It all started in 1998 in the United States, when Palomar introduced a diode laser based on selective photothermalysis. Put simply: it emitted light of a specific wavelength (800 nm), which was absorbed by the hair dye, converted into thermal energy, and then permanently damaging the cells responsible for the production and nutrition of hair bulbs.

A pioneer solution that revolutionized the world of hair removal was the LightSheer. First, it emitted laser light (unfortunately this concept is often misused, or rather abused for marketing purposes), i.e. a polarized light beam with a specific wavelength. Second, a series of clinical trials were carried out, based on which it was proven that melanin best absorbs light with a length of approx. 800 nm.
Like any technology, this one also evolves and gains new possibilities. Over time, it was clarified that the wavelength of 810 nm was the most effective to be applied. And here comes the first difference – the Light Sheer emits light with a length of 800 nm, Vectus – of 810 nm. Studies were conducted by the same company, Palomar, a manufacturer of both lasers, later acquired by Cynosure.

It is extremely important that the light beam effectively reaches all hair. In the photo below, you can compare the sizes of small and large Vectus and Light Sheer heads. Of course, it is easier and faster to work on larger heads, but what is more important is their infrared image. The uniform beam of light applied in the Vectus on the entire surface of the head allows the laser to work on the hair more uniformly throughout the treatment window area. In short, all hair that is under the head is subjected to hair removal.

It was calculated that using a Vectus head, one "shot" of the laser removed  56% more hair than using the Light Sheer.

Light is not always easy to work with because it can bounce and dissipate. Before the emitted laser light reaches the melanin contained in the hair, it must overcome many obstacles. Bear in mind that melanin is also found in the skin. The Vectus uses the patented Photon Recycling technology, which involves reusing light that naturally reflects off the skin. The light, thanks to the mirrors built in the head, is reflected back, making a full use of the light impulse and therefore significantly increasing the efficiency of the treatment. It has been proven that the gain factor obtained in the photon recycling process depends on the concentration of melanin in the epidermis, which is approx. 1 in the case of the darkest skin phototypes, 1.5 - 2 for lighter skin tones. Thanks to this, the Vectus is the only laser in the world that can also effectively deal with fair and red hair.

Source: Clinical trials „ Diode laser optimization for permanent hair removal” /James Childs, Phd / Richard Cohen, Phd /Mikhail Smirnov, Phd / Henry Zenzie / MS Gregory B.Altshuler, Phd Palomar Medical Technologies.
 

The visit always starts with filling out a patient health questionnaire. Then, the condition of his skin is assessed in the office. Moles and harmless discolorations are masked with a white pencil so that they are not exposed to the laser. We then have the certainty of not irritating vulnerable spots. Next, using the SkintelTM device, at least three measurements of the melanin level are performed, based on which the optimal, personalized laser power settings are selected. The procedure itself consists of applying the laser head to the depilated area and emitting a directed light beam of a defined wavelength. The light is absorbed by the hair dye, which leads to permanent destruction of the cells responsible for its production.
 
How to prepare for the first treatment?

One day before the treatment, the body area to be depilated should be shaved using a disposable razor or depilatory cream. Under no circumstances should you pluck your hair with tweezers or remove it with a depilator or wax. It is important that the hair bulb is firmly placed on the wart. If hair has been removed using wax, depilator or tweezers, these methods must be abandoned for a period of approx. 4 weeks before the treatment of laser hair removal can be commenced.

There is no need to let your hair grow before the procedure; it is actually not recommended. Within two weeks of a scheduled laser hair removal treatment, you should not sunbathe and you should give up self-tanning. Before coming to the beauty salon, it is good to check if the dietary supplements you take do not contain herbs such as St. John's wort, field horsetail or nettle, which can cause allergy to light.

Is the Vectus laser hair removal treatment painful?

Most patients experience the procedure as slightly perceptible in terms of pain. You can therefore feel a slight pain during the depilation, reminiscent of a small electric shock. Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine before the procedure how painful it will be to a given person. Some of our customers even fall asleep during the procedure, while others feel more pain. The bright side is that even if you are going to experience discomfort, it will only last a fraction of a second, during the emission of a light pulse. The manufacturer of the laser Vectus, Cynosure Palomar, has improved the comfort of patients by installing cooled heads in the product. The skin is cooled down before, during and after the pulse of light. If necessary, we additionally apply cold, anesthetic compresses.
We recommend that people who are particularly sensitive to pain do not remove hair from too many parts of the body during one treatment because the longer it lasts, the more pain it tends to cause. This is due to the fact that the body has already absorbed a large dose of heat and begins to defend against more.
 
How does the treatment leave the skin?

Note that laser hair removal does not limit your daily functioning in any way. You can go to work, to class, shopping – no problem. The only thing to consider is that the skin is slightly red and irritated after the treatment. It should not alarm you as this is a completely natural occurrence that usually disappears after a couple of hours, 2 days tops. If a scab appears on the depilated area, do not tear it. Scabs can emerge in places in which the hair was not shaved properly.
Sometimes people with strong facial hair decide to do the treatment. During laser hair removal, it may happen that black dots appear in spots where stronger hair grows. These dots disappear no more than 3 days later, which is why when the customer makes an appointment, we immediately opt for a date that does not interfere with their personal or professional commitments.

What to expect after the first treatment?

After the first treatment, you can expect permanent removal of about 30-50% of hair. Remember that the effect is fully observable after 7-21 days, not right away! In the first days following the procedure, the hair grows exactly as it used to. Then it gradually falls out, followed by a pleasant experience of smooth skin. The hair that grows back is thinner, lighter and softer.
How long does the treatment last? What does its duration depend on?
The duration of the procedure depends mainly on the size of the depilated surface, but also on the patient's sensitivity. It may happen that you need to take a break, rest, cool down. For example: armpit hair removal lasts about 15 minutes, Brazilian bikini takes 30 minutes, while leg hair removal is a time investment of more than 60 minutes.

What are the dos and don’ts after the treatment?

If irritation occurred after the treatment, a cooling or soothing ointment such as Bepanthen, or a cold compress, can be used. Do not irritate the skin further! This means that in the first few days after the treatment, you should avoid saunas, solariums, peels and hot baths, as well as activities that may cause increased sweating.
 
What parts of the body cannot be depilated and why:

We absolutely do not do hair removals in the area around the eyes because there is a risk that the laser bounces off the bone and damages the eye. In addition, laser hair removal is not performed where there is a mucous membrane, e.g. inside the nose.

Results:
After about two weeks, the hair begins to gradually fall out. Dark and thick hair is easiest and quickest to get rid of. However, the Cynosure Palomar Vectus laser also works great with fair and red hair. Studies indicate a 95% effectiveness at removing unwanted body hair. To achieve the best results, it is recommended to perform 4 to 6 treatments per area. Due to the process of hair growth, it is best to perform treatments in the following time intervals:
    • 4-6 weeks - armpits, bikini, forearms, face, hands;
    • 8-10 weeks - legs, back, buttocks.

Why should I repeat the treatments?

For laser hair removal to be effective, the hair bulb must be placed on the wart, located on the bottom of the hair follicle. The bulb contains blood vessels responsible for supplying builders and nutrients to the hair. During depilation, these blood vessels are destroyed, i.e. the production of subsequent bulbs is inhibited. Part of the hair, although invisible to the human eye, is already detached from the bulbs and unfortunately the laser will not work for them. Therefore, we have to wait until they spontaneously fall out and a new hair set is formed in their place.
Does laser hair removal give the same results for everyone?

No. The procedure of laser hair removal can be undermined by untreated hormonal disorders such as a sick thyroid gland, adrenal glands or polycystic ovaries. In addition, remember that 4 weeks before the procedure and during the course of the treatment, you must not pull the hair out of the areas to be subjected to laser hair removal. The best and quickest results are obtained when observing the recommended time intervals between treatments.

Does equipment used for laser hair removal matter?

A lot. First of all, verify if the equipment used in a particular parlor is truly a laser. It happens that the IPL method (which also works based on the emission of light) is referred to as a laser, although it is not actually a laser. It is important that the laser light is emitted on the entire surface of the treatment window area, not just on its part. If only part of the operating window emits a laser, even the best operator will not help because it cannot be controlled which hair has already been "treated" and which has not. In addition, a set of special mirrors has been installed in the Vectus laser head, which is a unique solution on the market. The light that bounces off the skin is directed to the mirrors, reflects off of them, and then reaches the hair. This means that the hair gets much more energy than with other lasers, which translates into a significantly higher efficiency. An additional advantage of the Vectus are heads cooled on a continuous basis, offering an increased comfort of the treatment.

Contraindications:
    • Undergoing retinoid therapy
    • Diabetes
    • Pregnancy
    • Breast-feeding
    • Skin allergies
    • Fresh tan - wait at least two weeks
    • Keloid
    • Vitiligo
    • Psoriasis
    • Epilepsy
    • Damaged skin
    • Taking anticoagulants
    • Pacemaker
    • Light-sensitizing herbs and medications (e.g. St John's wort, nettle, field horsetail)
    • Sensitization to light
    • Recent surgical procedures