Laser epilation

Treatment theory

Laser epilation can be used to reduce unwanted hair growth on the whole body. The laser emits light energy in a specific wavelength. In the epilation laser, the wavelength is geared to the absorption spectrum of the melanin (585nm). The melanin is found as brown pigment primarily in the skin and the hair. The modern lasers guide the laser energy directly to the hair roots at a depth of 2-3mm without damaging the surface of the skin. The laser energy slows the activity of the hair roots and hence hair growth.


Treatment duration

15-45 minutes.


Anaesthetic

None required, occasionally topical anaesthetic.


Post-op

Cooling of required, protection against sun exposure for one week.


Risks

A test treatment using various laser power levels is always carried out prior to a large-scale laser epilation in order to ascertain the most effective setting. The skin may take on a dark colour (hyper-pigmentation) of the power is too high; the risk of this is greater if the skin itself is more pigmented, for instance after sunbathing or visiting a solarium. Furthermore, there are various drugs that increase sensitivity to light and make laser treatment impossible (Tetracycline antibiotics, malaria prophylaxis, etc.).


Outcome

Since the hair is always in different phases of growth, using laser energy will slow hair growth to different extents. As a result of this, several laser-epilation sessions are generally planned. Suitable regions like armpit hair and the bikini zone require 2-4 sessions, 4-8 sessions can be expected for stubborn hair around thick skin like the upper lip or back. Hair reduction is long-lasting: the Gentle Lase plus (alexandrite laser) epilation laser that we use provides results for around 10 years.


before / after


Your doctor
Dr. med. Andreas Tschopp
Dr. med. Andreas Tschopp
T: 031 970 30 70
Contact form
Dr. med. Hyunju Kim Haemmig
Dr. med. Hyunju Kim Haemmig
T: 031 970 30 84
Contact form