Forget razors and hot wax, the world of hair removal has moved on to more modern and permanent kinds of hair removal treatments, one of which is the laser hair removal treatment. Using highly effective and powerful laser technologies, this method directly attacks unwanted hair from its roots and permanently reduces its growth. This means hair-free skin for months or even years at a stretch!
There are many types of laser treatments available today, thanks to the advent of technology. One of the popular and preferred laser types is the diode laser. In this article, we will discuss diode laser treatment as a laser hair removal option, its benefits, disadvantages and some other alternatives.
What is a Diode Laser Treatment?
Diode laser hair removal is a cosmetic treatment or procedure that features a diode laser which safely emits light from the visible to the infrared range and gently removes unwanted hair from the skin while preventing the skin from damage. It’s a long-term solution to hair removal woes, with minimal discomfort.
How Does a Diode Laser Work?
Diode laser treatment works on the principle of ‘selective photothermolysis,’ an optical technique that points heat at the target hair follicles without damaging the surrounding tissue. A diode laser machine uses this technique to target the melanin in the hair follicles of unwanted body hair to permanently reduce growth and give you flawless skin. Often this laser is used along with cooling technology to reduce any pain or discomfort that the laser might cause.
Benefits of Diode Treatment
- Since this laser has a higher wavelength it can easily penetrate into the deeper layers of your skin and hence is more effective.
- You might require fewer sessions of laser with the diode laser due to its efficacy.
- The higher wavelength in this laser is ideal for darker skin tones with coarser hair.
- It can quickly remove large areas of hair.
- After using this laser, your skin will take a shorter time to recover.
- It gives a stable reduction and almost 90% hair reduction in only a few sessions.
Disadvantages of Diode Treatment
- The higher wavelengths in this laser can cause more pain and discomfort.
- This laser is not suitable for people with lighter skin and finer hair.
- Post-treatment you may observe irritation, redness and swelling on your skin.
- Sometimes, this procedure can cause pigmentation or changes in skin tones in certain areas.
Other Treatments For Removing Unwanted Hair
Now that you know about the diode laser and are looking for other options, you can consider IPL, Nd:YAG and a makeO skin treatment too. What are these methods? Read below:
IPL
IPL or Intense Pulsed Light is a procedure in which pulsed light is used instead of a laser to remove unwanted hair. IPL is a customisable procedure in which wavelength and power can be changed according to the user’s skin and hair type.
ND:YAG Laser
ND:YAG laser is another effective laser with 4 energy levels that can successfully attack the hair follicles without causing damage to surrounding areas. This laser works in the same way as the IPL, however, it is known for giving longer-lasting results and it particularly suits the darker shades of hair.
makeO Skin Laser Hair Reduction
Lastly, at makeO skin, we use the latest 4-wavelength laser with ice-cool technology which works effectively on all skin tones and hair types without causing pain! So no matter your tone or texture of hair, you can always book a free trial with makeO skin and check if our laser hair reduction procedure is for you. With makeO skin, you don’t even have to worry about constant trips to a skin clinic or spending an exorbitant amount of money to achieve the well-groomed skin of your dreams. makeO skin experts offer at-home services to do these laser treatments and you can choose from many affordable EMI options for laser hair reduction starting from Rs. 2,300/ month only.
FAQs
Is diode laser good for hair removal? Yes, the diode laser is good for permanent hair removal, especially for medium to darker skin tones with coarser hair. It can successfully give you permanent hair reduction and a well-groomed body in a few sessions.
Which is better, the diode or the IPL laser? While both the diode and IPL procedures have their advantages, the diode laser is considered to be more effective and fast for getting rid of unwanted body hair and its results are comparatively more long-lasting!
Does hair grow back after a diode laser? Since no laser treatment can permanently “remove” hair, only permanently “reduce” it, your hair may grow back after the diode laser treatment but it will take a long time and the growth may not be as thick or noticeable as before.
What are the negative effects of diode lasers? Some common redness, irritation and swelling may occur temporarily post-treatment. Some uncommon side effects of the diode laser are possible burns, blisters, scabs, hypersensitivity etc. Both men and women can have darker, coarser hair appear in unwanted places, impacting their level of comfort and confidence, especially when facing a more revealing summer or vacation wardrobe. While some may resort to at-home or spa waxing treatments to remove unwanted hair, professional laser hair removal offers a better, longer-lasting solution than shaving, depilatories, and waxing.
However, not all lasers are created equal, so when you’re ready to address your unwanted hair concerns, you’ll want to research options such as Diode laser hair removal vs IPL (intense pulsed light) and which one is right for you. Short for ‘Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation,’ a laser device directs a narrow beam of light at a particular wavelength to be absorbed by the pigment (referred to as melanin) located in each hair follicle. The light vaporizes the pigment, which impedes hair growth. The wavelength of a laser is particularly important, as shorter wavelengths can damage the natural melanin in medium to deep skin tones rather than the pigment found in hair follicles. In general, professional laser hair removal is a safe, effective, and convenient method of hair removal that offers long-lasting results with minimal discomfort when compared to other treatment options.
Long-lasting results: While results will vary, most patients experience permanent hair reduction after several sessions. Precision: Lasers can selectively target dark, coarse hairs without damaging the surrounding skin. This precision is ideal for treating sensitive areas such as the face, bikini line, and underarms. Less discomfort: Unlike waxing, laser hair removal is relatively painless, with most people describing the sensation as mild discomfort or a slight snapping sensation. It can also help reduce the occurrence of ingrown hairs.
At Eliopoulos Plastic Surgery and Med Spa, our LightSheer Diode laser hair removal efficiently targets the hair follicle while leaving skin of those with deeper skin tones unharmed (up to skin type V). It’s important to mention that, like any form of hair removal, Diode laser hair removal helps patients achieve permanent hair reduction. Hair follicles that were destroyed will not grow hair again; however, it is common for some hair to grow back in follicles that were not completely destroyed due to where you are in the hair growth cycle. That’s why, in general, we space out treatments 4-6 weeks to best target the hair at each stage of its growth cycle.
IPL hair removal works differently than Diode laser hair removal, primarily because an IPL device is not a real laser. IPL is short for ‘Intense Pulsed Light.’ Where a traditional laser emits a distinct wavelength of light, an IPL device emits a broad spectrum of light with multiple wavelengths. IPL hair removal can be a suitable alternative for those with pale skin and dark hair that has begun to grow in unwanted places. Like Diode laser hair removal, hair eliminated with IPL treatment is only considered permanently reduced and can potentially grow back over time.
Which Hair Removal Treatment is Best? There are several considerations when choosing Diode laser hair removal versus IPL hair removal, the first being skin type. The best way to understand your skin type is to refer to the Fitzpatrick scale, which classifies skin tone from 1 to 6, ranging from lightest to deepest. Trained and experienced laser hair removal professionals are the best points of consultation for treatment, as they are most mindful of treatment considerations, such as skin tone and hair color.
If you are interested in an alternative to painful repetitive waxing, messy depilatories, and inconvenient shaving, then our laser hair removal treatment may be for you! While the focus in this article is on diode laser technology, it’s important to choose a reputable clinic and to understand the specific device and parameters used for your skin and hair type.
Note: This article synthesizes common information about diode laser hair removal, IPL, and Nd:YAG systems, including practical considerations such as skin tone, hair type, session count, and post-treatment care.
Short for ‘Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation,’ a laser device directs a narrow beam of light at a particular wavelength to be absorbed by the pigment located in each hair follicle. The light vaporizes the pigment, which impedes hair growth. The wavelength of a laser is particularly important, as shorter wavelengths can damage the natural melanin in medium to deep skin tones rather than the pigment found in hair follicles.