Rio Salon Laser
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any areas that cannot be treated?
The Laser should not be used to treat the following areas; tattoos, permanent make up, pimples, warts, hair grown on black spots, skin disease, birthmarks, burns, lips, nipples, genital or anal areas, eczema, eyelashes, eyebrows, near the eyes, nasal or ear hair.
What would happen if I used the laser on a freckle or mole?
Because of the way the laser works, using it on moles and freckles could cause more heat build up in the darker tissue of the freckle or mole, which would cause discomfort, even possible burning.
Why can’t the laser be used on nasal or ear hair?
The nose and ears have softer tissue, so they cannot withstand the heat from the laser which would cause discomfort and possibly result in skin damage
What areas can you treat?
Most body hair can be removed using the Laser, the most common areas are the face, underarms, legs, chest, back and bikini line. It should not be used on the Eyebrow.
What does it feel like?
Most people don’t feel anything, although a mild pin prick sensation, lasting less than a second may be felt.
How often can I repeat Laser Hair Removal Treatment?
As long as the hair follicle or surrounding skin is not red, sore or inflamed, treatment can be repeated after 24 hours. Most people wait 3 – 4 weeks between treatments to see which hairs have been shed and to identify new regrowth. The timing for follow on treatments is not critical. Choose a time that is convenient for you. Avoid excessive treatment on the same region at one time, this may cause reddening and swelling. We suggest treating each hair only once in each session.
How many treatments will I need?
Laser hair reduction is generally considered to be effective and permanent after 6 treatments. This varies from person to person and depends on the area you are treating, hair density, your hair growth cycle and colour. Dark hair on fair skin responds to laser therapy best, but both dark and fair hair may take several treatments for long term results. Some individuals may require more and some fewer treatments to achieve satisfaction. Initially with each treatment you will notice a gradual thinning/reduction of hair growth in the treated area. Women who suffer excessive hair growth due to male type hormones are likely to require long term maintenance.
Which part of the hair should I aim at?
It is essential to aim at the root of the hair, this is much easier if the hairs are only 1 –2 mm long. Most hairs grow at an angle, so the root is not necessarily in line with the base of the hair above the skin, this is quite difficult to see if the hairs are to long. Initially you may find there is a knack to targeting the hair root / follicle and you may wish to ask a friend / partner to help with the treatment of hard to reach areas such as the underarm.
I sometimes smell burning when treating a hair
This is simply because the hair has been cut / burnt off by the Laser at skin level, it does not necessarily mean that the hair root / follicle has been treated.
How should I prepare my skin for Laser Hair Removal?
Laser Hair Removal does not require any special skin preparations, although you should always ensure your skin in clean. A patch test should be carried out, after 24 hours if any of the test areas appear red or inflamed for any particular power level, select a lower level for treatment. Note – Skin colour varies on different areas of the body, you may find that you need different power level settings for different areas. Each area should be tested for the appropriate maximum power level
How should I prepare my hair for Laser Hair Removal?
The best results are on hairs which are only 1-3mm long, we recommend trimming the hairs before treatment
Do the treated hairs fall out?
Yes, but not immediately. They should fall out within 24 hours. Sometimes it can take longer.
Is there anything I should avoid before treatment?
As the Laser is more effective on pale skin, we would recommend that you avoid sunbathing, sun beds and fake tanning if possible.
How will my skin appear after treatment? Will I experience any side effects?
Generally no perceptible changes will be apparent. Rarely mild redness, and some swelling may occur. This will fade over 24 hours. Using an ice pack or wet towel will help to cool the area and reduce any redness / swelling.
Is there any aftercare routine that I should follow?
Take care to keep the treated area particularly clean for 3 days after treatment. Ideally use an anti-bacterial soap twice daily.
Are there any side effects?
After the treatment a slight redness of your skin may occur but will normally fade within 24 hours. If not, the user has selected too high a power setting for his/her skin type.
Is there anything I must avoid after treatment?
When treating the underarms avoid using antiperspirant deodorant for 2 – 3 days.
Avoid using abrasive cleaners or skin peeling treatments. Avoid swimming in chlorinated water or using a hot tub for 48 hours, as the chlorine can result in itchiness. Sun exposure or deep tanning should be avoided for at least a week, if the skin is exposed, use a sunscreen.
Can I use other hair removal methods between treatments?
Because the Laser needs a hair to be present in the follicle for treatment, hair removal methods such as waxing, epilators and tweezing are not suitable for use between treatments.
Bleaching hair is also not suitable as it removes the pigment and renders the Laser ineffective.
Shaving, Micro-dermabrasion discs and cream depilatories are ideal for use between treatments.
Can Laser Hair Removal be used on sensitive skin?
Yes, the Laser reacts with the hair so the skin will not be affected.
Can I use Make Up after Laser Treatment?
Yes, make up can be used after LAHR treatment. We suggest waiting 10 minutes after treatment and only applying if there is no redness or swelling.
Will the Laser work on Grey / White hair?
No, unfortunately the Laser will not work on grey / white hair, this is because the laser works / reacts with the pigment in the hair, grey / white hair has no colour pigment.
Can the Laser be used on Asian skin?
Yes the Laser can be used on Asian skin, but we would recommend that it is not used above power level 3, a patch test should be carried out, after 24hrs if any of the test areas appear red or inflamed for any particular power level, select a lower level for treatment. Note – Skin colour varies on different areas of the body, you may find that you need different power level settings for different areas. Each area should be tested for the appropriate maximum power level.
Can the laser be used on areas with loss of skin pigmentation?
Reduced skin pigmentation should not be a problem, it is darker skin that causes the issue. Although as always we strongly recommend that a patch test is carried out.
Is it safe to use the Laser during pregnancy?
It is common knowledge that women suffer excess hair growth during pregnancy, most of which will fall out once the baby has arrived. Whilst it is safe to use the Laser Hair Remover during pregnancy, we recommend avoiding the breast and abdomen areas during the last trimester. It is recommended that you consult with your GP prior to using a Laser Hair removal device while pregnant.
Is the treatment the same as Laser Treatment in salons?
We cannot comment on Laser treatment in salons as the laser products they use may vary from ours. Our product is obviously similar to that in salons and will have the same effect of permanent hair reduction.
Why is there such a difference in price between the Rio Lasers and salon treatments?
One reason for the difference in cost is that we have brought a salon treatment into the home, so the customer is not paying for the person to do the treatment or the overhead of the salon, we have the benefit of manufacturing a product in much greater volume (than a salon equipment manufacturer) which gives us greater purchasing power which we have passed on to the end customer.
Can I clean the clear cap (Laser Shroud) and Touch Pins, if so how?
Yes, you should regularly clean the Laser Shroud and Touch Pins with a cotton bud, this will ensure optimum laser output.
Salon Laser
