Laser hair removal in Bratislava

You can undergo laser hair removal in Bratislava at the Doktorpro medical center. Appointments for the procedure are available 24/7.

Inmode Diolaze laser hair removal device used at Doktorpro

What is laser hair removal

Laser hair removal is a method of removing unwanted hair on the face and body by concentrated light radiation. Diode laser hair removal is done with a laser emitting light with a wavelength of about 800-810 nm. The procedure targets the destruction of hair follicles, which leads to the cessation of hair growth.

Operation principle of laser hair removal

Laser hair removal works by using concentrated light energy, which is absorbed by melanin – the pigment found in hair. Consequently, the hair follicles are heated and destroyed, the hair starts growing slower, and when the course of hair removal is over, it almost completely disappears (single thin and light hairs may appear from time to time).

Laser hair removal is effective for anagen-phase (active growth stage) hair follicles only. The follicles themselves do not develop concurrently. While some are growing intensively, others remain in the telogen phase (idle stage) and become active over time. Therefore, achieving a lasting result requires a course of several treatments, so the exact number of procedures is selected individually, based on the patient's hair growth cycle.

A single session of laser hair removal lasts from 10 minutes to one hour/hour and a half, depending on the treated area and the hair density. These are the stages of the laser hair removal procedure:

1. The treated area is cleaned from surface impurities and shaved off single hairs (if any). To protect the eyes from laser radiation, the patient is given special glasses.
2. A conductive gel is applied to the treatment area to enhance the glide of the laser handpiece over the skin and reduce discomfort during the procedure.
3. The device is adjusted according to the patient’s hair and skin type, after which the laser handpiece is applied to the body and gently moved along the treatment area.
4. Once the procedure is finished, a cream with anti-inflammatory and regenerating effects is applied to the skin. 

Specialists at the Doktorpro medical center in Bratislava use the InMode Triton Systems multifunctional platform for laser hair removal, ensuring a gentle impact on the skin. Hair is removed with the high-speed Diolaze XL nozzle, which provides a precise impact on the hair follicles, minimizing the risk of bruising and burns.

What areas laser hair removal is effective for

You can get rid of unwanted hair on the face and body with laser hair removal. For example, treatment can be performed on the entire face or on specific areas such as the glabella, forehead, cheeks, chin, upper lip, and nose. Other areas where laser hair removal is effective:

• Legs (thighs, knees, shins, back of the foot, toes);
• Arms (underarm area, hands, fingers);
• Body (neck, chest, abdomen, back, lower back).

Laser hair removal is also used to remove hair in female and male genital areas. These areas include the areolas, buttocks, intergluteal fold, pubic area, as well as the labia in women and the scrotum in men.

Advantages of hybrid (diode and alexandrite) laser hair removal

The modern cosmetology regards laser hair removal as the safest method of hair removal. This procedure neither traumatizes nor causes scarring of the surrounding tissues; moreover, it does not require long-term rehabilitation. Other advantages of diode and alexandrite laser hair removal: 

• High treatment speed. The Diolaze XL nozzle has a power of up to five pulses per second, which significantly speeds up the treatment of large areas (thighs, back, buttocks);
• Ergonomic design. The shape of the applicator is designed for convenient use on hard-to-reach areas such as the bikini line, underarms, and intergluteal fold;
• Versatility. By combining different wavelengths, the Diolaze XL nozzle can remove stiff dark hair and fine blonde hair with equal effectiveness in both fair and dark-skinned patients.

At Doktorpro medical center, laser hair removal is painless. The Diolaze XL nozzle is equipped with 3D contact cooling technology, which reduces discomfort during the procedure. Cooling is applied before, during, and after the pulse impact.

Indications for laser hair removal

Laser hair removal can be done from the age of 18. During puberty, changes in hormone levels lead to the active growth of vellus hair, which is often ineffective to remove with laser treatment. These are the indications for laser hair removal with diode and alexandrite laser:

• Hypertrichosis (excessive body hair growth in men and women);
• Hirsutism (excessive male-like body hair in women);
• Frequent skin irritation and inflammation after mechanical hair removal (waxing, sugaring, shaving);
• Stiff body hair difficult to remove mechanically.

Laser hair removal should be done in case of hair ingrowth into the skin after waxing, sugaring, or shaving. Another indication for laser hair removal is rapid hair growth after mechanical removal.

Laser hair removal is not conducted if there are open wounds (burns, cuts, cracks) in the treated area. The procedure is also contraindicated for patients with dermatologic diseases (psoriasis, lichen, impetigo, eczema).

If you have symptoms of skin diseases, you should schedule a consultation with a dermatologist so that the doctor can examine the affected area, if necessary, prescribe laboratory tests, make a diagnosis, and order a course of therapy. Following successful treatment, the dermatologist shall advise on the feasibility of laser hair removal. Other contraindications to laser hair removal:

• Diabetes mellitus;
• Pregnancy and lactation;
• Cancer of any localization;
• Tattoos, pigmented spots, multiple moles (especially dark moles) in the epilation area;
• Recent intake of certain medications (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, anticoagulants, hemostatics);
• Blood clotting disorders (tendency to bleeding and thrombosis);
• Sunburns and fresh tanning;
• Varicose veins;
• Acute infectious diseases (influenza, ARVIs, STDs);
• Tendency to cicatricial keloid.

Laser hair removal can be done during menstruation, however, during periods, skin sensitivity may increase and pain threshold may decrease. Therefore, the procedure can be postponed to avoid excessive discomfort.

Issues addressed by laser hair removal

Laser hair removal is beneficial because of its ability to slow down and then stop the growth of unwanted body hair, sparing a person from having to spend time and financial resources on frequent hair removal (waxing, shaving, or sugaring). Other issues that can be addressed with laser hair removal:

• Constant skin irritation after mechanical hair removal (especially in the hot season);
• Hair ingrowth into the skin after shaving, waxing, or sugaring;
• Bumpy and rough skin after mechanical hair removal;
• Allergic reaction to components of shaving gels and creams, sugaring mixtures, and depilation wax.

Additionally, laser hair removal solves the issue of painful sensations associated with sugaring, waxing, and plucking. Laser hair removal is almost painless. The patient may feel a slight tingling or burning sensation, which goes away by the end of the laser hair removal session.

Getting ready for laser hair removal

14 days before laser hair removal, as agreed with your doctor, it is recommended to stop taking drugs that can increase skin photosensitivity and the risk of skin injury during the procedure (antibiotics, diuretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Be sure to warn the cosmetologist about taking medications that affect blood clotting (hemostatics, anticoagulants). It may be required to temporarily withdraw them or reduce the daily dose to avoid impairment of tissue regeneration. Other rules for getting ready for laser hair removal:

• Refrain from sunbathing and tanning for two to four weeks before the session;
• Avoid mechanical hair removal (waxing, sugaring, or plucking) for three to four weeks before the procedure;
• Avoid bleaching hair or treating the skin with products containing aggressive components (alcohol, retinoids, acids, abrasive particles) for at least 14 days before laser hair removal;
• Avoid applying cosmetic products (creams, lotions, oils, makeup) to the skin on the day of the session.

Remove the hair in the epilation area with a razor avoiding cuts 8-12 hours before the procedure. Otherwise, long hairs will absorb laser radiation and heat up, thus increasing the risk of burns on the skin after laser hair removal.

Number of laser hair removal sessions

The duration of the laser hair removal course shall be determined individually for each patient depending on the hair density, color, and type. 6 to 10 sessions of laser hair removal are required to achieve a lasting result (the recommended number of procedures may vary for different areas). Residual hair follicles can reactivate over time, causing single hairs or “islands” of hair to appear. Periodic maintenance treatments may be needed to remove them.

Laser hair removal for women in Bratislava

The most popular laser hair removal areas for women are the legs, underarms, and bikini area, where an average of six to eight treatments are required to remove hair. Areas with minor hair growth (upper lip, chin, fingers) may require three to four laser hair removal sessions. 

As a rule, women's hair is finer and less dense than men's hair. Therefore, laser hair removal often produces visible results after the first two or three sessions.

Laser hair removal for men in Bratislava

Male laser hair removal is most in demand on the chin and cheeks, neck, shoulders and chest, underarms, and bikini area. Unlike women, men's hair is often dark, thick, and stiff. Removing this hair requires a high-power laser device and a greater number of sessions. The duration of laser hair removal course for men can range from 10 to 12 procedures.

Owing to high testosterone levels, men's hair grows faster. Thus, after completing a full course of laser hair removal, maintenance treatments to remove single hairs may be prescribed every five to six months.

Skin care after laser hair removal

During the first few days after laser hair removal, the skin may show swelling, redness, and itching. To relieve irritation after laser hair removal, it is recommended to apply panthenol remedies to the treatment area. Cold compresses are also allowed to reduce swelling and itching.

It is not recommended to remove dead hair after laser hair removal by plucking to avoid skin inflammation. Generally, within 10 days after laser hair removal, the dead hair will fall out automatically. Additional recommendations after laser hair removal:

• Avoid using cosmetics with aggressive ingredients (scrubs, alcohol-containing lotions, acid peels) for one to two weeks;
• Refrain from using shower poufs and hard towels until redness and itching disappear;
• Avoid visiting saunas, baths, and swimming pools, refrain from swimming in open water bodies and hot baths (warm showers are allowed) for three to five days;
• Exclude intensive athletic exercise and massage in the epilation area for two to three days.

Within two to four weeks after laser hair removal, avoid sunbathing and tanning. Before going outdoors in summer, you should apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to your skin.

You can shave on about the fifth day after laser hair removal. You can also use depilation cream to remove regrowing hair. Sugaring and waxing are not allowed after laser hair removal to avoid damage to follicles, thus reducing the effect of the next session.

If the recommendations for skin care after the procedure are followed, laser hair removal shall not cause harm. However, excessive sweating, poor hygiene, scratching the treated area, and swimming in public pools and open water bodies can lead to infection, inflammation of hair follicles, and development of folliculitis after laser hair removal. An inflammation of follicles can be recognized by the formation of red itchy pimples on the skin after laser hair removal, which can be filled with purulence.

Another negative consequence of laser hair removal can cause dark pigmented spots on the skin. Pigmentation after laser hair removal is often caused by tanning too early or refusal to use sunscreen.

Results and effects of laser hair removal

After the first time, laser hair removal lasts for two to four weeks (depending on the treated area and individual hair growth cycle). Then, the idle follicles are activated and new hair appears on the body. However, after each session, their growth rate slows down and the interval between laser hair removal increases to one and a half to two months. Patients who have undergone a full course of laser hair removal may be scheduled for maintenance treatments every 6-12 months.

The first three laser hair removal treatments with the Diolaze XL nozzle will result in the removal of about 67% of hair. By the end of the course, up to 90% of follicles can be destroyed. Laser hair removal provides a long-lasting effect. Once the course is completed, the treated area remains almost hair-free for two to five years.

You can book an appointment for laser hair removal at the Doktorpro medical center in Bratislava by calling the phone number specified on the website or using the appointment form. You can also inquire about the cost of laser hair removal by phone or on the website. The price of laser hair removal depends on the treated area and hair density.