Neodymium laser for facial and body hair removal. Before and after photos, price, reviews

Removing unwanted body hair can be done in a variety of ways (using a shaving razor, wax strips or laser). These methods differ not only in the method of eliminating hair, but also in the painfulness of the procedure, side effects and the duration of the effect obtained. According to these parameters, epilation using a neodymium laser is the most popular.

How does neodymium laser work on hair?

The basic principle of laser action during epilation is the destruction of the hair follicle, which leads to the death and loss of hair. The cause of follicle death changes depending on the wavelength of the device.

At short and medium wavelengths, the laser acts on melanin (the pigment responsible for the color of the skin, eyes and hair), which absorbs the light wave, which, as a result, leads to heating of the bulb (it contains a high concentration of melanin) and its destruction from high temperatures.

As a result, lasers with this wavelength cannot be used for tanned skin (you can get a burn due to the large amount of melanin in the epidermis) and light hair (the amount of melanin in them is minimal and the procedure will not be effective).

The neodymium laser can emit medium to long wavelengths, which can penetrate the skin to a depth of 8 mm.

Long waves do not affect melanin, but the vessels that feed the hair follicle. The beam is absorbed by hemoglobin, as a result, the walls of the vessel are heated, and it is sealed. This leads to the cessation of the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the follicle, which subsequently leads to its death.

Due to the absence of the influence of the beam on melanin, epilation with a neodymium laser is allowed to be carried out with any color of the skin and hair. Regardless of the laser wavelength, when the bulb is destroyed, the functioning of adjacent tissues is not disturbed. The beam affects only the follicle and the capillaries feeding it. As a result, hair does not grow back in place of the fallen out bulb.

It is important that the death of the bulb from the laser is possible only when it is in the active phase (the hair is in the growth stage at this time). The procedure does not have the desired effect on "dormant" follicles. Therefore, it is impossible to destroy all hair follicles in a session, and the procedures must be repeated.

Benefits of neodymium laser hair removal

Neodymium laser for hair removal stands out among other hair removal procedures, including laser, for the following advantages:

• the beam acts only on the hair follicle, nearby tissues are not injured;
• removes hair of any color;
• it is allowed to carry out the procedure even on sensitive skin;
• in place of the destroyed bulb, hair no longer appears;
• the procedure is practically painless;
• the integrity of the epidermis is not violated;
• the tone of the skin is restored;
• pigment spots are removed;
• improves the elasticity and firmness of epidermal cells;
• removes tattoo without damaging the skin;
• eliminates inflammatory processes in the epidermis, which helps to reduce acne;
• can be used on any skin type, even after sunburn;
• the likelihood of side effects (including skin burns) is minimal;
• there is no effect of "ingrowing" hair after epilation;
• the beam in the device can be adjusted to different lengths;
• after completing the required course of procedures, the likelihood of hair appearance on the treated area is minimal.

Epilation with a neodymium laser can be performed even in the summer, when most of the procedures are prohibited due to the action of sunlight and the likelihood of pigmentation.

Indications for use

Neodymium laser is recommended by cosmetologists in the following cases:

• the presence of ingrown hairs on the skin;
• with sensitive epidermis, when other procedures cause severe irritation;
• hair removal in the intimate area and on the face;
• the presence of an increased content of facial hair in women (mustache or beard);
• fast hair regrowth after depilation (with this procedure, only hair is removed, the bulb remains in place).

Also, the laser is used for hair removal when other procedures have not yielded the desired result.

Differences between hair removal for men

The neodymium laser for hair removal in men is used in the following cases:

• lack of free time for daily shaving;
• tendency to irritation after hair removal with a razor;
• rapid regrowth of beards and mustaches;
• excessive presence of vellus hair on the face and body;
• giving the desired shape to the mustache and beard. After the procedure, there is no need to adjust the shape.

The process of laser hair removal for men has the following differences from procedures for women:

• duration of the procedure and its cost. In men, the area of ​​treatment of the skin is usually larger than in women. In this regard, the session time increases, and, consequently, the cost;
• duration of the course. Male hair has a more rigid structure, therefore, to eliminate vegetation completely (on the desired area), more procedures are required.

Also, men's hair removal is considered quite difficult due to the stiffness of the hair, so it is important to choose a high-level salon and a master with the qualifications of carrying out these procedures in men.

Contraindications

Hair removal with neodymium laser is considered the safest and most effective procedure.

But before choosing it, it is important to familiarize yourself with the existing contraindications, to reduce the likelihood of developing side effects:

• the presence of chronic diseases in the acute stage;
• the period of breastfeeding or gestation;
• the presence of tumors of a malignant nature;
• violation of the integrity of the skin at the site of laser treatment;
• dermatological pathologies of a particularly infectious nature;
• poor blood clotting;
• the presence of epilepsy or other diseases that are accompanied by seizures;
• with colds or in the presence of fever;
• the presence of an allergic reaction or intolerance of the components to the cooling composition;
• with severe pathologies of the cardiovascular system or the presence of a pacemaker;
• the presence of moles in the treatment area;
• the period of menstruation, due to hormonal changes, the likelihood of developing a negative reaction increases and the effectiveness of the procedure decreases;
• age up to 18 years.

Do not perform laser hair removal after a tanning bed or fresh sun tanning for 10-14 days. If there are doubts with contraindications, it is recommended to visit a therapist for their complete exclusion.

Hair removal session on face, body

Hair removal is carried out in stages, regardless of the area of ​​exposure to the neodymium laser.

Training

Preparation for laser hair removal plays an important role in the result of the procedure.

Therefore, all the nuances must be discussed in advance with the employee in the chosen salon:

• exclude all possible existing contraindications;
• preferably 20 days in advance (and 2 weeks in advance) hair removal is allowed only using a razor;
• the length of the hair in the area of ​​laser action should be 3-5 mm, that is, the last shave should be no later than 5 days before the procedure;
• exclude visits to the solarium or sunbathing for 14 days;
• for 10 days, you cannot treat the skin with alcohol-containing compounds (deodorants, creams, lotions), aggressive peels (hardware or mechanical skin cleansing) are also prohibited;
• 7 days before the session, saunas, swimming pools and baths are prohibited;
• stop taking blood thinners 30 days in advance. Also, the procedure cannot be carried out if antibiotics have been taken within a month;
• the day before epilation, you cannot drink alcohol, and intensified physical activity is also prohibited;
• 3-5 days in advance, testing is performed with drugs that will be used during the procedure, to exclude the development of an allergic reaction to them.

On the day of the procedure, do not use cosmetics, even moisturizers or nourishing creams.

Duration of 1 session, sensations

The epilation process itself takes place in the following sequence:

1. The specialist puts the patient on the couch.
2. Determines hair structure and skin condition. After that, the device adjusts to the desired beam length and pulse frequency.
3. The treatment area is cleaned with a special cleaning compound.
4. After that, the skin is treated with a disinfectant and a special gel is applied, which will ensure smoothness and ease of sliding of the apparatus at the treatment site.
5. At the request of the client, a cream with an anesthetic effect can be used. It must be applied in advance so that anesthesia occurs at the time of the manipulation.
6. The patient and the specialist wear protective goggles.
7. A hair removal procedure is performed. On average, for women, the duration of the session is 40 minutes, for men, 80 minutes.
8. After completion, the remaining gel is removed from the skin and a soothing and revitalizing cream is applied. It is removed after 10 minutes.

The patient can go home after receiving information on skin care during the recovery period. Since the device is equipped with a special skin cooling system, the patient practically does not feel anything during the procedure and can even sleep if desired.

Is a burn possible?

The probability of getting a skin burn during the session is minimal. This is due to the fact that the beam affects only blood vessels, without affecting the melanin in the skin and hair.

The reasons for getting a burn can be:

• low qualification of a specialist. As a result, incorrect configuration of the device is possible, long-term retention of the device at one point;
• lack of a cooling system in the apparatus;
• concealment by the patient of contraindications that can lead to the development of a burn;
• improper preparation for the procedure (visiting the solarium before epilation, using aggressive peeling a day before the session, or using alcohol-containing products);
• device malfunction.

The most common causes of burns are: malfunction of the device and low qualifications of a specialist.

How many sessions will it take to completely remove hair?

The neodymium laser for hair removal in the first session removes only about 30% of the bulbs. Approximately so many are in the stage of active growth. From the 2nd to the 5th procedure, up to 66% of the follicles die. And after the 8th laser action, up to 95% of the hair in the treated area is destroyed.

The exact number of sessions per course is selected individually and depends on the area of ​​the treatment site, the structure of the hair and the number of bulbs in the active phase (on average, it is from 4 to 8 procedures). Hair loss at the site of laser exposure occurs within 10-14 days after the session.

Average number of sessions depending on the treated area:

It is important that a recovery period is required between each session. Between the first procedures, rehabilitation lasts up to 40 days, after the 2nd laser exposure - up to 2 months. With each subsequent session, the recovery period is increased by 2 weeks. On average, complete hair removal takes 12-18 months.

Recovery period

The effectiveness of laser exposure and the likelihood of side effects depend on compliance with the rules during the rehabilitation period (a specialist gives a special memo after the procedure).

After laser hair removal, you need:

• apply a regenerating or soothing cream to the treated area (products with panthenol are recommended) for up to 3 days;
• avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, do not visit the solarium and baths for 14 days;
• refuse water procedures on the first day. In the next 2 weeks, use soap or products without aggressive components in the composition for washing;
• it is forbidden to scratch the treatment area even with severe itching and remove crusts (they can occur in rare cases);
• when going outside, apply a cream with UV protection, otherwise age spots may appear;
• you cannot use cosmetics (except for those prescribed by a beautician) for 14 days;
• if possible, exclude the use of medicines (especially antibiotics, hormonal and blood thinners) for 10 days;
• physical activity is prohibited for 5 days;
• you cannot do massage in the treated area for up to 10-14 days.

Until the end of the epilation course, between sessions, it is allowed to remove hair in the area of ​​laser exposure only with a razor. The first shaving is acceptable one week after the procedure.

Possible exacerbations

If during the rehabilitation period not all the rules were observed or they were completely ignored, as well as as a result of a low qualification of a specialist, development of the following complications is possible:

• hematomas, occur in rare cases, mainly due to a malfunction of the apparatus;
• the development of an inflammatory process in the hair follicles (can be caused by visiting a bath, physical activity and cosmetics);
• black spots. These are dead follicles that, for some reason, remained in the epidermis;
• burns. It is extremely rare when using a neodymium laser;
• rash, swelling, severe itching, and other signs of an allergic reaction. A side effect is noted if allergy tests were not performed before the procedure. To eliminate symptoms, you must take antihistamines;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases, if they have not been excluded;
• the appearance of acne. It occurs due to an increase in the sensitivity of the skin to pollution, in the absence of hygiene measures;
• increased pigmentation. Appears if the treated area has been exposed to ultraviolet light for a long time (this is a visit to a solarium or sunbathing during the first days after the procedure);
• deterioration of vision if safety glasses were not used during the session.

Reddening of the epidermis immediately after the end of the session is considered normal. Skin color is restored for 2-3 days. It is also permissible to feel discomfort from hairs that curl from the action of the laser and fall out only after the bulb dies off.

Lasting effect of neodymium laser hair removal

After completing the full course, the number of removed bulbs in the laser affected area is up to 95%.In rare cases (mainly as a result of hormonal imbalance) re-growth of new hairs is possible. To eliminate them, it is recommended to make a correction every 6-24 months (repeated laser treatment, usually consists of 1 session).

Hair removal zones and prices

The table shows the permitted areas for treatment with a neodymium laser and the average cost per procedure in Russia (in rubles)

The cost of procedures in the salon immediately includes the price for the services of a specialist and additionally used materials.

But in some cases it is recommended to clarify possible additional financial expenses. The neodymium laser allows you to effectively, almost painlessly and with a low likelihood of side effects to eliminate hair on any part of the skin.

The advantage of this method is the absence of restrictions on the color of the skin and hair, as well as the minimum risk of damage to the skin (the laser does not act on melanin, which reduces the likelihood of epidermal burns). It is important that the procedure has contraindications that must be eliminated before starting the hair removal procedure.

Author: Kotlyachkova Svetlana

Video about neodymium laser hair removal and its effectiveness

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