Considering laser hair removal? This is everything you need to know…

If shaving, waxing, electrolysis hair removal, or other hair removal products are becoming a pain to use (quite literally) and you want a longer-lasting hair removal fix, laser hair removal may be the thing for you. But before you try any new treatment, it’s best to do your research. Luckily, we’ve already done it for you – with the help of some industry experts – so we’ve answered all the questions you may have, including: How long does laser hair removal last? Is laser hair removal permanent? And one of the most common questions – does laser hair removal hurt? Keep going to find out all about laser hair removal (starting with what laser hair removal actually is) before you decide to try it.

What is laser hair removal and how does laser hair removal work?

According to the NHS, laser hair removal (LHR) is a cosmetic procedure using a laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) to destroy hair follicles and disrupt hair growth. Charlotte Lundy, Regional Nurse Trainer at SK Clinicstell us, “LHR works by the laser heating up the hair follicle and detaching the follicle from the blood supply – resulting in the hair shedding. The hair needs to be in the anagen phase for this to be successful.”

This is therefore often used as a way of removing unwanted hair (for both women and men) on the face, arms, legs, underarms and any other area with hair. Laser hair removal can be done in a clinic, beauty salon or at-home with one of the many laser and IPL devices you can buy.

Are there different types of laser hair removal?

Yes, there are many different types of laser hair removal treatments – in clinics and at home. The five most commonly used are: Ruby, Alexandrite, IPL, Diode, and Nd . And you could also try Soprano ICE. So, which one is best for you? Charlotte Lundy says, “Depending on the skin type of the client will depend on the wavelength needed for laser – at sk we have dual wavelengths so are able to treat all skin types as long as the hair is suitable. It’s important to note that LHR will work on dark hair, preferably dark coarse hair. It needs to be attracted to the dark pigment to be able to travel down the hair to the blood supply. LHR will not be successful on lighter, red, grey hairs.” Here’s a guide to the best types of laser hair removal to suit you:

This laser will remove lighter and thinner using long pauses between pulses – making it less painful, but requires more time to get the job done.

One of the most commonly used, this is a quick laser which can get large areas done in as little as 30 minutes. This can however make it slightly more uncomfortable.

IPL is not a laser, it’s a light treatment that has the same effects. A lot of at-home devices are IPL and use a weaker light than a professional clinic device so it may take longer to see the results.

Diode laser hair removal is one of the newer laser types. Best for laser hair removal on darker skin and thick or course hair, often, this is the treatment of choice for men.

For hair, tattoo and laser skin resurfacing, this laser type can be used for multiple reasons. Before using, a carbon lotion is added to the area to soak up the light instead of it targeting melanin – making it safer on darker skin tones.

Who can get laser hair removal?

While anyone can have laser hair removal, the results will work best on those with darker hair as the pigment can be easily targeted by the laser. Basically, it’s best if you have a contrast between your hair colour and skin tone as it’s harder for the laser to remove fair or fine hairs.

You shouldn’t use laser hair removal however if you are any of the following:

Is laser hair removal permanent?

This is very dependent on the individual, but laser requires multiple sessions to see results. Expert Charlotte Lundy confirms, “LHR is not permanent but it will give good reduction if you complete a course of treatments and once finished keep topping up with maintenance treatments.” Once the hair follicle is damaged, it could take weeks, months or even years to grow back (if at all). If it does, you may find that it’s a lot thinner and less noticeable than pre-laser hair removal treatment. Each person and body area will require different amounts of sessions so it’s best to check with the clinic how many you will need before you start.

How many laser hair removal treatments will you need and how quickly will you see results?

So, how many sessions for laser hair removal is necessary? And how long does laser hair removal take? Charlotte Lundy suggests it’s very dependant on the person, “It depends on the client’s hair colour and thickness on how many treatments they will need. Normally, we recommend eight treatments but you can usually see a difference in reduction within three treatments.”

All areas will need at least two to eight treatments but this will depend on a number of factors including: your skin and hair type, ethnic background, hormonal balance, and skin sensitivity. To see the biggest reduction in your body hair, it’s going to take a minimum of six to eight sessions (each session is usually around 15-30 minutes long), spread over a year to eighteen months. It may take fewer sessions if you have fair skin and dark hair.

If you’re using an at-home laser hair removal device, this will take longer to achieve the results and you may need to have more regular session to see reduced hair.

How do you prepare for laser hair removal?

Do

After treatment, skin can be sensitive so wait a few days or weeks if you choose you still want to shave the area.

Don’t

What are the benefits of laser hair removal?

The main benefit of laser hair removal is of course the fact it can reduce unwanted body hair. But the benefits to using laser or IPL instead of other forms of hair removal are this:

Does laser hair removal hurt?

This question doesn’t have a yes or no answer as it’s very dependent on the person’s pain threshold, the laser type and the area which is having laser hair removal. It could also depend on the skin and hair type, but all in all it isn’t a hugely painful treatment compared to other hair removal types – including a Hollywood wax or Brazilian wax, for example!

What is the normal price range or laser hair removal in the UK?

The price will be dependent on your location, the clinic and the area you wish to have laser hair removal on but prices range from £40 per session on a small area. A lot of clinics, however, do offer session packages with discounts so the more you book the cheaper they will be.