Everything you wanted to know about laser hair removal

If you're looking for a more permanent solution to hair removal then laser treatment may just hold the key to skin free from hair.

After all, putting a stop to endless shaving and waxing should be a blessing. Those who are experienced in the practice of hair removal knows the pain and frustration involved- especially with regrowth.

Laser hair removal can avoid some of the nasty reactions, such as rashes, spots, and folliculitis, that you can get from more traditional methods of removing rogue hair.

Using lasers can also avoid the horror of ingrown hairs or the fear of thicker and darker hair returning (especially in those cases where you were feeling lazy and decided to shave your top lip).

But before considering any sort of cosmetic treatment do your homework and understand what it is you're about to expose your skin to.

For those still on the fence about whether laser hair removal is right for them, we put 5 laser hair removal questions to the experts at Laser Clinics UK.

There are over 165 clinics worldwide (with Australia and New Zealand being the most popular countries for laser hair removal), and more than 15 million treatments have been delivered over the past 10 years.

With this level of experience, Laser Clinics UK is more than qualified to answer any questions you have regarding laser hair removal.

So without further hesitation, we asked 5 of the questions most commonly asked by those considering whether laser hair removal is right for them:

Does laser hair removal hurt?

One of the main benefits of laser hair removal is it's virtually painless, especially when compared to treatments such as waxing.

Each pulse of the laser lasts less than second and produces a slight tingling feeling. In particularly sensitive areas, such as the upper lip, it may feel like a rubber band snap on the skin.

The advanced cooling machines used in all Laser Clinic UK's treatments cool the skin before, during and post-treatment to minimise discomfort.

How many treatments are needed and how long does each treatment last?

The number of appointments will vary from person to person, however, we recommend between 6-10 treatments for the best results.

Our experienced therapists will develop an individual treatment plan catered to the client's needs.

A single session can take anywhere from 5-35 minutes depending on the size of the area being treated. That means a visit could be completed in the time it takes to eat your lunch.

How much time must elapse between laser treatments?

It is advised to wait 4-6 weeks in between treatments, this depends on the area being treated and the client's hair cycle. The therapists will monitor the results of each session and modify accordingly.

Will all hair be removed? Or can it be just reduced?

It can take a few sessions to see complete hair reduction. If you’re not ready to reduce all hair talk to your therapist about limiting the treatment plan.

What does the client need to do before an appointment?

• Avoid lengthy direct sun/UV exposure up to 4 weeks prior to the treatment
• Remove any fake or spray tan on the area
• Shave the area between 12-24 hours before the treatment
• Do not wax or tweeze for up to six weeks prior to the appointment
• Avoid chemical peels or laser resurfacing up to two weeks prior
• Exfoliate to remove any dead skin build-up
• Avoid using topical creams/moisturisers and perfumes on the area being treated before the appointment

And what about after the treatment?

• Avoid anything that induces heat, for example, tight clothing, exercise, UV exposure, hot showers, saunas and steam rooms, for up to 48 hours after each treatment.
• Use a calming aloe gel to remove any excess heat from the skin. A cold pack/towel after treatment will also work wonders to remove any excess heat from the skin
• Avoid putting chemical-heavy creams and deodorants on the treated areas for 24 hours after treatment
• Five days after each treatment lightly exfoliate to help remove the dead hair follicle and keep skin smooth. Try to repeat this process often between appointments
• Avoid sun exposure for four weeks and always apply sunscreen to the treated area.