexandrite?

Who needs laser hair removal

• Hypertrichosis is increased hair growth where it should grow. The need for and the number of sessions is determined individually.
• Hirsutism - coarse dark hair in women of the male pattern (face, chest, abdomen).
• Special requirements for the hygiene of workers in certain fields of activity (cooks), as well as athletes (swimmers, weightlifters, gymnasts).
• Hypersensitivity to other methods of getting rid of unwanted vegetation on the body, ingrown hairs.

Who is prohibited

Laser hair removal (diode or alexandrite laser) has some undesirable consequences.

It is absolutely contraindicated for persons suffering from the following diseases:

• epilepsy;
• diabetes mellitus in the decompensated stage;
• photodermatitis and somatic skin pathologies;
• malignant neoplasms;
• pulmonary tuberculosis in active form;
• systemic blood diseases;
• gray or vellus hair;
• taking antibiotics of the tetracycline group;
• infectious diseases.

It is undesirable to carry out the procedure if:

• drugs are being taken that cause photosensitization of the skin;
• the presence of herpes in the area of ​​the procedure;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system in a decompensated form;
• pregnancy, lactation period;
• benign neoplasms with a progressive tendency;
• hyperpigmented nevi;
• diffuse toxic goiter;
• taking hormonal drugs.

Diode laser

The principle of operation of a diode laser is to generate high-power beams that heat the hair follicles. The wavelength is 810 nm. The destruction of the bulb occurs, the process of natural nutrition stops, and the hair itself brightens and becomes thinner.

At the moment of generation of rays, the skin is not injured, the degree of exposure is minimal. On the contrary, the procedure with a diode laser helps to activate the skin regeneration processes, brighten the pigmented areas, and smooth out scars.

Diode laser advantages:

• hair in 90% of cases disappears forever;
• to obtain the effect, it is enough to carry out 4-6 procedures;
• interaction with any type of skin is allowed, including tanned;
• minimum rehabilitation period;
• low likelihood of skin injuries, burns, pigmentation and irritation;
• equally effective in the fight against both dark and light hairs.

In addition to many advantages, a diode laser has several disadvantages:

• The high cost of the course.
• The need for a large number of sessions for owners of blond hair.
• Painful sensations on thin, especially sensitive skin are possible.

Alexandrite laser

The main element of this type of laser is the natural alexandrite stone. It quickly heats up to a high temperature, the wavelength is no more than 755 nm.

Benefits of alexandrite laser procedures:

• Proven by years of use in aesthetic medicine, high efficiency of the device.
• The minimum likelihood of negative consequences after the sessions.
• Highly effective for dark hair removal on fair skin.
• After the session, the skin is tightened, becomes more elastic, unaesthetic pigmentation disappears.
• The duration of the effect, after a full course, the hair disappears for several years, and sometimes forever.

The disadvantages of alexandrite laser include:

• Unpleasant sensations, soreness of the procedure.
• The need for at least 8-10 sessions.
• The high cost of the procedure.
• Non-versatility, since the alexandrite laser is only suitable for people with a certain type of appearance.
• A large number of contraindications and restrictions, a ban on artificial or natural tanning.

Preparation for laser depilation

Laser hair removal, diode or alexandrite methods, require compliance with the rules for preliminary preparation.

Important:

1. For 10 days before the start of the first session, do not visit the solarium or sunbathe in the open sun.
2. For 2-3 weeks, all types of depilation are excluded, except for shaving. No need to pull out, lighten the hairs in the area of ​​the procedure. For an effective result, the hairs must have a dense dark core and grow evenly.
3. For 10 days, exclude the use of tetracycline antibiotics.
4. For three days, do not wipe the epilated skin area with an alcohol-containing solution.
5. In a few hours, the epilated area is carefully shaved, the skin is cleansed of previously applied cosmetics (deodorant, creams, makeup).

The use of a laser during menstruation is not recommended. It is best to do it a few days before or after your period.

Procedure for laser removal

Laser hair removal, regardless of which method is chosen - diode or alexandrite, includes several mandatory steps:

• At the preparation stage, the cosmetologist conducts testing. This will help to assess the skin's reaction after contact with the laser, and also to select the optimal energy level. Much depends on individual feelings, pain threshold, medical indications.
• A beam is directed to the epilated skin area. It extends 4 mm and is absorbed by the substance melanin present in the human body.
• Light energy is converted into thermal energy, the follicles and hair growth cells are heated in order to completely destroy them.
• There is a systemic alternation of pulses and cooling. If epilation is carried out on the face, the patient is wearing safety glasses to protect against harmful radiation.
• Step by step, the specialist continues to process the skin. The duration of the procedure, depending on the site and individual characteristics, can vary from 15 minutes to 2 hours.

How and why is cooling

Laser hair removal (diode or alexandrite methods) has a general principle of action. Thanks to epidermal cooling, the specialist can use high fluences, reducing pain during the procedure.

There are several effective cooling systems:

• Contact. A transducer built into the tool tip allows for high thermal conductivity cooling. The procedure brings less discomfort and is carried out as painlessly as possible. The cooling transformer protects the epidermis by creating heat dissipation on its surface.

  

• Spray cryogen. Cooling spray is sprayed on the area to be epilated before or after the impulse is applied.
• Air cooling. The directed flow has a temperature of -34 C.

Which laser is best for facial hair removal

The problem of unwanted facial hair can be solved with a laser. Which one is better to choose - alexandrite or diode? The selection features depend on individual characteristics, skin type, hair color and thickness.

The diode laser allows you to remove vegetation on delicate areas as painlessly as possible, it works equally effectively on all four phototypes, including on dark skin. To remove hairs on the chin, antennae above the upper lip, it is enough to carry out 5-6 procedures.

It is undesirable to use alexandrite laser for facial hair removal. It can cause soreness, scarring, and sometimes new hair growth. Alexandrite laser is ineffective for gray, vellus or light hairs, since it interacts only with melanin.

Which laser is best for body hair removal

The skin on the body is less sensitive than on the face or in the bikini area. But there are several factors to consider when choosing a laser technique. The alexandrite laser is considered the "gold standard" in aesthetic cosmetology, therefore the most optimal choice for body hair removal.

The diameter of the nozzle is 18 mm, which allows one beam to treat a large area of ​​the skin. The frequency of flashes is 2 per second, this leads to the minimum time spent on the procedure. The painful sensation is relieved by an effective cooling system.

If the patient does not belong to the European phototype, it is better to give preference to choosing a diode laser. It is more effective in removing blonde hair and on tanned skin. It should be noted that after diode epilation, the hair does not fall out immediately, but within 2 weeks, so the procedures are more comfortable to carry out in the cold season.

Don't miss the most popular column article: Plasmolifting of the face - what it is, how it is performed, results, photos before and after the procedure.

Which laser is best for epilation of the bikini area

The bikini area is a particularly sensitive area of ​​the skin, so the correct approach when choosing a technique is extremely important. Epilation in this area can be deep or classic. The diode laser is considered the most effective for removing vegetation in the bikini area.

Due to its characteristics, the beam penetrates deeper into the skin, is maximally absorbed by melanin and is applied to any shade of hair. Another advantage of choosing for a sensitive area is the fact that the number of procedures required for the effect is much less in comparison with the alexandrite laser.The diode laser eliminates the appearance of burns and scars in especially sensitive areas. Slight discomfort is possible, but with an effective cooling system, painful sensations during the session are practically excluded.

Skin care after hair removal

To prolong the effect of the procedure, you should adhere to the recommendations:

• Immediately after the procedure and during the first two days, a soothing cream (Panthenol, Bepanten) is applied to the laser-treated area.
• For the first 24 hours, do not wet the treated surface. For the next 10 days, limit water treatments to 5-10 minutes.
• If the hair removal is carried out in the summer, the treated parts of the body without sunscreen with an SPF35 index will not be exposed for 1-1.5 months.
• For the first 3 days, you should give up physical activity and all types of massage, refrain from going to the bathhouse or sauna.
• It is not recommended to pull out the growing hairs during the whole course.

Side effect of laser hair removal

A highly effective and fast way to remove unwanted hair can cause discomfort, painful sensations.

It also has several side effects:

1. Perifollicular edema, erythema. It occurs immediately after the procedure and disappears within a few hours. No treatment required.
2. Burns. As energy is converted into heat, burns are possible. This occurs due to ineffective cooling, violation of the technology of the procedure. Tanned skin is especially susceptible to burns, as well as phototypes IV and VI.
3. Folliculitis. Patients with hyperhidrosis are at risk of inflammation of the hair follicles. A side effect can also be seen in people who go to the pool between treatments.
4. Conjunctivitis, decreased visual acuity. When carrying out laser hair removal of the facial area, it is important to observe safety precautions - wear protective glasses to avoid injury to the eyes.
5. Scarring, hyper- or hypopigmentation. As a result of a thermal burn below the level of the basement membrane, the patient may develop a scar and develop hyper- or hypopigmentation.

Effect duration

The number of laser hair removal sessions, as well as the choice of diode or alexandrite laser for hair removal, is determined individually. To achieve the result, on average, at least 7-10 procedures. The effect of laser hair removal can last for 4-5 years, but it all depends on the individual characteristics of the patient.

It is impossible to get rid of unwanted hair on the face, body or in the bikini area for life, but in the case of timely maintenance sessions, the effect of smooth skin can be made permanent.

Laser Hair Removal Videos

Diode or Alexandrite:

Bikini hair removal / Which laser is better: