Located in YEG, Dérmica offers short and long term solutions for hair removal.
Waxing- Short term hair removal
Traditionally, waxing involves the use of warm wax, typically honey or pine resin-based and cloth strips. The esthetician first preps the area by disinfecting and applying a protective barrier to the skin. The warm wax is then applied using a wooden spatula and covered with a cloth strip; this is referred to as strip waxing or soft waxing. The strip is then quickly pulled off parallel to the skin and voilà your skin is left smooth and hair free!
Prior to booking a wax service ensure your hair is at least ¼ inch long, and has not been sunburned, treated with AHA/BHA, or prescription acne medications. Avoid caffeine for a couple hours before your appointment to reduce sensitivity. Results are visible for about 2 weeks, with 4-6 weeks before you are ready for your next visit. After care for waxing includes: avoiding heat, sun exposure, strong/fragranced, lotions, and washes for 24 hours and frequent skin exfoliation.
IPL- Long term hair removal
For a permanent solution, opt for IPL hair removal treatments. These advanced treatments should only be performed by trained and certified technicians. They are somewhat of an investment and can cause injury to your skin if not delivered properly, so do your research and make sure operational requirements are met by both the business and technician.
If you choose to have your treatment performed by the experts at Dérmica, here’s what you can expect:
Our tech begins by disinfecting your skin, she provides you with your protective eyewear, then off she goes zapping away.
Some lasers, like ours, are equipped with cooling systems, making your service a breeze. The cooling system makes your treatment significantly less painful (if at all), and 100% less messy than other lasers.
For the following 24-48 hours you will be required to avoid direct heat, perspiration, sun exposure, strong/fragranced soaps, lotions and washes. Ensure your skin has not been sunburned, treated with AHA/BHA, or medications/vitamins that may affect your skin.
Typically you will notice a stunt in the growth of hair, followed by what seems to be continued growth, then towards your 4-6 week the hair will begin to fall out. At this point you are ready for your next session.
Hair growth is present in most areas of the human body. It can range from thick/coarse textures to peach fuzz. Some hair becomes more evident with hormones during puberty and, some hair is only present in our fetal stage. The purpose of hair is to protect us from the elements, a means of skin lubrication. In other words, it aids in temperature regulation, and other bodily functions.
Different IPL/ Laser hair removal treatment areas see varying degrees of success.
Bikini | Underarms | Face | Chest | Back
The pubic, underarm, lower facial region, chest, and back grow what is known as terminal hair. Terminal hair is present at birth and grows throughout the years. Some hair starts as vellus hair (fine hair) during childhood and develops into coarser hair during puberty.
Because of the colour content and thickness of the bulb, these areas tend to get quick and dramatic results within the first couple of sessions. The downside is that these areas are hormonally influenced and may require touch-ups sooner than other areas.
Hairline | Scalp | Arms | Legs
These regions of the body also contain terminal hair growth. Because these areas are not as affected by hormones in our adult years, they typically require fewer sessions and, the results last longer before touch-ups are necessary.
Although results vary depending on your hair and skin type, proper aftercare and scheduling are vital to ensuring your treatments are successful.
How are IPL/ laser hair removal and skin tone related?
IPL/ Laser Hair Removal, Skin Tone, and The Fitzpatrick Scale
The treatment approach to IPL/ Laser hair removal depends on skin tone.The most commonly used guide for selecting the skin type for LASER and IPL treatments is the Fitzpatrick Scale. This guide helps us predict the skin’s rate of aging, risk of cancer, and reaction to UV exposure. The Fitzpatrick Scale ranges from level 1 – 6, with level one being the lightest and level six the darkest.
Different treatment approaches for different skin tones
Levels 1-3
Because lighter skin tones contain less melanin, they absorb less energy and release it faster. As a result, they are less likely to react adversely following LASER and IPL treatments. In addition, less energy absorption allows us to use higher settings in the early stages of treatment which translates into a higher rate of hair reduction.
Levels 4-6
On the other hand, melanin-rich tones absorb more energy. Therefore, a lower setting is required, especially in the early stages of the treatment course. Easing the skin into the treatment reduces the risk of burns and hyperpigmentation until it builds tolerance to the energy. Although we can safely treat darker skin, the rate of hair reduction decreases in darker skin tones.
In short, advanced IPL / LASER operating systems can effectively treat a wide range of skin tones. However, there are limitations to treating beyond a Level 5. Adverse reactions such as burns and permanent scarring can occur due to the pigment in the skin absorbing the energy emitted by the laser.
Our bogo special is one of the best photofacial deals ever! Try ALISA for skin tightening/pore size reduction, ACLARA for hyperpigmentation, or ALIVIA for removal of redness. Click here for details.
Skin and Pore Tightening
ALISA uses yellow light (580-950nm) to blast collagen cells to boost production. It is ideal for treating dull skin appearance, textural damage such as scarring, fine lines, wrinkles, and mature skin.
Removal of Redness and Brown Spots
On the other hand, ACLARA and ALIVIA use green light (535-950nm). ACLARA destroys excess melanin cells which are expelled from the body 2-3 weeks post treatment. This photofacial is best to lighten and clear light to dark pigmented lesions.
ALIVIA cauterizes superficial vessels. Once cauterized, the vessels dissolve back into the skin. The ALIVIA photofacial is the best choice to diminish redness and dissolve broken capillaries.
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Photofacials safely treat major skin conditions, however, there can be potential side effects. When present, certain factors can cause an increased risk of side effects. Examples of contraindications are health conditions, recent treatments, or use of certain products. As a result, we have created an IPL photofacial pretreatment guide for your review before booking online. In addition, your laser technician will conduct a thorough consultation on the day of your treatment.
PLEASE REVIEW THE IPL PHOTOFACIAL PRETREATMENT GUIDELINES BEFORE BOOKING ONLINE.
Pre-treatment protocols
👉 Medications
Check with your physician regarding possible photosensitivity of prescription medications, for instance, phenytoin.
You must not currently be (or have been over the last 12 months) on oral prescription acne medications, for example, Accutane.
👉 Products
Discontinue usage of products containing AHA/BHA/Retin A/Vitamin A on the area being treated 2 weeks prior to procedure.
👉Tanning
Wait a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks from last tanning session (artificial or natural). To clarify, darker skin types should wait 6 weeks.
Contraindications:
Diabetes
Pregnancy
Disorders stimulated by light, for example, epilepsy
Cancer (remission under 2 years)
Use of photosensitive medication and herbs
Active infection of Herpes Simplex in treatment area
Use of anticoagulants
Potential side effects:
Discomfort
Fragile skin
Edema (swelling)
Erythema (redness)
Time frame: 45 minutes
Recommended sessions: 4-6 spaced 3-4 weeks apart.
Downtime required: 24 hrs. After that, light makeup can be applied.
PROFESSIONAL SKINCARE AT HOME
In addition to maximizing your treatment, professional products help maintain results. Therefore, we offer 15% OFF all Glo Skin Beauty products in-store with any skincare treatment.
Will my IUD affect my IPL Hair Removal treatments?
Can I have IPL Hair Removal if I have an IUD?
The simple answer is, yes! ‘
What is an IUD?
An IUD (Intrauterine Device) is a small T-shape contraceptive device that is placed inside of the uterus. It is worn for 3-10 years with regular check-ups. Most IUD’s have hormonal components built into a simple copper structure. Others may be made of polyethylene plastic.
Concerns with the combo…
There are concerns with this combination. Firstly, the reaction of the heat from the solid structures of the device absorbed by the body tissues. Although this sounds like a probable cause for internal burns, there are factors that make this reaction highly unlikely.
The Factors
The depth of the uterus beneath the skin in the average adult female, falls within the centimetre scale (not including excess fat). This measurement includes layers of skin, fascia, muscle, fat, and the multiple layers of the uterine wall.
The light energy emitted by the device is measured on a nanometer scale and reaches up-to a 635-nanometer depth in the skin. To put this into perspective when comparing to the distance of the uterus, consider the following:
1cm = 0.01m
VS
1nm = 0.000 000 001m
or
One-hundredth of a meter
VS
One-billionth of a meter
or
Measurement used for object that fit on a ruler
VS
Measurement used for objects on an atomic or molecular level
One thing to keep in mind though if you have the polyethylene IUD (contains hormones), there may be an effect on the expected results and/or number of sessions required.
If you have any underlying medical conditions and are under observation of a physician, we recommend you consult with them prior to booking your appointment, to ensure you have your questions and concerns addressed from both a technical and medical perspective.
Now that we have cleared the air, let’s CLEAR THAT HAIR!
