What is Pseudofolliculitis Barbae and can medical laser hair removal at Hairaway Canada provide a long term solution?

What is Pseudofolliculitis Barbae? Firstly this is a real mouthful of word but it is as equally a serious and extremely troubling condition. This blog will attempt to provide an explanation and explain why the medical lasers at Hairaway Canada are able to effectively treat the condition.

Pseudofolliculitis Barbae as described in Wikipedia is also known as the barbers itch and is a medical term for a condition of persistent irritation caused by shaving.

The above photograph taken from Wikipedia shows this medical condition which occurs most often on men or women of African descent or origin.  This condition is most common on the male face but can also occur on other parts of the body where regular shaving or plucking occurs; for example on the pubic region where ingrown hairs are a most common problem. 

After shaving, hair begins to grow back and curly hair in particular tends to curl back into the skin instead of coming out straight. When the hair curls back into the skin, this leads to a swelling and can make the skin look red, like it has pimples and become extremely itchy and sometimes even lead to an infection. All in all a really uncomfortable situation for any person to bear. 

For many years it was not possible to provide any adequate long term remedy for this medical condition and so many sufferers simply either had to let their hairs grow out and then shave infrequently or resort to chemical solutions such the application of Retin A which can lead to a thinning of the skin.

Fortunately for those with Pseudofolliculitis Barbae, Hairaway Canada can offer a long term solution with the use of medical lasers which were built especially to address issues faced by people with darker pigment in their skin and those with this medical condition.

The medical lasers used at Hairaway Canada are extremely powerful and heat up the pigment in the hair to such and extent so as to cause the protein in the cells to denature. Once the cells denature they cannot function and future hair growth has been eliminated. This process of generating heat and targeting it to the hair cell is called selective photothermolysis which means the medical lasers used by Hairaway Canada at its hair removal clinic in Markham 'selectively' targets the pigment in the hair and leaves the pigment in the skin relatively untouched. Because of this key fact, the medical condition of Pseudofolliculitis Barbae in patients with dark pigment in their skin can effectively be provided with long term results.

Hairaway Canada specialises in hair removal with the use of the most advanced medical lasers available in the market today. With 60,000 treatment procedures under the belt, you can rest assured you are in the most experienced hands around.

Give Hairaway Canada a try. You have nothing to lose but your unwanted hair.

The Difference between Medical Lasers and IPL's for hair removal.

It is quiet a common mistake to think that IPL’s and medical Lasers are the same. This is understandable because the industry is entirely is unregulated in Ontario, and anyone can claim to be providing laser hair removal treatments when in fact they are using only an IPL.  The barriers to entry to the industry with an IPL are very low because IPLs are relatively inexpensive when compared to the top of the line medical lasers used at Hairaway Canada at its hair removal clinic in Markham.

IPL is an acronym for Intense Pulsed Light and this is a system that provides treatment using a full spectrum of light with differing wavelengths that are scattered. Medical lasers, however use only one specific wavelength of light. This is crucial to the understanding of the differences between these systems. IPL systems release light over a wide wavelength range trying to catch numerous anatomical structures in one go. This is very different from a medical laser, which can only deliver one specific, yet very powerful, wavelength. The importance of wavelengths is that different wavelengths are absorbed by different colors. The color of the hair follicle (the melanin)  is the target in hair removal and the very powerful medical lasers like the one employed by Hairaway Canada at its hair removal clinic in Markham focus and deliver this intense energy to the hair follicle.

The Medical lasers used at Hairaway Canada work by sending intense energy into the hair follicles. Once the light is absorbed in the hair follicle, the light converts to heat and destroys the hair follicle resulting in its elimination.

Medical Lasers were developed to provide permanent hair removal solutions, where as IPL was originally developed to treat a variety of skin conditions and hair loss came as a side effect. Because it targets a different pigment, the hair removal properties of the IPL are limited. Medical Laser hair removal has proven to be much more effective IPL hair removal.  

Hairaway Canada has invested $500, 000 in the latest, most advanced and most effective medical Laser systems in its hair removal clinic in Markham. These systems strictly target the hair follicle resulting in their damage and happier patients.

To conclude, the laser hair removal systems of Hairaway Canada are a much more effective alternative than IPLs when seeking hair removal solutions. 

Come to Hairaway Canada for your hair removal solutions. You have nothing to lose but your unwanted hair. 

Does it Hurt?

This is a question that is often asked of us at our laser hair removal clinic here in the beautiful village of Unionville in Markham.  When people embark on the process of researching hair removal with the use of advanced medical lasers this topic of pain and levels they will encounter needs to be clearly, unambiguously and honestly answered and we do just this at all levels of our interactions with our prospective clients. From our web site, to our blogs and in our consultations.

This blog will attempt to answer the question head on and we shall use as our source an article that we have found best answers the question. It appeared first in the may and june issue 2006 of a spa and clinic management magazine we picked up in Singapore.

Relatively recent data from the University of Michigan indicates that variations in a certain gene are a predictor of low tolerance for discomfort. This gene, which comes in two forms, makes and enzyme called COMT that helps control the brain signals involved in the response to discomfort. And researchers at McGill University in Montreal Canada have identified a gene that is linked to both red hair and higher levels of tolerance to discomfort. However, individual responses to hair removal procedures with the use of advanced medical lasers at our clinic in Markham vary from client to client and if some of the following are observed, comfort levels rise and more often than not, the procedure is performed with the client not having any issues:

• Remain calm. Stress, with its attendant adrenaline rush, acts on pain-sensing neurons and can exacerbate discomfort. Fortunately we have excellent bed side manners and our clients are always in control and the environment is very calming and soothing at our laser hair removal clinic in Markham. But remember, remain calm.
• Some medications can increase the levels of adrenaline in the blood stream. Such as those used for asthma and glaucoma which can lower tolerance for discomfort. Before administering the procedure we always conduct a consultation to ascertain if the client has taken any medications that can lower tolerance for discomfort or increase photosensitivity.
• Skip the coffee. Stimulants such as caffeine and sugar may increase sensitivity
• Check the calendar. Many women find treatment less comfortable before or during the period of their menzes.
• Know your tender spots. The sides of the nose, the inner thighs, orbital area and lower abdomen are often the most sensitive places for hair removal.

At the time of their test patch clients can determine the levels of discomfort associated with the hair removal procedure with the use of advanced medical lasers at our hair removal clinic in Markham.  More often than not, clients proceed without the use of a topical anesthetic. 

Painless hair removal is often advertised in Ontario and many places around the world.  The only way the procedure can possibly be without any discomfort whatsoever is if the power levels of the device have been lowered to such an extent to render the procedure useless or the device is not capable of generating sufficient power and concomitantly heat to eliminate the hair producing follice. 

Like many medical practitioners we are big believers in the 'no pain no gain' theory. There is nothing in life we do that works significantly without some degree of discomfort.

We believe in being honest and forthright with all our prospective clients. This mantra has stood us well these past 13 years and enabled us to provide top notch service delivering unmatched results in over 60,000 treatments.

At Hairaway Canada, you have nothing to lose but your unwanted hair.

What are Anagen, Catagen and Telogen and how do they affect the results of hair removal?

The following image, courtesy of ozskin.com.au, depicts hair follicle growth phases. This is key to the understanding of how the hair removal system at Hairaway Canadas' clinic in Markham produces results.

There are three distinct phases of growth of the hair follicle.

ANAGEN

The hair's active growth phase. During anagen, the hair contains an abundance of melanin. Hairs in this phase of growth are most affected by the laser hair removal treatment offered at Hairaway Canada at its medical laser hair removal clinic in Markham

CATAGEN

The regression phase when the lower part of the hair stops growing but is not shed and the follicle if reabsorbed. 

TELOGEN

The resting phase during which the old hair falls out in preparation for the development of new hair.

In order for the elimination of hair producing follicles to be effective and complete, it is absolutely necessary for the following components to be in place.

1) The targeted region and its hairs are in the Anagen phase when there is an abundance of melanin in the hair. 

2) That sufficient heat is applied and that heat is then absorbed by the melanin enabling that heat to cause the protein in the cells to denature

If either of these two components are not in place, hair removal will not be successful.

At any given time only up to 30% of your hairs in any given area are in the Anagen phase and this is the reason why multiple treatments are necessary to achieve complete elimination of the hair. However, if a reduction of hair in the area is all you seek, then one or even two treatments are sufficient for this purpose.

The second component and perhaps as equally important is the fact that sufficient heat must be applied and that heat must be absorbed by the melanin in the hair. Only a very few  medical laser hair removal devices are capable of generating sufficient heat in the appropriate wavelength of light with the highest melanin absorption rates that can eliminate the hair.

Hairaway Canada has invested $500,000 to bring Markham and the Greater Toronto region, these very powerful systems that are capable of generating sufficient heat in the appropriate wavelength of light with the highest melanin absorption rates in its laser hair removal clinic in Unionville that are capable of eliminating hair.

Give Hairaway Canada a call on 905 479 8880. You have nothing to loose but your unwanted hair.

Pertinent History for Hair Removal with the use of Medical Lasers at Hairaway Canada

The following pertinent medical history is taken into consideration to enable Hairaway Canada to assess clinical suitability of all prospects for hair removal with the use of Medical Lasers at its clinic in Unionville, Markham.

• Presence of conditions that may cause hypertrichosis - Hormonal, Familial or drugs like corticosteroids, hormones, immunosuppressives, self or spousal use of Minoxidil. Tumors
• History of local or recurrent skin infection
• History of herpes simplex, especially perioral
• History of herpes genitalis, important when treating the pubic or bikini area
• History of keloids / hyper-tropic scarring
• History of koebnerizing skin disorders such as vitiligo and psoriasis
• Previous treatment modalities - method, frequency and date of last treatment as well as response
• Recent sun tan or exposure to tanning or light cabinets
• Onset of hair regrowth (recent)
• Tattoos or nevi present
• Patient expectations
• Patient hobbies or habits which might interfere with treatment
• Present medications
• Photosensitising medications
• Accutane intake within the past year
• Gold Therapy
• Tetracycline
• Prednisolone
• Hypertension

Make certain you discuss any of the above which may be present in your circumstances with our specialist consultants at our hair removal centre in Unionville, Markham.

What is the most popular area for hair removal at Hairaway Canada.

Excess unwanted hair appears on different anatomical areas of the body. Since our inception in the year 2000 we have carried out over 60,000 successful hair removal procedures and our records indicate that for women facial hair in particular on the upper lip and chin are the predominant areas of concern, followed of course by the axilla and the bikini region.

For men, predominantly it tends to be the back and shoulders, neck and chest and abdomen. We have had instances where the hair on the legs or arms have been also been removed but not completely.

Other than the scalp and the eyebrows, there is no area that we do not offer hair removal services at our clinic in Unionville, Markham.

At the time of your consultation, we shall assess the area in question and provide you with our clear and unambiguous guidance on whether we can treat you / the area in question.

We believe that honesty is the best policy.

Trust Hairaway Canada to provide you with the best possible medical laser hair removal treatment available in the market today.

What does 60,000 stand for at Hairaway Canada

This truly astonishing number represents the number of hair removal treatments carried out by Hairaway since its inception in the year 2000.

Hairaway Canada has experience in treating for hair removal at its clinic in Unionville, all  Fitzpatrick classed skin tonalities.

Fitzpatrick skin tonalities are as follows:

Skin type 1 : White, always burn never tan

Skin type 2: White, always burn sometimes tan

Skin type 3: White, sometimes burns tans slowly

Skin type 4: Dark, moderately pigmented skin tans easily

Skin type 5: Very pigmented skin, rarely burns tans profusely

Skin type 6: Dark, never burns always tans

Image is courtesy of Caci United Kingdom

What is the amount invested by Hairaway Canada in medical equipment for their hair removal clinic in Unionville, Markham.

Hairaway Canada has  invested  $500,000 to bring its clients the most advanced medical grade lasers for hair removal. These systems deliver the necessary power in the appropriate wave lengths of light to cause the hair producing follicles to be eliminated.

The systems we use at our hair removal clinic in Markham are the top of the line and are only available at a few centres in Ontario.

This is just one of our systems.  The Lumenis One.

Why Hairaway Canada's system and methodology is more effective than Electrolysis?

The hair removal systems used at Hairaway Canada's clinic in Markham are the most advanced medical hair removal systems available in the market today.

This system is designed to remove unwanted hair through a process call selective phototermolysis. This process involves the selective absorption of a specific wavelength of light generated by the system by the hair follicles and not by the surrounding tissue. These specific wavelengths are also capable of penetrating deeply into the skin to reach the cells responsible for hair production.

In medical laser hair removal, the most important absorber of this heat is the pigment called Melanin which is abundantly present in hair.  In most hair colors, expect white, gray, blonde or red, there is sufficient amount of pigment present in the hair for it to act as a chromophore for light energy absorption. The energy is selectively absorbed by the pigment and concomitantly causes heat damage to the hair shaft and the follicle. Hair growth is then either impeded ( as it happens with less powerful devices used at non specialist centres and beauty salons) or completely eliminated as it happens here at Hairaway Canada's clinic in Markham.

Electrolysis is a process where by a hot needle is inserted into the skin to apply heat to the hair producing follicle. This process is a highly effective method for eliminating hair growth. However, there are number of things you must be aware of:

1) It is an invasive procedure.
2) It is a very long and arduous process.
3) Pitting and scarring can occur.

The system used at Hairaway Canada at its hair removal clinic in Markham is a medical laser hair removal system. It generates heat in the appropriate wavelength and has the highest melanin absorption rate. This means, the procedure is very effective at eliminating hair growth and works very quickly.

How many treatments will you require?

Only very powerful medical grade lasers, like those used at Hairaway Canada at their clinic in Unionville are capable of heating the melanin in the hair to a high enough temperature to achieve genuine permanent removal.

You are going to need four to eight treatments for almost total hair removal on most areas; some parts of the body may require more, especially on the face.

We guarantee this so that should the area need a total coverage treatment after the eight time you will receive up to two treatments without charge for up to two years.

A few remaining hairs are considered normal and are spot treated by the laser, so if you want every single hair gone a few spot treating sessions will be necessary after the full treatments.

For these spotting treatments we charge a minuscule amount so any of this touching up is very inexpensive.

The good news is that your results are permanent even after your first treatment.

This photo was taken four months after a single treatment and shows a marked reduction of hair. Further treatments will be required to fully clear the hair from the upper chest and neck.

Frequently partial clearance is preferred to total clearance, especially for men!

What do we mean when we say Permanent?

Permanent is defined as hair removed by Hairaway Canada at their clinic in Unionville,  not returning within two years, after which it is reasonable to assume the hair will not return, unless under hormonal or other influence new hair follicles are produced or activated - this cannot be predicted.