FAQ
Information and aftercare on treatments.
Laser Hair Removal
IMPORTANT INFO ALL CLIENTS MUST HAVE A PATCH TEST NO LATER THAN 48 HOURS BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT. A PATCH TEST IS DONE ON A SMALL PART OF EACH OF THE AREAS YOU WANT THE LASER HAIR REMOVAL. IF YOU HAVE FAKE TAN ON WHEN YOU COME FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN TANNING A LOT BETWEEN APPOINTMENTS THEN YOU WILL UNFORTUNATELY BE RESCHEDULED FOR SAFETY REASONS. LASER HAIR REMOVAL CANNOT BE DONE OVER TATTOOS BUT I CAN LASER AROUND THE TATTOOED AREA ​ Q. How does laser hair removal work? Melanin (pigment) in the hair absorbs the light and produces heat. This heat damages the hair follicle in such a way as to inhibit the regrowth. The active growth stage will then naturally fall out over a period of 1 to 3 weeks. Q. Is laser hair removal permanent? The aim of laser hair removal is to permanently reduce the amount of regrowth. You may need a maintenance top up 1/2 a year to cover any stray hairs. If there are any changes in your hormones then this can cause the hair to regrow, this in turn will mean you will need more sessions. Q. Is laser hair removal painful? THE DIODE LASER MACHINE HAS A FREEZE TIP TECHNOLOGY MEANING THE TREATMENT IS PAIN FREE! Q. Can anyone have laser hair removal and is it for all skin types? My machine can treat all skin types and hair types, however the laser cannot remove white hair or grey as there is not enough pigment in the hair to attract the laser. The Diode Laser Hair Removal safely and effectively treats all skin types (Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-VI) as well as tanned skin. For darker skin types and people with tans, appropriate parameters are set: generally lower fluencies and lower pulse widths are set to prevent epidermis damage. Using the appropriate treatment parameters, however, people with all skin types can benefit from diode laser hair removal. CLIENTS MUST BE 18+ TO HAVE LASER HAIR REMOVAL. LASER HAIR REMOVAL IS FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN! PREGNANT WOMEN MAY WANT TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER BIRTH TO CONSIDER LASER HAIR REMOVAL AS THERES NOT ENOUGH STUDIES TO CONFIRM WHETHER IT IS 100% SAFE OR NOT. Q. Does laser hair removal work on lighter or red hair? Unfortunately, there normally isn't enough melanin in red, white or grey hair for the laser to be able to absorb. This in turn won't damage the hair the way we would like to be able to inhibit the regrowth. Some lighter haired clients may achieve results, however it can be a longer process. Q. How many sessions will I need? Body - We recommend 6-12 treatments for the body every 6-8 weeks. Face - We recommend a 8-12 treatments for the face every 4-6 weeks. The number of sessions required is dependent on many factors - the number quoted are approximate and additional courses/maintenance may be needed. The hair we treat is in the growth stage and must be visible on the skin surface to be able to treat. The reason for several sessions is due to the hairs being in different stages and we want to be able to catch the hairs when they are in the growth stage. Maintenance may be needed 1-2 times a year, to keep any stray hairs away. Some people may need more sessions due to hormonal changes as this can results in regrowth of the hair. Q. How long do I leave in between sessions? Body - we recommend having your session every 6-8 weeks. Face - we recommend having your session every 4-6 weeks. The number of weeks can vary dependent on where you are up to in your hair removal journey. Q. Can I go on in the sun or on sun beds whilst having laser hair removal? You must wait at least 4 weeks either side of your treatment to be able to have laser hair removal. This means you must not have any sun exposure or use of sun beds 4 weeks prior to your treatment and 4 weeks after your treatment. There must be NO active tan in the area that is being treated. This is very important! Q. Can I wear fake tan whilst having laser hair removal? You must wait at least 2 weeks prior to your treatment. There cannot be any active tan in the area being treated. This also includes gradual tan, tinted moisturizer etc. Q. Can I shave in between sessions? Yes, you are more than welcome to shave in between sessions. However; waxing, plucking, hair removal creams and bleaching should be avoid 1 month prior to your treatment. PRE-TREATMENT Please read carefully the following instructions to follow – prior to each laser hair removal treatment: • For the treatment shave 24/48 hours before, the hair needs to be just appearing through the skin surface…. So 1-2mm – this is important for the effectiveness of the treatment. Do invest in a decent razor and shaving gel if you have sensitive skin to avoid irritation. • Do not use perfume products, deodorant, creams, oils on the relevant area 24 hours before each treatment. • Do not wax, bleach, pluck, or have electrolysis for at least 4 weeks prior to treatment. Shaving area is preferable in between treatments. • Avoid exfoliation treatments or products containing retinol or strong AHA fruit acids 1 week prior to treatment. • Avoid wearing tight clothing when attending treatment • Do not tan 4 weeks prior to treatment. No false tan 3 weeks before this applies once treatment course has commenced. • Use a minimum of spf 30 on exposed areas as LASER CANNOT be applied on an active tan. But do not use sun block 24 hours prior to treatments. • Drinking coffee an hour or two before treatment may cause a heightened sensation whist treating. IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT YOU TELL US IF YOU HAVE A CHANGE IN SKIN COLOUR BETWEEN YOUR PATCH TEST AND BEFORE YOUR NEXT APPOINTMENT AND THAT WE DO NOT TREAT ON AN ACTIVE TAN. AFTER CARE ADVICE •Your skin will be fragile for 2 to 3 days. Use gentle cleansers, but do not rub the skin vigorously and avoid cleaning with very hot water during this time. Skin moisturizes may be used and make-up can be applied if the skin is not broken. Aloe Vera gel can help aid recovery • Avoid sun exposure and tanning creams during the entire course of treatments. Use SPF 30 or greater on the treatment area at all times. • The treatment area may be left open and uncovered. Do not scrub the area. Do not use any products on the treated area without first consulting your Aesthetic Therapist. • Avoid soaking for 24 to 48 hours. No hot tubs, whirlpools or baths, but showers are allowed if tepid water is used. • Avoid excessive sweating for 24 to 48 hours. No saunas or vigorous working out. • Keep areas well moisturized and allow any scabs (rare) to fall off on their own. An antibiotic ointment may be used. (This is more likely to occur after treatment of pigmented lesions). • Avoid irritants such as Retin-A, Retinol, Renova, glycolics, bleaching creams and exfoliants for one week. • Refrain from alcohol for 3-7 days • Keep well hydrated • It is best to avoid smoking for a period of several weeks before and after your procedure, as smoking constricts the capillaries and taxes the immune system, thereby slowing healing and results • Avoid photosensitivity inducing foods (notably Celery & Leek) • Plucking residual hair is acceptable after hair removal treatment (but not before!) • Makeup can be applied after 2 hours On occasion, clients experience blistering that causes crusting. This usually does not occur until the following day. If it does occur, the patient can apply warm compresses and a topical antiseptic ointment. This occurrence should be relayed to your Aesthetic Practitioner as future treatments will require that the settings be adjusted ​ ​
Female Waxing
Outback Organics Waxing Products Alison's Beauty and Nails Boutique uses Outback Organics waxing products on our customers. Alison's Beauty and Nails Boutique's body waxing provides weeks of smooth, healthy skin. With each waxing, hair grows back less and less. Body waxing for women is a simple process. Outback Organics fuses the latest cosmetic ingredients with innovative natural extracts from the coastline, forests and bush lands of Australia. The Outback Organics range offered by Alison's Beauty and Nails Boutique Bradford has been developed to offer our customers a choice of effective, botanical skin care solutions with an Aussie twist. Outback Organics pride themselves on two things above all others: listening to there customers and developing wonderful botanical products based on their needs and suggestions. To complement there original tea tree line, in 2010 Outback Organics teamed up with the award-winning specialist waxer and educator, Andy Rouillard, to create the UK’s most complete range of wax-related skin care products. Each Outback Organics product has been designed to aid professional therapists, such as Alison, and specifically formulated to tackle the most common complaints after hair removal: irritation, pimples and ingrown hairs.
Tips Before Waxing If you're going on holiday, remember you should remove the hair at least two days before, because the area may get irritated. Don't use moisturisers. To weaken the body- hair, e​x-foliate the skin while taking a shower. Do not wax during your period, it may be more painful. Moisturise the waxed area regularly. Ingrown hairs are often caused by dry or flaky skin which does not allow the hairs to grow through. If you are moisturising your intimate bits, be sure to use an appropriate cream or oil that won’t aggravate these most sensitive of areas. Exfoliate the waxed area several times a week to get rid of dead skin cells. Again, if it’s an intimate area, make sure you choose a suitable scrub. The exfoliator needs to be grainy enough to have an effect, but not so harsh that will irritate your skin or make it sore. In fact, over exfoliation or the use of an unsuitable scrub will graze the skin and may actually cause ingrown hairs, rather than prevent them. Loofahs and exfoliating mitts can be used in the shower but these must be kept clean and dry, and should be replaced regularly. For non-intimate areas of the body, dry brushing can have a useful exfoliating effect. Dead sea salt used as bath salts can help prevent infection as can anti-bacterial shower gels. Soothing lotions and gels, especially those containing products such as tea-tree oil, aloe vera and witch-hazel can also alleviate irritation. No fake tans, massages, extreme heat treatments (e.g. very hot baths or showers, saunas, steam rooms), swimming, sunbathing (including sun beds or any other exposure to UV light) or tight clothing for 24-48 hours. Try and avoid exercise for 24-hours. Do not scratch or touch the area with unwashed hands. Avoid applying deodorant, anything perfumed or make-up to the waxed area for 24 hours. In the unlikely event that your skin has not returned to normal after 24 hours, seek advice from your GP in case you have had an allergic reaction to the wax or in case an infection is developing.
Male Waxing
Aftercare Now for the serious stuff… Unfortunately, men’s backs and chests are particularly prone to ingrown hairs so if you don’t want to suffer, then follow nkd’s advice or ignore it at your peril! Alison sells a range of specialist pre- and post-care waxing lotions and potions, which your therapist can talk you through. These range from tea tree oil moisturisers and exfoliators for use on even the most sensitive of areas, skin soothers, hair retardants to slow down hair growth and various specialist ingrown hair treatments. We even sell a bespoke aftercare pack, which contains everything you need to ensure that your waxed skin stays smooth and bump-free. Moisturise the waxed area regularly. Ingrown hairs are often caused by dry or flaky skin which does not allow the hairs to grow through. If you are moisturising your intimate bits, be sure to use an appropriate cream or oil that won’t aggravate these most sensitive of areas. Rubbing antiseptic cream into the waxed area for 3 days after treatment can sooth and protect the skin. Always wash your hands before applying any product. Exfoliate the waxed area several times a week to get rid of dead skin cells. Again, if it’s an intimate area, make sure you choose a suitable scrub. The exfoliator needs to be grainy enough to have an effect, but not so harsh that will irritate your skin or make it sore. In fact, over-exfoliation or the use of an unsuitable scrub will graze the skin and may actually cause ingrown hairs, rather than prevent them. For hard-to-reach areas such as the back, back straps/mitts/gloves can be good. However, it is important to keep these clean and dry and to replace them regularly. Dead sea salt used as bath salts can help prevent infection as can anti-bacterial shower gels. Soothing lotions and gels, especially those containing products such as tea-tree oil, aloe vera and witch-hazel can also alleviate irritation. No fake tans, massages, extreme heat treatments (e.g. very hot baths or showers, saunas, steam rooms), swimming, sunbathing (including sun beds or any other exposure to UV light) or tight clothing for 24 — 48 hours. Try and avoid exercise or vigorous activity for 24-hours. Do not scratch or touch the area with unwashed hands.