FDA APPROVED FOR PERMANENT HAIR REDUCTION

Unwanted pigmented hair is a common cosmetic problem for both sexes. Until recently, the only lasting method of hair removal was electrolysis, a tedious insertion of an electrode into each hair follicle. Newer advances in laser technology have brought about the change from laser hair removal systems which only produced temporary results, to the LightSheer Diode system which has, after a 4 year multi-centre clinical study, proved to give permanent reduction. The LightSheer Diode Laser is FDA approved for permanent hair reduction.

IS LIGHTSHEER SAFE?
After years of research at the Massachusetts General Hospital's Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine, the LightSheer has been developed and is now considered the most efficient laser on the market today for permanent hair reduction. This laser has been carefully designed to protect your skin with a "chill-tip", also increasing comfort during treatment. The laser perameters have been defined to precisely match laser output to the exact size, depth and location of hair follicles. Dark skin may be safely treated with the LightSheer Laser, due to multiple settings for darker skin and the patented chill-tip. There is less than 1% risk of unwanted side effects when skin types are treated at the recommended fluences.

HOW DOES THE LIGHTSHEER LASER WORK?
Laser light targets the pigment (color) melanin, which is concentrated in the hair, giving it its dark coloring. Laser light is absorbed into the pigment (like a black car parked in the sun) and converted into heat, which results in damage to the hair follicle. This damage causes permanent destruction in many of the hair follicles. One pulse of laser light can target hundreds of follicles at a time.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
Several factors influence hair growth - such as genetics, hormones, age, and medications. Clinical evaluation is ongoing, although most clients find between 2 to 6 treatments produce satisfactory results. Six to eight treatments over the course of a year may be required for facial, underarm and bikini sites, while four to six treatments over the course of a year on body areas usually provides significant hair reduction.

Multiple treatments are required to reduce hair in an area since the laser most effectively targets ANAGEN hairs, which are hairs in the active growing stage of the hair lifecycle. Depending on which body site is being treated, you may wait between 4 to 16 weeks before your next treatment to ensure we have more hair follicles in the ANAGEN stage. By effectively targeting the percentage of hairs in ANAGEN we reduce the total quantity of regrowing hairs, as well as damaging follicles so that regrowing hairs are reduced in texture, colour and sometimes length, making them significantly softer, finer, lighter and much less noticeable.

HOW WILL MY SKIN LOOK AFTER A TREATMENT?
Your skin might look pink, red, slightly or moderately swollen, and have crusted hairs still present in some follicles. The severity of the skin reaction depends on how much hair is present in the treatment area - for example, an area treated where dense, coarse, dark hair growth is present, will have more redness and swelling than an area where there are sparse lighter brown hairs. Within a few minutes after treatment the swelling and redness are greatly reduced following application of cold compresses and aloe vera gel. Within the following few hours to overnight the reaction will continue to subside. Makeup can be applied to facial areas to cover redness. Most clients can have a facial laser treatment and return to work.

DOES IT HURT?
Most people can tolerate a short treatment fairly easily, however some areas of the body are quite sensitive (like the upper lip) and a topical anesthetic cream called EMLA can be used to numb the skin. Treatments requiring a fairly long duration (like the legs or back) may feel more comfortable with EMLA, but the need for freezing is quite individual. The sensation can be likened to a warm prickling or tingling inside the hair follicles. The special "chill-tip" on the LightSheer handpiece has a mild anesthetic property when pressed firmly during treatment.

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR LASER HAIR REMOVAL?
The ideal candidate for laser hair removal has dark, moderately coarse hairs and fair skin. Darker hairs absorb more laser light and lighter skin allows more laser light to be absorbed into the hair follicle. Grey, blond or light red hairs respond the least to LightSheer. Darker skin types may also be safely treated with LightSheer after a 4% hydroquinone cream has been applied for 4 to 6 weeks prior to treatment. The chill-tip and longer wavelength of the LightSheer Laser aids in protection of darker skin for laser treatment.

ABOUT HAIR GROWTH CYCLES:
All over the body, hair is in one of 3 stages of a cycle at any given time in any area.

(diagrams of hair growth cycle with explanation of cycle phases as in brochure)

The laser most effectively targets the ANAGEN hairs due to the abundance of melanin (pigment). Multiple treatments spaced weeks to months apart according to the growth cycle in the area of treatment, will target new anagen hairs at each treatment, thus efficiently targeting large percentages of hair with each treatment.

PRECAUTIONS BEFORE LASER TREATMENT:
Tanned skin! It is important NOT to tan for 6 weeks prior to treatment, and any previous tan must be significantly faded before having a laser treatment

Active herpes. A cold sore must be completely resolved prior to receiving laser treatment

No waxing, tweezing, or electrolysis in the treatment area for at least 6 weeks prior to treatment. Shaving and depilatory creams may be used. No waxing, tweezing or electrolysis for the duration of your treatment program.

A patient should not have used Accutane for at least 6 months prior to treatment.

Skin pretreatment for 4 to 6 weeks with a 4% hydroquinone cream for tanned or darker skin.

Patients who are having hair removal treatment must use a substantial sunscreen (SPF 30 or greater to avoid the possibility of tanning the treatment area.

AFTER TREATMENT SKINCARE:
The skin may feel warm (like a mild sunburn or windburn) and appear to have small bumps (like hives). This generally resolves immediately post treatment after the application of ice cold compresses and aloe vera gel.

You may have a cool bath or apply cold compress as needed for comfort over the next 48 hours. Wash with a mild soap if desired. Application of pure aloe vera gel as often as needed will help soothe the skin. Makeup can be used on facial areas to cover redness.

Treated areas should be protected from direct exposure to sunlight to prevent skin color change. Sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 should be used.

Hair will fall out of the follicles within 1 to 3 weeks (shedding). After skin is no longer sensitive, you may begin to exfoliate gently with a washcloth or plastic sponge as this will speed up the hair shedding process. If you shave, it will slightly prolong the shedding process.

Treatment should be repeated within six weeks to three months, depending on the body area being treated, your individual needs, and the advice of the technician.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?
Call our Corona Endermologie and Hair Removal Centre (424-8885) and schedule your complimentary consultation. We will review in detail the laser hair removal process and assess your suitability for good results. The technician will then help you schedule your first treatment. There are extended weekday hours and Saturdays available for your convenience. We look forward to meeting you and working with you.

Realtime video clips from lightsheer video? Photographs of treatment results? Photographs of the technicians? Links to other sites, eg www.lasertraining.com shows the Clinical use of the LightSheer Diode Laser by Rox Anderson M.D.r>