Which is better: laser hair removal or photo hair removal?

Smooth and silky skin is every woman's dream. Modern beauty salons offer a whole range of procedures to remove unwanted hair. Light epilation is one of the most radical methods that can completely destroy hair follicles anywhere on the body. As a result of such procedures, the obtained effect remains for the longest possible period of time.

Laser and photoepilation methods are based on the same principle: hair removal with their help takes place under the influence of light radiation on the hair. As a result, the hair follicle heats up to a certain temperature, which subsequently leads to its self-destruction. This similarity puzzles the patient: not knowing the main differences between them, he cannot choose the most suitable option for himself.

Photoepilation is the removal of unwanted vegetation by exposing the hair follicle to light waves. For this, crinoline lamps are used, equipped with special filters, which, when exposed to the epidermis, cut off ultraviolet rays that are dangerous to the skin. The photoepilator works most effectively on coarse and dark hair - they contain a greater amount of melanin (the pigment responsible for hair color), which is able to absorb the maximum amount of heat. A laser epilator acts on the hairline in the same way as a photoepilator. However, the influence on the selected area of ​​the body occurs under a narrow spectrum of radiation and is characterized by locality and selectivity. The laser is able to act on hair follicles, the color of which does not match the skin.

Both methods of getting rid of unwanted hair only affect those that are in the active phase of development and growth. After the destruction of the capillaries that feed the hair follicle, the hair shaft after a while falls out on its own along with the follicle.

Photo and laser hair removal are inherently very similar, as well as the result after their exposure. However, there is a difference, although not too significant.

• The principle of influence. Laser hair removal uses a single beam (alexandrite or diode) with a constant wavelength. Modern laser epilators are equipped with a scanner that detects the color of melanin and sets the power automatically. At the same time, it is possible to independently adjust the device to a specific skin phototype. When using a photoepilator, light flashes have different power. Therefore, it becomes necessary to adjust the device for each patient individually, depending on the color, structure and density of hair growth. An insufficient wavelength will not give the expected result from the procedure, an overestimated wavelength can lead to injury to the skin.
• Impact area. Due to the fact that with laser hair removal, the effect on a body area occurs with the help of one beam, the area of ​​the treated surface is limited. The working surface of the photoepilator is capable of emitting a whole spectrum of light radiation, which significantly increases the epilated area of ​​the skin.
• Session duration. With laser hair removal, the procedure is longer than with photoepilation. The second method allows a larger area of ​​the skin to be processed in one flash than the laser.
• The number of sessions. The laser acts on the hair follicles in a more targeted manner. Therefore, after such epilation, a greater number of them are destroyed in comparison with photoepilation. Her device scatters light rays over a large area of ​​the body, while their effect is not so precise.
• Price. The need to carry out more sessions of photoepilation to achieve a lasting result leads to a higher cost of the full course of procedures. The final price will depend on the quality of the equipment, the area to be epilated, related medications, etc.
• Result. Both methods in terms of effectiveness have proven themselves from the most positive side. According to patient reviews, the advantage belongs to laser hair removal, with the help of which you can get rid of unwanted vegetation on any part of the body, including on the face, in a shorter time and with minimal consequences.
• Risk of side effects. Laser hair removal is safer due to the fact that the effect of the light beam is directed exclusively at the hair follicle, and its effect on the surrounding skin is minimal. The laser beam acts directly on the hair root, heating it up in the shortest possible time. Therefore, it is almost impossible to get burns of the skin during laser hair removal.
• Laser hair removal can be done at any time of the year, while photoepilation is undesirable in summer due to possible complications after the procedure.
• Photoepilation is undesirable for intimate areas and facial areas, which significantly differs from a laser - it is not limited in its effect.

Until recently, laser hair removal could only get rid of dark hair. Modern technological developments in the field of cosmetology have made it possible to effectively remove vegetation of any type and color, except for gray hair, from any part of the body. After treatment with the alexandrite type of laser beam, the hair follicles fall out as soon as possible after the procedure. The diode laser can provoke the appearance of mild puffiness in the treated area, and the hairs themselves fall out 6-10 days after the session.

After photoepilation, charred white dots remain in place of the hair follicles, which are clearly visible under a magnifying glass. After the session, the patient gets the impression that the hair continues to grow for some time. In fact, this is not so: the disturbed nutrition of the bulbs leads to the fact that the hairs begin to actively fall out 1-2 weeks after the session, pushing themselves out of the skin on their own.

Laser hair removal can be done anywhere on the body. However, due to the fact that the procedure takes more time for point hair removal, it is most often used to remove hair in the armpit, in the face and chest and bikini area. Photoepilation allows you to treat a more voluminous body surface at a time. Therefore, it is most often used to get rid of hair on the legs and back.

In some cases, after photo or laser hair removal, patients notice that there is still hair on the treated area. This may be due to the following reasons:

• the hair follicle is located in a thick layer of adipose tissue, so the laser beam does not reach its shaft;
• red hair contains the pigment pheomelanin, which is invisible to the beams of a laser and photoepilator;
• if a pore has grown over an ingrown hair, the chance for the epilation apparatus to "see" it is zero - in order for the light beam to act on such a follicle, it is necessary to first remove the hair shaft from the epidermis.

The safety of the epilation procedure is what not least of all worries about all clients of beauty salons. The harmlessness of light hair removal techniques is practically at the same level. However, special attention should be paid to the qualifications of the specialist and the technique he uses.

• The laser beam, when selected correctly, has an effect exclusively on the hair follicle, without affecting the skin, blood vessels and muscle tissue.
• Modern photoepilators are equipped not only with a wide spectrum of radiation, but also with different attachments and filters. Their functionality allows you to protect the client from the negative effects of light flashes on the skin, as well as adjust the required length of light beams.

The exposure of the skin to light, which is produced by laser and photoepilators, does not cause any particular discomfort in the client. Therefore, the sensations during the session are approximately the same and depend on several reasons:

• physical and psychological preparation of the patient;
• pain threshold;
• sensitivity of the epilated area;
• beautician qualifications;
• the quality of the epilation device.

Before hair removal with the light beams of the photoepilator, a special anesthetic in the form of a gel is applied to the skin. It is used not only as a pain reliever, but also acts as a contact agent that maximizes the effect of the rays on the follicles. Most laser epilators are equipped with special attachments (vacuum, cooling sapphire), which make the procedure painless.

After both procedures, redness, swelling and irritation may appear, which will soon disappear. The recovery period after laser hair removal is much shorter than after photoepilation: the effect of the beam on the skin is less aggressive, so the risk of burns when using this technique is practically minimal.

After photoepilation, a fairly common complication is burn damage to the skin, which provoke the appearance of age spots. This is associated, first of all, with the low qualifications of the specialist who performed the procedure: an incorrectly selected power of the device can lead to extremely undesirable consequences for the client.

Within 3-5 days after the procedure of light hair removal, the skin is restored in a natural way. Therefore, during this period, it is important to follow certain rules. Experts do not recommend in the first days after hair removal:

• visit pools or swim in open water;
• take hot baths;
• to act on the epilated area with hard materials;
• wear tight, tight clothing made from artificial fabrics;
• use cosmetics that contain alcohol;
• use aromatic oils;
• in the intervals between sessions, use shugaring or wax epilation.

It is important to remember that none of the epilation methods can guarantee that after a full course of procedures, the hair will disappear forever. Only those follicles that showed themselves at the time of the procedure are subject to removal. "Dormant" bulbs can enter an active phase of development after the session. However, new hairs, which will grow thin and weak, are strongly discouraged from shaving off - this will lead to their further strengthening.

The beautician must warn the client about the main contraindications before carrying out the procedure of light hair removal. Such restrictions can be permanent or temporary. In particular, it is not recommended to remove hair using light rays from a patient if he has:

• diabetes mellitus;
• cancer;
• inflammatory processes in the stage of their exacerbation;
• damage to the skin on the epilated areas of the skin;
• allergic reactions to certain drugs;
• varicose veins;
• metal implants in the treated area;
• folliculitis.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are relative contraindications. In any case, the specialist must take into account the fact that during this period the woman is especially sensitive, and any painful sensations are contraindicated for her.

Analysis of the reviews of those clients of beauty salons who did 2 types of hair removal: laser and photo, gives reason to assert that those who removed unwanted hair in the face and other sensitive areas (in the bikini area, neck, armpits) prefer laser hair removal. Patients who needed hair removal on more voluminous areas of the body, such as thighs, ankles, back, abdomen, opted for photoepilation. Despite the fact that the number of photoepilation sessions required more, the vast majority of clients, after a full course of treatment, almost completely got rid of unwanted hair.

but according to the majority of patients, the photoepilation procedure is more painful than under the influence of a laser. When doing epilation with light rays, in any case, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the body, its susceptibility to pain and the ability of the skin to recover after outside interference.