Laser Hair Removal
Elysion-Pro Diode · Crystal Freeze · All 6 Fitzpatrick skin types
Experience
Sessions
Types
Required
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Soma Laser and Skincare Clinic in Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria has been specialising in laser hair removal for men and women for over 17 years. The clinic uses the Elysion-Pro Diode medical laser, a new generation system with significantly higher power ratings designed to remove hair using ultra-short pulses. The hair follicle is heated more effectively and destroyed outright, not merely damaged, while Crystal Freeze technology simultaneously cools the surrounding skin, resulting in a more comfortable experience with no adverse effects to the skin.
Elysion-Pro uses the principle of selective photothermolysis to target melanin in the hair follicle with precision. The laser is approved for use with all 6 classifications on the Fitzpatrick scale, making it suitable for every skin type and tone. Briony Allen, the clinic owner, has over 17 years of experience in laser hair removal and brings a results-focused, clinical approach to every treatment plan.
Key Treatment Details
Everything you need to know about laser hair removal with the Elysion-Pro at Soma Laser and Skincare Clinic in Pretoria East.
How It Works
A step-by-step breakdown of what happens during and after your laser hair removal treatment at Soma Laser and Skincare Clinic.
The Elysion-Pro Diode laser uses the principle of selective photothermolysis to precisely target melanin in the hair follicle. Unlike older systems that merely damage the follicle, the Elysion-Pro uses ultra-short pulses at significantly higher power to heat the follicle more effectively and destroy the growth cells outright. While the laser runs hotter on the hair follicle, Crystal Freeze technology simultaneously cools the surrounding skin to 41 degrees Fahrenheit, protecting the skin surface and ensuring a comfortable experience. Hair in the active growth phase at the time of treatment is destroyed and will not produce a new hair from that follicle.
Treatment sessions vary in length depending on the area being treated. Smaller areas such as the upper lip take minutes, while larger areas such as the legs or back take longer. No numbing cream is required and there is no downtime after treatment.
Hair has three stages of growth. The laser can only destroy follicles that are in the active growth phase at the time of treatment, which is why multiple sessions are required. After each session, treated hairs will slowly fall out over the following weeks. Roots destroyed in that session will not produce new hair. Most clients see significant reduction after 4 to 6 sessions, with a full course of 6 to 8 sessions needed for optimal results. Top-up treatments are recommended at 6-month intervals after completing a course to address any dormant follicles that become active. Men and women with hormonal imbalances may require additional sessions.
The laser uses a light beam to target the pigment (melanin) in the hair. This creates heat that travels down the hair shaft, damaging and destroying the hair follicle and disrupting its growth. Surrounding tissue is not damaged. Hair destroyed in that session will not produce a new hair. Hair in other growth stages will require subsequent sessions to be treated.
With Elysion-Pro you can start any time, all year long. There is no need to wait for winter months or to avoid sun exposure before beginning your course, although it is important to apply SPF 50+ to treated areas after each session.
Elysion-Pro uses Crystal Freeze technology, which cools the contact skin area to 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The treatment is generally not painful. In some sensitive areas it can feel like an elastic band snapping lightly against the skin. Some clients with a low pain tolerance choose to apply numbing cream beforehand, though this is not recommended as it reduces patient feedback and adds cost and time to the procedure.
The laser targets only hair in the active growth phase, so multiple sessions are required. Face treatments are conducted every 2 to 4 weeks; body treatments every 4 to 8 weeks. 6 to 8 sessions are typically needed for optimal results, with top-up treatments at 6-month intervals after your course. Men generally require more sessions than women due to testosterone. Women with hormonal imbalances may also require additional treatments.
Laser hair removal can be performed anywhere hair grows on the skin's surface, including intimate areas, hard-to-reach areas, and anywhere on the face and body: legs, the bikini area, arms, underarms, back, chest, stomach, and the face including upper lip, chin, and cheeks.
After each session you are likely to experience some redness, tingling, and possibly heat bumps on the treatment area. This is a sign of a successful treatment and usually subsides within a few hours. Some clients experience mild itching a few days later as hair is pushed out. Stronger reactions are rare. Side effects such as blistering and hyper or hypopigmentation are greatly reduced when clients follow aftercare instructions and avoid tanning before and after sessions.
The following clients are not suitable for laser hair removal:
- Anyone taking medication or herbs that cause light sensitivity
- Anyone with active eczema, herpes, or vitiligo on the treatment area
- Anyone with epilepsy, lupus, or porphyria
- Pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding or who gave birth within the past month
- Anyone prone to keloid formation or suffering from a tumour disease
- Anyone taking anticoagulants or who has taken acne medication within 6 months prior to treatment
Combine with Skin Treatments for Complete Results
Soma Laser and Skincare Clinic offers a full range of skin treatments that pair well with laser hair removal. After completing your hair removal course, consider skin rejuvenation, microdermabrasion, or a Dermalogica facial to address skin texture and tone in the same treated areas. Your therapist will help you build a combined plan. For grey, white or fair hair that laser cannot target, we also offer electrolysis.
Ready to Transform Your Skin?
Explore our professional treatments and get expert advice tailored to your needs
Interested in one of our treatments?
Fill out the form below and one of our therapists will get back to you.