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See how ideals of beauty around the world have evolved over the centuries in this kaleidoscope of images that changes throughout the site. |
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Ten people, 10 days
and the challenge to
the best experts in
the field: make these willing guinea pigs look 10 Years Younger. |
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Check this page regularly to find out what's making the headlines – be it health scares or new advances – in the world of cosmetic treatments. |
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Lasers produce a high-intensity ray of pure light which gives off heat energy. This energy is absorbed by different body tissues, depending on the colour of the laser beam. That's why laser light can pass safely through the skin, and destroy targeted cells under the surface without harming surrounding areas. For hair removal, the heat energy damages the cells at the root of the hair, thus preventing further growth. |
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The treatment can be used on the face or on any other part of the body including bikini line, under arms, legs and stomach. The treatment works best on new hairs that are just starting to grow, which is why you will need several treatments in the same area to deal with all the hairs as they begin their growth cycle. |
 It probably won't remove all hair permanently, but should reduce growth significantly, and any regrowth is likely to be paler and weaker. Lasers are targeted at pigmented tissue, so they don't work on white, grey or platinum blonde hair.
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As with any cosmetic treatment, you should consult a qualified practitioner before deciding to go ahead.
You may need to wear goggles, depending on the laser system used. A cooling gel or spray, or even an anaesthetic cream may be applied to the treatment area. Lasering stings or tingles, and takes 15-45 minutes, depending on the size of the area. The same area is lasered once a month for two to eight months, until all the hair follicles have been treated.
After treatment the skin may look red and slightly swollen, but this should disappear within 24 hours. You can return to normal daily life straight away. |
Most people need at least three sessions for best effect. The damaged hairs are shed gradually in the two weeks after treatment.
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The treatment works best, and has fewest risks, on pale skin. Let any sun tan fade before you consider treatment. The skin can be left with dark marks or pale patches, which should fade over several months. Lasers don't always work well on red hair. Because laser energy is absorbed by pigment, it may not be suitable for people with darker complexions, because of the risk of too much energy being absorbed and damaging the skin. People with Mediterranean complexions can be treated, but with care.
You should also avoid laser treatment if you are particularly sensitive to light or have any infection around the place to be treated. You should not have laser treatment if you have been treated for acne with Isotretinoin in the previous year.
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Treatment can be given by medical professionals, or by trained beauticians. |
Treatment starts at around £40 per session for a small area, rising to £400 for larger areas. Most people need a minimum of three sessions for good results. |
Shaving equipment, creams, bleaches and other preparations are widely available. Most of these are easy and quick to use, but regrowth is rapid.
Hair can be waxed away, but this can be quite painful and has to be repeated regularly.
Electrolysis is still offered by some clinics, but this is a painful treatment which can cause scars, and is best suited to small areas because each hair has to be treated individually.
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Channel 4 Television takes no responsibility for the content of any third-party sites.
Organisation
British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
c/o The Royal College of Surgeons of England
35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London WC2A 3PE
Advice Line: 020 7405 2234
E-mail: info@baaps.org.uk
Website: www.baaps.org.uk
Offers information about aesthetic plastic surgery; its website features a search facility for accredited surgeons.
Links
The Consulting Room
www.consultingroom.org
Good UK site that provides a wide range of impartial and independent cosmetic and medical information and demystifies the world of cosmetic treatments.
Consumer Guide to Laser Hair Removal
www.consumerlaserguide.com
The American Institute of Laser Medicine offers a factsheet describing who would be suitable for laser hair removal.
Hair Facts
www.hairfacts.com/tips/laserchoose.html
Excellent site with information on how to choose a light-based hair removal practitioner.
Unwanted Hair: Treatments
www.skincarephysicians.com/agingskinnet/unwanted_hair.html
Website of the American Academy of Dermatology offers advice on long-term and permanent hair removal by laser.
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Books
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Milady's Hair Removal Techniques by Helen Bickmore (Delmar, January 2004)
Explains the evolution of methods of hair removal, with anecdotal historical information; tells how each method works to remove hair, including the length of time before re-growth. Step-by-step procedures are shown with photographs and illustrations for each stage.
Get this book from Amazon
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