The Hidden Risks of Laser Hair Removal

According to research, almost two fifths of people thinking about having cosmetic treatments consider cost to be the most important factor in their decision and only 14 per cent consider the risks.

But, with around 3,000 unlicensed and unregulated providers of laser hair removal in the UK a lot of people could damage their skin if they don't properly research the practitioner they intend to use. Having laser hair removal treatment while being tanned or just before going out in the sun can cause burning, scarring, blisters or changes in skin colour.

“Remember to stay out of the sun before and after having laser hair removal treatment as your skin may have a reaction. Plan it for a time when you know you won’t be in the sun,” says Which? Health campaigner Frances Blunden. “If you are having laser hair removal treatment, make sure that the clinic is licensed and the practitioner properly qualified. Otherwise, you could be putting yourself in the hands of untrained staff who don’t explain all the possible risks.”

Laser hair removal is the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment in the UK - in 2005, 166,000 treatments were carried out and the market is worth £41.5 million. Which? is now asking the government to ensure there is stricter regulation in place so that people are better protected.

“When you have laser hair removal the laser itself targets the pigment in your hair in order to destroy it,” says Mr David Gault, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the Portland Hospital, London. “Unfortunately, when the skin is tanned, the deeper melanin colour of the skin can also become a target. Therefore in some unfortunate cases, the patient’s skin can be left patchy and mottled – not the look they were expecting. In some cases the appearance is actually leopard-like – with white spots.”

Treatment should only be carried out by a trained operator who must have at least a BTEC qualification in light based treatments, or the equivalent, or be a qualified health professional.
Make sure you ask if they have experience in treating different skin and hair colours, and ask to see the clinic’s Healthcare Commission registration number. If they aren’t registered, you should walk away. During the procedure, remember that laser hair removal can be painful, so be prepared. Ensure you are given special goggles to protect your eyes, and understand that your skin will be red and sensitive after treatment.

Nearly 700,000 cosmetic procedures were undertaken in Britain last year and 84 per cent were non-surgical. According to the Healthcare Commission, there are just 960 that are actually regulated in England. According to an estimate by the Independent Healthcare Advisory Service, there are around 4,000 unlicensed laser hair removal providers in the UK.

Source: Keep The Doctor Away

Slash laser hair removal costs with home hair removal devices

Professional laser hair removal is a $2.7 billion dollar business, and makers of home laser devices hope to tap into the market. In December, the FDA cleared a home device from Gillette, but the device won't be available this year.
"We are not going to launch something until we are 100 percent satisfied with everything about the device," says Kelly Vanasse, a spokeswoman for Gillette. "We're still working on it."
The concept behind laser hair removal is that light emitted from the device is absorbed by the dark pigment in the hair follicle. The energy is converted to heat, causing the hair to fall out in a couple of days. Repeated treatments are needed to target the hair follicles in their various stages of growth.
Some data suggest that the hair that grows back is lighter and finer, but it's not clear how often the handheld device would have to be used.
Professional laser hair-removal treatments can cost $300 or more per treatment (several are needed), but can eventually eliminate shaving.
A Pleasanton, Calif., company called SpectraGenics is already selling a home-use laser hair-removal device outside the country. The company is seeking FDA clearance to sell the device in the United States, says Robert Grove, president of SpectraGenics.
"Laser hair removal in an office setting is an enormously successful enterprise," he says. "The convenience of doing laser hair removal at home we think will be of great interest."

Source: The Seattle Times

Home laser hair removal devices on the horizon

Makers of home laser hair removal devices are hoping to tap into the market of laser hair removal. FDA cleared a home device from Gillette in December, but the device won't be available this year.

"We are not going to launch something until we are 100 percent satisfied with everything about the device," says Kelly Vanasse, a spokeswoman for Gillette. "We're still working on it."

The concept behind laser hair removal is that light emitted from the device is absorbed by the dark pigment in the hair follicle. The energy is converted to heat, causing the hair to fall out in a couple of days. Repeated treatments are needed to target the hair follicles in their various stages of growth.

Some data suggest that the hair that grows back is lighter and finer, but it's not clear how often the handheld device would have to be used.

Professional laser hair-removal treatments can cost $300 or more per treatment (several are needed), but can eventually eliminate shaving.

A Pleasanton, Calif., company called SpectraGenics is already selling a home-use laser hair-removal device outside the country. The company is seeking FDA clearance to sell the device in the United States, says Robert Grove, president of SpectraGenics.

"Laser hair removal in an office setting is an enormously successful enterprise," he says. "The convenience of doing laser hair removal at home we think will be of great interest."

Source: The Seattle Times