Thanks to innovative cosmetic procedures, you can easily and effectively get rid of almost any external imperfection. So, removing body hair with a razor today is almost the same as doing a manicure with a chainsaw. The problem of excess vegetation is successfully solved by laser hair removal, and without the daily routine and unpleasant consequences such as peeling, blackheads, ingrown hairs and skin irritation.
To find out more about this procedure, we turned to the head of the Moscow studios, Delight Laser and Epilaserman Alena Kaygorodova.
This salon uses the latest lasers with Iplaser technology. With them, the procedure is as comfortable as possible, and the devices themselves are suitable for almost all skin types.
An experienced cosmetologist told how to prepare for laser hair removal and how not to become a victim of deception by unscrupulous clinics.

1. How does laser hair removal work?

In order for the laser light energy to act on the hair, there must be special substances in the body that would attract, absorb and carry out a physicochemical reaction this energy. The main absorbing substance required for laser hair removal is melanin. It is he who gives color to hair and skin.

Melanin has 3 fractions: eumelanin, which is responsible for dark shades, pheomelanin, which is responsible for light shades, and neuromelanin, which is located in the structures of the brain. Ultimately, the predominance of a particular fraction will determine the final shade of hair color. Only eumelanin has light-absorbing ability. The rest of the fractions reflect light, so epilation of light hair, be it light fluff, blond or gray hair, is impossible. For such people, laser hair removal is a waste of time and money. They are usually advised to turn to other types of hair removal: depilation or electrolysis.

When the energy of light is absorbed by the hair shafts containing melanin, various reactions occur in the subcutaneous tissues, the main of which is thermal. The hair is heated to a high temperature, which leads to the destruction of the follicle. Therefore, the process of light hair removal is called thermolysis (thermal - temperature, lysis - destruction), and from a scientific point of view, photo- and laser hair removal is correctly called photothermolysis (light-thermal destruction). With photothermolysis, the hair heats up to 70-80 degrees Celsius. All cells of the hair follicle die, including the cells of the hair papilla, so hair growth does not resume for a long time.

But, unfortunately, the structure of the follicles is recoverable, so it is impossible to permanently remove the hair.
You also need to understand that there are different phases of hair life: growth stage, intermediate and resting stage. Only those hairs that are in the growth phase can be removed using laser hair removal, since they are saturated with melanin. In the growth phase, there is from 20% to 90% of the epilation zone, therefore, after about 2 weeks, loss occurs in patches. The transition from the sleep phase to the growth phase takes 21-28 days, which determines the interval between procedures for a maximum of 30-31 days.

But it happens that, due to individual characteristics, the transition takes more than a month. In this case, a month after the procedure, you need to be guided by the appeared hairs: if they are, then the transition has occurred and you can work.

Often after 3-5 sessions the follicle tries to replenish the lost bulbs and activates their maturation. This reaction is natural, it is called "paradoxical growth." But this goes away quickly with subsequent procedures. The main thing is to calm down, not to panic and just continue the course.

2. What technology is the best in terms of price / quality ratio?

Today, there are dozens of lasers from different manufacturers. But they can all be reduced to several types: alexandrite, diode, neodymium, Elos, AFT, IPL and IPLASER.
We only use lasers with the IPLASER system, as they are safe, effective and painless. Our masters are qualified doctors, since it is important to assess the risk and possibility of laser hair removal individually for each client.

3. On which parts of the body can hair be removed with a laser, and on which not?

The laser can be used to remove hair from any part of the body, even on the labia of women, in the nose or in the ears. The exception is the eyes. Since the skin around the eyes is very thin, in order to avoid the risk of any damage and consequences, we do not epilate the hair under the eyebrows, but we can between and above.

4. How many procedures do you need to completely remove hair?

This is an individual question. There are many scammers on the market who promise to do this in 6, 5 and even 4 sessions, but this is a trick to attract customers, nothing more. Yes, there are rare exceptions when girls' hair disappeared in 4 sessions, but the probability of such a result is about 0.5%. More realistic numbers are 6-10 sessions. This is on average. This means that sometimes it happens even 12. We honestly warn our clients about this so that they are mentally prepared.

In addition, when the master tells you the exact number of sessions you need, it should alert you. In life, no specialist can say for sure how many sessions you need to completely remove hair. One thing is hair color, thickness and density. Yes, we can consider them and assess the complexity of the case. But there are factors such as hormones and heredity, and no one can predict their behavior. And even if you pass a bunch of expensive tests, there is no guarantee that the readings will not change in six months. So is hair growth.

5. How to take care of your skin between sessions?

What not to do before laser hair removal:

• depilate the selected area (wax / sugaring / electric epilator) less than 30 days before the session. Because during depilation, the hair is removed along with the follicle, and we simply have nothing to act on;
• sunbathe 7 days before the procedure;
• use peels, scrubs three days before the session.

What to do after laser hair removal:

• avoid exposure to the sun or tanning beds for 7-10 days. If you are planning a seaside holiday, you can use sunscreen (minimum SPF50) and apply it every 3-4 hours to all areas of your body that have been exposed to light. If possible, try to protect the treated areas from direct rays;
• in the interval between procedures, exclude any alternative methods of epilation and depilation, except for shaving;
• we are waiting for hair loss from 10 to 21 days. We do not rip them out. You can only contribute to their falling off with a washcloth or scrub.

No special cosmetics or care is needed.
Like any cosmetic procedure, laser hair removal has contraindications. This:

• acute allergic skin reactions, in particular an allergic reaction to light - photodermatosis;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases (eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus, ichthyosis, atopic dermatitis, lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, bullous dermatoses, collagenoses, vasculitis, dyschromias);
• ischemic heart disease and hypertension;
• herpes in the acute stage;
• dangerous varicose veins (taking anticoagulants should be stopped a month before);
• any benign and malignant neoplasms;
• acute infectious diseases;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding (lactation);
• moles, nevi, age spots and birthmarks, papillomas, we simply bypass, departing from them by 2-3 mm;
• if you have recently had botulinum toxin injections.

After botox, dysport, xeomin, relatox, various dermafillers and biorevitalizants based on hyaluronic acid, epilation in the injection zones can be done only after 2 months. This is due to the fact that any type of energy accelerates the breakdown of the administered drugs. But in other areas, you can epilate as usual.

6. Is laser hair removal a painful procedure?

Depends on the laser. On Alexandrite, for example, there are frequent cases of burns. On our laser, the maximum that you will feel is a slight tingling sensation or a feeling of warmth. There was a case when a client was indignant at the painlessness of the procedure, worried that there would be no effect.
Unfortunately, many girls come to us with traces of burns and scars after visiting other clinics. However, it is important to understand what to do so that the client does not feel anything at all, while no technology allows.

7. Is there a risk of ingrown hairs, folliculitis or skin cancer?

There is no risk of ingrown hairs. Moreover, the laser gets rid of them too. If the hair is not too deep, then the light reaches it, the hair dies and gradually the skin pushes it to the surface. Depending on the degree of neglect of the case, these ingrown hairs can go away for a period of 1 to 8 months.

Before the procedure, you need to shave the selected area. This recommendation is rarely given, because for most lasers you need to grow hair up to 3-5 mm. For ours it is not necessary to do this, which, of course, is more comfortable in everyday life.

If the client wants to remove the hair above the lip or on the hands and has not touched it there before, then the master can remove the hair himself before epilation using an electric trimmer.
And the most important thing is not to read horror stories, but to tune in to a positive mood.

9. Is it true that laser removes hair permanently?

We need regular treatments. Since the hairs on our body are in different phases of growth, we can only affect those that are in active. Therefore, a full course of laser hair removal can last for six months, until all the hairs in turn wake up and we “light up” them during the period of active growth.

10. Are there any restrictions for girls with skin features: pigmentation, vitiligo or albinism?

Yes, there are restrictions. As mentioned, it is not possible to remove light hair with laser hair removal. Also a tricky case is red hair (Scandinavian skin phototype). They are taken, but with a probability of 50 to 50. There were cases when the hair left no worse than dark, and it happened that the laser did not work.

It is important to determine the nature of the features of the skin. At the household level, it is quite simple to determine whether laser hair removal is harmful or not: imagine whether heating the skin in a problem area will be harmful? If you don't see anything good in this, then, most likely, epilation is not worth doing.

As a rule, we bypass pigmentation with a handle. In any case, it is best to consult a specialist dermatologist.

11. What should you beware of when choosing a salon?

First of all, I would like to open my eyes to what methods of fraud are in this area.

First, the laser. Now many salons buy cheap Chinese diodes, which are ineffective. Very often in such salons, prohibitively low prices for procedures, for example, 200 rubles for the upper lip. If this is not a stock, but a regular price, then you should be on your guard.

Secondly, lasers have a part (lamp or handle as a whole) that needs to be replaced. For example, in our laser, the handle needs to be changed every 600-700 thousand flashes, since the lamp power decreases, and with it the result from the procedure. But many unscrupulous salons neglect this and shine with "empty" lamps. The effect is the same as under a light bulb at home.
Especially cunning salons do the first 1-2 sessions with a normal laser so that the client can see the effect, and then, after 3-4 sessions, they can make it an "empty" handle. As a result, a person is convinced that the point is in his features, and not in the flaws of the equipment, because at first there was an effect.

Thirdly, unscrupulous salons carry out procedures, despite clear signs that laser hair removal is not suitable for a client. Once a girl approached us with a request to rid her of the hair on her arms. She went to an expensive clinic for 1.5 years and did not get any effect. At the first glance, everything became clear: she had white translucent hair. When we said that, in principle, not a single laser can take such hair, she was shocked, said that she could already buy a car for the money that she left in that clinic.

Or one more case. A very dark man came with black hair on his back, stomach and chest. The master noticed that they were already growing stubble and asked what they had done before. The client said that he had already gone to the laser. The master suggested that, probably, there was 1 session at most, because the hair grew quite thickly. But the man admitted that he had already done 15 sessions on Alexandrite in an expensive clinic. Most likely, in order not to burn the skin (with alexandrite it is possible to remove hair on the skin only up to the 4th phototype), they removed the power to the maximum, but it was not enough to burn the hair. As a result, the man started our course from scratch. After the first session, the effect was immediately visible, about 99% of the hair that was in the active stage was gone.

This is what no salon will tell you:

1. Laser hair removal does not permanently remove hair. Only for 12 months, in rare cases up to 5 years. We can say that forever, but subject to supportive procedures. After some time, some hairs will still wake up.

2. Laser hair removal does not happen without pain at all - the sensations will still be unpleasant. The only difference is in strength: from tingling, as with electrophoresis, to burns.

3. Some lasers may cause hair to grow darker than it used to be. Our specialists have recently encountered such an effect. We were contacted by girls who, after visiting other salons, had dark hair instead of a gun on their hips. My colleagues told me that after Alexandrite, unfortunately, this sometimes happens.

4. Before epilating the entire body, try the laser on a small area of ​​the skin. For example, we conduct a free test drive - this is when you can do one armpit, see what will happen in 2-3 weeks, and if the result suits you, then come to us for a serious procedure. And further. Some clients say that you need to find a laser that is right for you. So try different ones. We hope that the Soft laser salon will become your "home" place for you.

LASIK is the most popular laser eye surgery. It is currently being performed in about 50 countries. About 1 million LASIK operations are performed worldwide every year. In some countries, such as Japan and the United States, this procedure is even available in shopping centers. The popularity of LASIK is due to its safety and effectiveness.

In this article

What is LASIK surgery?

Not to say that LASIK is the latest technique developed in recent years. This method of correcting vision defects was created back in the 80s of the XX century in the United States. The first LASIK operation was successfully performed in 1987. Today it is more in demand, because it has become available to almost everyone. LASIK is an acronym. The full name of the procedure is Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, or simply laser keratomileusis.

This method of vision restoration is carried out using a special excimer laser, which is able to create strong ultraviolet radiation that affects the cornea and corrects its shape. The procedure itself is very simple, does not require lengthy preparation and helps to cure almost any visual pathology.

Main indications for LASIK surgery

Laser vision correction using the LASIK method is prescribed for the following vision pathologies:

• astigmatism (from +/− 1 to +/− 4), in which a person sees the image as blurred and therefore constantly squints his eyes;
• farsightedness / hyperopia (from +1 to +6 diopters), manifested in poor vision at close range;
• myopia / myopia (-1 to -13 diopters) is the most common refractive error, in which a person sees poorly into the distance.

They usually agree to laser correction because of intolerance to glasses and contact lenses, as well as because of the lack of desire or ability to wear them. So, with glasses it is difficult to imagine a lifeguard or, for example, an athlete. Laser correction is becoming a great opportunity for many people to do what they love, despite their vision problems. Operation LASIK (LASIK) allows you to get rid of glasses and lenses forever or for many years.

Are there any restrictions on LASIK surgery?

The LASIK operation is very safe and painless. However, it is not available to everyone. There are a number of restrictions that prevent the doctor from prescribing this procedure. The list of contraindications contains relative (temporary) restrictions and categorical prohibitions. Temporary contraindications are restrictions that can be removed by a doctor. These include:

• chronic infection of the eyelids and organs of vision;
• mild to moderate dry eye syndrome;
• enophthalmos (excessive retraction of the eyeball into the cavity of the orbit);
• lagophthalmos in a pronounced form, when the eyelids are invisible to the naked eye;
• diseases of the cornea, which greatly reduce its sensitivity;

• viral keratitis;
• operated retinal detachment;
• congenital cataract;
• subcompensated glaucoma or grade 3 glaucoma, in which, during treatment, the pressure in the eyes remains elevated and fluctuates throughout the day;
• small size of the eyeball;
• the diameter of the cornea is less than 10 mm (the norm for an adult is 10-12 mm);
• the optical power of the cornea is less than 39 or more than 49 diopters (the norm is 43.05 diopters);
• dystrophy of the cornea;
• very thin cornea (thickness less than 400-450 microns);
• severe deterioration in vision over the past few months;

• exacerbation of an autoimmune disease;
• diabetes mellitus without complications in the form of diabetic retinopathy;
• hormone-dependent diseases;
• minority;
• pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding.

The list of contraindications is quite extensive, but the listed diseases and conditions are not so common, in addition, these are not absolute restrictions. The doctor may decide to prescribe LASIK or postpone it for a certain time, for example, for the period of treatment of an infectious eye disease.

When is it strictly forbidden to carry out LASIK laser correction?

The absolute contraindications to laser keratomileusis include:

• severe corneal degeneration;
• glaucoma grade 4, in which intraocular pressure is not reduced by drugs;
• immunodeficiency diseases (AIDS, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis), in which the body's ability to recover is very low;
• keratoconus - thinning of the cornea, which takes a conical shape (if LASIK is performed in the presence of this pathology, subsequently a corneal transplant may be required);
• missing one eye;
• progressive acute cataract;
• not operated retinal detachment;
• severe diabetic retinopathy;
• severe dry eye syndrome;
• irreversible blindness.

How is LASIK laser surgery performed?

The specificity of the procedure largely explains the presence of all the listed contraindications. It is important to follow your doctor's instructions before and after laser vision correction. This will avoid complications.

Before the appointment of LASIK, the patient undergoes an examination. He is examined by an ophthalmologist using high-tech equipment. The optometrist calculates all the parameters of the organs of vision and determines whether correction can be carried out. You may also need to be tested for HIV and hepatitis.

The patient stops using the optics 14 days before the vision correction. Glasses and contact lenses change the shape of the cornea slightly, and it should take its natural shape. Do not apply makeup on the day of the operation. The doctor will definitely remind the patient of this. Particles of makeup can get on the operated area of ​​the eye and cause infection or irritation. Do not drink alcohol before laser vision correction. It negatively affects the state of blood vessels and the body as a whole.

Stages of LASIK operation

The operation proceeds according to the following algorithm. First, drops are instilled into the patient's eyes, which have a local anesthetic effect. The drug will take effect in about 15 minutes. During this time, the doctor will tell you how the operation will take place. After 15 minutes, the patient sits down in a chair and an eyelid dilator is inserted into his eye to prevent reflex blinking. During vision correction, the patient should look straight ahead at the luminous point.

Then the surgeon uses a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser (depending on the type of LASIK operation) to form a corneal flap from the surface layer of the cornea. Its diameter is approximately 8 mm. For this reason, the diameter of the cornea should not be less than 10 mm. The flap is moved to the side. So it becomes possible to get close to the deeper layers of the cornea.

Then the stage of the actual laser vision correction begins. The doctor directs the excimer laser at the cornea and begins to vaporize it, correcting it so that it takes the correct shape. The correct shape will be if, after correction, the light rays fall directly on the retina and are displayed on it, creating a clear image.

The laser correction is completed by returning the flap to the operated area of ​​the cornea. No seams are applied. The corneal flap is fixed on the eye independently due to adhesion (adhesion, adhesion of two surfaces). Vision correction takes approximately 7-10 minutes. After that, an operation is performed on the second eye.

During the correction, the patient does not feel pain or other discomfort. After a couple of hours, a doctor examines him, and then the operated person can leave the clinic. The surgeon will give a number of recommendations that must be followed in the postoperative period, and will appoint the day of the next examination. In total, the patient spends no more than three hours in the clinic.

How is recovery from LASIK surgery going?

As soon as the vision stabilizes, the operated person goes home. This happens after 1.5-2 hours. It is not advisable to get behind the wheel yet. Better to come to the clinic by taxi. You will have to come to the appointment the next day. In the first few hours, the patient may feel the presence of a foreign body in the eyes, pain. Side effects such as increased sensitivity to light, watery eyes (or, conversely, dry eyes), decreased twilight vision, and swelling of the cornea or eyelids are also possible. All these symptoms are quite predictable and should not be scared. They are eliminated, as a rule, with the help of eye drops.

Before you go home, your doctor will give you detailed instructions. He will tell you what can and cannot be done during the period of eye recovery. You will have to give up sports. Physical culture in the form of morning exercises will not harm, but strength exercises will have to be excluded. Also, you should not drink alcohol for two weeks after the operation. Ethyl alcohol interferes with the healing of the cornea. In addition, in a state of alcoholic intoxication, a person can get an eye injury, which will lead to a displacement of the corneal flap. This complication is corrected by repeated laser vision correction. In the first days after the correction, stress on the eyes must be avoided. You can put your books and computer aside for a few days and devote time to relaxation.

Also, in the postoperative period, you cannot:

• touch your eyes and rub them with your hands (this way you can bring an infection into the organs of vision);
• use cosmetics for two weeks;
• wash your hair in the first three days after LASIK;
• visit the sauna, bathhouse and swimming pool for the next two weeks;
• be in the sun without sunglasses.

The doctor may impose other restrictions as well. Compliance with the prescriptions of the ophthalmologist is the key to a quick recovery.

What are the complications after LASIK surgery?

Unfortunately, not a single procedure and not a single person is completely insured against complications, but LASIK causes complications very rarely. 1-5% of patients face them. The doctor will tell you about the possible risks. Complications can be in the form:

• keratitis;
• overcorrection or hypocorrection (excessive or insufficient evaporation of the cornea);
• ingrowth of the epithelium under the flap;
• displacement of the corneal flap.

These side effects cause visual impairment. In most cases, a second laser vision correction is required.

What are the benefits of LASIK surgery?

Based on the foregoing, it becomes clear why laser vision correction using the LASIK method is popular. It has the following advantages:

• the healing surface is very small, so the cornea is restored quickly enough;
• absolute painlessness;
• minimal risk of scarring;
• quick restoration of visual functions;
• predictability of results and their preservation (the patient completely gets rid of vision problems for several years or even until the end of his life);
• ambulatory treatment.

Today, LASIK laser vision correction is considered the basic technique. She is constantly improving. New techniques and technologies are being introduced that make the LASIK procedure even more effective and safe. New techniques compensate for the shortcomings of the basic method (contraindications, hypothetical complications, side effects). Now, depending on the diagnosis, financial capabilities of the clinic client and other factors, the doctor prescribes the following operations: Super LASIK, FemtoLASIK, EpiLasik, PresbyLASIK, FemtoSuperLASIK. In general, they are all similar in technique (the epithelial layer of the cornea is cut off and its shape is corrected with a laser beam), but each technique has its own distinctive features.

With the advent of laser technology in cosmetology, many procedures have become easy to perform. The word "laser" is an acronym (a kind of abbreviation), which has become an independent word in Russian for a long time. Literally "laser" means a high energy light source that can be focused and converted into a narrow beam. One of the methods of laser technology in cosmetology is laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal is one of the fastest and most effective ways to remove excess hair once and for all. In just a few procedures, you can achieve smooth and delicate skin on almost any part of the face and body. Subject to all the requirements for the procedure, it is completely safe and does not harm health. You can do it in the Lachance network of laser hair removal salons.

Pros and cons of laser hair removal

Under the influence of a laser beam passing through the hair shaft, the cells containing melanin are heated, and the subsequent destruction of the hair follicle. In this case, the skin is not damaged, but slightly heats up and cools quickly. Laser hair removal allows you to remove only those hairs that have grown by 3-5 mm and are visible on the surface, that is, are in the phase of active growth (anagen). But there are always “spare” or dormant hair follicles that enter the anagen phase after the procedures, so several sessions are required to completely remove unwanted hair.

As with every procedure, this method immediately revealed pros and cons that you should be aware of before the sessions. The main disadvantage of laser hair removal is the mandatory contrast of hair and skin so that the melanin contained in the hair, and not in the skin, absorbs laser radiation.

So, for example, in the case of dark hair on dark skin or light (red) hair on light skin, the desired effect is hardly achieved. To obtain the effect, you need dark (dark blond) hair on light skin, then the laser beam will be absorbed by the hair. But today it is possible to solve these problems, for this you just need to select the required type of laser action. Laser systems of the latest generation operate on a diode laser, in the range of which both any type of skin and any hair color (except for gray hair). Unfortunately, there are not so many centers offering diode laser hair removal services. One of these is the Epilas hardware cosmetology center.

A relative disadvantage is the cost of the procedure, but if you consider that the effect of laser hair removal is the complete absence of hair, then the disadvantage may seem like a big plus.

What are the pros?

• Lack of severe pain during the procedure.
• No skin damage in the form of scars and scars.
• Long-term effect after the course (up to 6 years), and in the case of perfect contrast of hair with skin - getting rid of them forever.
• Short duration of an epilation session in time.

Preparation and implementation of laser hair removal

Preparation consists in the fact that the patient needs to grow hair at least 3-5 mm (in areas where other methods of epilation or depilation were previously used). The choice of a length of 3-5 mm is also not accidental, since it is in this case that the effectiveness and painlessness of the procedure can be guaranteed.

Small areas of the skin are irradiated with a laser for a certain period of time. So, for example, the "antennae" area is processed for only 10-12 minutes, the bikini area - 10-15 minutes, and so on. The maximum processing time for the thighs is 1 hour.

In patients with a high pain threshold, laser hair removal can be performed without anesthesia, but there are patients with a low pain threshold who cannot tolerate even a little pain. In this case, the affected area is treated with lidocaine gel.

In addition, modern laser systems are equipped with attachments, with the help of which the skin is cooled during manipulation, which reduces its sensitivity. Eyes should be protected with dark glasses during hair removal.

Results after a course of procedures

What undesirable consequences can arise?

Many patients and especially men are interested not only in the question of possible pain sensations, but also in the consequences of this procedure. The occurrence of unwanted effects of laser hair removal depends on the sensitivity of the skin and the patient's allergic reactions. In these cases, hyperemia may occur on the skin, which disappears within a few days.

In addition to redness, patients sometimes complain of swelling or bruising, as well as blister marks from burns. There are two reasons for this - recent and intense tanning, and the lack of professionalism of the cosmetologist. Both reasons are completely removable. Tanned skin has already received a large dose of ultraviolet radiation, and the next stream of light can damage it, therefore, the procedure cannot be carried out after tanning.

In the second case, an undesirable outcome can be prevented by approaching the choice of a salon and a specialist, guided by the experience of the cosmetologist and the level of his professionalism, and not by a cheap and affordable price.

Mention should be made of patients with increased vegetation on the skin caused by hormonal disorders. In order for laser or any other type of hair removal to help cope with the problem, you need to eliminate its primary source, namely, hormonal imbalance. Otherwise, the hair will grow back, even after several sessions. With the help of a laser, only the softness of the hairs (with hirsutism) can be achieved.

What shouldn't be done after?

In order to avoid the appearance of edema and redness, the cosmetologist immediately after laser hair removal applies a special agent that reduces skin irritation. It is also necessary to apply a cream or lotion to the skin for several days in order to nourish and soften it. Even in the case of traces of burns (which is very rare), you should use a special healing ointment (bepanten, panthenol and others). If all prescriptions are followed, complications disappear in 7-10 days.

• Sunbathe in the sun and visit the bathhouse, sauna and solarium.
• Take antibiotics, hormones, antipsychotics, sulfa and other medications.
• Peel off the crusts from burns so that there are no foci of hyperpigmentation or scars.
• Go outside in sunny weather without applying sunscreen with SPF protection of at least 30 units.

Types of lasers for hair removal

The main difference in laser systems used in cosmetology is the wavelength. It is the wavelength that determines the end result and the desired effect.

1. Diode laser hair removal (diode laser hair removal)... The diode laser wavelength is 810 nm. It is used not only to remove hair with any type of skin, but also to treat hirsutism (coarse hair) and hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth). This makes coarse hair soft and invisible, while soft hair disappears.
2. Laser hair removal with alexandrite laser... Wavelength - no more than 755 nm. It is used for epilation of light and red hair, especially if the skin is sensitive. Its other application is also for hyperpigmentation foci.
3. Laser hair removal with neodymium laser... This laser has a wavelength of 1063 nm and contains infrared light in the laser beam. Scope of application - epilation of dark hair on dark or tanned skin, as well as removal of rosacea (capillary mesh), etc.
4. Ruby laser... The wavelength is 694 nm. Scope of application - epilation of dark hair on light skin, as well as removal of pigmentation and tattoos made with multi-colored and saturated colors.

Frequently asked Questions:

• Photoepilation or laser hair removal: which is better? Photoepilation is a method of laser exposure that uses beams of a wide spectrum of waves - from 400 to 1200 nm. The procedures are similar to each other, but photoepilation is a more versatile method and is used where a more intense level of exposure is required.
• Electrolysis or laser hair removal: which one to choose? These are completely different procedures with which you can achieve the desired effect. Electrolysis is more suitable for patients with fair skin and light (red) hair.
• Is laser hair removal performed during pregnancy? It is best not to carry out any manipulations during pregnancy, including even the most harmless cosmetic ones. This is due to the fact that long-term results after them are not tracked in women and children, and during the gestation of a child, interference with the natural process of pregnancy has traditionally been reduced to zero.
• Is laser hair removal harmful? The laser hair removal procedure is no more harmful than visiting a solarium.
• Does hair really disappear forever? Yes, but for this, the skin must be light, and the hair dark, so that a contrast forms between them and all the rays are absorbed by dark hair with a high content of melanin pigment.
• How many treatments do you need to complete hair removal? The number of procedures in each case is determined by the cosmetologist strictly individually. To remove small vegetation, 1 to 3 procedures are enough, and with strong hair growth, 6 to 10 sessions may be required.
• What is the best laser for hair removal? The type of laser is selected in each case individually, taking into account the type of skin, its color and hair condition.

Video of laser hair removal

Alexandrite laser

Video: Epilation with diode laser

Today, in cosmetology, laser hair removal is a modern way to solve a delicate, but completely natural problem - getting rid of increased hairiness on the body. What do you need to know and what to prepare for when going to the salon?

Laser hair removal - the advantages of the technique

Today, many salons and beauty parlors offer laser hair removal to remove unwanted hair. The procedure is in great demand among women. What is the reason for such popularity?

And the fact is that the laser hair removal procedure compares favorably with other methods and has a number of advantages:

1. The skin does not receive any damage during the laser action. That is, burns, irritations and other negative phenomena cannot appear on the skin, since the dark pigments are completely absorbed by the laser pulse, preventing them from affecting the skin.
2. The laser procedure is practically harmless and does not affect human health.
3. This method, unlike others, does not cause an allergic reaction, since this radiation has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. No wonder the laser is actively used in various medical fields.
4. The method is versatile, since laser hair removal can be done on various parts of the body, including those with increased sensitivity - in the pubic area, on the face, in the armpits. And how many days after laser hair removal hair falls out, you can find out.
5. When compared with electrolysis, where each hair is removed separately, an area of ​​about 1.5 square meters is treated with a laser. cm.
6. The effectiveness of laser hair removal has been proven in the fight against the developed hairline in women, when the hairs grow intensively in the face and neck area.
7. This technique is a real salvation for the owners of sensitive skin, since, unlike some other options, in this case irritation is avoided.
8. The laser is recommended in difficult cases, when it comes to ingrown hairs in the bikini area, near the neck, in the presence of dark hair on light, pale skin.

On the video - laser hair removal:

Another important nuance of interest to patients: is it painful to do laser hair removal? No, there is no soreness, there is only a slight tingling sensation. But if a person has increased sensitivity, then there is the possibility of using local anesthetics - creams, lotions, which are applied to the skin before the procedure.

Types of devices for the procedure

They do a similar procedure in a clinic or beauty salon, but the institution must have a special license to provide these services. How is laser hair removal done? The procedure is carried out using special equipment, and today there are several types of devices. Which one is better? You can find out by familiarizing yourself with the features of each:

1. Ruby hair removal... Today, the ruby ​​laser is considered an obsolete technology, as it works exclusively on melanin. That is, hairs with dark pigmentation are subject to removal, and the laser beam does not "see" light vegetation. This technique has the risk of burns or pigmentation on tanned skin.
2. . For epilation, a chromium-rich alexandrite crystal is used. After it, the skin becomes smooth. This is ideal for the antennae area. This type of hair removal works well for brunettes with fair skin, as cells containing melanin are excellent at absorbing radiation. The darker the hair pigment, and the thicker it itself, the more effective the procedure and the more noticeable the result. But with this type of exposure, the risks of skin burns are slightly higher than with other types of laser. It is not recommended to epilate at least 14 days before or after tanning.
3. laser hair removal. Experts consider this method of removing unwanted vegetation to be the safest. Thanks to diode laser hair removal, the hair disappears 1.5-2 weeks after the manipulation. If we talk about who is suitable for this hair removal option, then many devices can be used for tanned skin, only it is necessary that it takes from 3 to 5 days after exposure to the sun. The diode laser procedure is painless, since the use of vacuum nozzles and a cooling system minimizes such sensations. The only thing that can be felt is a slight tingling sensation. After epilation, a slight hyperemia persists on the skin for an hour, then it disappears.
4. Neodymium epilation. Such radiation is perfectly absorbed by hemoglobin, therefore it is actively used for the treatment of vascular diseases, tattooing and skin rejuvenation. This epilation system is specially designed for people with dark and dark skin, therefore it is effective for tanned skin. You can also go through the procedure in the summer.

There is also equipment for laser hair removal of mixed types, for example, a combination of alexandrite and neodymium laser, they are able to eliminate hairs of any thickness.

How long does the procedure take?

The duration of the procedure depends on some factors (what kind of hair removal is performed, the treated area) and can be from 20 to 90 minutes. For example, it will take about 15 minutes to remove facial hair, and the area will take much longer - about an hour and a half.

The bulk of the hair is removed immediately after the procedure, and a small part of it falls out in a week and a half after epilation. But ? This question worries most of the girls who decided on this procedure. It is better to go through several laser sessions to get the greatest effect. This is due to the fact that the laser acts only on those hairs that grow, and this is about a quarter of the total amount of vegetation.

The video shows the best laser hair removal:

Some are interested in the question, how often will you have to go through the procedure? To completely get rid of hair, you need 4-6 sessions, the interval between which can be from a month to 2. Subsequent epilation is carried out when hairs begin to grow back on which the laser has not had its effect.

What to do after laser hair removal, and what should not be done categorically, that the effect lasted longer? Usually, a cosmetologist gives detailed recommendations for caring for skin that has undergone laser exposure, this includes the following:

1. After the manipulation, the skin is somewhat hyperemic, but this disappears after 2-3 hours. If the doctor recommends the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, then it is better to use them.
2. If you have had laser hair removal, the treated areas will feel very warm after the procedure. You can cool your skin with a regular piece of ice. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe treatment with a solution of Hydrocortisone or Solar Aloe gel.
3. Although damage to the skin when exposed to a laser is extremely rare, if this happens, then the area can be treated with Polysporin. The appearance of new hair on the treated area should not be scary, as this pushes dead hairs out of the skin layers to the surface.
4. Immediately after epilation, do not wet the skin or use cosmetics.
5. For several weeks after the procedure, baths and saunas are prohibited, since sweating increases during their visit, and this can cause inflammation of the hair follicles.
6. The prohibition also applies to sunbathing, and if you have to be under the sun, then you should use means with protection against UV rays.
7. The first time after manipulation, the skin requires careful handling, if you rub it, scratch it at this time, it is possible that scars will remain on it.

On video events after laser hair removal:

It is important to ask a specialist when it will be possible to start using the usual cosmetics.

Possible complications, how to deal with them

What signs can signal that something has gone wrong in the body? Alarming symptoms include:

1. Blistering, cracking of the skin. In this case, you should see a doctor, you may need to take antibacterial agents or use a bandage. But in any case, the doctor must know about the condition of his client.
2. Increased redness. As noted, flushing is normal after laser hair removal. But normally it goes away after a while. If this does not happen, and the skin becomes more and more reddened, it becomes hot and purulent discharge appears - this is a sign that an infectious agent has entered the body. It is better not to wait for the deterioration of the condition, but to immediately report this symptomatology to the doctor. And you can learn about laser hair removal during pregnancy by.

If spots appear on the skin after the procedure, then you should not despair. This is possible if the skin has a dark pigment, this phenomenon disappears after a few days or months. In this case, it is worth waiting and not rushing to the next session, making a longer interval.

In addition, the mandatory use of sunscreen and possibly whitening agents will be required.

But usually, experienced cosmetologists manage to avoid such side effects, since they more accurately select the appropriate type of laser and the exposure time.

In modern cosmetology, laser hair removal is considered the best option for getting rid of unwanted hair. Despite the presence of some contraindications and possible side effects, this demanded procedure has won the trust of doctors and clients. We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with laser hair removal of the antennae.

All materials on the site were prepared by specialists in the field of surgery, anatomy and specialized disciplines.
All recommendations are indicative and cannot be applied without consulting your doctor.

A ray of light is refracted several times in the eyeball before reaching the sensitive cells and further along the nerve pathway to the brain. The main place of this process is the lens. The way we perceive the object depends mainly on its properties and abilities. It is rather difficult to correct pathological changes in the lens; the most effective way is to replace it - a complex, high-tech operation.

But there is an alternative method - exposure to the cornea. This is one of the layers of the spherical eyeball. It is in it that the primary refraction of light occurs before it hits the lens. Non-surgical vision correction for hyperopia, myopia, or astigmatism involves the action of a laser on the cornea and a change in its curvature.

Indications for laser vision correction

The operation is performed for three main eye diseases:

• Myopia. This disease is also called myopia. It occurs as a result of a change in the shape (elongation) of the eyeball. In this case, the focus is not formed on the retina, but in front of it. As a result, the image appears blurry to a person. Correction of myopia is possible by wearing glasses, lenses, laser and surgical methods. Elimination of the cause of the disease - the altered shape of the eyeball, is currently impossible.
• Hyperopia. The disease occurs due to a decrease in the size of the eyeball, a decrease in the accommodation of the lens (often occurs in old age), and insufficient refractive power of the cornea. As a result, the focus of closely spaced objects is formed behind the retina, and they look indistinct. Farsightedness is often accompanied by headaches. Correction is performed by wearing glasses, lenses, laser operations.
• Astigmatism. This term denotes a violation of a person's ability to see clearly. It arises from irregularities in the shape of the eye, lens or cornea. The focus of the image is not formed on the retina. The disease is often accompanied by migraines, pain in the eyes, and rapid reading fatigue. It can be corrected by wearing special glasses with different longitudinal and transverse curvature of the lenses. But the most effective is laser surgery.

All these diseases are united under the general name "ametropia". This includes ailments associated with a problem with focusing the eye.

Indications for vision correction surgery for the described three diseases are:

1. The patient's desire to get rid of glasses, contact lenses.
2. Age from 18 to 45 years old.
3. Refractive indices for myopia - from -1 to -15 diopters, with hyperopia - up to +3 diopters, with astigmatism - up to +5 diopters.
4. Intolerance to glasses or contact lenses.
5. Professional needs of patients, the requirement for special visual acuity and speed of reaction to the image.
6. Stable vision. If the deterioration gradually progresses (more than 1 per year), then first it is necessary to stop this process, and then talk about laser correction.

Contraindications

The operation is not performed in the following cases:

Preparation for laser correction

The patient must stop wearing glasses or contact lenses at least a week before the correction. It is better to take a vacation for this time. This is necessary for the cornea to return to its natural shape. Then the correction will be more adequate and accurate. The doctor can increase the period of abandonment of artificial lenses at their discretion.

Each clinic has a list of necessary tests that must be passed before the operation. Usually this is the absence or presence of certain infections, blood tests, urine tests. The test results have a limited validity period - from 10 days to a month.

For two days, you need to stop drinking alcohol, using eye makeup. Before visiting the clinic, it is better to wash your hair and face. It is important to get a good night's sleep, calm down and not be nervous before laser vision correction. If the patient feels overly scared or anxious, the doctor may recommend mild sedatives.

Varieties of surgery

There are two main methods of performing correction - PRK (photorefractive keratoectomy) and (laser keratomyeliasis). The first operation allows to correct myopia up to 6 diopters, astigmatism up to 2.5-3 diopters. Both types of laser correction are performed sequentially: first on one eye, then on the other. But this happens within the framework of one operation.

For laser correction of hyperopia and myopia complicated by astigmatism, Lasik is often used. This is because PRK requires a long (up to 10 days) healing time. Each type of surgery has its pros and cons, but still Lasik is a more promising direction, so this method is most often preferred.

Photorefractive keratectomy

The operation is performed under local anesthesia. The doctor treats the eyelid and eyelashes with an antiseptic. Sometimes he additionally instills an antibiotic to prevent infection. The eye is fixed with an eyelid dilator and rinsed with saline.

At the first stage, the doctor removes the epithelium. He can accomplish this surgically, mechanically and laser. After this, the process of evaporation of the cornea begins. It is carried out only with a laser.

The method is limited by the required residual corneal thickness. To perform its functions, it must be at least 200-300 microns (0.2-0.3 mm). To determine the optimal shape of the cornea and, accordingly, the degree of its evaporation, complex calculations are carried out using special computer programs. The shape of the eyeball, the ability of the lens to accommodate, and visual acuity are taken into account.

In some cases, it is possible to refuse excision of the epithelium. Then the operations are faster and with less risk of complications. In Russia, a domestically produced unit "Profile-500" is used for this.

Laser intrastromal keratomyeliasis

Cooking is the same as for PRK. The cornea is marked with safe ink. A metal ring is put on the eye, which additionally fixes it in one position.

The operation takes place under local anesthesia in three stages. On the first the surgeon forms a flap from the cornea. It detaches the surface layer, leaving it attached to the underlying tissue, using a microkeratome instrument - specially modeled for eye microsurgery.

laser vision correction: the course of the operation

The doctor removes excess fluid with a sterile swab. In the second stage it folds the flap and produces laser vaporization of the cornea. The whole process takes less than one minute. The flap is also covered with a sterile swab at this time. In the third stage the separated piece is placed in its place, according to the previously applied marks. By rinsing the eye with sterile water, the doctor smoothes the flap. No suture is required, the cut piece is fixed on its own due to negative pressure inside the cornea.

The possibility of performing an operation is largely determined by the anatomical structure of the patient's eye. For its implementation, it is necessary that the cornea of ​​the eye is of sufficient size. The flap must be at least 150 microns thick. The deep layers of the cornea remaining after evaporation are at least 250 microns.

Video: how laser vision correction is done

Postoperative period, patient reminder

On the first day after laser correction, the following reactions are normal:

• Pain in the operated eye. With Lasik, it is, as a rule, insignificant, it feels like getting under the eyelid of a foreign object.
• Discomfort when looking at light.
• Lachrymation.

The patient is prescribed a course of antibiotics and corticosteroids to prevent the development of infectious or non-infectious inflammation. Beta blockers may be prescribed to prevent an increase in intraocular pressure.

In the first few days after surgery, the patient is advised to:

• Stay in a darkened room. Light can cause pain, pain in the eyes. It unnecessarily irritates the cornea, which prevents it from healing.
• Avoid touching the eye, especially on the first day. Important! It may seem to the patient that a speck has got under his eyelid; there is no need to try to remove it! If the discomfort is very severe, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. If there is no cause for concern, he may prescribe desensitizing agents.
• Refusal to shower and wash. It is very important that you do not get on the eye of any chemical agents that may be contained in soap or shampoo. Even water can sometimes have a negative effect on the operated eye.
• Refusal from alcohol before completing the course of taking medications. Antibiotics are incompatible with alcohol. It also impairs the action of many other drugs.

During the first few weeks, it is advisable to:

1. Quit smoking and visiting polluted places. The smoke has a bad effect on the cornea, causes it to dry, impairs its nutrition and blood supply. This may make it slower to heal.
2. Do not engage in sports that may affect the eyes - swimming, wrestling, etc. Corneal injuries during the recovery period are extremely undesirable and can lead to irreparable consequences.
3. Avoid eye strain. It's important not to spend a lot of time in front of a computer, reading a book, or watching TV. It is also worth giving up driving in the evening.
4. Avoid bright light, wear sunglasses.
5. Do not use cosmetics for eyelids and eyelashes.
6. Do not wear contact lenses for 1-2 weeks.

Risks and consequences of the operation

There are early and late postoperative complications. The former usually appear within a few days. These include:

• Non-healing corneal erosion. Its treatment is rather complicated, it requires consultation of narrow specialists. Common methods of therapy are the use of collagen coatings of the cornea, contact vision correction (use of soft lenses).
• Decrease in the thickness of the epithelial layer, its progressive destruction. It is accompanied by edema, the development of erosion.
• Keratitis (inflammation of the eye). It can be infectious and non-infectious in nature. Keratitis manifests itself in redness of the eye, pain, irritation.
• Opacities in the areas of evaporation of the cornea. They can occur at later stages of the rehabilitation period. They are caused by excessive evaporation of corneal tissue. Complication usually responds well to resorption therapy. In some cases, you have to resort to reoperation.

The overall incidence of long-term complications in Lasik is 1-5%, with PRK - 2-5%. In the later stages, the following negative consequences of laser correction may appear:

Restoration of vision

For the final establishment of the success or failure of the operation, as well as for the stabilization of its results, usually a rather long time must pass. The recovery period can last up to 3 months. Only after its expiration, a conclusion is made about the effectiveness of treatment, as well as about subsequent corrective measures.

Results vary depending on the type of surgery, the underlying disorder and the degree of visual impairment. The best results are possible with correction at the initial stages of the violation.

With myopia

The most predictable operation is Lasik. It allows in 80% of cases to achieve correction with an accuracy of 0.5 diopters. In half of the cases, in patients with slight myopia, vision is completely restored (acuity value - 1.0). In 90% of cases, it improves to 0.5 and above.

With severe myopia (more than 10 diopters), in 10% of cases, a second operation may be required. In this case, it is called additional correction. During its implementation, the already cut off flap is raised and additional evaporation of a part of the cornea is carried out. Such operations are performed 3 and / or 6 months after the first procedure.

Precise data on PRK vision correction is difficult to provide. The average visual acuity is 0.8. The accuracy of the operation is not very high. Undercorrection or overcorrection is diagnosed in 22% of cases. Visual impairment occurs in 9.7% of patients. In 12% of cases, the result is not stabilized. The big advantage of using PRK over Lasik is the low risk of keratoconus after surgery.

With hyperopia

In this case, the restoration of vision even by the Lasik method does not follow such an optimistic scenario. Only in 80% of cases it is possible to achieve an indicator of visual acuity of 0.5 and higher. Only in one third of patients, the function of the eye is restored completely. The accuracy of the operation in the treatment of hyperopia also suffers: only 60% of patients have a deviation from the planned value of refraction by less than 0.5 diopters.

PRK is used for the treatment of hyperopia only with contraindications to the Lasik method. The results of such a correction are rather unstable, which means that over the years, quite serious regression is possible. With a weak degree of hyperopia, it is satisfactory only in 60-80% of cases, and with severe violations - only in 40% of cases.

With astigmatism

In this disease, both methods manifest themselves in almost the same way. Studies from 2013 were published on the Ophthalmology Portal. According to the results of observations, “There was no statistically significant difference in efficacy [efficacy index = 0.76 (± 0.32) for PRK versus 0.74 (± 0.19) for LASIK (P = 0.82)], safety [safety index = 1 , 10 (± 0.26) for PRK versus 1.01 (± 0.17) for LASIK (P = 0.121)] or predictability [achieved: astigmatism<1 Д в 39% операций, выполненных методом ФРК и 54% - методом ЛАСИК и <2 D в 88% ФРК и 89% ЛАСИК (P = 0,218)”.

Nevertheless, it should be noted that the percentage of successful operations is not very high - 74-76%. And also the improvement of vision when using the Lasik method is slightly higher than with PRK.

The cost of laser vision correction, surgery under the compulsory medical insurance policy

The question of the possibility of free vision correction is rather controversial. Insurance companies tend to classify such operations as cosmetic, which, according to the law, are paid for by patients themselves.

There is information about the possibility of obtaining such assistance for servicemen and their relatives in military hospitals. So, on the website of the Military Medical Academy. CM. Kirov of the city of St. Petersburg it is indicated: “The Academy conducts inpatient and outpatient reception of military personnel and their families, as well as citizens who have compulsory medical insurance policies or voluntary health insurance companies that have concluded an agreement with the Military Medical Academy. Without a policy, VMA provides services to the population on a paid basis. ” The list of provided medical procedures includes “ laser correction of visual acuity“. Probably, in general practice, such operations are carried out free of charge if there is an agreement with a specific hospital in the region of service / residence of the military and the technical capabilities of the medical institution.

In the overwhelming majority of laser vision correction surgeries are carried out on a paid basis. However, working citizens, by writing an application, can return a tax deduction of 13%. Also, many companies provide discounts to their regular customers and some social groups - pensioners, disabled people, students.

The cost depends on the type of operation, clinic and region. On average, PRK costs 15,000 rubles in Moscow. Lasik, depending on the modification of the method - from 20,000 to 35,000 rubles. Prices are for vision correction on one eye.

Clinics in Moscow and St. Petersburg

The most popular and well-known in the two largest cities of Russia are the following medical centers:

To do or not to do vision correction is a question that the patient must decide for himself first of all. This operation is not considered necessary or vital. However, most patients who have undergone laser correction report a huge improvement in the quality of life and their well-being.

Video: LASIK laser vision correction - patient review

Video: laser vision correction - the course of the operation