Questions and Answers

How does the system work?
The pigments (melanin and Haemoglobin) in the skin, hairs and blood vessels absorb energy from the light source. Selective filtration makes the energy uptake specific for melanin (610 to 950 nanometres) or haemoglobin (530 to 950 nanometres); thus the system can be used for hair removal, vascular lesions and pigmented lesions. Hair removal is accomplished by the generation of heat from light in the melanin, which is then transferred to the hair follicle (root). Pulse times of this applied light have been chosen to destroy the hair follicle by heating for at least 1 millisecond (one thousandth of a second) to 70 degrees centigrade without damage and very little sensation to the skin.

Why is gel used?
It is necessary to apply a thin layer of gel to the skin prior to treatment to assure an optimal optical transmission of light from the applicator to the skin.

How is the treatment carried out?
The Perspex applicator is placed in contact with the skin surface and the light pulsed through it onto the skin. The applicator is then moved to the neighboring area and the process is repeated.

Who can be treated?
Dark hairs are most easily treated due to the large concentration of dark melanin in these, which gives maximum absorption and conversion of light energy to heat. Very fair hair has less melanin and consequently less heat is produced making it slightly less certain of permanent destruction of the hair follicles. Grey (white) hair has almost no melanin and cannot be efficiently treated. The upper skin layer, of the epidermis, also contains melanin and the concentration increases when the skin is exposed to UV light. It is therefore necessary to treat dark skinned and tanned individuals with less energy to avoid generation of excess heat and pain in the skin. The freedom computer has pre-programmed treatment suggestions for different hair and pigment types.

Does it hurt?
As the light energy is absorbed by the pigments (melanin and haemoglobin), the pain depends upon the concentration of melanin in the epidermis and the hairs combined. Consequently it hurts more in dark skinned people and those with dense, dark hairs. No anaesthesia is required and most patients describe the pain as moderate and acceptable (as if a rubber band is snapped against the skin).

What is required of the client prior to treatment?
The clients hairs should be 1 to 2mm long when the client comes in for treatment so it is possible to mark out the treatment area. Long hairs take up the energy and prevent all of it reaching the hair follicle. Therefore hair is trimmed just before treatment for maximum transmission of the energy. If the hair is normally shaved and can be seen when shaven then patients can shave right up to the day of treatment although plucking and bleaching should not be done. By avoiding depilation and waxing 4 weeks before treatment it ensures as many follicles as possible contain a hair and thus can be destroyed by the light.

Why do hairs grow after treatment?
Contrary to other treatments, hairs are not vaporised by the freedom treatment the hair follicles are killed by the heat but the hairs remain in the skin and often become attached to the epidermis. They will fall out after 1 to 3 weeks as the epidermis is renewed. During this period it will seem that the hairs are growing as the epidermis pushes them out.

How can you tell if the treatment has worked when the hairs are not removed immediately?
After treatment the hairs are often loose within the follicle and can easily be pulled out with tweezers. A red ring around each follicle is often seen a few minutes after treatment. These two things are good indications that sufficient heating of the follicles has taken place. Unfortunately they are not always seen and we have seen many patients with successful treatment results without the post-treatment signs.

How many treatments are necessary?
Only hair in the growth phase can be treated. The number of hairs in this phase varies from 10 to 70% depending on the body site. The lengths of the growth cycles also vary. For most clients up to three treatments is enough with two to three month intervals are sufficient to remove virtually all facial hairs. After the first treatment most patients get a significant reduction in hair density also new grown hairs tend to become finer. It is important to know that the first treatment is believed to synchronise the anagen (growth) phase of the non-anagen hairs. This may cause what seems to be re-growth but which is actually just the sleeping hairs starting to grow at the same time (new growth). This in turn makes the next treatment(s) more effective.

How do I prepare for treatment?
Clients should avoid tanning 1 month ahead of and during the entire treatment scenario to avoid excessive discomfort from excessive light absorption in the epidermis. Immediately after the treatment the skin is particularly sensitive to UV light and strong sunlight should be avoided for 14 days.

How long does treatment take?
The facial treatment usually takes 5 minutes whereas both legs or an entire back takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

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