What are the dangers of Laser Hair Removal

Posted on 06/17/2010 by Administrator

Laser is a relatively new entrant compared to other means of hair removal and it became a popular  method by the late 1990′s. The popularity of laser hair removal is attributed to the speed and

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efficacy of this method. This method can successfully remove hair in a larger area, in a very short time. Laser hair removal is often touted as a solution for permanent hair removal but the FDA has certified it as a mode of permanent hair reduction. While this method is totally effective for some people, others may require repeated sessions every year to prevent regrowth of hair.

Laser Hair Removal: Process

The principle behind laser hair removal is that the lasers used for this purpose selectively target only dark matter (hair follicles) in the area and generally do not affect the skin. Almost all hair removal lasers identify melanin as the dark target matter. Melanin is the coloring pigment in the skin and the hair. It can be of two types – eumelanin, which is responsible for the black or brown color and pheomelanin, which gives the red or blonde color. As the lasers can detect only the dark matter, removal of red or blonde-colored hair is not done through this method. Lasers are best capable of removing black or brown hair and the best suited combination for this method is light skin with dark hair. However, this created problems for dark-skinned people, whose skin also got affected with the laser, but this problem has now been solved by the new lasers introduced for this purpose.

Laser Hair Removal: Side-Effects

Laser hair removal, although considered as a safe option for removing unwanted hair, can cause side-effects too. Side-effects are caused mainly due to lack of skills on the part of the practitioner or due to the use of low-quality devices, which are not approved by the FDA. Side-effects can vary from person to person. Some people may not experience any side-effects, whereas others suffer a lot. The following is a list of common side-effects caused by laser hair removal.

  • The most common among the side-effects of using laser for hair removal is swelling and redness of the skin, which is more likely to be experienced by people with a sensitive skin. This problem can get worse in areas of sensitive skin and sometimes may be accompanied by pain. You can ask for some topical application to treat the problem. Usually it subsides in two to three days.
  • Another problem is skin discoloration, which can be either hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. Lasers can block the production of melanin in the skin, resulting in a lighter skin tone called hypopigmentation. In some people, it can cause overproduction of melanin, termed as hyperpigmentation. Both conditions are more commonly found in people with darker skin. Most cases of hyperpigmentation are reversible, but in case of hypopigmentation it is not reversible.
  • Laser hair removal can also cause burns, mostly in dark-skinned people, as laser is quickly absorbed by dark skin. Most of the burns caused by this method of hair removal are mild, but there have been reports of severe burns too.
  • Some embarrassing conditions resulting from laser hair removal is the regrowth of hair in patches and blisters. Blisters may also cause pain, apart from the unpleasant appearance.
  • There are rare cases of serious side-effects like reticulate erythema, which is characterized by a long lasting redness of the skin resembling a web-like pattern. This is caused as a result of repeated sessions of laser hair removal.
  • Another serious side-effect is uveitis, caused by the use of laser for removal of hair in the eyebrows. This condition is caused when the lasers used are of longer wavelength. Uveitis is the inflammation of the uveal tract, which lines the inside of the eye behind the cornea.
  • There are also chances of blindness, if the lasers are used in close proximity to the eyes.

Mostly, the side-effects caused by lasers are very mild, but always make sure to consult a licensed practitioner, who uses safe machines. Laser machines are approved by the FDA too. You can go for a device which has been approved by the FDA. Check for the credentials of the practitioner and ask him to make sure that you are suitable for this method of hair removal.

If you live in the metro Denver Boulder area please come see us for your laser hair removal needs at Bella Pelle Laser in Broomfield

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Protect Your Breasts With Vitamin D

Posted on 06/14/2010 by Administrator

by: Christiane Northrup, MD

There’s a paradigm shift going on in medicine as new research reveals a far greater role for vitamin D. Vitamin D is not just for kids — or the prevention of rickets. Optimal levels of Vitamin D(40-80 ng/ml) enhance the creation and functioning of healthy cells throughout the body. In addition to protecting the bones and boosting the immune system, studies show that Vitamin D helps prevent certain cancers, including breast, ovarian, prostate, and colorectal.Exciting new research shows that in the U.S. alone, thousands of new cases of breast cancer could be prevented every year if more women had optimal levels of vitamin D.

A study conducted by Cedric Garland and other prominent vitamin D researchers determined that women with vitamin D levels above 52 ng/ml have half the risk of developing breast cancer as those with 13 ng/ml! Garland (et al) estimates that 58,000 new cases of breast cancer in the U.S. could be prevented per year by raising vitamin D levels to 52 ng/ml. Imagine what the global impact could be!

A simple blood test is all that’s needed to find out your vitamin D level. Five years ago, a range of 20-100 ng/ml was considered normal. Just recently, this range was raised to 32-100 ng/ml. Make sure to ask your healthcare provider what your actual vitamin D level is. Too often women are told that their levels are normal, which is not the same as optimal.

If you’re deficient, the best way to boost your vitamin D quickly is to supplement with vitamin D-3. Initially, you may need to take 5,000 IUs per day. After establishing a healthy level, I recommend supplementing with1,000-2,000 IUs per day–it’s hard to get all you need from food. Some healthy fish provides 300-700 IUs, but milk only provides 100 IUs per glass.

You may be surprised to learn that the sun is actually the best source of vitamin D. The sun’s UVB rays enable our bodies to manufacture vitamin D in the fat layer under the skin, as long as we don’t use sunscreen. The body can make enough vitamin D from sun exposure to last the entire year! And it will never create toxic levels, regardless of how long you expose your skin. Although we are taught to fear the sun, sunbathing in moderation — exposing but never burning the skin — is good for us. This may explain why the incidence of breast cancer is higher in northern latitudes than at the equator.

I encourage every woman to check her vitamin D level regularly and keep it in the optimal range. This is easily done by supplementing with about 2,000 IUs of vitamin D-3 per day and getting regular, safe sun exposure. (You can even visit a tanning salon that offers UVB tanning rays.) Your breasts and your entire body will benefit. This is preventive medicine at its finest.

References:

1. Staud, R., 2005. Vitamin D: more than just affecting calcium and bone. Curr Rheumatol Rep, Oct;7(5):356-64.
2. Staud, R., 2005. Vitamin D: more than just affecting calcium and bone. Curr Rheumatol Rep, Oct;7(5):356-64.
3. Cannell, J.J., Hollis, B.W. 2008. Use of vitamin D in clinical practice, Altern Med Rev, Mar;13(1):6-20.
4. Cannell, J.J., et al. 2008. On the epidemiology of influenza, Virol J, Feb 25;5:29.
5. Holick, M.F. 2004. Vitamin D: importance in the prevention of cancers, type 1 diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis, Am J Clin Nutr, 79:362-71.
6. Garland, C.F., et al. 2009 Vitamin D for cancer prevention: global perspective, Ann Epidemiol. Jul;19(7):468-83.
7. Garland, C.F., et al. 2007. Vitamin D and prevention of breast cancer: pooled analysis., J Steroid Biochem Mol BiolMar;103(3-5):708-11.

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Fish oil and healthy skin.

Posted on 06/12/2010 by Administrator
Fish oil containing the Omega 3 essential fatty acid EPA helps to prevent wrinkles and can delay the aging process of the skin according to recent research published in the Journal of Lipid Research in 2005. Scientists have also found that fish oil containing EPA can limit the damage to the skin produced by overexposure to the sun and help to reduce the negative effect of UV rays. This has particular relevance when we consider the recent and dramatic rise in cases of skin cancers caused predominantly by exposure to the suns harmful rays.

Essential Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are known to play a critical role in promoting healthy skin. They help to regulate cellular function and maintain elasticity and suppleness in the skin. Consequently, a fatty acid deficiency will show up as skin problems. Most of us do not get enough of the Omega 3 fatty acids in our diet whereas Omega 6 fatty acids are in plentiful supply. Symptoms of Omega 3 fatty acid deficiency include skin problems like eczema, dandruff, dry and flaking skin and poor wound healing.

Three reasons why EPA is so beneficial to the skin?

  • EPA is known to reduce inflammation by helping the body to produce anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. These are hormone-like substances that are responsible for regulating all the cells in our body.
  • EPA helps to inhibit the production of androgens, which are hormones that influence the production of sebum in the hair follicle. Excess sebum production can lead to acne and other skin problems.
  • EPA helps to limit production of Arachidonic acid, which is responsible for pro-inflammatory responses in the body, high levels of which are found in people with inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis.
The Omega 3 fatty acids are ALA, EPA and DHA. Alpha linolenic acid (ALA) is found in dark green leafy vegetables and algae. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) can be found in oily fish such as salmon, herring, anchovies, mackerel and Tuna. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can also be found in oily fish. We can convert ALA to EPA and DHA but the conversion is very inefficient and dependent on a number of factors. However, we can convert EPA into DHA if we get enough EPA.

Supplementing with fish oil that contains EPA can alleviate the symptoms of skin disorders such as dry and flaky skin, psoriasis, eczema and acne as well as many other inflammatory skin conditions. However, it is important to choose a fish oil that is high in EPA as DHA has been shown to reduce the effectiveness of EPA.

Fish oil supplements can contain mercury. To be safe take only a pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplement.

If you live in the metro Denver Boulder area please come visit us for your Laser Hair Removal, Skin Care, and supplement needs at Bella Pelle Laser.
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What about the home use laser hair removal devices?

Posted on 06/10/2010 by Administrator

There are a couple new home laser hair removal devices such as the Tria. Do it work? Yes. Is it better than an in salon laser hair removal treatment. No.

Here are the basics of the Tria type devices:

  • Cost is about $800
  • It has a small spot size, much smaller than a salon laser so it will take many more pulses to do the same area.
  • It only operates 30 minutes on a single charge.
  • Doing a small area, like an underarm, it will take more than 30 minutes. So you’ll have to stop, charge for a couple hours, then resume. Doing lower legs could take all weekend!
  • The battery has a set life. After several hundred chargings, it will lose power and need to be replaced.

So what is the recommendation?

  • If you’re doing a small, easy to reach area, like lip, chin, sideburns, etc. then the Tria could be a good choice, but at $800 you can have these areas done much more economically by a salon. Compared to the price of the Tria you could do you’re entire face and have money left over.
  • Doing larger areas, such as arms, legs, men’s back, chest, etc would be prohibitively time consuming having to stop every 30 minutes to charge it for an hour or two. We charge $900 for a women’s legs package. We can do a treatment in 90 minutes whereas the Tria would have you spending all weekend to do your legs – And you have to repeat this every 6-8 weeks.
  • Put a price on your time. The price of the Tria is about what we charge for a Bikini and Underarm package (7 treatments). We can do the bikini and underarms in 30 minutes or less. The tria would take 4-5 chargingsto do the same area, so it could take a whole day between productive time and chargings.
  • What we’d recommend the Tria for is touch up after having laser hair removal done on a large area. When a hair or two returns after several months the Tria would let you do a quick touch up right when the hair first appears and is in its growth stage.

For laser hair removal in Denver or Boulder, please visit us atwww.BellaPelleLaser.com

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What can I expect after laser treatment?

Posted on 06/08/2010 by Administrator

Immediately after the treatments, there should be redness and bumps at the treatment area, which may last up to 2 hours or longer. It is normal for the treated area to feel like a mild sunburn for a few hours. We’ll apply a soothing aloe vera jell and a sunscreen if it is on an exposed area. After the treatment you’ll be able to return to your normal activities.

Makeup may be used after the treatment. Just make sure that you have moisturizer on under your makeup. In fact, moisturizer will help the dead hair exfoliate from the follicle, so use moisturizer frequently and freely on the treated area. Any moisturizer without alpha-hydroxy acids will work.

Make sure you avoid sun exposure unless you have an SPF 30 sunscreen on, and then only for a short time. Getting a sunburn soon after a laser hair removal treatment could lead to a more severe sunburn and/or pigment changes. Pigment changes are usually temporary – but may take up to 6 months to clear.

For your laser hair removal Denver needs, please visit us atwww.BellaPelleLaser.com

Also visit us for VelaShape cellulite reduction.

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Why doesn’t the laser get rid of all my hair in one treatment?

Posted on 06/05/2010 by Administrator

We answer this question several times a week. Many people think that after one laser hair removal treatment that all the hair will be gone forever. Unfortunately this isn’t the case.

First a bit of hair biology 101 – every hair on your body goes through three phases.

  1. First is the growth stage. In this stage the hair is actively growing and getting longer. In this phase there is rich blood supply in the hair follicle to feed the hair growth. It is the length of this phase which determines the length of the hair. On your scalp this phase can be prolonged which is the reason you can grow long hair, whereas on your arms this phase can be much shorter, so the hair grows less than an inch, then stops.
  2. The second phase is where the hair stops growing. the blood supply pulls back from the follicle, but the hair follicle holds onto the hair for some time.
  3. Finally the follicle lets go of the hair and it falls out. The follicle will remain in this dormant stage for some time, then the blood supply will return and will start growing a new hair.

The process above repeats over and over for a single hair follicle.

Now lets look at how the laser works. The laser light penetrates the skin and encounters the dark hair in the follicle and heats it up. If it is in the growth phase the blood supply is in close proximity to the hair in the follicle and the blood is heated and cauterized. This then disables the hair follicle so it can’t grow another hair. But if the follicle is in the 2nd or 3rd phases above, then the hair heats up, but the blood supply isn’t there so nothing happens.

At any one time you may have about 20% of your hair follicles in the growth phase. So if you did laser once, you might reduce the amount of hair by 20%. Do it twice and you might thin it by 40%, etc. So in theory five treatments should eliminate all the hair. But in reality the timing of your hair growth cycle is variable and unknown, so one follicle might sneak its growth phase in between two treatments. So then typically seven treatments will be required.

For laser hair removal in Denver, please visit us: Bella Pelle Laser

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When is the best time for laser hair removal?

Posted on 06/03/2010 by Administrator

Laser hair removal can be performed throughout the year. What is important though is to minimize sun exposure on the treated areas several weeks before and after each treatment. With that said, you are probably better off during the winter months since you are outdoors less. The exception would be if you are planning a tropical vacation during the winter, then you’d want to make sure to use lots of sunscreen and to schedule your laser treatments at least several weeks before and after your vacation. Another exception would be outdoor sports in the winter and laser hair removal on the face. The sun reflecting off the snow at high altitudes can be extremely intense.

If you are in the Denver Boulder metro area please come visit us for laser hair removal at Bella Pelle Laser.

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Laser Hair Removal and Tattoos

Posted on 06/01/2010 by Administrator

We often see cleints who have tattoos and want the hair removed from the area. Unfortunately laser hair removal lasers will damage tattoos. The dark pigment in the ink will absorb the laser’s energy and will heat up damaging the ink as well as the skin around it. The only solution is electrolysis.

If you’re thinking of getting a tattoo it would be wise to consider getting laser hair removal in that area then after the treatments are complete, then have the tattoo done.

If you’re in the Denver and Boulder metro area please visit us for your laser hair removal needs. www.BellaPelleLaser.com

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Is Using a Depilatory Dangerous?

Posted on 05/30/2010 by Administrator

Depilatory dangersSome people wonder if making use of one depilatory method or another is hazardous to your health. While there is some element of risk when using any type of process or product, depilatories are generally safe for use. However, there are a few simple and common sense approaches to employ when trying any type of depilatory method. Here are some guidelines to help you avoid depilatory methods that may be painful or otherwise be unwise for you.

Shaving is the most common depilatory method, and works very well for many men and women. However, it can also cause a great deal of skin irritation. In extreme cases, this may lead to infection. If an individual experiences skin irritation after shaving, there are a couple of different changes that may make a difference. First, making sure the blade in the razor is sharp will cut down on irritation. A dull razor will scrape across skin and irritate the surface a great deal. Along with checking on the condition of the razor, it is a good idea to look at the ingredients in the shaving cream or lotion. There may be some element within the product that is causing the irritation. Try switching to a different cream, particularly one that is formulated for your skin type and perhaps contains some medicated elements that are intended to help soothe skin as well as moisten the hair for removal.

Hair Removal ShavingIf shaving proves to cause a great deal of distress to the skin, then there is always the option of depilatory creams. These are simply applied to the area and then removed with a soft moist cloth. Most contain some chemical elements that are used to break down the protein content in the hair, making it easy to simply wipe away the hair. As with shaving creams and lotions, there is a wide range of compounds used in cream depilatories. If one seems to irritate the skin, then simply try another. Persons who have trouble with synthetic based depilatory creams may want to try herbal blends, since they are often very good for the skin as well as softening the hair for easy removal.

Regardless of the method used, the individual should always be aware of any allergic reactions to a product. The reaction could be very mild or quite severe. If a reaction occurs, discontinue use immediately and see a physician. It is possible to identify the ingredients that caused the allergic reaction and avoid products with similar compounds in the future.

If you don’t want the hassle of shaving or the mess of deplitory creams, then consider laser hair removal.

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Hair Removal: Is Sugaring for Me?

Posted on 05/28/2010 by Administrator

Sugaring is a method of epilation that is similar to waxing, and, for that reason, is “often called sugar waxing orBella Pelle LaserPersian waxing.”

It has been in use since 1900 BC, “when a hairless and smooth body was considered the standard of youth, beauty and innocence for women in Egypt.” Nowadays Islam rules the removal of armpit and pubic hair.”

Sugaring can be less painful than waxing, because the substrate sticks to the hair without attaching to the skin, may be applied at room temperature or heated to a lukewarm temperature, preventing burning. Nevertheless, there is some risk of skin irritation, sensitivity, and reaction. One website advises, “Of course it hurts to pull out hair however you do it, but many find sugaring less painful than waxing.”

Substrate

Sugaring paste can be prepared with common household food items, such as water, sugar and lemon juice, and cornstarch, honey or molasses.

Getting the consistency correct takes some practice for most users.

Pre-made sugar paste is also sold under many brand names, and both professional and retail versions are available. It may contain guar gum in addition to the other ingredients.

Some salons state that sugaring is preferable to waxing, because the former has no resins, except for guar.

Since the sugar solution is water-based and water-soluble, sugaring is easily cleaned up with warm water.

Process

In sugaring, either a “heated sugar mixture” can be covered with a strip of fabric, or spread directly on the skin.

With the strip method, the area to be epilated is typically dusted with powder (commercial or corn starch) prior to application of the sugaring solution, which is spread on with a spatula, tongue depressor, or by hand. After the sticky paste is applied to the skin in the opposite direction of hair growth. A strip of porous cloth or paper is pressed into the preparation, and “lifted” or “zip[ped] off” in the same direction of hair growth, taking hairs with it.

Alternately, the paste is rolled onto the skin, and flicked off by hand in the natural direction of growth.

Does it hurt?

Yes! Like waxing the hair is ripped out of the folicles and yes it hurts. Look at the poor guys face in the picture above.

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