• Permanent removal of hair on face and body

In Consensus Med we use alexandrite laser and, in some cases, IPL for hair removal. Alexandrite laser emits a wavelength of 755 nm and is the most selected solution by professionals: it destroys the hair without damaging blood vessels. The laser is equipped with a scanner, which makes the treatment fast and precise. Moreover, the treatment with the use of the laser is noncontact and noninvasive. Before the treatment, a local anesthetic may be applied to the treated area to alleviate the pain. During the treatment, the skin is cooled by cold air. Typically, around 3-5 treatments are performed to get best results. Their frequency is determined by the hair growth cycle. Hair can be only destroyed in their active growth phase when they are visible on the skin surface. It takes between 4-10 weeks for hair to grow in dormant phase – then the treatment should be repeated. Every 2-4 years an additional treatment should be performed in order to maintain the results. Laser hair removal is most effective when applied to clear, untanned skin with dark hair. Very light, red and grey hair is not effectively removed because it does not have proper pigment. The percentage of hair that is removed during first session depends on how many of them are in the anagen phase (30-50% of hair). After 3 to 5 treatment sessions, about 90% of hair is removed. The remaining hair is lighter, more delicate, invisible and slow-growing. In case other hair removal methods had been applied before the treatment (waxing, mechanical depilation etc.), it may be necessary to carry out 1-2 additional sessions to get better results. If excessive hairiness is caused by hormonal imbalance, it may happen that 7-8 treatment sessions may be needed, which should be then repeated once a year. The best results are observed with dark hair, which have not been waxed or pulled out and in those patients with light skin. Laser hair removal it is often called epilation, to distinguish it from different other hair removal methods. Epilation is a very effective hair removal method: • 20% of patients – a one-time treatment provides such satisfactory effects that next treatment session is performed after one year. Of course, one session does not remove 90% of hair, but it can be assumed that 40-50% of them. Such great results can be achieved in the armpits, bikini line and calves but only when other hair removal methods had not been applied besides shaving and applying depilatory creams. By doing so, the cycle of hair growth is not disrupted, and the effects of the treatment are most effective. • 60% of patients– three to five treatments are performed and then every two years a complementary session takes places which removes single hair that was left • 20% of patients – 5 or more sessions in case of endocrine disorders Very fair, grey and red hair does not absorb laser irradiation efficiently. In such cases, we recommend waxing to remove hair.

A consultation with a doctor takes place before the treatment. If a patient is approved for the treatment and if all the guidelines are followed properly, laser treatment is completely safe. During nearly 20 years of using this method of hair removal there were no dangerous or permanent side effects observed.

Patients may experience pain sensation and there may appear skin redness and swelling which typically disappear right after the treatment, sometimes within the next few days. Skin discoloration may also occur and may remain for several weeks.

• After treatment patients may experience erytmena and edema, which disappear within few hours or days • It is recommended to apply cold compresses after treatment • It is recommended to avoid tanning for at least 4 weeks after treatment • In the next few days after treatment hair is released from dead bulbs and it may look like a regrowth • Between successive laser treatments there should not be used other hair removal methods (waxing, mechanical, chemical hair removal), hair can be shaved

• sensitivity to light, medicines and herbs that cause photosensitivity, • herbs that cause photosensitivity such as St. Johns wort and marigold • retinoids, (should not be taken for at least 2-3 weeks prior to laser treatment) • some antibiotics (should not be taken for at least 1 week prior to laser treatment) • some hormonal treatments excluding contraceptive pills, • exfoliating cosmetics and medicines (products including retinol, isotretoine, fruit acids, vitamin C etc. – should not be taken for at least 1 week prior to laser treatment), • skin peels (should not be applied for at least 1 week prior to treatment), • some diseases and skin changes, • some general diseases (uncontrolled diabetes, epilepsy, cardiac pacemaker), • strong tan and dark skin complexion, • propensity for hyperpigmentation, • very light, red or gray hair, • mechanical skin damage, thick calluses, • pregnancy, breastfeeding, • waxing, mechanical hair removal (should not be applied for at least 1 month before treatment)