History of hair removal treatments:
Electrolysis: A sterilized, very fine needle is inserted into the hair follicle, then connected to a low-voltage power source. The combined effect of electricity and heat removes the hair from the root.
Depilatory agents: Chemicals are applied to the skin to remove surface hair.
Manual plucking: Hair is mechanically removed using tweezers or hot wax. Waxing can be very painful and may cause skin burns and inflammation. This method temporarily removes hair, especially on cheeks, groin areas, and eyebrows.
Laser: Lasers are now widely used for hair reduction and removal. Laser is a high-energy, focused beam of light with a single wavelength, which cannot be designed as a wide-spectrum laser with varying wavelengths. There are two types of single-wavelength lasers: pulsed lasers and continuous lasers. Pulsed lasers emit beams at fixed intervals, while continuous lasers emit a constant beam. Different wavelengths include Ruby Laser (694nm), Alexandrite Laser (755nm), Semiconductor Laser (810nm), and ND (YAG) (1064nm). The effectiveness of lasers is mainly due to three mechanisms: thermal effects (e.g., Ruby Laser); mechanical effects (Q-switched YAG Laser); and photochemical effects.
Disadvantages:
- Electrolysis is very painful and requires multiple treatments.
- Depilatory agents may cause skin side effects such as rashes and burns, and need to be reapplied regularly.
- Hot wax and tweezers are very painful, and hair tends to grow back thicker.
- Laser treatment is expensive and requires high intensity to be effective, with possible side effects including infection, scarring, severe redness, blisters, pain, and pigmentation changes.
Indications for photonic hair removal: Congenital hypertrichosis caused by genetics, race, or endocrine imbalance; hirsutism (excessive hair growth in women due to endocrine imbalance); cosmetic purposes (improving personal appearance).
Contraindications for hair removal treatment: Local or systemic inflammation, immune system deficiency, abnormal blood clotting, photosensitivity, use of aspirin or antioxidants, psychological instability, pregnancy.
It is recommended not to undergo photonic hair removal treatment in the following situations: black moles, diabetes, psoriasis, eczema or dermatitis, skin cancer, porphyria sensitive to light.
Note: Patients should avoid exposing their bodies to strong sunlight 2-4 weeks before and after treatment.
Hair growth cycle: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and lasers affect hair follicles in the anagen (growth) phase, which contain large amounts of melanin that absorb light energy. Treatment effectiveness depends on energy output. Only hair in the anagen phase is destroyed during each treatment, while hair in other phases continues to grow. It is unclear whether both the protruding and stem portions must be destroyed or if destroying one portion is sufficient for permanent hair removal. However, it is generally believed that destroying the protruding portion is enough.
Patient preparation: Patients should be informed about the hair growth cycle, how the equipment works, treatment costs, and the expected number of treatments. They should also understand contraindications, potential risks, and side effects. Normally, each treatment permanently removes 60-90% of visible anagen-phase hair. Complete removal of unwanted hair requires 4-6 repeated treatments. Clinical studies show most patients achieve satisfactory results after 3-7 treatments, with stubborn cases requiring up to 8 treatments.
Important information: Treatment is not recommended for children under 16 years old because their hair follicles and endocrine systems are not fully developed. The number of treatments varies depending on the individual and the area being treated. Pain levels during treatment vary among individuals and body parts. Treatment is less effective on yellow, red, waxed, or fine hair compared to dark and thick hair.
Patient consent form: We recommend all patients fill out a consent form before their first treatment. This document indicates the patient has been informed about and understands the treatment. The patient keeps one copy, and another signed copy should be stored in the patient's file along with detailed treatment records and photos.
Reference settings for photonic hair removal energy and pulse width: Skin type: I-V, Light source: 50+mm, Pulse width: 25-30ms, Power: 35-50 J/cm²
Small patch tests: We suggest informing patients about photonic hair removal during their first visit and conducting small patch tests on three skin areas. These patches should be relatively close together. Specific pulse tests with set intervals should be conducted on each patch. Start with low energy and gradually increase the pulse width and energy. Apply a small amount of clean cold gel (about 2mm) on the test area, cool the sapphire crystal light guide for 3-4 seconds, make contact with the skin, and deliver one pulse to the test area. Wait 15 minutes, and if there is no significant redness, blistering, or burning, apply a stronger pulse to another test area, repeating this process. If there are no adverse reactions after the second patch test, proceed with the third test. If blisters appear even with the weakest pulse, stop the treatment and repeat the patch test with lower energy 1-2 weeks later. Ideally, patients should revisit 3-5 days later for evaluation and the first treatment. In areas where hair has fallen out, the pulse energy is sufficient. In some cases, tweezers may be needed to pull out hair to judge the test results. If the hair pulls out easily, the pulse width and energy setting are sufficient. If not, it is best to increase the pulse width and energy. If uncertain about the results, conduct another patch test with higher pulses on another skin area.
The role of small patch tests: Small patch tests are an effective way to determine if a patient's skin is suitable for this treatment. Photosensitive patients may experience adverse reactions such as blisters or mild burning sensations. The results of small patch tests are valuable for selecting the appropriate pulse width and energy for the treatment area. However, we have found that some areas on the same patient respond well to treatment, while others do not, requiring correct judgment by the clinician.
Importance of cold gel: The best cold gel should be transparent, odorless, light-transmitting, and icy cold water-based gel. The gel serves to cool the skin's surface (epidermis and basal layer) and protect the skin from burns. The gel acts as an optical medium between the crystal light guide and the skin. It effectively prevents reflection and reduces energy loss of the effective wavelength by 50%.
Special instructions: It is best to divide the entire treatment area into small sections (each section no larger than 5x6 cm). Use a scraper to evenly apply the gel over the treatment area (2 mm thick). Using large amounts of gel can raise its temperature due to heat transfer from the skin. After applying the gel, start the pulse immediately. Treatment principles: Set the pulse energy and pulse width (35-50J/cm²) (25-30 milliseconds) as follows: 1. The contact with the handle should be gentle and non-overlapping, illuminating each treatment area. 2. Each pulse energy corresponds to a pulse group within 30ms pulse width. 3. Deliver a single continuous treatment energy to one treatment area. 4. Continue with 4-5 treatments after the first treatment, spaced 2-3 months apart.
Treatment process: Begin by wearing dark glasses to protect eyes from bright light, preventing headaches. Similarly, patients should wear dark glasses during treatment. Set the pulse width to the required value, usually 25-30 milliseconds. Light-colored hair generally requires lower pulse widths and higher energy. A 25ms pulse width is better for treating dark hair on light or sensitive skin. Dark hair requires less energy because it absorbs energy more effectively than light hair. As physicians gain more experience, they can conveniently judge the appropriate pulse width. Use cold gel and ensure the crystal light guide is tightly against the skin. When the handle is in position, carefully press the foot pedal. Repeat this process until the entire treatment area is complete. Physicians are advised to close their eyes in sync with the pulse frequency.
Clinical experience shows that patients feel mild stinging. If patients feel no pain, it indicates weak treatment response, so increase the pulse width until mild stinging is felt. Areas with dense hair produce more heat, causing stronger stinging sensations in patients. Clear the hot gel residue from the crystal light guide on the handle; otherwise, it will raise the temperature of the next treatment area's cold gel. Ensure the light guide connects well with the edge of the previous treatment area before moving to the next one. It is best to divide the treatment area into small sections (5x6 cm) using a red marker pen. After completing the first small section, apply gel to the next small treatment area.
Post-treatment: Use a cold towel or aloe vera gel after treatment. Inform patients not to use soap on the day of treatment and avoid sun exposure for at least 2-4 weeks after treatment. Also, inform patients not to use hot wax or electrolysis hair removal methods during the purple lanlan photonic hair removal treatment period, as these methods reduce treatment effectiveness. After completing the treatment of the entire area, return the handle to its original position and wipe off excess gel with a scraper or paper towel. No gel should remain on the treatment area. Patients should understand that while old hair dies, new hair grows, making it difficult to see the treatment's effects. Therefore, using tweezers to pluck hair helps boost patient confidence during treatment. It is suggested to apply aloe vera gel twice daily on the treated area for one week after each treatment. Aloe vera gel contains specific components that provide comfort to the skin after removing hair follicles. Treatment is highly effective for people with dark hair. If treatment is ineffective for dark-haired patients, re-treat with higher energy. Normal immediate post-treatment effects include: some unshaven hair curling up, others showing no change; some hair falling out when cleaning the treated area, others falling out days or weeks later; some anagen-phase hair being easily plucked with tweezers. It is recommended for patients to pluck hair themselves within four weeks after the first treatment; some hair becomes brittle and breaks when plucked. In some cases, plucking is easier after the second treatment than after the first. Mild skin redness but not matching the shape of the light guide (5x1cm²); a burnt hair smell; brown gel; some hair can be plucked with tweezers. Dark-skinned individuals' reactions may appear 24 hours later.
Follow-up: Physicians should track patients during each treatment session. Taking photos is an important way to check treatment effectiveness. Comparing pre- and post-treatment results and untreated versus treated areas evaluates hair removal or reduction outcomes.
Number of treatments: Purple Lanlan photonic hair removal targets anagen-phase hair, destroying the follicles. It does not affect dormant hair, and according to the hair growth cycle, new hair typically grows back after about 8 weeks. Approximately one-third to two-thirds of hair follicles are in the anagen phase, with the rest in non-anagen phases. To destroy non-anagen-phase follicles, multiple photonic hair removal treatments are necessary. The number of treatments depends on factors like hair density in the treatment area, hair color, the proportion of non-anagen-phase follicles, and follicle diameter. Clinical experience shows most people need 4-6 repeated treatments spaced 8 weeks apart to achieve thorough hair removal. However, some patients require more treatments. Removing black hair is relatively easier than removing light-colored hair. Some yellow hair may require over 8 treatments.
Special note: It is necessary to explain the hair growth cycle and the reason for multiple treatments to each patient. For those who recently used hot wax to pluck hair, wait at least 6 months before starting Purple Lanlan treatment. Before appropriate treatment begins, yellow, red, or waxed hair can be dyed. In rare cases, there may be no reaction to the treatment for unknown reasons. In some cases, temporary redness may occur after treatment, which disappears within 15 minutes to a few hours. Possible side effects include burns, pain, damage to natural skin tissue, pigmentation changes (lightening or darkening), scars, severe edema, and skin allergies.