| Permanent Hair Removal |
| Written by Henry Johnson | |
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Hair removal can be described as using a particular method to remove hair from the human body. There are several options available to remove hair from the body on a permanent basis . Some of them use chemicals while others use types of energies. There are methods that use a combination of both to eradicate hair permanently from the body. It is quite a challenge trying to permanently remove hair from a particular part of the body without affecting the surrounding areas. Depilation is the process by which hair on the surface of the skin is removed. This is not a permanent solution and the most common methods include shaving and using chemical depilatories. The chemicals effectively break the disulfide bonds. Hair gets its strength from the protein chains and the disulfide bonds are the link between these chains. Breaking the bonds thus disintegrates the hair. Epilation is the process of removing the entire hair right from below the surface of the skin. This type of hair removal lasts longer. Methods include lasers, threading, sugaring, waxing, plucking, etc. Some of the most effective permanent hair removal methods include electrolysis, laser and intense pulsed light. The process of electrolysis removes hair on a permanent basis by using electrical depilation. Each follicle of hair is probed with a thin metal probe. This has to be done taking care not to puncture the skin. Damage is caused to the areas that grow hair by sending electricity through the probe. Damage to the hair follicle is caused either due to overheating with thermolysis method, forming caustic lye with the galvanic method or a blend of both. All three methods are safe in their own way. A skilled electrologist can ensure success of the procedure. When performed in a proper manner, all three methods can destroy the hair matrix cells completely and the follicles are rendered incapable of growing any more hair. Permanent removal of hair with the help of lasers is in use for more than twenty years. The method was made available commercially only from mid 1990. Today hair removal with laser is practiced widely and used by many dermatologists. The mechanism behind removing hair with laser includes selective photothermolysis. Areas where hair grows the most have a dark matter called melanin. This is targeted by the laser which causes damage to the particular area without affecting the surroundings. The light or laser energy is absorbed by the dark matter with intensity and speed. The dark matter also known as chromophore occurs naturally. If it is lesser, it is also possible to artificially induce this matter before giving laser treatment. Melanin is the primary chromopore used for hair removal. It occurs naturally and is of two types namely eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin gives the hair its black or brown colour while pheomelanin gives the hair a red or blonde appearance. As the laser light’s photons absorb only selectively, it is possible to remove only the brown or black hair using this method. Permanent hair removal today is sought by both men and women. It is commonly done on areas such as hands, toes, legs, arms, chest, cleavage, neck, face, thighs, bikini lines, pubic area, buttocks, abdomen, underarm, back, shoulders, ear lobe, chin and lips. Laser is found to be very effective for those who have coarse and dark hair. Number of laser treatment sessions varies with individuals and is dependent on the skin colour and type of hair. Usually around five to seven sessions are enough but some people may require even up to 12 sessions. For example, it is easiest to treat hair that is dark and coarse on light skin. If the skin is dark and the hair is light in colour, the person may require more number of sessions for permanent hair removal treatment. Laser hair removal can provide results for a long duration of time. However, this is not a permanent hair removal solution and comes with other shortcomings such as expense, scarring and discomfort. The most commonly used method for permanent hair removal is the Intense Pulsed Light or IPL. It removes hair from the body using focusing optics and xenon flash lamps. This procedure is relatively cost effective as compared to other methods such as laser hair removal. With the help of an articulated, hand held arm, a broad spectrum light is administered to the surface of the skin. As it travels through the skin, this light strikes the root of the hair or hair shafts. The bulb or the root and the hair shafts are vaporized instantly as the light energy is converted to heat energy. The hair follicle and the papilla that produces hair are destroyed effectively with the help of the heat radiated by the hair. This technology is being used by dermatologists for treatment of various skin disorders like rosacea. Light pulses produced during this procedure lasts for a short duration. This ensures there is not much of a destruction or damage to the surrounding areas. The procedure also ensures minimal discomfort. Another major advantage of this procedure is that the skin is not unduly exposed to damage caused by the UV rays as the ultraviolet components are filtered by the IPL wand. You can choose any one of the above methods depending on your hair type and budget for permanent hair removal. |
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