How to choose a medical hair removal clinic｜Explain the types of medical hair removal and the latest hair removal features
If you search for "hair removal", various hair removal facilities and hair removal methods will appear. However, the price of hair removal is a little pricey, so aren't you worried that you don't know how to choose? In this article, out of many hair removal methods, we will explain medical hair removal that allows you to feel the effects in a relatively short period of time. Even if you say "medical hair removal" in a word, there are various types of lasers and irradiation methods used, and the effect may differ depending on the hair and skin type. Let's learn about the medical hair removal method that best suits your concerns.
Find out in this article
- Differences between medical hair removal and other hair removal methods
- Types of lasers and irradiation methods used in medical hair removal
- How to actually choose medical hair removal
- What is medical hair removal
Medical hair removal is a method of removing hair by applying a laser to melanin, the black pigment in the hair, to generate heat. Permanent hair removal is said to require the destruction of the hair follicle structure, especially the bulge region involved in hair growth1). In other words, medical hair removal with strong irradiation power is recommended. Because it uses a powerful laser, it has the advantage of being highly effective in removing hair even in a single treatment, and can be completed in a relatively short period of time. In addition, since medical hair removal uses a strong laser, nationally qualified persons such as doctors and nurses will handle the treatment.
How to choose medical hair removal
There are individual differences in the number and effects of medical hair removal, depending on the hair quality, skin quality, and skin color of the area to be treated. In addition, it is necessary to go to the treatment several times according to the cycle of hair growth. Here, we will introduce what kind of individual differences there are.
Hair quality｜Thickness and thickness of hair
Hair types that are likely to experience the effects of medical hair removal are thick and dark hair types. In areas where downy hair and fine hair tend to grow, such as the face, back, and nape, the melanin pigment in the hair is thin, making it difficult for the laser to react. In addition, even in areas with a lot of thick hair, laser heat tends to be difficult to reach deep enough in areas with deep hair roots such as VIO and beard. In this way, there are individual differences such as an increase in the number of treatments depending on the hair quality and depth of the hair root, and the expected effect cannot be felt.
skin type
If your skin is dry or inflamed, you need to be careful. Laser irradiation may not be possible on inflamed areas, purulent areas, and areas with wounds. Also, in the case of dry skin, in order to prevent skin problems such as burns after irradiation, it is necessary to use a laser with a lower output than usual. In order to realize the effects of medical hair removal more quickly, it is very important to keep your skin well moisturized on a daily basis and to maintain a well-conditioned skin that is not dry.
skin color
If the skin is brown due to sunburn, or if the skin is pigmented due to repeated inflammation, it may not be possible to irradiate the strong laser unique to medical hair removal. Medical hair removal lasers react to melanin, the black pigment in hair. Dark skin or pigmented areas have more melanin inside the skin than white areas of the skin. Strong laser irradiation on skin with a lot of melanin can cause skin problems such as burns. Try to avoid sunburn as much as possible during the hair removal period.
Differences in medical hair removal equipment
Even if you say "medical hair removal" in a word, there are various devices depending on skin type and hair type. Here, we will explain the difference between the types of lasers and irradiation methods. If you don't know how to choose medical hair removal, let's keep it in mind as a basic knowledge of medical hair removal.
Laser type
First, let’s take a look at the types of lasers used in medical hair removal. Here, let's take a look at typical diodes, alexandrites, and yags. Please check which laser is suitable for the part you want to remove hair from.
diode
Diode lasers have a wavelength of about 800 nm to 900 nm and are mainly used in heat storage hair removal devices. Diode laser epilators are relatively inexpensive and are minimally painful. Therefore, it is suitable for those who are sensitive to pain, hair removal for beards that are prone to pain, and hair removal for young people. However, since the handle of the device is large, the treatment itself can be completed in a short time, but it is not suitable for uneven parts or fine parts such as VIO. It is said that it is easy to make a difference in the technical ability of the practitioner.
alexandrite
Alexandrite is a laser with a wavelength of 755nm. In Japan, there are the most hair removal devices equipped with this laser, and it is mainly used in the shot type (thermal destruction type). In order to efficiently absorb only melanin pigments, it is optimal to use a laser with a wavelength of around 700 nm2). Therefore, it is said that the wavelength of 755 nm is well absorbed by melanin, and it is easy to feel the hair reduction effect even at low output. Due to its high reactivity to melanin, the risk of burns increases with tanned skin. Alexandrite is a laser that is recommended for people with fair skin and dark hair.
yag
YAG has a long wavelength of 1064 nm, so it is a laser that reaches deeper into the skin than diodes and alexandrites. It is mainly used in shot-type (thermal destruction type) epilators. Since the absorption rate to melanin is low, the hair removal effect that can be felt with one irradiation is lower than others. On the other hand, it also has the advantage that even tanned skin can be used with less risk. It is also said to be beneficial for removing beards where the hair roots are deep. However, because it requires high output, it is prone to pain.
Irradiation method
Next, we will introduce the irradiation method. There are two irradiation methods: thermal destruction method (shot method) and heat storage method. I will explain the features, advantages and disadvantages of each. Learn about what kind of people you can recommend and how to choose medical hair removal that does not fail.
Thermal destruction method
The thermal destruction method is an irradiation method that irradiates a high-power laser to destroy hair-producing tissues such as dermal papilla and hair matrix cells deep in the hair root. There is a merit that it is easy to realize the effect of hair removal in a short period of time. However, since a high-power laser is used, it often feels like a rubber band being flipped with each irradiation. In addition, it tends to be less effective for downy hair with thin melanin pigment such as the face and back. Therefore, the thermal destruction method is recommended for those who want to finish in a short period of time even if the pain is a little strong, and for those who have thick and thick hair.
Heat storage method
The heat storage method is an irradiation method that uses a low-power laser to destroy only the bulge area in the hair root, which is the control tower that promotes hair growth. Since this bulge region exists near the surface of the skin, it is now possible to irradiate with low power. Therefore, it has the advantage of being less painful. It is possible to remove hair regardless of whether the hair is thick or thin, but it works slowly, so it often takes time to feel the effect. The heat storage method is recommended for those who are sensitive to pain, have plenty of time, and are concerned about downy hair.
We recommend selecting products that match your skin and hair type.
In medical hair removal, it is important to choose a method that matches the skin and hair quality of the area you want to remove hair. In addition, it is necessary to consider various things such as whether it is easy to make an appointment, whether it is possible to respond to skin problems immediately, whether the price is clear, etc.
Therefore, we recommend medical hair removal at Hellas Clinic. We have introduced a state-of-the-art epilator equipped with two wavelengths of alexandrite and yag in one unit, so we can handle all hair and skin types. Since a cooling spray is sprayed from the machine just before laser irradiation, it is possible to suppress damage and pain to the skin. There is ample support such as doctor's examinations and nurses' treatments, and even in the event of trouble, there is no additional charge for medical examinations or medicines. It can be said that it is a clinic that you can leave with peace of mind until the end.
summary
There are various types of hair removal, such as esthetic hair removal that tends to look cheap because it is said that you can start at a few thousand yen every month, and men's hair removal that specializes in men's beards. Among them, medical hair removal is a hair removal method that can use powerful equipment that can only be used by nationally qualified people such as doctors and nurses. It is easy to feel the effect of hair removal, and since it is performed at the clinic, you can rest assured that you can quickly respond to any skin problems. It also has the advantage of being able to handle a wide range of skin types and skin colors that would be rejected by esthetic hair removal. Medical hair removal is often done at hospitals (clinics) and has a high threshold image, but it is recommended for those who want to efficiently eliminate hair all over the body.
References
1) Atsue Kato et al., ``Examination of histological changes in laser hair removal models and output differences'', J Nippon Med Sch, 69 (6), 2002 https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/ article/jnms/69/6/69_6_564/_pdf/-char/ja
2) Keiko Kawamoto et al., “High Absorption Wavelength of Infrared Laser for Melanin”, MEDICAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGY, Vol.30, No.1, 2012 https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/mit/30 /1/30_1_11/_pdf
