Inside Aesthetics Ep 159 Laser Hair Removal & the Soprano Titanium Device | Sia Hendry & Tiarnna Smith
Episode 159 hosts Sia Hendry (Skin & laser therapist) & Tiarnna Smith (Clinical Application Specialist for Alma Lasers) from Sydney, Australia
Sia has been at the forefront of skin and laser treatments in Australia for over 15 years and is the owner of 'You by Sia' in Bondi Junction. Sia was one of the first clinics in Australia to offer laser hair removal and has seen first hand how the technology has changed over time.
Tiarnna's background is in medical engineering and she is one of Alma's clinical specialists. In this role she supports Alma's customers in all aspects of training and education when using their devices.
In this episode we focus on laser hair removal - the most popular cosmetic treatment performed in Australia today. We first reflect on how this came to be and contrast it to other countries where laser hair removal is often less available and far less affordable.
We then compare and contrast older laser hair removal technology with Alma's newest device the 'Soprano Titanium'.
We cover:
- How laser hair removal actually works?
- We re-cap on the basic physics of lasers & wavelengths including 755nm, 810nm & 1064nm
- Sia's early experience with older laser hair removal technology and the disadvantages it had
- Why older technology created significant pain and how the Soprano Titanium has improved on this
- How painful treatments can lead to poorer compliance (particularly in the male demographic) and a less efficient business model
- The use of separate skin cooling devices in traditional laser hair removal vs how the Soprano Titanium cools the skin from within the handpiece
- Why regardless of the laser used, you will always need multiple treatments to achieve permanent hair reduction
- Reducing the risk of serious adverse events when using laser hair removal devices - how automated settings have reduced human error
- Treating skin of colour â how the Soprano Titanium device has solved one of the most significant limitations of older laser hair removal technology
- Whether we can also treat patients with fake tan or sun tanned skin with the Soprano Titanium?
- Hair colour limitations - can we now treat blond and red hair?
- Medications - what patients need to tell their therapist before having laser hair removal
- How upgrading technology has improved Sia's business, revenue and staff satisfaction
- Alma's services including supporting clinics to trade in their older laser hair removal device
00:00 Introduction 01:04 Meet our Guests: Sia Hendry & Tiarnna Smith 04:55 Early Challenges in Laser Hair Removal 10:59 How Laser Hair Removal Technology Has Evolved 18:27 Safety Risks and Common Treatment Complications 26:25 How New Technology Improves Comfort and Efficiency 33:29 Understanding Pain Reduction and Cooling Systems 41:37 Treating Tanned and Darker Skin Types Safely 48:53 Blonde, Red and Difficult Hair Types Explained 52:09 Managing Contraindications and Patient Selection 61:45 Permanent Hair Reduction and Maintenance Treatments 68:49 Training Staff and Adopting New Technology 76:38 Business Benefits Faster Treatments and Higher Capacity 80:09 Cost Savings Without Consumables and Maintenance 86:34 Adverse Events, Safety Protocols and Risk Reduction 90:43 Final Advice for Clinics Considering New Devices
This episode was brought to you in partnership with Alma Lasers