Healthy Skin Expert Dermatology Advice

LightSheer Duet Laser Hair Removal Treatment on The View

The amazing LightSheer Duet Laser made a guest appearance on The View .  To view the segment please click here.

BARE NECESSITIES - Tidy, trim or go as bare as you dare with the latest hair-removal offerings

Bikini season raises a flurry of questions: Stripes or polka dots? Strings or strapless? Boy or French cut bottoms? Color and cut, though, aren’t the only factors influencing our fashion picks. So is the state of our bikini line, which leads to even more questions: Is waxing or shaving more efficient? Do epilators or the latest laser treatments actually work to permanently remove hair? Hello! consults with experts and compares the options. Either way, well have you looking as a beach-ready as Jennifer Aniston or Demi Moore.

GOING, GOING, GONE

WHAT
Duet and Sciton lasers, plus the Lumenis One Intense Pulsed Light. Available only at your dermatologist.

WHO
For women with coarse, more abundant hair and a history of ingrowns.

HOW IT WORKS
Heat from the laser and IPL destroys the hair follicle permanently. Duetis a new, pain-free laser that uses suction to pull the skin closer to the laser, zapping every hair follicle. It works best on fair skin. For darker skin, Toronto dermatologist Dr. Lisa Kellett recommends the Sciton, which targets hair while protecting skin pigmentation. For stubborn hairs that have been missed, Dr. Kellett recommends finishing off with a Lumenis One Intense Pulsed Light treatment.

TIME
Varies depending on the surface area to be covered.

SIDE EFFECTS
Pure bliss! Finally, no more ingrowns and razor burns.

COST
Approximately $199 per half-hour treatment.

From HELLO! Canada Magazine, June 2010 - Written by Alison Garwood-Jones

BARE WHAT YOU DARE - Banish body hair once and for all – or just find a new way to get naked – with our handy hair-removal guide

Shaving
How it works: An electric razor or straight razor cuts hair growing on the skins surface.
Who it’s for: Shaving can be for everyone, says Toronto Dermatologist Dr. Lisa Kellett. To nix irritation, thoroughly wet hair before you begin, shave in the direction of the hair growth, and avoid repeating strokes on the same area.
Best for: Legs, underarms and the bikini area.
Ouch factor: Next to none (unless you use a dull razor).
After-care: Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.
Results last: Two to four days
Cost: $3 to $20

Depilatory
How it works: Chemists target protein in the hair follicle and dissolve the hair.
Who it’s for: Depilatories are effective for all skin types, but according to Kellett, they can be irritating for those with asthma, eczema or hay fever.
Best for: Face (avoid eyes, though), arms and legs.
Ouch factor: None
After-care: Hydration is key.
Results last: Five to seven days.
Cost: $5 to $15

Waxing
How it works: Wax is applied in the direction of the hair growth; once hardened, it’s removed quickly against the hair growth.
Who it’s for: Everyone.
Best for: Anywhere.
Ouch factor: High, depending on where waxing is done.
After-care: Pros usually finish with a soothing cream or oil, but aloe vera is good at-home fix.
Results last: A session will keep regrowth at bay for an average of three to five weeks. Waxing isn’t a permanent solution, but the more you do it, the finer and sparser your regrowth will be, says esthetician Karen Lang, formerly of Toronto’s Oasis Spa and Wellness Center.
Cost: $7 to $35

Laser and intense pulsed light
How it works: Using energy form a laser or an intense pulsed light to target pigment in the hair, both systems use heat to travel down to the follicle and destroy hair at the root.
How may sessions it takes: Four sessions spaced a few weeks apart reduce hair by 75 to 85 percent, says Kellett. Finer hair may need an additional session or two.
Who it’s for: Works best on people with light skin and darker hair, says Kellett. “I don’t even attempt the process on someone who is naturally blond hair, or completely grey.”
Best for: Almost anywhere, but Kellett advises avoiding areas close to mucous membranes, such as eyes and mouth.
Ouch factor: With laser, the sensation is a “slight pulling”, says Kellett. Intense pulsed light, meanwhile, feels similar to elastic bands being snapped against your skin. But, adds Kellett the newer the machine, the less likely you’ll feel pain.
After-care: While you’re undergoing treatments, avoid tanning.
Results last: Considered a permanent solution, some women need a little maintenance annually.
Cost: Most sessions start at around $175.

Electrolysis
How it works: A tiny needle inserts an electrical current into follicles and burns hair at the root.
How many sessions it takes: Each follicle has to be addressed individually for about a minute, and it takes anywhere from 15 to 20 sessions for follicles to be completely destroyed.
Who it’s for: Almost anyone, but this treatment can cause scarring, so proceed with caution.
Best for: Anywhere on the body, but because each hair needs to be targeted, smaller areas, such as face and armpits, are most requested.
Ouch factor: You’ll feel a small sting when each hair is removed.
After-care: Avoid the sun as mush as possible for about six weeks after the treatment, always use sunscreen when you’re outdoors, and try not to pick at or squeeze your skin following a session.
Results last: Forever. This is proven permanent option.
Cost: $50 per 30 minute session.

From Today's Parent Magazine, June 2010 - Written by Liz Buckner

HAIR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW

Men are living evidence that Darwin was right.

Our hair-suits, hand-me downs from our prehistoric ancestors, have evolved into unsightly personal grooming liabilities in the eyes of many modern men — and their female mates.

And so, they engage in the self-loathing exercise of shaving, waxing and tweezing in a futile attempt to deny genetic predispositions and attain the contemporary form of enlightenment called hairlessness.

After thousands of years of scant, weep-inducing options, de-tufting technology is finally getting an upgrade to faster, less painful fur-coat shedding.

Call it the purple nurple of hair removal!

The LightSheer Duet Laser Hair Reduction Treatment machine combines laser hair removal technology with a vacuum that sucks hair from follicle with little or no pain.

Swaths of body hair that took afternoons of anguished tugging over repeated visits to transform into baby bottom smoothness can be Hoovered in less than an hour with little more than the sensation of a hickey.

“More and more men are aware of the advancements in technology and becoming more comfortable discussing their hair removal needs,” says Dr. Lisa Kellett, whose DLK on Avenue clinic in Toronto has invested in a $150,000 LightSheer machine that stands the size of an automated teller.

“For men, ridding yourself of unwanted hair has become much more mainstream and socially acceptable, in part related to the portrayal of men in the media, and the sometimes grizzly associations related to being excessively hairy.”

Lie down on the table and a clinician presses a “chill tip” hand piece against the skin. You feel a small area of your skin being sucked in and then released minus the once-existing hair. A short zapping sound destroys the hair follicle with heat and prevents new growth.

That’s an accomplishment unmatched by the transience of waxing or shaving.

An entire man’s back can be rendered hairless with the LightSheer in a pleasant, chatty half hour compared to a teeth-grinding 90 minutes the old way.

There are some limitations.

The technology has trouble with very light hair, as the trick here is to target pigments at the base of the follicle.

And one treatment won’t solve all of your hair issues. Generally, it will take three to six treatments to nab all of the stray hairs as they come in.

Each treatment rings in at about $200 at DLK.

Not cheap. But consider it means permanent shag riddance in a no-tear formula that doesn’t require the humiliation and anguish of endless repeats.

It’s technology that holds the power to bring final extinction to our inner caveman.

“I’m cursed with the family genes,” says Basil, a 20-something Torontonian undergoing the treatment who asked that his last name not be published. “I've got a European background and more hair than the average 20-year-old. It’s a thing now not to be a hairy beast."

Enhancing romantic prospects is also a motivating factor, he says.

"I’ve heard from certain women I’ve been with and some definitely prefer less hair."

From healthzone.ca, June 16, 2010 - Written by Robert Cribb

WEDthings – According to Alison | Bridal Beauty Must – Laser Hair Removal

Last Thursday, I found myself at DLK on Avenue in Toronto, lying face up, arms stretched above my head, goggles strapped on, ready to test drive the clinic’s new laser hair removal technology.

The LightSheer Duet Laser Hair Reduction treatment zaps hair at the source, destroying the follicle. This new system works quicker than previous laser systems—as an example a man’s back can be treated in 20-30 minutes versus 1.5 hours. Now voluntary pain is never something I put myself out there for, but DLK founder Dr. Lisa Kellett and my treatment therapist Helen both assured me this underarm lasering would be a cinch; it would be over in a few short minutes.

Helen administered 13 zaps total—six under my right arm; seven under my left. The sensation of the laser on my skin was a mild pinch and a zap. My ultra-sensitive skin was a little pink immediately after, but quickly calmed and was looked and felt completely normal that evening. I will probably need three to four treatments to get rid of my underarm hair permanently—yahoo!

I will keep you posted of my progress, but this is certainly one treatment I think would be a fabulous investment before your wedding. Just think, you could wave bye-bye to razors and waxing and never have to worry about your legs/arms/bikini line, or whatever your problem area is again. Sounds like a smart investment to me. LightSheer treatments at DLK on Avenue start at $199.

From Weddingbells.ca, April 12, 2010 - Written by Alison McGill

Shaving: Secrets Dad Never Told You

It’s that subject you and your dad never mentioned. He felt too awkward to talk about it, and you -- fearful he’d go into graphic details on how it’s done properly and (ugh) tell the story of his first time -- didn’t even know how to bring it up. Yes, we’re talking about shaving.

As a result, you haven’t enjoyed the benefits of a baby-clean face since before your voice dropped an octave. And if you don’t have the sharpest shaving IQ, don’t worry: You’re not alone. Dr. Lisa Kellett, a dermatologist, says about 50 percent of her patients don’t shave properly. “It’s a time-consuming ritual, and the other problem is educating men about their skin,” she says. “The trend of men’s skin care is a new one.”

Your dad will agree with that last point, although you and he will probably never talk about it. Here are some pointers on how to shave the right way so you and the old man can talk about more comfortable subjects, like women.

Step 1: Shower first
Hot water opens the pores and softens the skin and hair. Ideally, you should also use an exfoliator, which will remove the dead outer layer of skin and keep the pores clean, recommends Kellett.

Step 2: Lather up
Use a thick, nondrying shave gel and apply it in a circular motion. “If you have one, use a badger-hair shaving brush, which helps lift the hairs, allowing the razor to cut them more cleanly and minimizing the stubborn few that escape the blade,” says Dr. Jeffrey Benabio, a dermatologist and skin care expert.

Step 3: Use a sharp, multiblade razor
If you don’t have an effective, multiblade razor, you’re undermining all your other efforts. Rinse after every pass to remove hair and shave cream, and don’t press hard when shaving or you’ll be removing a layer of skin too. “Men don’t have to sacrifice their skin for a closer shave,” says Kellett. Just let the blade glide over your face and replace the cartridge after four or five uses.

Step 4: Shave in the direction the hair grows
Shave in the wrong direction and you’ll scrape away a layer of skin. And keep in mind: Hair doesn’t always point downward -- especially on the sideburns, chin and neck, notes Benabio.

Step 5: Wash your face
Splash with cold water to close the pores. Pat dry.

Step 6: Moisturize
Lotion or aftershave will regenerate the skin. “A gel-based one is better for acne-prone skin,” advises Kellett. Still, nicks are easier to get if you’re not meticulous. When you’re done, use moisturizer or else the area could itch for days and result in ingrown hairs -- the manscape from which there’s no escape.

From MensLifeToday.com - Written by Greg Melville

Manscaping: The Art of the Body Shave

Remember that guy in middle school with all the back hair? He probably had a nickname like “werewolf” or “yeti.” And he had no choice but to learn the art of body shaving, better known as manscaping, at an early age (or it’s possible that he was so scarred from the locker room jokes that he turned into a recluse and didn’t bother).

Now that you’re older and pumping out more testosterone than when you sneaked into PG-13 movies, the subject of body hair isn’t quite as funny. Whether or not to shave -- and where -- is entirely personal. But being clean and tidy is definitely in.

“It is one of those things that men are finally comfortable talking about,” says Dr. Lisa Kellett, a dermatologist. “Many men are acquiring a more tailored, less hairy look.”

Successful manscaping without nicks or ingrown hairs involves somewhat different strategies than those used for shaving the face. Here are tips for clearing hair -- all the way down to the groin, where it can sometimes be hard to spot the lion in the tall grass.

Anywhere
Always manscape after or during a shower so the skin and hair is completely softened. To get an even smoother shave, shear any long hair with an electric trimmer or scissors, says Dr. Jeffrey Benabio, a dermatologist and skin care expert. Then apply shaving gel or cream and use a razor that adjusts to the shape of your body. Rinse it often.

Armpits
Remember the cardinal rule of shaving: don’t apply pressure with the razor. To avoid nicks and ingrown hairs, let it glide across the skin. When you’re finished, avoid an alcohol-based deodorant for a while: It’ll irritate.

Chest
Sure, women shave against the grain on their legs, but don’t follow their lead, especially on the chest, where the skin is softer. Glide the razor mostly downhill except around the nipples -- you’ll need to be extra careful here. (Losing a nipple would make for lots of stares at the beach -- not the good kind.) Follow the hair’s varying directions and be sure not to nick the coarse skin.

Back
Don’t try this alone. The person shaving should merely follow the advice above (shave with grain, let razor glide, etc.). A few more words of wisdom, though: don’t ask a girl to do this on your first date.

Groin
Again, cut the hair short first. Then use a fresh blade, pulling the skin as taut and flat as possible. Use only light, short strokes. These last tips are especially important when clearing the brush around the tree, so to speak. There’s no real danger to hitting any veins or lopping anything off in this, um, especially sensitive area. Still, nicks are easier to get if you’re not meticulous. When you’re done, use moisturizer or else the area could itch for days and result in ingrown hairs -- the manscape from which there’s no escape.

From MensLifeToday.com - Written by Greg Melville

RITES OF PASSAGE – Bikini Waxes for Kids

Pressure from their parents and their peers pushes more and more under-12s into hair-removal spas.

Rivcah Maclean had been working as an aesthetician at an Etobicoke spa for just a few years when she received her first unsettling request from a woman in her late 30s demanding a bikini wax – for her 9-year-old daughter.

"You could tell the girl didn't want to do it," Maclean said. "The mother wanted it because they were going to Europe for the summer."

Since the child was barely developed and virtually hairless, applying hot wax to such sensitive skin would've been torture. After consulting her manager, Maclean convinced the mom to hold off.

Is "baby waxing" the next big thing?

Though not quite as popular as mani-pedi parties for toddlers, aestheticians around Toronto are scheduling more hair-removal appointments than ever for the under-12 set.

"The trend now for adults is for less body hair and that is being passed down to younger age groups," says dermatologist Dr. Lisa Kellett of DLK on Avenue.

While Maclean, who now works at Novo Spa in Yorkville, has never performed a Brazilian on a tween, she does wax the arms, eyebrows, legs and armpits of about three girls in an average week.

"More mothers are pressuring the girls to look a certain way," she says. And peer pressure doesn't help.

When her daughter was 11 years old, Narges Ehsani, an aesthetician at Tips Nail Bar on the Danforth, waxed the girl's eyebrows after she came home from school one day in tears. Classmates, Ehsani learned, had been calling her daughter a "hairy beast." The pain that came from cleaning the unibrow was nothing compared to the harassment her daughter felt at school, she says.

It's critical that parents try to temper unrealistic beauty ideals instead of supporting them, says Alyson Shafer, a psychotherapist and one of Canada's leading parenting experts.

There's a difference between a mother who's talking with her daughter about options for hair removal and one who forces her child into aesthetic services because they want a miniature version of themselves.

"I don't think parents should even be making decisions about their kids' haircuts, let alone other body hair," she says. "If a mother says `You can't go to a pool party with that hair sticking out! ... That's awful!"

At Caress Laser & Aesthetics in Ajax, skin therapist Asal Bayati says most of her preteen clients come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. "The youngest would've been about 6," says Bayati, who owns the clinic on Old Kingston Rd. "And that was just for the unibrow."

Bayati says mothers often call her looking for alternatives to waxing. Since the hair is typically much too fine for a laser treatment, she'll suggest trying a chemical depilatory like Nair, which recently introduced a fruity scented line for young girls called Nair Pretty.

"You just have to be very careful. Make sure the kids aren't leaving it on for too long. It can burn."

Published by the Toronto Star on Thursday, August 28, 2008 - Written by Diana Zlomislic

Laser Hair Removal: What You Need To Know

Laser hair removal tips from a dermatologist to help you get smooth and sexy skin this summer.

With bikini season right around the corner (we already have our sexy little number purchased) women go into full-blown hair removal mode and will do anything to get smooth skin for summer dresses, short-shorts and of course, the beach. All those tired of the nicks and time it takes with shaving raise your hand. And while waxing gives you a bit of a break from the shave routine, let's be honest -- the pain factor is not something any of us look forward to. But don't fret -- there are other options for hair removal (that don't involve nearly as much pain and are more permanent), such as laser hair removal. To get the skinny on how laser hair removal works and tips for getting it done, ELLE Canada asked dermatologist Dr. Lisa Kellett of DLK on Avenue for her advice.

How it's done:
Rather than pulling the hair out by the root, or shaving it off at the skin, laser removal destroys the hair follicle, preventing any new hair growth, one hair at a time. "Laser hair removal is based on wavelengths used to heat up a certain part of the hair follicle to destroy it thus decreasing hair growth," explains Kellett. That may sound painful, but while there might be some discomfort and a few side effects, it is generally pain-free.

How many sessions it will take:
"The number of sessions depends on the type of hair, body site and quality of the laser technology," says Kellett. "The average is 6-8 treatments but it could take more." If you're looking to do a larger part of your body, you may also need to get it done in sections. Don't forget you will need some downtime in between each session, usually a couple of weeks so ask your derm how long you should wait.

The side effects:
Side effects include redness, swelling, and less commonly pigment change, scabbing and blistering. It really depends on your skin and how it will react to the treatment. A trip to the clinic for a consultation session will help determine if there will be any major side effects.

Who should get laser hair removal:
"Laser Hair reduction is a great option for people who want a permanent reduction of hair rather than having to do something again and again," says Kellett. "It's great for all body sites, arms, legs, face, bikini, back and neck." If you're sensitive to waxing, shaving or depilating, it's worth looking in to.

Tips before you get it done:
Always see a dermatologist before laser hair removal to ensure that you are a good candidate. "You also want to ensure that you do not have moles that should not be treated with laser or even worse that you have a skin cancer," warns Kellett. Book a consultation before getting anything done -- then enjoy the new, smooth you!

From ELLECANADA.com - text by Jennifer Weatherhead.

Related articles by ELLECANADA.com:
The 20-minute bikini challenge!
Find the bikini that suits your body
6 treadmill workout tips

Hair Raising: Laser Hair Ramoval

Permanently fuzz-free legs? Muriel Friday says “Hit me with your laser beam.”

By now, those of us on the quest for hairfree legs, bikini lines, etc., have read at least a dozen articles on laser hair removal.

In the beginning, it was touted as a wunderkind of a process, with great results. It was messy though, with tar-like black stuff and gigantic gun-like laser tools that could scare a werewolf back to waxing. But now, the technology of lasers, just like almost everything else in the techie world, has advanced at light-speed. Bye-bye, black goopy stuff; hello, clear cool gel. So long, laser weapons - enter the LightSheer Diode Laser.

But let’s get back to the laser’s raison d’être: hair removal. What we thought about eradicating the fuzz has been corrected. Now, dermatologists and other laser hair-removal practitioners (such as estheticians and laser technicians at hospitals) are claiming permanent hair reduction, rather than permanent hair removal, over (on average) 5–6 treatments.

OK, I think, if I can get rid of any of the nasty stuff for good - particularly in those lovely bikini areas - I’m in. Luckily, my editor has an excellent contact for the procedure: dermatologist Dr. Lisa Kellett, director of cosmetic laser dermatology and a partner at SpaMedica in Toronto. I book the first possible appointment, but with a little hesitation. Sure, I’ve had the odd massage, but I’m not one to particularly appreciate strange hands or eyes on me - let’s just say I’m modest - especially while half naked and entering completely new territory.

Once at SpaMedica, however, I am put at ease almost immediately. The tastefully appointed waiting room sports a large black slab water fountain that helps impart a calm feeling, as do the cheery registered nurses and the receptionist who greet patients. I’m good so far. Then, Dr. Kellett arrives. Whatever doubts I have left fly out the window. Dr. Kellett is young and pretty, with skin that makes you want to say, "I’ll have what she’s having."

Dr. Kellett is also one of the leading laser practitioners in this country and is a consultant to many of the top laser-equipment companies in the world. There’s more: she’s a University of Toronto grad, has studied cosmetic laser skin care at Harvard and consulted in dermatology for the Blue Jays, ensuring that the boys of summer remained trouble-free by spot-checking for skin cancer.

From Flare Magazine, April 2003, text by Muriel Friday.  To read the entire article please click here