Hair tends to be top of mind for most consumers. Demand for hair removal treatments has grown immensely with more than one million non-surgical hair removal procedures performed in 2016 in the United States alone. This growth is expected to continue with an average 9% expansion in the global market through to 2022, reaching a total $1.35 billion value. Within this framework, laser hair removal is one medical aesthetics market segment that should not be overlooked, particularly with newer, more advanced technologies emerging that are safe for darker skin tones. Likewise, demand for hair restoration is standing strong with a potential market of 80 million Americans, both male and female, experiencing hereditary hair loss.

Tap into these popular markets or upgrade your current medical aesthetics machines with the following top aesthetic treatments to remove or restore hair.

As mentioned, about a quarter of the American population experiences hereditary hair loss and even more experience hair loss due to other common causes, such as regularly wearing hair in a tight updo, excessive or improper use of styling products, hormonal imbalances, or the use of some prescription medications, among other factors. Many are searching for a safe, effective, and natural-looking hair restoration solution.

There are two main types of hair restoration treatments: follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT). Both utilize hair follicles extracted from the back or sides of the head, where living tissues are more resistant to DHT, an androgen that most commonly causes the thinning and inactivity of hair follicles. However, there are a couple of key differences between the two procedures.

Via the use of a scalpel, FUT procedures require a strip of hair to be surgically removed from the back of the scalp and then dissected into follicular units. While an effective means for hair restoration, this invasive procedure can be painful, oftentimes resulting in a linear scar and requiring a longer recovery period.

In comparison, the FUE procedure allows hair follicles to be extracted directly from the scalp in their naturally-occurring groups of 1-3 hairs without a strip of scalp having to be surgically removed. The follicles are then divided depending on whether they produce one or more hairs and are implanted at an angle and density that most accurately resemble the patient’s natural hair growth. FUE is minimally invasive and recovery time is quicker.

Utilizing this advanced FUE transplant method, the NeoGraft® hair restoration system adds controlled pneumatic pressure to smoothly slide out the follicular units, after the follicular unit has been adequately mobilized and freed from its surrounding tissue. As well, its highly ergonomic mechanical system acts as a natural extension of your hand, allowing for faster and more accurate harvesting of hair follicles. The system also has the ability to create and count recipient sites. Once the recipient sites have been created, the system has an implantation tool to help place grafts, saving time for the operator. Overall, NeoGraft® patients are able to reach their aesthetic goals in less time and with minimal scarring or downtime, while providers achieve optimal results that help earn patient trust and contribute to a high-quality before-and-after gallery for improved consultation conversion rates.

Recent statistics note that 99% of American women remove unwanted hair, 85% of whom do so on a regular basis, and that 60% of American men regularly manage unwanted hair growth from the neck and below. Considering the amount of money these demographics are spending on shaving supplies (about $10,000 for females over a lifetime) or regular waxing appointments (approximately $23,000), it’s safe to say that laser hair removal can be a lucrative medical aesthetics market that can benefit both the provider and patient.

While lasers are not a new development in medical aesthetics, their use in hair removal only developed in the 1990s. At the time, laser hair removal was slow, painful, and only really effective on patients with very fair skin (Fitzpatrick Skin Type I) and dark, coarse hair. Since then, the industry has come to use four general types of lasers for hair removal: ruby lasers, alexandrite lasers, diode lasers, and Nd:YAG lasers.

Ruby and alexandrite lasers are generally indicated for patients with Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-III. Ruby lasers utilize a narrow beam to target hair follicles and require longer sessions for greater efficacy. In comparison, alexandrite lasers use rapid pulses to deliver energy, making them safer for a wider combination of hair colors.

Diode and Nd:YAG laser technologies are usually indicated for a wider range of skin types (Fitzpatrick types I-VI) and utilize longer wavelengths that reduce the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) in patients with darker skin types. More specifically, according to a 2015 comparative study, diode laser hair removal treatments were found to be more effective than Nd:YAG treatments for patients with darker skin tones and darker hair colors with a 92% rate of hair reduction after eight sessions. It should be noted that effectively treating lighter, finer vellus hair is more difficult with any laser hair removal treatment.

For medical aesthetics providers seeking safer technology to treat a wider range of skin tones, pulse duration should be a consideration. A longer pulse duration offers a greater pulse width that improves safety and shortens treatment time. This is because devices with a longer pulse duration deliver energy to the targeted hair follicles over a longer period of time, decreasing the risk of heating and damaging the epidermis in the process.

Investing a new medical aesthetics machine can feel like a big investment all at once. Manage payments and make the most of your budget with Venus Velocity™. A leading hair removal device featuring advanced diode laser technology and a longer pulse duration that’s safe for all skin types (including darker tones and tanned skin), Venus Velocity™ is available through a new revenue share program for qualified candidates in North America. The Advanced Connectivity Module (ACM) Revenue Share Program, powered by Venus Connect™ smart technology, tracks device usage for monthly billing statements to keep device costs in line with your clinic’s revenue. With Venus Connect™ technology, devices like the Venus Velocity ^TM diode hair removal system can be placed with qualified customers at a flat fee based on monthly usage,  eliminating traditional barriers to entry while ensuring the system remains warrantied under the program. The end result is a higher return on investment, a lower barrier to entry for smaller clinics or those just getting started, and an industry-leading device that safely delivers top results to a wider range of hair removal patients.

Interested in learning more about NeoGraft™ hair restoration or Venus Velocity™ hair removal systems? Contact a Venus Concept expert today using the link below.