How is the treatment conducted in practice?During the first consultation the possibilities of the treatment are assessed, a fixed price per treatment is settled and it is decided how many treatments are required for the overall treatment. It is possible to treat all hairy areas including the more intimate skin areas. Is the effect permanent?
Each treatment removes approximately 30-40 % of the hair follicles. Experience with other laser treatments, and now too with GEM technology, have shown that once a hair follicle is removed it will not return. However, many factors may contribute to new hair follicles developing in the treated areas at a later stage.
Why several treatments?
The actual hair gene which provides a hair channel with hair does not only consist of one single hair follicle but of a whole little flock of hair follicles (typically around 4-8) which take it in turn to be active. A hair follicle is active for a couple of months. After this it enters into a resting phase and is then replaced by the next hair follicle in the hair gene. In order to work through the entire hair gene, it should therefore be expected to require 3-8 treatments with an interval of 1-4 months. The number and frequency of the treatments depend on the areas selected for hair removal, and can also vary from one person to another.Side-effects
In rare cases, superficial burns may occur (first degree and without risk of scarring); it is usually seen in connection with skin that is very sunburnt and where the tan is from the weeks just prior to treatment. This may cause pigmentation stains which are likely to remain for a long time. Other than these, there are no known side-effects.Practical advice prior to treatment
It is important to follow some simple advice and counselling in order to achieve the best result. You are therefore advised to read the instructions on this page very thoroughly. 1) Best results are achieved with fair skin. Avoid tanning and solarium in the 3-4 weeks prior to treatment. Self-tanning lotion and sun spa can be used up until a week prior to treatment.
2) The hair follicle must contain hairs. Therefore waxing or plucking or any form of electropolishing should not be undertaken in the 3-5 weeks prior to treatment. In the last week before the treatment, no chemical hair removal must be used (for example Veet). Shavers and scrapers can be used both before and after a treatment. However, when you meet up for your first treatment, you must wear no make-up and have day-old stubble.
3) Avoid peeling. Take a break of one week from potential peelings, for example strong fruit acids, AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) and Vitamin A acid.
4) Sun following a treatment
Sensible (limited) use of sun for the first two weeks following a treatment is very important in order to achieve a good result.
5) Skin irritation following a treatment
Normally, no after-treatments are required. The skin may feel a little dry and irritated on the actual day of treatment – it is a good idea to use a counter-irritant.
6) Hair free period and re-growth
When the hair has shed, a hair free period will follow. This period is typically between 2-6 weeks. The period will extend following the first treatments. Little by little, the next phase of hair will begin to grow and when the hairs have returned (typically after 2-3 months) you are ready for the next treatment. As the treatment proceeds, the re-growth will be thinner, finer, fairer and more dispersed.
Information on prices will be given in connection with the consultation
permanent hair removal
Before treatment picture
After 4th treatment
