Our Laser Devices: Lumenis Lightsheer Appliances

Similar to mammals, humans also "moult", meaning that they lose the aged hair shafts of their body hair. However, this is not depending on external impacts but is a process that runs with an even intensity. The length of growth cycles of the hair depends on several factors, but in general, it lasts 4 to 12 months.

1. STRUCTURE OF HAIR

Hair consists of three parts. From the bottom up, it has the root - part of which is the hair bulb, the intermediate part, and the external, visible part. The hair bulb is the bottom widening part of the hair follicle, containing melanin-producing cells. Melanin-producing cells give the color of the hair shaft, so if no melanin is produced, there will be no pigments in the hair shaft, either.

HAIR REMOVAL PROCEDURES

In addition to traditional hair removal procedures, laser hair removal methods using the most recent technology are available for anyone. They are getting more and more popular, they are kept developed and their development is sometimes rather difficult to keep up with. The US laser market increases so fast that FDA (Food and Drug Administration) set general approval as a precondition to the market release of the devices. So each and every laser device suitable for hair removal or for the treatment of wrinkles shall get the same basic approval. After obtaining the basic approval, it is the manufacturer’s task and responsibility to gain higher qualifications. In April 1999, the diode laser technology of Lumenis LightSheer was approved by FDA, and with regard to efficiency, the device was ranked in the highest class. All over the world, the currently 6000 LightSheer diode laser devices that are similar to ours can be used with a “Gold Standard” qualification.

Let us note here that such high qualification of the devices is not regular, as several manufacturers got FDA approvals that grant only “permanent hair reduction” rather than “permanent hair removal”. This means that however, the patient will observe a permanent reduction in the course of the laser treatment, the procedure would not result in permanent removal of the hair shafts.

The LightSheer diode laser by Lumenis used at Aesthetica, applies the most advanced technology of laser hair removal. Today, Lumenis is a world leader in the production of medical and aesthetic lasers. The worldwide recognized company was the first to develop any equipment using the beneficial features of laser light in the course of aesthetic treatments. Employing renowned scientists from all over the world the company ensures its leading position. Already in the early ‘90-ies, it spent significant amounts on research and development, and further developing its Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) hair removal technology, in addition to the concept of lasting hair removal, it also spread the concept of permanent hair removal, all over the world. Similar to laser hair removal, also IPL technology is an optical technology. Unlike IPL, the diode laser forwards the laser energy in a targeted way into the hair follicle, thus reaching melanin with much higher energy. It treats almost all skin types and hair types safely and effectively, taking into account the depth and diameter of the hair shafts. Lumenis LightSheer diode laser has three different sizes of the handpiece.

The smallest LightSheer ET has a spot size of 9x9mm, which is followed by LightSheer XC handpiece with a 12x12 mm spot size, then LightSheer HS, launched in 2008, which is a world novelty, and has a nearly seven times larger spot size removing the hair from an area of 22x35 mm. The ET and XC handpieces have the patented “ChillTip” system, thus they provide continuous cooling of the skin.

In Aesthetica, in each case, we apply the laser light to the required area in the most effective way possible, with a frequency and at an energy level depending on the hair to be removed. This way, e.g. for removing the hair from large areas the largest handpiece is applied in order to minimize the treatment time.

A LUMENIS LIGHTSHEER DUET HS

In addition to its size, the worldwide novelty LightSheer HS differs from the previous types also in making the treatment more efficient through its vacuum system of adjustable strength. For small handpieces, this system is not applicable, as the small handpiece needs to be placed on the treatment surface. The precise fitting of the handpiece ensures that the laser can effectively hit the target.

Vacuum has three important functions. On one hand, it brings hair shafts closer to the laser, thus at a larger space, a much lower energy level needs to be applied, which indulges the skin. On the other hand, a vacuum makes the blood squeezed out of the micro-veins of the skin, this way the melanin in the blood will not absorb the energy of the laser, and more energy can be used for destroying the melanin of the follicle. Its third important function is that during the treatment the energy of the vacuum closes off the pain sensor system of the skin in the affected area. Due to the pain-blocking mechanism, it reduces the feeling of pain.

The technological novelty is also reinforced by the largest ever diode laser that the engineers of Lumenis built into the HS handpiece. It means that they guarantee the same efficiency as its predecessors, but the handpiece that is seven times larger than the earlier ones enables that hair removal of e.g. a male’s back could take only 15 to 20 minutes as opposed to the previous 1 to 1.5 hours.

PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL

Permanent hair removal is the hair removal procedure, where at the affected area, a significant amount of hair shafts would not re-grow even after the growth cycle time of the hair shaft. Permanent hair removal is effective if during treatments at least three major features of hair are considered to the greatest extent. The density of hair shafts, the diameters of the separate hair shafts, and the depth of the follicles’ location within the skin surface can be different for each person. The optimal management of the three factors will make it possible to consider the hair removal of the given area as permanent.

When developing the LightSheer technology by Lumenis, the developers made several types of research. One of the largest volumes of research took place in Pakistan between October 1999 and December 2000, where 1000 women with different skin types aged between 15 and 55 were asked to go through a series of treatments.

The following table shows the number of treatments and the percentage of the resulting hair loss. 500 women out of the 1000 experienced hair loss of 70 to 80% during the treatment, while further 500 experienced 90 to 95% results during the final hair removal.

NUMBER OF TREATMENTS APPLIED FOR THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE RESEARCH

In most cases, patients experienced 25 to 30% hair reduction after each treatment (between two treatments). In general, by the 3rd or 4th treatment, an 80% reduction was observed. Satisfaction of patients with the treatment proved to be very high, 90 to 95% of them were satisfied with the results.

5% of the treated women were not fully satisfied with the 6 treatments of the full face and on the neck, therefore, by further treatment, the hair shafts could be removed temporarily, but they remained visible in the form of fine hair even after the 7th treatment. Research leaders explained the dissatisfaction of the group to individual hormonal attributes. Dense, rough hair on the neck and on the face is assumed hormonal problem or disorder. The cause of extreme hair growth can be determined by an endocrinology test, which you can get done also in Aesthetica by our endocrinology expert.

So the research with LightSheer showed that the treatment is safe and effective.

THE IDEAL TECHNOLOGY

The strength of the laser beam used for hair removal is ideal, if it intruded the follicle at the appropriate wavelength, without any injuries to the adjacent tissues. LightSheer is the most widespread photoepilation technology in the world, which - due to the adjustable level of energy - can be used safely for permanent hair removal with almost all skin types, even with tanned skin.

The success of the treatment is proven also with regards to ingrown hair. The unique adjustability of the energy transferred enables effective treatment in the case of nearly all hair colors and hair thickness.

Based on foreign experiences, we decided that as opposed to the IPL (Intense Pulse Light) procedure widespread in our country, we would localize the diode laser technology, which was almost unknown here. Our experiences in our country do show that we made a good decision, as we have several patients, who took IPL sets of treatments previously at other places without success but are now fully satisfied with the results that we achieved. The difference between diode laser and IPL is that the energy reaches the follicles specifically, and destroys them permanently. At the same time, with IPL, part of the energy is lost and the effect of the treatment is not permanent.

The figure below compares the best-known devices. It analyzes the efficiency of devices taking the absorption energy as a basis. For a follicle to be destroyed permanently, it needs to be heated to approx. 80°C. Due to the high temperature, most devices do not protect from the risk of burning. Although the devices running at low energy levels do protect the skin, they do not destroy the follicle. In general, it is found that the risk of burning of the adjacent tissues is the highest where the absorption energy shows a high level in the course of the treatment provided at the given level of energy. So the precise setting of LightSheer enables the protection of tissues from destruction, at the same time, it delivers so much heat as to destroy the follicle.

The above figure illustrates well that the key to effective treatment is to ensure proper settings. For this, one of the key factors is the skin type. The Fitzpatrick test will determine exactly your skin type, based on which the relevant area can be treated at the most suitable level of energy. The test takes into account the genetic attributes, the impact of sun bathing on the skin, and sun bathing habits. Based on your skin type, the nurse who will perform the treatment for you will be able to easily set the parameters that are most suitable for you.

Since the growth of hair is cyclic, the treatment shall be repeated several times. In general, we can state that patients experience dramatic hair loss after the 3rd occasion. It may occur that this result is not achieved during the treatment, due to e.g. hormonal problems. In this case, there is a threat of minor hair growth after the treatment. Therefore, you are suggested to get your hormonal problems treated first and go for permanent hair removal afterward. Hormonal problems are determined through an endocrinology test, which you can get done also at Aesthetica.

Any more questions? Come to a laser hair reduction consulting and you will get answers to everything from our experts. Feel free to ask!

Consultation about permanent laser hair removal is free of charge.