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Ultimate Light- Laser Hair Removal at its Best

June 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Are you planning to get rid of unwanted hair? Are you considering the different options that are available so you can choose the best? Ultimate light utilizes the intense pulse light technology.

Machines that utilize this technology platform include:

• PhotoDerm
• EpiLight
• Vasculight
• Aculight and Quantum

Ultimate light machines have the most extensive range of light spanning from 515 to 1200 nm.

There are varying capabilities for each of these machines.

EpiLight

Is the most specific and advanced for hair removal laser machine in use today. This machine is an improvement of the PhotoDerm machine that was developed for therapeutic use. Photoderm was developed to treat facial Rosacea, leg veins, facial and other blood vessels. EpiLight was developed specifically for unwanted hair after this curious side effect was noticed in patients undergoing treatment using the PhotoDerm. The SuperFast EpiLight is the world’s fastest hair removal machine available in the world. An entire back can be treated effectively in half an hour with lasting results. Some experienced practitioners reported 50% reduction after one or two visits. It is these kinds of results that pose a serious challenge to electrolysis as the gold standard of permanent hair removal. The timing of treatment schedules is also less spaced out than electrolysis. Typically the treatments are spaced every three weeks. This is a marked improvement from the six weeks needed for electrolysis.

PhotoDerm

The PhotoDerm is effective for removal of unwanted bodily hair. As mentioned, it was originally intended to be used exclusively for clinical purposes but its ‘side effect’ went one step further by eliminating unwanted bodily hair. The use of this equipment is not as widespread as that of the others two platforms.

Quantum

This machine is also known as Aculite and is a simplified version of the EpiLight. It is designed for easier handling especially for non- physicians and novices in laser therapy. This machine has ‘presets’ so to limit potential damage that may be caused by a well meaning novice. This limits how far the machine can be manipulated hence putting a dent in performance. None the less, it is very effective in the hands of an experienced operator who will be able to customize the settings.

Ultimate light technology can be safely used on all skin types. All hair colors except white respond to ultimate light. This is the only technical limitation of the laser. Dense masses of hair respond particularly well to this technique. Ultimate laser is generally pain free; there is no need anesthesia or pain medication with this technique.

In as much as there are not many records of the permanence of this technique, most patients are reporting that after three to four months of treatment by Ultimate Light technology, the hair stays away for more than four years. This seems like a good return on such an investment. This technique is also effective with in grown hairs and their associated darkened pimples. Ultimate Light may cause a temporary lightening or darkening of the skin color that may last several weeks. Patients should ideally have their skin color lightest at the time of treatment.

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Vaniqa Cream: A Medically Approved Hair Removal Therap

June 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Unwanted facial hair (UFH) is a clinical condition affecting millions worldwide. While the condition is not medically life threatening, it is a cause for concern for the sufferers as it affects their social life. In an attempt to solve their image issues, many remedies and techniques mechanical and chemical have been invented to deal with unwanted facial hair. More recently, the medical front has been active in finding proactive solutions to this problem. Vaniqa is one such attempt that has registered success and approval.

Vaniqa is an FDA approved topical cream for inhibition and reduction of unwanted facial. This is a prescription only therapy. The active ingredient in Vaniqa is eflornthine hydrochloride, a chemical that has been used in the treatment of African sleeping sickness and some cancer therapy.

Mechanism on action

Vaniqa’s mechanism of action is pegged on enzyme inhibition. It targets the growth enzymes at the hair follicle that are essential for cell division reproduction. In a nutshell, it throws a spanner in the works surrounding hair growth. The results of using Vaniqa are not immediately visible; it will take around 4 to 8 weeks usage for changes to be obvious. If there are no changes after 6 months of usage, the physician will usually recommend a stop to using this medication.

Using Vaniqa

Vaniqa is exclusively for atopical use only. It is not to be ingested or applied into body orifices. It is applied directly on the target area after washing clean an before applying any moisturizers and or sunscreen. Vaniqa can be used twice daily, in the morning and evening as part of a daily routine. There should be an eight hour time gap between applications. Anyone can use Vaniqa however there may be those who develop allergic reactions to the active ingredient. Also, pregnant women or those who are trying to get pregnant are advised to have a talk with the physician.

Side effects

Vaniqa generally has no serious contraindication. However these should be reported to the doctor for precautionary review.

• Allergic reactions with rashes and itching
• Prolonged redness
• Stinging or burning sensation after application
• Hair bumps.

Using Vaniqa doesn’t completely remove facial hair. Vaniqa slows down the rate of growth of unwanted facial hair and hence complements your preferred method of hair removal. The effects of using Vaniqa are not permanent and the hair will resume normal growth pattern approximately eight weeks after discontinuing treatment.

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Waxing: The Modern Version of an Ancient Hair Removal Technique

June 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Removal of hair from the body is as ancient as the pharaohs of Egypt. Long before the bikini clad sunbathers discovered bikini wax, wives of the pharaohs had this technique perfected in a method we call ‘sugaring’. It was a thing of beauty to be absolutely hair free. The Greeks and Romans would take up this technique and immortalize it in their sculptures. Women would be depicted in very smoothly polished sculptures without a trace of pubic hair whatsoever. It is also in this time that the first kind of depilatory creams were developed with names such as ‘philotrum’ and ‘dropax’. The path of hair removal is well trodden.

In the 16th century Turk ladies were known to be very particular about removing all the hair from their pubic areas; public baths were their immediate destinations whenever one felt that the influx of these hairs was of concern. Queen Catherine of France was however against this trend and forbade it during her reign.

Waxing would make a comeback in the 1960’s with the advent of the bikini. While waxing is usually associated with women, men are increasingly taking up the trend. Waxing can be used to remove large amounts of hair at a time and this has contributed immensely to its popularity. Waxing produced a soft hair re-growth and doesn’t carry the risk of irritation that comes with razor burns.

Wax is melted and warmed and applied in the direction of hair growth. Hair is stripped off from the roots by pulling off the wax in the opposite direction. There are cold waxes available on strips. These are patted onto the skin and then stripped off.

Using wax demands caution so as not to burn the skin. In the case with bikini wax, this is a particularly sensitive area and could produce the most severe irritation. It is also in the bikini waxing technique that most imagination and creativity abounds. From the Brazilian to the Triangle patch, the names are as many as the styles all demanding patience and expertise in their execution. Naturally, this is not a do-it- yourself technique.

Current trends in fashion are pro- waxing, with body hair still frowned upon, emerging trends are pushing the limits of what can be waxed. Anal, perineum and vulva waxing is becoming more common. This is considered an extreme form of bikini waxing. New products have been developed to facilitate these new trends. Indeed, there are anal lightening gels to guard against ingrown hairs. Wow!

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Sugaring: Sweet Hair Removal

June 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Sugaring is an ancient temporary hair removal technique that originated in the Middle East. It utilized natural food derived ingredients like sugar, water, and lemon juice to remove hair. The technique is similar to waxing leading to the term sugar waxing though this is a misnomer in the strict sense. Sugar waxing uses natural ingredients only irrespective of the recipe used. Hair is uprooted from the root hence guaranteeing up to six weeks of hair free living.

There are two types of sugaring techniques;

1. The paste.
2. The gel.

The paste technique is the traditional method of sugaring. A thick mixture of the paste is warmed then applied in the opposite direction of the hair growth first. The next layer is applied in the direction of hair growth. Application in the paste technique is done by hand. The mixture is then flicked off in the direction of the hair growth.

The gel technique bears resemblance to waxing. The gel is applied in one direction and removed in the other.

Sugaring is a fast technique. An experienced hand can quickly sugar and remove large amounts of hair in a short time. This is especially so because large areas can be pasted at once and then the dried paste removed progressively in small portions. Since all the ingredients are food based, it is easy to clean of any residue left on the body with water. The technique is far less messy that waxing; both the paste and the gel are soluble in water. Also, any areas where the hair didn’t come off can be re-pasted again as sugaring is gentle to the skin.

This is one key advantage of using natural ingredients; chances of irritation are limited to skin allergies. The chances of developing a spontaneous allergy are remote. This technique is also less painful than waxing because the sugar sticks less to the skin. With repeated use, damage will occur to the hair follicle and there will be less hair to remove each time. What was meant to be a temporary measure begins to take on a semblance of permanence.

Unfortunately, this technique is not in common practice, getting a proven and experienced hand in not easy, especially for the pasting technique. This attribute also means that sugaring will attract a premium price. While this technique is do- able at home as is commonly advertised, getting the measurements to produce the desired consistency is a tricky affair. A good salon is advised and high hygiene standards must be adhered to at all time otherwise to guard against redness and damage to the skin.

All said and done, sugaring is one of the better temporary hair removal techniques available in the market.

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