Laser Hair Removal Washington

Laser Hair Removal in Boulder, Colorado

noreply@blogger.com (monish) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:26:00 +0000

Laser Hair Removal in Boulder, Colorado

Boulder, Colorado – this well appointed city resides at the foot of the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

The Boulder area is blessed with amazing scenery and a strong economy, and residents are spoilt for choice when it comes to the services in the Boulder area, and laserhair reduction treatment services are no exception.

One of the premium training sites in the country for removal of hair bylaser is the Rocky Mountain Laser College, or RMLC. Based in Denver Colorado, this place has been in operation for over 60 years and over this time has turned out a vast number of specialists certified in lasertreatments with excellent credentials.

Things to Ask when Picking a Clinic

When hunting for beautician services in Boulder, Colorado, here is a checklist of things to be aware of when you pick a company:

Does the company offer a complete personal assessment? Most respectable clinics do, and it is a good idea to make the most of this benefit. Does the company have a large list of satisfied patients? During your initial visit, does the consultant carefully assess your skin type andhair color combination? This is a critical factor in the success or otherwise of laser hair reduction treatment. Ask about the level of experience of the specific professional who will be performing your procedure. Can they provide assurance that a doctor is in the building during treatment so that any medical issues can be taken care of swiftly and efficiently?

Removal of Hair by Laser – Safety First

trong appeal the idea of permanent hair removal has for so many women (and men also!) is evidenced by the unprecedented popularity of cosmetic laser treatment

It is easy to ignore of the dangers involved with any cosmetic treatment and especially with the use of lasers, in our enthusiasm!

Understanding Removal of Hair by Laser

Laser hair reduction treatment works by targeting the color in the hairroot cells, effectively disabling them. As long as the treatment is performed by an experienced professional, using all the necessary safety equipment and precautions, it is a pretty safe procedure which can create excellent results for most clients.

There is no lack of laser hair removal in Boulder, Colorado – as a buyer you are in control and should make the most of several no-obligation. complete personal assessments before deciding on the company that will meet your treatment profile in the very best way.

Angelbare, puts hair in its place, New Wellesley business

noreply@blogger.com (monish) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 05:53:00 +0000

Angelbare, puts hair in its place, New Wellesley business

Wellesley now has its first permanent cosmetics practitioner. Formerly located in Newton Highlands, Angelbare Paramedical Cosmetics is now at 267 Washington St.
Angelbare’s owner, Shahla Whitmore, is a former Wellesley resident, having lived here when she was a student at Northeastern University, where she earned a degree in management information systems. She changed her career path and has been in the cosmetics industry since 1994, working as a paramedical instructor, esthetician, electrologist, laser hair removal technician and eyelash extension instructor. She received her certification as a paramedical practitioner in 2005, and in 2006 became a paramedical cosmetics instructor.
“Some of the ladies who come — they don’t want anyone to know, but they want to look good,” said Whitmore. Her clients, ranging in age from 19 to 87, seek her out for a whole range of reasons. Some come in after chemotherapy for eyelash and eyebrow treatment, or for an areola for a reconstructed breast. Others may have Parkinson’s disease and no longer have a steady hand for applying make-up; are dealing with alopecia; have over-waxed or over-tweezed their eyebrows; have oily skin, so that make-up wears off quickly; are bothered by burn, accident or acne scars, or scars from facelifts; or just don’t want to be bothered with having to apply make-up. Whitmore’s clients include both genders.
Angelbare provides FDA-approved eyebrow mico-pigmentation for children 8 and older who have lost their eyebrows because of chemotherapy, burns, alopecia or other medical conditions. The pigments used are semi-permanent and approved as MRI-safe. The service fees for the treatment are sent directly to the hospital where the child has been treated.
“Numbing cream helps. All they can basically feel is the vibration of the equipment. It’s a one-hour appointment,” Whitmore said about the time her youngest clients are likely to spend at her office for eyebrow treatments. She said she knows how self-conscious children and teens are.
“I go conservative as far as adding color,” said Whitmore, who has used permanent cosmetics for her own eyebrows, as well as lash enhancement. She tries to go lighter than eyebrow or hair color because she said it’s always easy to add a little more color if need be. Since the application is semi-permanent, she does a touch-up every two or three years, to match the size of the face and proportions of the growing child. She noted that both sizing and color are very important.
When a client comes to Whitmore for an eyebrow consultation, she takes a photo and then cleans the area and pencils the eyebrow in to show how it will look. If the client wants an eyebrow shape that Whitmore thinks is inappropriate, she tells them they should go elsewhere, she said, if they insist on that look.
Whitmore said that unfortunately she gets a lot of repair work for clients who have had work done elsewhere. “That breaks my heart,” she said, noting that she can fix it, “but not 100 percent — maybe 95 percent,” she said.
“It’s important to make sure the person who’s going to work on your face, they have good experience,” Whitmore said, “and have permission with the Board of Health.
Lenny Izzo of the Wellesley Health Department said cosmetic tattooing falls under body art regulations. Two permits are issued — one for the establishment and one for the practitioner. “We will do two inspections a year,” Izzo said.

What the clients have to say
On Monday, Lee Ann Earls of Plymouth visited Whitmore for the second time, and had permanent eyeliner applied. Earls said that she has fair features and doesn’t wear make-up well. “I’ve never really had good luck with make-up,” she said.
After Googling permanent cosmetics, finding Angelbare and visiting its website, she felt comfortable about making an appointment. “She (Whitmore) made me feel comfortable. The treatment wasn’t painful …” she said. “I’m very happy.”
“I’ve had many things done,” said Wellesley resident Susan, who didn’t want her last name used. “I’ve had my eyebrows tattoed, eyeliner tattoed, and then I just come for electrolysis, just to keep them in shape,” she said. She said she’s been going every two weeks for electrolysis, but expects not to have to sometime in the future.
“I’m very fair and it didn’t look like I had eyebrows,” she explained. “I’m not really a make-up person. I have green eyeliner. I never have to put it on; it’s there every day. It’s just really convenient. I’m really glad I had it done.”
After her son, now 15, was born with “one funny eyebrow,” Judy Romano of North Reading, asked him several times if he wanted to have something done to improve his appearance. She said the answer was always, no until he was 13 and finally agreed. Romano said before visiting Whitmore, his eyebrown looked like a caterpillar was squished above his eye. After his visit, Romano said, her son’s eyebrows matched for the first time ever.
“I’ve had just about everything done,” said 70-year old Betsy Munzer of Brookline, who believes “70 is the new 50 ” (She said she just broke three ribs, the result of getting bucked off a horse when it crossed paths with a rattlesnake.) “I went first for electrolysis for those prickly hairs on my chin, and from there I moved to eyeliners, both above and below the lash on the upper lid and beneath the eye. Then I had my eyebrows tattoed, and I’ve also used the hair re-growth with excellent results.
Munzer said that the hair re-growth treatment has not only stopped her hair from receding, but the low-level laser light therapy combined with her massage oil treatments have caused her hair to grown back in.
“I had my eyeliner darkened a little because we started subtle, and then I decided I wanted to be less subtle,” she said.
Munzer also said that make-up coming off while swimming isn’t a problem anymore, and, “When you wake up in the morning you look good.”
She’s contemplating having a lipline tattoo, she said, “but that will be a while.”
Whitmore said that one of her clients is already thinking of the future: “When I die I already have my make-up on.”
Whitmore keeps up to date about what’s new in numbing and what’s new in products by attending conventions and classes
She has taught make-up classes in the American Cancer Society’s Look Good … Feel Better program, and has created many areolas for women who have had reconstruction surgery after losing a breast.
That is an emotional topic for Whitmore. Wiping tears from her eyes, she said, “Almost everyone, after they get up from the table, they start crying. They say, ‘You have no idea how much I went through.”
For more information about Angelbare Paramedical Cosmetics call 781-235-0111

Eclipse IPL- Laser Hair Removal :-Beauty Tech Review

noreply@blogger.com (monish) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 04:15:00 +0000

Eclipse IPL- Laser Hair Removal :-Beauty Tech Review
The laser hair removal provides by Eclipse IPL device which includes many other treatments

Painful waxing ,depilatory creams, razor burn and plucking make hair removal an unpleasant, time consuming task. Laser hair removal does these chores a thing of the history, freeing up your time and saving you from the side effects of traditional hair removal methods.
Dr. Mark Taylor, a dermatologist from Salt Lake City, UT, uses the Eclipse IPL device for various tasks, including laser hair removal, and has found it to be a useful tool in his practice. The unit has two heads on it for multiple applications. "It's kind of an exciting device because it has a lot of power, a lot of versatility, so that it will cover a number of different applications that aren't possible to cover with other IPL devices."
Another advantage of the Eclipse IPL is the ability to treat different hair colors and textures. "This has longer wave lengths of light, also variable pulses, so it gives you tremendous versatility and ability to treat hair of different color, different coarseness and depth so the versatility again is a very useful feature."
As with other laser hair removal platforms, light hair cannot be treated as it's unable to absorb the wavelengths. "Nobody can treat patients with white hair because they don't absorb the energy in the white hair but for red hair, brown hair, black hair that type of patient then you can adjust the settings based on what you're trying to do and the patient you're treating." IPL devices are not appropriate for patients with very dark skin as it may cause damage.

Dr. Mark Taylor is a world-renowned dermatologist and cosmetic laser surgeon who has been in practice for over thirty years. In his office, Dr. Taylor uses over twenty-eight different lasers to provide a range of high-quality services. Dr. Taylor received his medical degree from the University of Utah and is board-certified in dermatology through the American Board of Dermatology. He is a member of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery as well as many other professional organizations.

American Health and Beauty, in an effort to provide the most up-to-date information to our readers, presents the Beauty Tech Review. The next installment in this ongoing series discusses Laser Hair Removal technology. Join American Health and Beauty editor, Keith Veseleny, as he speaks with leading physicians who share their knowledge on each cellulite reduction platformThe Beauty Tech Review: Laser Hair Removal - will include: Dr. Eric Bernstein on the Elite MPX from Cynosure, Dr. Schlomit Halachmi on the Lumenis LightSheer Duet, and Dr. Mark Taylor on the Eclipse Laser.

Three Reasons to Consider Hair Removal Using Lasers

noreply@blogger.com (monish) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 04:51:00 +0000

Three Reasons to Consider Hair Removal Using Lasers

There is nothing like the feeling of confidence you get from knowing you can wear a swimsuit or bikini on holiday, or even at home in your back garden. A lot of it depends on how you feel about yourself; even if you are slim you may not feel content with your looks.
One area every woman will know about is the issue of hair removal. Shaving is one of the most common forms of getting rid of leg, under arm and bikini line hair, but it isn’t always the best method. To begin with you will end up having to shave every two or three days to avoid unsightly stubble, and there is also the problem of razor rash. This is both unsightly and uncomfortable.
Luckily there are other methods you can use to get rid of this hair. One of the best is to have laser treatment to remove it. This is more involved than simply shaving of course, but it has three main advantages you may wish to consider.
The first one is that removing hairs by laser is permanent. Over time you will have several treatments that will enable you to reduce the amount of hair you see on the area you have treatment on. Just imagine how good it will feel never to have to shave under your arms again.
Another main advantage is that it isn’t painful to undergo. This is known as a non surgical solution and it is very gentle and pain free. This alone is a key factor for many people – men and women alike – who want to be rid of excess hair on certain parts of their bodies.
One final big advantage of having hair removed by lasers is that this treatment is not restricted to just one or two areas of the body. This is one reason why it is just as good for men as women, because of course men have the need for hair removal as well in some cases. Good examples here would be for shoulder blades and the back area.
Whether you are male or female there is no reason why you cannot have professional hair removal done like this on several parts of your body. For instance a woman could decide to have her under arm hair removed in one treatment, and then a few months later she could invest in having her bikini line lasered as well.
It’s good to know that laser hair removal has so many advantages to recommend it. If you feel self conscious about excess body hair or you simply want to get rid of the constant task of shaving or waxing, you might be better off considering this method of hair removal instead.

It's Not Too Late for Laser Hair Removal in Denver

noreply@blogger.com (monish) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:52:00 +0000

It's Not Too Late for Laser Hair Removal in Denver

Now that warmer weather has arrived, men and women are breaking out their summer wardrobes and thinking about laser hair removal. This treatment works quickly to permanently reduce hair for a smoother appearance and increased convenience.

Denver, Colorado (July 2, 2010) � Summer is just around the corner and, as the weather heats up, everyone wants to look their best in shorts, bathing suits, and sundresses. Medical spa services are a great way to rejuvenate your look at any time of the year, but according to Dr. Steven Vath and Dr. Andrew Wolfe, co-directors of Rejuvenate! medical spa (www.thecenterforskincare.net), now is an especially good time to consider laser hair removal in Denver.

"At our spa in Denver, BOTOX� Cosmetic and other skincare treatments like chemical peels are always popular, but around this time of year, we see many men and women coming in for laser hair removal," says Dr. Vath. "You show a lot more skin during the summer and that means you have to do a lot more plucking, waxing, and shaving. With a few quick laser hair removal treatments, you can permanently reduce unwanted hair and do away with the inconvenience of waxing and shaving."

Drs. Vath and Wolfe have chosen the eMax Laser Hair Removal System from Syneron� to treat their laser hair removal patients. The eMax system uses radio-frequency and light energy to target hair follicles. The system is very precise and can remove even light-colored hair from people with all skin tones. It can be used to treat areas of all sizes, such as the underarms, back, legs, arms, bikini line, or face.
"During the summer, a lot of our female clients are interested in laser hair removal for their bikini line, legs, and underarms. Men tend to show more interest in treating their back," adds Dr. Wolfe. "The great thing about the eMax system is that it can remove unwanted hair from almost any part of the body, no matter what your hair color or skin tone."

In order to get the most out of laser hair removal, patients generally need 3 to 7 treatment sessions spaced about a month apart, depending on the treatment area. Multiple treatment sessions are necessary because hair goes through cycles � at any given time, some follicles are in their "active" phase while others are in their "dormant phase." Laser treatment is only effective on follicles that are in their active phase, so going through multiple sessions ensures that all the follicles in the treatment area are caught. The length of each treatment session will vary depending on the size of the treatment area, but most are under an hour (an underarm treatment generally takes 20 minutes, for example).

Laser hair removal is completely non-surgical and patients can resume their daily activities immediately following the treatment session. Some patients do experience minor redness or swelling in the treated area. Patients should use moisturizer and gentle cleansers and avoid sun exposure for a few days following laser hair removal to prevent dryness and irritation.
"Whether you're coming for a topical skincare product, laser hair removal, or BOTOX in Denver, men and women should know that all the services we offer at Rejuvenate! are designed and monitored by licensed medical professionals," says Dr. Vath. "Laser hair removal is a great way to make looking your best easier during the summer and the whole year round."

Dr. Steven Vath and Dr. Andrew Wolfe (www.thecenterforskincare.net) are board-certified plastic surgeons practicing at the Center for Cosmetic Surgery in Denver, which offers a full range of cosmetic procedures for the face and body. Dr. Vath earned his MD from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He completed a General Surgery residency at George Washington University and received his Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery training at the Louisiana State University Medical Center and Charity Hospital. Dr. Wolfe earned his MD at The Chicago Medical School before receiving advanced surgical training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Georgetown University Medical Center.

Is Lasers useful for promoting hair growth?

noreply@blogger.com (monish) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 13:55:00 +0000

Is Lasers useful for promoting hair growth?

Most of the time, when lasers are discussed in the context of hair, it is regarding the removal of hair. It was not until fairly recently that these devices received significant attention for their role in stimulating hair growth.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) affects more than 35 million men and 21 million women in the United States. Due to the relative lack of viable nonsurgical treatment options for AGA, the therapeutic focus has once again turned to lasers.
The idea of using light to stimulate hair growth was first published in the 1960s and involved mice studies (Mester E, Szende B, et al. Kiserl Orvostud. 1967;19:628-631). Despite this history, the mechanism of action of how lasers may function to prevent, stop or even promote growth in AGA is still unknown.

There is clear evidence that low-level lasers alter cell function in some manner, and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for wound healing, pain, anti-aging and inflammation is a popular — yet relatively unproven — modality. In vitro studies with different wavelengths have shown modulation of cell activity, including increased mitochondrial activity as well as increased production of ATP.

This "stimulatory effect" of light therapy is what has driven scientists and physicians to explore low-level laser photobiomodulation for hair growth. Clinically, LLLT does seem to provide some effect, although in some treatments it is difficult to measure. When it comes to AGA, most of the focus has been on red and near-infrared light devices (600 nm to 950 nm).

Ironically, many of the reports on hair growth and lasers actually originated from laser hair removal literature. Stimulation of hair growth is an adverse event associated with hair removal with intense pulsed light (IPL), diode and alexandrite lasers. If we could predictably control this "adverse event" and elicit it in patients who actually desire more hair, a new therapeutic option could emerge.

Several authors have tried to find the common variables in those patients experiencing paradoxical hair growth during laser hair removal. The percentage of patients treated for hair removal who experience hair growth is small (less than 1 percent, from all published reports). Patients with darker skin types (IV) treated with the alexandrite laser for hair removal were more prone to hair growth than those with lighter skin types (Alajlan A, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;53(1):85-88).

Apart from one report of several women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, there are no set risk factors for hair growth in this subset of laser hair removal patients. (Moreno-Arias G, et al. Dermatol Surg. 2002;28(11):1013-1016). In general, when treating patients for hair removal with the alexandrite, those with darker skin types will receive lower-fluence treatments to avoid dyspigmentation. It may be this relatively low-fluence therapy that, in fact, puts someone at risk for hair growth, though this has yet to be substantiated with clear data.

Hair growth studies

Laser-induced hair growth in mice has been replicated using several different devices, including a helium-neon (He-Ne) laser (Shukla S, et al. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2010;23(2):79-85). In this study, mice treated with the He-Ne laser had a much higher percentage of hairs in anagen phase than those not treated.

There is one published double-blind, sham device-controlled, multicentered study on hair growth (Leavitt M, et al. Clin Drug Invest. 2009;29(5):283-295). A total of 123 patients with AGA were enrolled in this well-designed, company-sponsored trial. Hair counts were completed, as were photographic assessments and patient self-assessment scores. The treatment group used a low-level laser comb (655 nm, HairMax LaserComb, Lexington International) 15 minutes a day, three days a week, for a total of 26 weeks. Hair counts at the end of six months showed a statistically significant (p<.0001) difference in hair density counts between the laser group and the sham group (+19.8 hairs/cm² vs. -7.6 hairs/cm² ).

There was also a statistically significant difference in the subjects' self assessments. However, blinded investigator clinical assessments did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference between the treatment and sham groups.
While LLLT with red light does stimulate terminal growth on hair count analysis, the clinical improvement is more difficult to judge. The study did not evaluate for any textural changes in hair. Textural changes may make hair appear clinically fuller, and patients may be happy with "thicker" hair that doesn't necessarily exhibit a higher hair count. It may be that longer treatment sessions or duration of the treatment is needed. It may also be more helpful clinically when used in combination with other therapies, such as hair transplant, finasteride or minoxidil.

Current devices

Currently, there are several devices available on the market that use lasers for hair growth. All utilize wavelengths of 630 nm to 670 nm and are categorized as nonsignificant risk (NSR) devices. The most popular hair-growth laser devices for home use are the Hair Max LaserComb (FDA 510(k)); the Laser Hair Brush (Sunetics); the X5 Hair Laser (Spencer Forrest); and the Aculas HB-850 (Konftec).
These devices contain different numbers and arrays of laser diodes ranging in power from 2 mW to 20 mW per diode and a total power of 20 mW to 100 mW. These units are hand-held, and the recommended treatment protocols are 10 to 15 minutes, two to three days per week. The patient must sequentially move the device during the treatment period to ensure coverage of the entire affected area.

In-office LLLT systems resemble salon dryer "hoods" and are available with higher total-dose delivery (up to 2,000 mW) than the at-home devices. One example is the Sunetics Model "G" Laser, which has an open hood composed of four panels containing a total of 107 5-mW laser diodes to treat the entire top-scalp area. These in-office treatments also come with a bigger price tag (around $3,500 to $5,000 per year for the patient).
In February, an in-office device known as the MEP-90 hair growth stimulation system (Midwest RF) received FDA 510(k) clearance for the treatment of AGA in female patients. It is currently the only device specifically studied and approved for women. At-home versions of the in-office devices are also available on the Internet, though it is difficult to ascertain the actual parameters of the device.

Recently, a home-use device with greater laser power than most in-office systems was developed under the name LaserCap (Transdermal Cap). It contains 224 5-mW laser diodes in a mesh network that covers the entire top of the scalp and fits under a hat or cap. It has a rechargeable battery so that treatment can be administered while "on the go" in a convenient, discreet fashion. The LaserCap is available to patients through physicians at a rental cost and is currently undergoing further clinical evaluation.
Optimum treatment frequency and duration have not yet been determined for hair-growth laser therapy, and it is theoretically possible that large overdoses could reverse the therapeutic effects. In other words, more power with LLLT does not necessarily translate into better results. Long-term follow-up of patients receiving LLLT for AGA is needed to determine if therapeutic benefits can be maintained with prolonged therapy.

Alopecia areata

Laser and light devices have been used in other types of hair loss, including alopecia areata (AA). Lasers for use in AA primarily function via immunomodulation, targeting the primary pathology in this condition. The eximer laser (308 nm) has shown success in several trials for this disease via the mechanism of ultraviolet immunosuppression (Al-Mutairi N. Dermatol Surg. 2007;33(12):1483-1487). While effective in AA, the eximer laser is not likely to be useful for nonimmune types of hair loss, such as AGA.

In summary, LLLT is a safe, tolerable and easy-to-use treatment option for patients with AGA. Hair counts have been shown to increase in the only double-blinded study published. Proper parameters and treatment regimens must be better elucidated in order to make this treatment more universally accepted.

At this point, LLLT (red, 630 nm to 670 nm) for AGA seems to show some effects in some patients, yet future studies are needed to optimize results by better defining treatment power, dosing and frequency. With so few reliable noninvasive therapeutic choices for AGA, laser therapy is a welcome addition.

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Laser Hair Removal: What are the costs, risks, side-effects and results?

noreply@blogger.com (monish) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 13:47:00 +0000

Laser Hair Removal: What are the costs, risks, side-effects and results?

Swiss Skincare: Alchimie Forever

noreply@blogger.com (monish) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 08:14:00 +0000

Swiss Skincare: Alchimie Forever

The Swiss are known for many things - their private banks, their fantastic chocolate and cheese, and their skincare products, to name a few. La Prairie, Crabtree and Evelyn, Arbonne and Swiss Perfection are just a few of the famed brands to make the jump to the United States, but we were particularly intrigued by boutique line Alchimie Forever on our recent visit to Geneva.

The natural-based line offers a slew of skincare products for men and women alike based on treatments available at their flagship Forever Laser Institut, located just off the Rue du Rhone, the city's most elite shopping street.

We've been longtime fans of the brand's products - they maintain a flagship product store in Washington, DC and sell to several area spas - but were curious about the spa services. Was the Swiss experience going to be that much more phenomenal? Devoted testers we are, an appointment was made.

The spa boasts a distinctly modern vibe, with glowing lights in the spa's signature purple, blue and green colors and sleek, more than plush, chairs, in the waiting room. In keeping with the spa's medical-grade treatments, many of the pamphlets available for our perusal highlighted signature treatments involving lasers, including laser hair removal and Cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting), a new method of fat removal that literally freezes away trouble spots. Currently, Forever Laser Institut boasts the distinction of being the only Geneva spa to offer this treatment, developed by MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital.

The spa's signature treatments are mostly medical in nature, explains owner Ada Polla. The most popular bookings are for things like laser hair removal, Botox injections, and laser treatments to remove skin damage and discoloration. Of course, the spa offers wellness-oriented treatments as well, using their own signature blend of natural products that comprise the Alchimie Forever brand.

We opted for their signature facial (CHF $170), as we'd experienced the same treatment in the DC location and wanted to compare experiences. Christine, our esthetician, guided us down a low-lit hallway to a small room with music playing softly from an iPod in the corner. After leaving us to disrobe (no blankets, just a towel for our modesty), we settled in to relax. The cleansing was gentle yet thorough, and the grommage scrub left our skin feeling pleasantly refreshed, rather than abraded as in some other treatments we've experienced. Christine then applied the Kantic mask, a blueberry-based mixture said to brighten the skin, and left us to relax for about 10 minutes. The heavenly smell of blueberries helped us relax, although we would have loved mini hand, foot, or neck massage during the interlude.

When we left the spa, our skin already looked brighter, felt more hydrated, and lacked the clogged T-zone area that had built up during the previous week of travel. We'd definitely recommend a return - the service was, as can be expected in Switzerland, effective, timely, and first-rate, on par with any we'd experienced in DC. Despite being a branded spa, there was no pressure to purchase products used during the treatment, which was a welcome respite this exceptionally expensive city.

Laser Hair Removal: How Does it Work?

noreply@blogger.com (monish) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 07:52:00 +0000

Laser Hair Removal: How Does it Work?

We are lucky these days to have laser hair removal for unwanted hair. In past years, people had to suffer through waxing or plucking to have hair-free skin but a laser treatment is safe, effective, and fast.

Each hair is produced by a hair root, or follicle, and some follicles produce more than one hair. The laser light is absorbed by pigment (melanin) in the hair and hair follicle, which causes the follicle to shut down. The light penetrates the skin's surface layer (the epithelium) to reach the second layer, the dermis, where there are many crucial skin structures such as sweat and oil glands, blood vessels, and a matrix of collagen and elastin which supports the skin surface to keep it smooth. Some of the skin rejuvenation procedures offered these days by cosmetic dermatologists are based on stimulating the aging skin to produce more collagen.

Hair follicles are also in the dermis. Hair grows in a cycle of three phases: a growth phase followed by an intermediate or transition phase and a shedding phase when no new hair is produced. When you have a laser hair removal procedure, the laser can only shut down the follicles that are in the growth phase.

That is the reason repeated treatments are necessary. As the follicles go in and out of their phases, each treatment can affect all those in the growth phase until you are satisfied with the degree of hair removal.

Body Areas That Can Be Treated
The hair removal laser can work on any area and most commonly works on the armpits, chin, upper lip, legs, and bikini line. In males it is also used for the chest and upper back.

Am I a Good Candidate for Laser Hair Removal?
Because laser hair removal works by the laser light being absorbed by pigment, your candidacy is determined by your hair and skin coloring and the contrast between them.

If you have black, dark brown, or dark red hair and fair skin, you would be an excellent candidate. That is because the laser light will be absorbed by the hair pigment, leaving the skin unaffected.

If you have blond, gray, light brown or light reddish hair and fair skin, you would probably not be a good candidate. Your dermatologist would decide, based on the degree of contrast between your hair and skin colors.

If you have dark skin and dark or light-colored hair, you would not be a good candidate. The laser light would be absorbed by skin pigment and would leave the hair unaffected. If your skin is darkened by a suntan, you might be a better candidate if you wait until it fades a bit.