Laser hair removal employs heat to disintegrate the pigment (melanin) present in unwanted hair follicles, making it highly effective at eliminating dark-skinned strands but less suitable for blonde or gray ones.
The 755nm Alexandrite Laser is ideal for Fitzpatrick skin types ranging from light to olive complexions. Additionally, this laser excels at eliminating finer and thinner hairs that other lasers cannot.
What is Alexandrite?
Alexandrite is a crystal that is used to focus lasers for hair removal, redness reduction and other skin treatments. The GentleLase Alexandrite laser uses light energy to target melanin pigment in hair follicles without harming surrounding tissue – it is widely considered the safest, fastest and most effective method of photoepilation (painless hair removal) available – ideal for Fitzpatrick skin types I to VI.
As with other crystals, alexandrite is an exceptional energy healer with many beneficial healing properties. It may promote emotional stability, clarity of vision and spiritual development while helping balance masculine and feminine energies while increasing self-esteem, confidence and sensitivity. Furthermore, alexandrite has also been found helpful for treating heart disease and hypertension.
GentleLase Alexandrite laser emits a wavelength of 755nm that is most effective for targeting melanin in hair follicles. Other lasers, including Diode and YAG lasers, emit longer wavelengths that penetrate more deeply into dark skin but may cause increased risks of burns.
Alexandrite lasers’ most significant advantage lies in their ability to harness excess heat energy and transform it into usable laser power, making it safer and more comfortable than other lasers for patients with darker skin tones.
The Alexandrite laser is one of the most sought-after hair-removal lasers for white to olive skin tones, particularly useful in targeting areas that other lasers cannot reach, such as bikini area hair removal.
Alexandrite lasers’ Q-switched laser technology is highly effective at eliminating tattoo ink and pigment-based lesions such as black India ink as well as blue, green and orange pigmented lesions.
How Does it Work?
The Alexandrite Laser Machine uses red light (755nm) to target pigment cells that make up hair, and Q-switching mode enables it to deliver high energy pulses in short bursts – which makes it very effective at targeting and destroying hair follicles, in turn inhibiting future hair growth. Studies have demonstrated its safest and most efficient hair removal solution – it reduces hair follicles that grow new hair after repeated treatments while treating large areas in less time than competing machines.
Laser light must absorb enough pigment in its target to be effective. Melanin pigments found in hair follicles attract laser energy and cause an inflammatory reaction which denatures them, eliminating their basis of regrowth. As these follicles die off naturally through your body’s system, permanent hair reduction* occurs and allows you to forego painful waxing, plucking or other traditional methods of hair removal.
PrettyLasers’ latest alexandrite laser machine, the PL-AY Max is equipped with their Cryogen cooling system for maximum comfort and protection during treatment, minimizing discomfort and swelling while protecting surface of skin with its larger spot size of up to 18 mm for faster hair removal in Fitzpatrick skin types V to VI.
Diode and Nd:Yag lasers tend to cause less epidermal and skin structure damage due to being suitable for wider Fitzpatrick skin tone ranges and having shorter wavelengths; however, alexandrite lasers still may result in side effects like discoloration and hyperpigmentation.
How Long Does it Take?
Sessions typically last 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the area being treated. Although you may feel some minimal pain during treatment, cooling measures ensure maximum comfort for your skin. You may experience some temporary swelling or redness following treatment that should disappear over the following few days.
Laser light at 755nm penetrates skin deeply, targeting color pigments found within hair follicles to disable and halt their re-growth. This procedure works best on individuals with light-to-olive complexions who fall within Fitzpatrick skin types 1 through 3, such as Fitzpatrick skin types 1-3; and can be used on faces, arms, legs, bikini line, and back areas.
Before coming in for treatment, it is best to refrain from tanning your skin or using self-tanners, as sun rays could alter how the laser reacts with your skin. Furthermore, epilation, waxing or plucking should also be avoided 12 days before an appointment and it is also essential that makeup and moisturizers be removed prior to starting any treatments.
Studies demonstrate the alexandrite laser’s effectiveness at permanent* hair reduction. After just one treatment session, hair density decreases significantly and continues to do so after subsequent sessions.
laser hair removal treatments provide immediate results, yet it takes several treatments for skin regeneration to occur. Most individuals need six-8 treatments in order to achieve maximum effectiveness on both face and body areas.
Schedule appointments four weeks apart to achieve optimal results from laser hair removal treatments, but some individuals may need fewer or additional sessions in order to reach permanent hair reduction*. If laser hair removal interests you, schedule a consultation session so we can determine whether it’s the appropriate solution.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Laser hair removal usually has minimal side effects when performed properly. Redness and swelling may appear immediately following treatment, however this should subside within several hours or so – especially if using cooling cream or ointment recommended by your practitioner.
Some individuals should forego laser hair removal treatments altogether while others should only undergo it under expert guidance. Laser treatments use light energy to damage hair follicles responsible for producing hair; failure to kill these effectively could result in permanent damage to these follicles and cause permanent hair loss.
Targeting melanin is the key to successfully killing off hair follicles, and alexandrite laser therapy does just that. The laser emits a 755nm light beam which absorbs by melanin pigment to destroy and prevent regrowth of follicles and prevent follicular regeneration. Unfortunately, however, this treatment only works on dark-pigmented hair and skin and must be completed over several sessions to achieve significant results.
Laser hair removal may cause occasional, rare long-term side effects for some patients; any serious adverse reactions should be reported immediately to a healthcare provider. Most commonly encountered is an allergic reaction to heat used by lasers which results in blistered skin similar to burns; more likely if not properly operated by inexperienced practitioners.
Apart from protecting against sun exposure and using an ice pack, it’s also essential not to scrub or shave the treated area. A bandage may help to keep it clean. Furthermore, seeking professional advice on how to prepare and perform laser treatment sessions as well as aftercare care sessions could prove invaluable.
What is the Cost?
Cost of laser hair removal depends on your body area and number of treatments required; most often targeted are underarms, bikini line and buttocks. Laser type can also play an impactful role: diode laser (LightSheer) tends to cause more discomfort while Alexandrite laser provides less painful yet more effective solutions for darker skin tones.
At each session, an alexandrite laser emits a beam of light that absorbs pigment found in your hair follicles and heats them until they’re destroyed, effectively stopping further hair growth from taking place. Multiple sessions should be scheduled every four to six weeks until results become noticeable and additional touch ups may be necessary over time.
Outside of laser type, success of results may also depend on genetic predisposition, medications or nutritional considerations. You should inform your practitioner if taking any medications or supplements that could alter how the laser interacts with your skin.
Dr. Guanche advises that although laser hair removal can effectively reduce hair growth and thin it out, it may not be the most suitable treatment option for people with dark skin due to an increased risk of hypopigmentation – when melanin from your skin is destroyed by laser light and your complexion lightens in those treated areas.
However, successful outcomes can still be attained with the appropriate type of laser and proper skin care. Avoiding direct sun exposure prior and post procedure is vital; tanning absorbs laser light more readily and could increase chances of serious complications. Furthermore, waxing or plucking hair between sessions could damage hair follicles, leading to disruption.
