Este-Lux Hair Removal
Frequently asked questions
What is Este-Lux?|What is it like?
How many treatments are necessary?|How often?
Post-operative care
Complications|Contraindications

What is a Palomar Este-Lux?

Este-Lux is the latest FDA-approved device for hair removal and permanent hair reduction. It is not a laser, but rather produces intense light pulses of many wavelengths.

Its advantages are the speed of the procedure and the fact that finer, lighter hair can be targeted

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What is the procedure like?

Prior to the procedure, hair must be shaved. Special glasses are worn by both the provider and the patient to protect the eyes from the intense light.

The skin is cooled with ice packs or an ice roller. A 16 by 46 mm crystal is placed on the skin and a light pulse is generated. The crystal is moved over the skin until all areas are treated.

The pulse often feels like a rubber band snapping on the skin. Discomfort is usually minimal and controlled with cool packs.

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How many treatments does it take to effect "permanent hair reduction"?

After the first treatment, the hairs will be purged from the follicles over the next few days. Many people find that even with one treatment, hair regrowth is delayed.

Only active hair follicles (anagen hairs) are effected by the treatment. Since at any given time, only a percentage of the hair follicles (~20-80% depending on which part of the body is being treated) are actively growing, hair regrowth primarily occurs in newly active hair follicles.

To catch all of the hair follicles when they are active usually takes about 6 treatments. Most benefit occurs after the first three treatments. Thereafter, fewer and fewer hairs regrow, and usually those hairs are finer and lighter.

Although early studies show that finer, lighter or even red hair may respond to this intense pulse light device, no guarantees can be made as the response of these hair types.

Likewise no guarantees regarding the permanency of hair reduction are made; rather, we emphasize that the purpose of treatment with this device is hair growth management, rather than permanent and complete removal.

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How often does one have treatments?

Treatments are done at 2 to 4 week intervals depending on the area treated, because different areas have different anagen phases. Chests and backs are usually treated at 2 week intervals; arms, upper lips and bikini areas are treated at 3 week intervals; legs at 3 to 4 week intervals.

Thereafter, more patients requires treatments only a few times a year for maintenance.

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What is the post-operative care? Is there any 'down-time'?

Post-operative care is quite simple. After cooling the skin, a high-tech cooling gel known as Humatrix is applied to the treated area. There is minimal discomfort afterwards and no 'down-time' is expected.

You may have a few mildly reddened areas and there may be a slight sunburn-like sensation to the skin that usually resolves within 24 hours.

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What complications can occur?

Complications associated with this device are rare, but can occur, mainly in the form of skin reactions such as crusting, blistering or pigmentary changes.

Pigmentary changes can take the form of lightening (hypopigmentation) or darkening (hyperpigmentation) of the skin.

While these changes are usually transient that can, although rarely, be permanent.

Light emitted from this device will also be absorbed by brown pigment (melanin) in the skin. Blotchy brown pigment on the face, known as melasma or the mask of pregnancy, or brown spots from sun damage (solar lentignines) may temporarily darken and then disappear.

If crusting, blistering or other rare side effects occur, the physician will treat and monitor these areas until they are healed.

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Are there contraindications to Este-Lux treatment?

  • Seizure disorders may be activated by this treatment and are contraindicated.
  • Pregnancy
  • Waxing, sugaring, electrolysis or plucking within 6 weeks prior to treatment, or using a cream depilatory within 4 days, will decrease the efficacy of the treatment. Why? because the target for the treatment, the hair root, will be gone.
  • Active herpes or cold sore: If you suffer from herpes or cold-sores, LET US KNOW! Pretreatment with oral Zovirax is advised.
  • Tanning, having a tan, or sun exposure for more than 15 minutes without protection in the past 2 weeks or using tanning creams within the past 4 weeks.
  • Use within the past 2 weeks of topical retinoids, such as Retin A, Renova, Differin, or exfoliants such as glycolic acid or azelic acid (Azelex)
  • Use, within the past 6 months, of oral retinoids such as Accutane, Tegison or Soriatane.
  • Lightening creams, such as hydroquinone should be stopped 5 days prior to treatment, because they are irritating.
  • Other medications that induce light sensitivity such as tetracycline, St. John's Wort, etc.
  • Anticoagulants such as coumadin

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Disclaimer: The information on this web site is provided for your general information and education. It  CAN NOT and SHOULD NOT be used to replace  the advice of a qualified medical practioner. Always talk with your doctor or nurse practitioner about your specific health concerns.  
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updated 4 March 2003