Dr. Chiharu Watanabe is the President and Chief of the Chiharu Skin Clinic. He is a member of the Japan Society of Hair Removal and is a specialist and councilor of the Japan Society of Laser Medicine. He has a deep knowledge of medical hair removal using lasers, and has been active in researching diversifying hair loss needs, such as giving lectures at the General Meeting of the Japanese Cosmetic Dermatology Association and at academic conferences, and conducting interviews in magazines specializing in beauty care. Based on his experience of atopic dermatitis in his childhood, he gives detailed advice that sympathizes with his worries and a treatment policy for a “skin-friendly clinic”.
Hair removal treatments using machines performed at aesthetic salons and medical institutions include medical hair removal, light hair removal (flash hair removal / IPL hair removal), and needle hair removal (insulated needle electrical hair removal).
Compared to light hair removal, medical laser hair removal is more effective for a long time, needle hair removal can be done by medical laser hair removal but not medical treatment It is important to receive.
Contents
- The effect of medical laser hair removal to remove hair without damaging the skin
- Two irradiation methods and types of laser for medical laser hair removal
- Reasons why medical laser hair removal is not completed in one time
- Compare medical laser hair removal with light hair removal and needle hair removal in esthetics
- What to check before medical laser hair removal and aftercare
- Chiharu skin clinic medical laser hair removal
The effect of medical laser hair removal to remove hair without damaging the skin
Mechanism of medical laser hair removal
Medical laser hair removal irradiates a laser, a type of electromagnetic wave, to remove hair.
Whereas light is composed of multiple wavelengths, lasers are artificial rays of a single wavelength that travel sharper and straighter than light, producing strong thermal energy.
Important laser parameters in medical laser hair removal
The following three parameters of laser are important for effective hair removal with medical laser hair removal.
- wavelength
- Oscillation time (pulse width)
- Irradiation energy
A hair removal machine with the appropriate wavelength for medical laser hair removal, effective pulse width and irradiation energy, and equipped with a powerful cooling device would be desirable.
Laser wavelength
Lasers have the property of being easily absorbed only by certain substances and colors. For example, using a laser with a wavelength with a high absorption rate for black pigments such as melanin can be used for hair removal and spot treatment, and using a laser with a high absorption rate for the red pigment of hemoglobin can treat red face and telangiectasia. I can. Laser hair removal uses the melanin contained in the hair and hair bulb to remove hair.
Laser oscillation time (pulse width)
The laser oscillation time is called the pulse width.A short pulse width can selectively damage the target material, and a long pulse width can radiate heat to the surrounding tissue without being destroyed. You.
In other words, in laser hair removal, it is necessary to irradiate with a pulse width that does not damage the surface of the skin but only the hair follicle.
Laser irradiation energy
The irradiation energy of the laser must be strong enough to destroy the target substance, but if it is too strong, it may cause burns. Therefore, a machine that can set an appropriate output and has a powerful cooling device is required.
Destruction by medical laser hair removal is hair nipple and bulge area
The laser is adjusted so that it only affects the target substance, so there is no major damage to tissues other than the target.
In medical laser hair removal, three tissues involved in hair growth are targeted for destruction.
- Hair bulb
- Sebaceous gland opening
- Hair follicle stem cells in the bulge area
It is said that hair loss can be achieved by damaging the hair bulb, the sebaceous gland opening, and the hair follicle stem cells using the thermal energy generated and absorbed by the melanin contained in the hair and hair bulb. Conventionally, it was only necessary to destroy the hair papilla in the hair bulb, but in recent years it has become clear that the destruction of the bulge area is also important.
■ Hair shaft and hair root
The hair shaft is the hair exposed from the skin, and the hair root is the part wrapped in the hair follicle under the skin
■ Hair follicle
Hair-producing skin appendages
■ Hair ball
The site where the spherically bulging hair mother cells under the hair root
■ Hair nipple
Tissue that sends nutrients taken from capillaries to hair matrix cells
■ Hair mother cell
Cells that receive nutrients from the dermal papilla below the hair matrix and divide and grow as hair
■ The pilgrims
A type of smooth muscle attached to diagonal hair follicles in the dermis
■ Bulge area
It is located above the hair matrix and hair papilla and produces hair growth factors to promote hair growth in hair matrix cells
■ Sebaceous gland opening
Sites that secrete sebum
Reasons why medical laser hair removal is long lasting
The long-lasting effect of medical laser hair removal is to prevent hair growth by damaging and destroying the hair matrix and bulge areas involved in hair growth.
Medical laser hair removal is effective for growing hair
Medical laser hair removal must prevent hair growth by affecting hair cells.
Hair has a growth cycle called the hair cycle, which repeats the initial growth phase, growth phase, regression phase, and rest period. During this cycle, the growth phase is the most capable of damaging hair matrix cells.
- Early growth: The time when hair mother cells divide and hair is born.
- Growing period ... The period when hair grows. A state in which hair matrix cells are repeatedly dividing.
- Categorical phase: Growth declines and cell division slows down. A time when hair is easily separated from hair matrix cells and hair is easily detached.
- Rest period: The period when growth stops and exits. It is the hair in the telogen that falls off with shampoo.
The hair cycle varies from part to part, and the growth period of the arm and leg is 3 to 5 months, and that of VIO is 2 to 3 months.
In addition, the proportion of hair in the growing period is about 90% for head hair, but it is only 20 to 30% in the armpits, arms, VIO and legs, and the other hair is in the catagen or telogen.
Two irradiation methods and types of laser for medical laser hair removal
What is the shot type and heat storage type by medical laser hair removal?
There are two methods for medical laser hair removal. It is a shot type (heat destruction type / HR) that damages hair follicle stem cells by giving heat damage to the source of hair growth, and hair loss by damaging the cells that store heat and growing hair and the function of instructing growth The method of doing this is thermal storage hair removal (SHR).
Thermal storage hair removal is a new method of hair removal that is less painful than irradiation when shot, but it is said that the final hair removal effect is not significantly different from the shot hair removal method.
The irradiation method of most medical laser hair removal machines is "shot type"
Shot-type (thermal destruction) hair removal is the most common irradiation method.
Irradiation with a high-energy laser causes a stimulus that is lightly repelled by a rubber band, but it is a widely used irradiation method. In the shot formula, hair is removed by acting on the black pigment of melanin. Therefore, tanned skin that contains a lot of melanin, or areas with moles, spots, pigmentation, or tattoos cannot be treated because the laser absorbs the pigment and generates heat, increasing the risk of burns. .
It may be less effective for gray hair and thin melanin. When removing hair without black pigment, treatment with needle hair removal (insulated needle electrical hair removal) is said to be suitable.
Shot-type medical hair removal machines: Lightshare Duet, Gentle Rays Pro, etc.
Thermal storage hair removal with less pain
Thermal storage hair removal is a relatively new hair removal method that uses a motion technique that slides the laser irradiation surface into contact with the skin. The burden on the skin is minimized because it is repeatedly irradiated and heated with low output energy.
It acts on hair bulbs and melanin, but it gradually stores heat around hair follicles, denatures hair follicles, hair follicle stem cells in the bulge area, and substances that transmit information between cells related to hair, and causes hair loss. For this reason, it is also possible to remove hair with dark pigments such as sunburn, and hair removal such as hair growth that is difficult to achieve with the shot method.
Main storage type medical hair removal machines: Soprano Ice Platinum, Mediostar NeXT PRO, etc.
Summary of comparison between shot type and thermal storage type
| Shot type | Thermal storage | |
|---|---|---|
| Pigmented skin or areas with dark pigment | Unable to respond due to increased risk of burns | Hair removal is possible for Japanese skin color |
| White hair or blonde | I can not cope | Can respond |
| pain | Pain like a rubber band | Less pain compared to shot type |
Four types of lasers used in medical laser hair removal
The type of laser changes depending on the wavelength. The wavelength that is well absorbed by the black pigment of melanin is 600-1200nm, and it is said that the shorter the wavelength in this wavelength band, the better the absorption. The longer the wavelength, the deeper it reaches the skin, with less pain but milder effects.
| Laser type (wavelength) | Irradiation method | Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandrite laser (755nm) | Shot type / thermal storage hair removal | Irradiation is not possible on dark skin such as sunburn due to the possibility of burns Widely used for hair removal |
| Diode laser (800-810nm) | Shot type / thermal storage hair removal | Irradiation is possible even on dark skin such as sunburn Widely used for hair removal |
| YAG laser (1064nm) | Shot type | Irradiation is possible even on dark skin such as sunburn Effective for hair with deep follicles and other hairs that cannot be removed by laser |
| Ruby laser (694nm) | Shot type | Effective for hair loss on white skin Mainly used in Japan to treat spots, freckles and bruises |
Thermal storage hair removal at Chiharu Skin Clinic
Chiharu Watanabe, director of the Chiharu Skin Care Department Clinic who supervised the article, uses a soprano ice and soprano titanium machine to perform thermal storage hair removal. One of the features of soprano titanium, which is the latest model among soprano models, is that it can simultaneously output three wavelengths: a YAG laser, an alexandrite laser, and a diode laser.
Therefore, it can react to thick hairs and hairs with different hair follicle depths for efficient hair removal. In addition, the treatment time can be shortened because the laser irradiation surface is large. For example, in the case of the back, soprano titanium can be treated in about 5 to 6 minutes by using parts called Quattro handpieces.
Reasons why medical laser hair removal is not completed in one time
The reason that medical laser hair removal does not end in one treatment and needs to be performed multiple times is that only one hair in the anagen phase, which is about 20% of the total, has a hair removal effect by one irradiation.
The shot type is repeated once every two to three months for a total of 5 to 10 times
Medical laser hair removal requires irradiation at a time that is suitable for hair removal, but it is impossible to visually check the hair cycle. For this reason, the frequency is set to be once every two to three months from the average of the rest periods of each part. Even if it is repeated for a shorter period of time, there is no effect outside of the growing season, so hair loss does not end soon.
Assuming that the proportion of growing hair is 20% of the whole, 100% if you receive medical laser hair removal 5 times, it will be about 5 times for the number of times, and the total hair loss will be completed in about 1 year for the period Become. There are individual differences, but when you repeat about 5 times, you will be able to feel the effect of hair removal.
Thermal storage type repeats once every 1-2 months for a total of 5-10 times
For thermal storage type hair removal, it is necessary to irradiate at the treatment interval according to the cycle of the hair cycle like the shot type hair removal. It is said that the hair removal effect can be realized by irradiating about 5 to 10 times every 1 to 2 months. The heat stored by thermal storage irradiation damages the cells that grow the hair and the tissue that directs the growth, so the hair begins to thin out about 2-3 weeks after the laser irradiation.
Why it looks like it "grows up after hair loss"
Despite medical laser hair removal, hair may appear to be growing. This may be due to the hair growing in the telogen, but not enough damage to the hair matrix and other areas.
In order to obtain a sufficient hair removal effect, it is necessary to consider the thickness of the hair and the site of hair growth according to the hair cycle, appropriately set the energy amount and pulse width of the laser, and repeat the irradiation .
Compare medical laser hair removal with light hair removal and needle hair removal in esthetics
Medical laser hair removal irradiates a laser, and needle hair removal stops the cell division of hair cells by passing electricity from the needle pierced into the pore. Therefore, the hair removal effect is said to last for a long time.
On the other hand, photo-epilation performed at an aesthetic salon (hereinafter referred to as “esthetic”) is performed at a lower output than a medical laser by the pharmacological method, so hair loss is a hair loss treatment that does not destroy hair matrix cells and weakens the function.
There are also products that use lasers and light for home hair removers, but the energy output is designed to be lower than that of medical lasers and light hair removal for esthetics by the drug machine method.
Medical laser hair removal requires a doctor's license
It is important to note that medical laser hair removal and needle hair removal (insulating needle electrical hair removal), which respond to melanin pigment and apply heat to the deep part of the skin to destroy hair roots, sebaceous gland openings, and hair papilla, refer to `` hair papilla / sebaceous gland opening It is a medical practice to remove hair etc., "said Article 17 of the Doctors' Law, which means that it has been notified by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
It can be said that proper treatment in the event of a burn, etc., and determination of irradiation energy in order to avoid any troubles are possible only with a doctor specializing in skin.
What to check before medical laser hair removal and aftercare
Medical laser hair removal site
The areas where medical laser hair removal can be performed are: armpits, upper elbows, lower elbows, fingertips, chest, areola circumference, upper abdomen, lower abdomen, navel circumference, whole V, I line, O line, neckline, upper back, Lower back, hip, front thigh, rear thigh, knee, lower knee, toe back, forehead, cheek, lower nose, chin, lower chin, nose hair, ear hair, etc.
Depending on the policy of the medical institution, it may not be supported, so it is advisable to check in advance about the corresponding site and the target person.
Risk of medical laser hair removal
There is a risk of developing burns, redness, tingling, swelling, folliculitis, hair growth, stiff hair, bleeding, and temporary hyperhidrosis.
In the unlikely event that trouble or complications occur due to medical laser hair removal, contact the medical institution where the treatment was performed and receive appropriate treatment.
Preparation before medical laser hair removal
Before medical laser hair removal, simple preparations are required. To avoid pain and reduced effectiveness, be aware of the following: In addition, please consult beforehand when skin trouble occurs in the hair loss site.
- Take UV protection
- Preparing waste hair by shaving
- Hair removal is strictly prohibited
- Drink and moisturize
- Get a good night's sleep
- Beware of the action of the drug
- Do not use antiperspirants
If you are worried about pain, there are medical facilities that can use anesthesia cream to remove hair if you ask in advance, so consult with a counselor or consultation.
Medical laser hair removal is possible in the following cases, but please do not judge yourself and check with your doctor at the time of diagnosis.
| Acne | Medical laser hair removal if partial acne or inflammation is not strong |
|---|---|
| Lichen pilaris (I do not want to do this, shark skin) | Lichen psoriasis refers to the lumpy skin quality of the upper arms, shoulders, back, hips, thighs, etc.Medical laser hair removal, which is difficult to self-process with a razor because the surface of the skin is uneven, even with lichen psoriasis Irradiation possible |
| Buried hair | Medical laser hair removal is possible even if the implanted hair that is not exposed on the surface of the skin is visible in black color.Even if the medical laser hair removal is performed, the embedded hair is buried under the skin until it comes out of the skin by turnover. If you don't improve it for a long time, consult a doctor |
| During menstruation | Medical laser hair removal is possible except for VIO |
Happy effect of medical laser hair removal
Skin roughness disappears and pores become less noticeable
In self-treatment, hair is easily buried, and ingrown hair is likely to occur. By performing medical laser hair removal, the skin will not be hurt by self-treatment, making pores less noticeable.
Symptoms of wakiga calm because the growth of various bacteria is suppressed
Wagiga is a state in which sweat and bacteria on the skin mix to produce a unique smell. If you forcibly pull out the hair by self-treatment by hair removal, the pores will become inflamed. Inflammation can stimulate and increase the amount of sweating, which can cause the formation of odor-causing substances.
However, by eliminating the burden on the skin due to self-treatment, sweating due to irritation is suppressed, and bacterial growth can be reduced. In addition, there is no place (hair) where bacteria adhere by hair loss, so bacterial growth is suppressed.
Aftercare after medical laser hair removal
Immediately after medical laser hair removal, the skin becomes sensitive and needs aftercare. Under the direction of the doctor, also note the following:
- Only shower and no drinking on the day
- We carry out ultraviolet rays measures and moisture retention well
- Cool down if you feel hot flashes after hair removal
- Apply topical medicine prescribed according to skin condition after irradiation
- Hair removal is strictly prohibited not only before hair removal but also during hair removal
Chiharu skin clinic medical laser hair removal
Dr. Watanabe who supervised the article taught me.
- How long does the consultation and counseling work together?
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- The procedure is about 30 minutes, depending on the area of hair loss, and it takes about 1 hour from consultation to return.
- There are shot type and thermal storage type hair removal at Chiharu Skin Care Clinic. What is the difference between shot type and thermal storage type hair removal?
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- With the shot type, a sudden rise in temperature causes a pop-up phenomenon in which hair comes off from the root, so you can immediately feel the effect. In addition to hair loss, it can also be expected to reduce skin problems such as spots and freckles.
- What is the pain of thermal storage hair loss?
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- Thermal storage type hair removal is less painful than shot type. In addition, since the shot type is effective for dark pigmented skin and hair growth, which are difficult to use, hair loss can be reduced with pain even for thin hair such as beards of men and hair growth of small, middle and high school students.
- Can children receive treatment?
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- In the case of hair loss for children, parents will be present as necessary. In rare cases, parents may ask for their hair loss, so be sure to check the intention of the child and explain in detail so that both the parent and the child do not have any concerns. Basically, child hair removal can be received from elementary school students who can confirm their intentions.
- What is the recommended treatment frequency?
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- For hair loss aside, once a month and a half to once every two months, there are individual differences, but if you repeat it about three to five times, you will feel the hair loss effect.
- Please leave a message for those who are considering medical laser hair removal.
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- In the past, most people wished to remove unwanted unwanted hair, especially on the side hair, but now more people prefer laser hair removal for other reasons.
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- For example, for women, "design hair removal" such as nape, sideburns, eyebrows, V-line, etc.For men, wanting to eliminate the hassle of shaving every morning and worrying about appearance, the need for "hair removal" is increasing. In the future, there is a growing need for "care depilation" to take care of those who care, and "child hair removal" because the appearance is bothersome or the subject may be subject to bullying.
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- When considering hair loss, many people may suffer from hair loss at esthetics and hair loss at medical institutions, but in the case of esthetic hair loss, clinical results have shown that more than 90% of hair grows again after treatment Assuming temporary hair loss.
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- On the other hand, laser hair removal at medical institutions is based on long-term hair loss. Destroying hair follicle stem cells is hair loss in the first place, and laser hair removal is a medical practice. For this reason, we want you to consider safety and effectiveness first, and consent on your own.
- Thank you, Dr. Watanabe!
Chiharu skin clinic medical laser hair removal fee
| Price (5 times / tax excluded) | Thermal storage hair removal (Soprano ice) | Shot type hair removal (elite) |
|---|---|---|
| Both sides | 36,000 yen | 22,500 yen |
| Below the elbow | 126,000 yen | 112,500 yen |
| Below the knee | 171,000 yen | 157,000 yen |
| V line (women only) | 81,000 yen | 67,500 yen |
| Whole back | 261,000 yen | 247,500 yen |
| abdomen | 171,000 yen | 157,500 yen |
※ Initial consultation fee 3,000 yen Re-examination fee 1,000 yen
Medical laser hair removal is a free practice, so pricing varies by medical institution. Hair loss treatment may be subject to medical expenses deduction for hirsutism (Ambras Syndrome) where abnormal hair growth is observed, but it is basically not covered by insurance.
Flow from arrival at the clinic to medical laser hair removal
(1) Fill out the medical questionnaire
Write down what you want to consult, parts of concern, and symptoms.
(2) Examination and counseling
We will explain medical laser hair removal, check the skin, check the effects, and discuss any concerns.
(3) Change clothes
If necessary, change into gowns provided at the clinic.
(4) Treatment
For thermal storage type hair removal: Apply gel to the hair loss site to improve skin protection and slipperiness, and irradiate laser. When irradiation is over, wipe off the gel to finish. If it is red, cool it.
In the case of the shot type: The laser is irradiated while cooling with a cooling device to make it hard to feel pain. When irradiation is over, cool down and finish.
Hair loss is not only for young women. More and more people in their forties and older who want hair loss in the delicate zone assuming that they will receive nursing care, and more men who want hair loss in their beards and chest hair.
Even if you have been hesitant about medical laser hair removal due to its weakness in pain, regenerative hair removal will reduce the pain. In addition, a clinic that performs careful irradiation while adjusting the energy output by checking the pain at each irradiation, such as the Chiharu skin clinic, will be safe.
Medical institutions with Dr. Chiharu Watanabe
Chiharu Skin Clinic (Urawa)
Contact information (Urawa): 048-813-1188
Chiharu Skin Clinic Hirooin
Contact information ( Hirooin ): 03-3447-1177