Beauty - Light-basedHairRemoval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Light Fantastic
Hair removal is no doubt a main-stay for a majority of beauty salons; clients – both male and female – will always want to be rid of body or facial hair. In fact, a recent survey conducted by Remington revealed that women on average spend £8,000 on hair removal during their lifetime, whether on shaving, waxing or more permanent hair removal solutions.
Whilst waxing remains a popular choice, nowadays clients are becoming more technologically-savvy and beginning to demand treatments which not only offer longer term results but also a significant reduction in pain, which can often deter some clients from undertaking waxing treatments particularly on their most intimate areas.
Over the past few years, Laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) systems have become an increasingly familiar sight in salons. Thanks to the many media outlets and a host of celebrities discussing the benefits of using light- based treatments for effective hair removal, the awareness amongst consumers has also greatly heightened. As a beauty business owner, investing in this new equipment is not something that you should undertake lightly. However, increased demand and competition means that introducing light-based hair removal equipment into your salon is now more affordable than ever. Although Laser and IPL hair removal procedures require commitment from your client to complete a full course of treatments and don’t produce instant results, the long-term effects are impressive.
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Treatment areas for women commonly include the underarms, bikini-line, legs, excessive facial hair and forearms, and for your male clientele, treatments are popular on the chest and back although treatment is also possible on the face. It’s also worth noting that the majority of systems will allow you to also offer skin rejuvenation for age spots, hyperpigmentation and thread veins, treatment of Acne and the treatment of Pigmented Lesions including birthmarks, flat moles or sun spots, meaning your investment will enable you to radically grow your salon’s services.
Laser or IPL?
“Both Laser and IPL can be used in the treatment of dark, excessive or unwanted hair. In simple terms, IPL destroys the melanin at the base of the follicle whereas Laser vaporises the hair follicle,” explains June Lane, Managing Director of Pulsar Treatments Ltd. “There is not a case where IPL or Laser is preferential for hair reduction treatments; it is a personal choice, as both types of technology should have similar treatment outcomes although different technology is suitable for different skin types.”
June continues: “During hair reduction, the melanin at the base of the follicle is heated to 70 degrees but the skin will burn if this is not controlled appropriately, as skin melanin and hair melanin heat at different rates. High-quality equipment should contain the technology to continually cool the skin, maintaining a safe temperature throughout treatment.
“Hairs should be no longer than one millimetre at the time of treatment, as long hairs take up the energy and prevent all of it reaching the hair follicle; therefore hair is shaved just before treatment for maximum transmission of the energy. However, it is important that clients do not wax in- between treatments, as the hair itself must remain in the follicle at the time of treatment so it can be destroyed by the light.
“Once the hair has been destroyed, the effects are usually permanent; however dormant follicles can appear for various reasons, such as medical
treatments, hormonal issues or menopause. Neither Laser nor IPL work on blonde, grey or white hairs, as melanin is needed in the hair follicle for the light to be attracted to the chromophore (part of a molecule responsible for its colour) and for hair reduction to be possible. Lighter hair has no melanin and although there are products available to put pigment into the hair, thus allowing the technology to work, if clients don’t use it correctly, it won’t work.”
Client expectations
It’s important to state that most Laser and IPL systems are only able to produce permanent hair reduction, not permanent removal, so it’s essential that you manage your clients’ expectations. Clients’ needs will naturally differ based on a wide range of determining factors, such as skin colour and the amount of hair they present. Remember to always advise on how many treatments they will need to undertake to achieve the desired outcome and explain how different areas of the body will naturally require more time spent on them than others.
If you’re planning to introduce light- based equipment to your salon, it’s imperative that you are fully trained in the treatments you are offering, that the system you purchase is covered by CE certification, and that it is from a reputable supplier who can offer follow-on training where necessary and who can advise on relevant treatment protocols.
Health and safety must also be paramount if you’re offering services using light sources. For example, you will need to protect both yours and your clients’ eyes whilst conducting IPL or Laser treatments. Safety eyewear, facemasks, curtains and barriers are just some of the protective measures available. Also ensure that you have adequate therapy insurance which covers IPL and Laser treatments, which is likely to be an added extra to your standard therapy insurance policy.
Turn the page to find a selection of light-based hair removal systems...
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