If you've been debating laser hair removal, you have come to the right place. As you're surely aware, there's a lot to consider and it's important to do your research first whether you're looking for a clinic or considering investing in at home device.
Only once you've read up on the pros and cons of laser hair removal and the subsequent side effects can you make a decision if the treatment is right for you.
Not only does laser hair removal help remove unwanted hair, but it also can help with other issues like ingrown hairs, which are prone to causing hyperpigmentation, especially in deep skin tones.
While we've come a long way in accepting our body hair, we totally understand that for some, permanent removal is still the goal. In that case laser would definitely be worth the investment.
However, it's important to remember that laser doesn't always result in permanent hair removal and there are many other methods like waxing, threading, shaving and tweezing. Not to mention at-home IPL devices.
The one thing you can be sure of with laser hair removal is that it takes time and money. Sadly it's not a one and done job and normally 8-12 treatments are recommended, spaced over 4-6 weeks. However this can vary based on the individual and area you are treating.
To answer some of your burning questions, we spoke to experts at Pulse Light Clinic and sk:n clinic about everything you need to know prior to getting laser, as well as sharing our personal experiences after having the treatment ourselves.
Below you’ll find straight facts and have all your laser myths busted – from triggering hair growth (rarely) to having to avoid sun exposure (always).
1. The process sounds painful, but isn’t too bad
Dr. Daron Seukeran, Group Medical Director at the sk:n clinic explains that laser hair removal works by sending the light of a laser through the pigment in the hair. “This (light) converts to heat, which damages the hair follicle and hair bulb.” In our experience we found it to be a quick, sharp pain which was more painful on thinner skin near the nose, chin and temples. Thankfully, the lasers used on us had a cooling mechanism (basically a constantly running cold blast of air right where the laser was pointing) which really helped. We also found it more painful if our body temperature was raised due to running across town to make it on time for our appointments. So time management really does help.
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2. Patience pays off
It takes two or three weeks after your first treatment to see a difference, and 8 -12 treatments to get the full result. You also have to be really regular with your appointments because your hair follicles are all at different stages of their growth, so you want to make sure each one has a chance to get zapped. Basically if you stop, your hair will grow back.
“Laser hair removal gets to the root of the problem, literally,” says Lucy Dawe, Senior Consultant at Pulse Light Clinic. “The laser will target the hair that is in its active growth stage. Clients may find hair to appear finer and less noticeable after one treatment but a course of treatments is essential to see optimal results.”
3. You’ve got to use a hair trimmer/shave the area before you laser (same goes for makeup)
The laser can react with hair on the skin’s surface which will cause some irritation and sometimes that dreaded burnt hair smell which we learnt first hand, yay. Thankfully for us, we knew the whole ‘shaving = thicker darker hair’ was a really common beauty myth and came shaved before our subsequent appointments.
Remember, you have to make sure you've prepped properly before each visit for the optimum results.
Lucy says these are the key things to remember:
- The area must be cleanly shaved within 24 hours prior to the treatment. Electric razors are not recommended as the hair is typically left too long.
- Do not tweeze, wax or pluck the area being treated between or prior to sessions. Only shave the area.
- The treatment area needs to be free from makeup, lotion, deodorant and sun cream- inform the practitioner before treatment starts if you require wipes.
- The area cannot be treated if it has been exposed to sun within 4 weeks prior to treatment.
- Fake tanning products cannot be used 3-4 weeks prior to treatment; the area should be thoroughly exfoliated to remove all residues.
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4. It’s actually a pretty fast process
A full face appointment can take as little as 20 minutes and that's including a quick chat and makeup removal at the start.
5. You can’t go to the gym afterwards
It's important to remember that the heat from the laser stays in your skin for 24 hours. That means no gym, saunas or hot showers, get it? If you do, you run the risk of creating a lovely warm environment for bacteria to multiply, resulting in spots and irritation.
6. Get ready to think seriously about the sun
Your dermatologist will advise what is best for you, but you might need to avoid sunbathing and sun exposure as much as possible before and after treatment. Also if you have a tan you’ll need to wait till it fades before you can start your treatment. Again, your dermatologist will check in with you about upcoming holidays to make sure you don’t have a holiday coming up which might affect the timing of your next appointment.
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7. Laser treatment can trigger more growth in some cases
It’s true, particular types of hair can be stimulated into growing longer and thicker. But don’t worry, if your hair isn’t suitable, your dermatologist will let you know.
“Yes, in a rare number of cases laser hair removal can stimulate growth,” says Lucy. “We have found the most common reason for stimulated hair growth is when certain types of finer hair, known as vellus hairs are stimulated into growth by the light from the laser."
8. You might need to switch up your beauty regime and products
Scrubs, glycolic acid and retinol creams should be avoided two days before and after treatment. We also started using face mists and added extra hydration to our regime as we found our skin got drier.
It’s recommended that for a two week period before and after laser, you avoid chemical peels and similarly you should wait 1-2 weeks before using fake tan.
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9. Laser hair removal has more than one benefit
We were surprised to learn that laser can actually help with irritating ingrown hairs. “Aside from clearer, smoother skin and permanent hair reduction, laser hair removal also boasts benefits including helping to reduce ingrowing hairs and less irritation of the skin. This is because the treatment encourages hair to grow straight,” said sk:n’s Head of Medical Standards, Lisa Mason.
10. You can’t pluck, dye or wax the hair
Plucking, waxing and bleaching impedes the process. If you want to be hairless throughout the process, go the shaving route instead. You’ll need these tips to make each shave last longer though.
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11. It works on all skin tones
The hair just needs to be dark enough to be drawn to the laser. sk:n use long pulsed ND:YAG lasers – which are safer for treating pigmented or darker skin tones.
“Older laser hair removal technology was previously not recommended for people of darker skin tones, in particular those with Black or Asian skin,” says Lucy. “The energy from the laser targets the pigment in the hair, with the pigment of the skin being shallower, this could lead the laser to be attracted to the skin rather than the pigment in the hair. Putting darker skin tones at risk of burning.”
12. You might need to go back for top up treatments
Most people report 90 percent permanent reduction in hair growth but fluctuating hormones can make hair grow back. "Depending on your hair growth and each individual clients' case, at the end of the treatments we may recommend some top up treatments which could take place with larger periods in between quarterly, or twice a year," advises Lucy.
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Keeks ReidContributing Beauty EditorKeeks Reid is the Contributing Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan UK.
Laura CaponSenior Fashion & Beauty WriterLaura writes about everything beauty and fashion related for Cosmopolitan UK and specialises in makeup, plus-size fashion and the world of YouTube.
FAQs
What is the best way to prepare for laser hair removal? ›
Any treatment areas should be shaved completely prior to treatment. Legs should be shaved around 24 hours prior to your appointment to avoid irritation. Do not wax, tweeze, epilate or use chemical depilatories for two weeks before treatment, or at all in between laser treatments.
Can I shave less than 12 hours before laser? ›It is important to shave before your laser hair removal appointment, 24 hours before is recommended. Shaving on the day of your session can be dangerous and should be avoided completely. This is because when you shave the razor may lift a layer of skin off as it passes over your skin.
What are the do's and don'ts before laser? ›- Clean Your Skin Before the Treatment. ...
- Stop Waxing or Plucking. ...
- Shave the Treatment Area. ...
- Avoid Sun Exposure. ...
- Use Medications with Caution. ...
- Use Skin Products Carefully. ...
- Avoid Alcohol. ...
- Refrain from Drinking Coffee.
- Stop plucking and waxing. Once you decide to go with laser hair removal, it's important to stop any other hair removal method that takes out hair at the root. ...
- Shave 24-48 hours before treatment. ...
- Refrain from tanning. ...
- Use caution with certain medications.
As we mentioned a little earlier, if you don't shave before your appointment, the laser will singe the hair resulting in a burn to your skin. In addition, if the hair hasn't been shaved properly, treatment will not be as effective, and it may result in small temporary grazes on the top layer of your skin.
How soon can you shower after laser hair removal? ›How long after laser hair removal can I shower? Ideally 24 hours, but if you must shower wait at least 6-8 hours after your session. Use tepid water and avoid using any harsh products, scrubs, exfoliating mitts, loofahs or sponges on your treatment area.
What to do before laser to make it hurt less? ›Acetaminophen or Tylenol taken one hour before your appointment may help reduce your pain experience. Be sure to avoid NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and Alieve, which can thin the blood and cause bruising and bleeding during treatment.
What happens if you shave between laser appointments? ›Yes, you can shave between sessions. Some hair growth is expected between treatments (usually a four to six-week gap between treatments). It's perfectly okay to shave any region of the body between laser hair removal sessions. We strongly recommend that all clients shave before each session.
How long after laser will hair fall out? ›Do the hairs fall out right away? In many patients the skin is slightly pink for 1-2 days; in others (generally, fairer patients) there is no pinkness after laser hair removal. Hairs begin to fall out in 5-14 days and may continue to do so for weeks.
What happens if you shave 2 hours before laser? ›Therefore, if you shave less than 24 hours before your scheduled appointment then there won't be enough hair present to burn, and this can cause irritation to the treatment area.
Can I shave an hour before my laser? ›
“When Should I Stop Shaving?” When you're getting ready for your laser hair removal procedure, make sure you shave the night before or the morning of your treatment. The reason for this precaution is simple – you want to remove as much hair as possible so that it doesn't absorb most of the laser's energy.
Is 2 sessions of laser hair removal enough? ›Generally, clients need about two to six laser treatments in order to completely get rid of hair. You can expect to see about a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after your first treatment. As you continue your treatments, more and more hair will fall out, and you'll notice that it continues to grow back more slowly.
What should I do the night before laser? ›Shave, don't wax!
Laser will only work on hairs that have the root still intact, so don't wax, epilate or use depilatory creams before treatment. To prepare for your laser hair removal, shave the area 12-14 hours before your appointment with a clean, sharp razor.
Laser hair removal is a simple, effective option for women and men. But as you may or may not know, one session isn't enough to destroy hairs permanently. You need to undergo multiple treatments to achieve your ideal results.
What happens after 1st session of laser? ›After the procedure
You might notice redness and swelling for the first few hours after laser hair removal. To reduce any discomfort, apply ice to the treated area. If you have a skin reaction immediately after laser hair removal, the doctor might apply a steroid cream to the affected area.
After Your First Treatment: You probably won't notice much difference after your first laser hair removal treatment at the London clinic. It takes some time for the effect on your hair to become visible and you will need more treatment sessions before re-growth starts to slow down.
Can I shower before my laser? ›Things to do before laser hair removal:
Shower. While the treatment area itself will be cleaned before treatment begins, it is a good idea to have a bath or shower before coming in - remember no lotions, oils, or fragrances on the treatment area though!
It's the root of the hair the laser targets, so the root must be present for your treatment to work best. Take a shower right before your appointment and clean the treatment area, making sure to remove dirt and oil from the skin.
Does laser hurt for the first time? ›While you may not feel the heat, you may feel like your skin is being snapped with a rubber band. You may also experience mild discomfort after the procedure, such as redness and irritation similar to a mild sunburn. The procedure may also feel painful to some degree.
Can I shave multiple times before laser? ›Yes, you can shave in between each session of laser hair removal. During your course of treatment you can shave any hairs that may regrow. After your first laser hair removal session you will notice that you won't need to shave as much as before.
Can I shave 2 days after laser hair removal? ›
If you shave too quickly you may irritate the skin even more, so waiting at least three or four days after your treatment is usually ideal. A few days following your laser hair removal treatment, you may notice your hair shedding.
Does the hair that falls out after laser grow back? ›After your laser session, the growth of new hair will be less noticeable. However, even though laser treatments damage hair follicles, they're not destroyed completely. Over time, the treated follicles may recover from the initial damage and grow hair again.
What should you not do after laser? ›Skin should be patted dry & not rubbed during the first 48 hours. No makeup & lotion/moisturizer/deodorant for the first 24 hours. Keep the treated area clean & dry, if further redness or irritation persists, skip your makeup & moisturizer, & deodorant (for underarms) until the irritation has subsided.
What can you not do after getting laser? ›Avoid make-up on the treated area for at least 48 hours. Avoid the application of perfumed products or bleaching creams for 48 hours. Avoid scratching the treatment area if blistering or crusting occurs, as this can cause scarring. Avoid waxing, tweezing and threading for the complete duration of the treatment course.
What laser area hurts the most? ›The Spot: Underarms
The pain level is 9, and Dr. Tanzi's patients identify this level as the most painful area of the body regarding laser hair removal. When removing hair it feels like a thick needle, but it is useful for removing hair from underarms.
Yes, laser hair removal does hurt less the more sessions you have. After each session hair is becoming lighter and the amount of hair is reduced. If you leave too long in between sessions you may find treatments are a little more sensitive.
Where does laser hurt the least? ›Your legs are one of the most (relatively) pain-free areas when it comes to laser-hair removal pain. “Every now and again there's a 'zinger' but otherwise, just feels like tolerable snapping on the skin,” says Dr. Tanzi.
What happens if you shave less than 24 hours before laser? ›The answer is if you shave the same day or right before your appointment, your freshly shaved skin is too fragile and could be damaged during the treatment and cause you pain and discomfort. Some medical facilities will not perform laser hair removal if you have not shaved, and rightfully so.
How long after laser can you see results? ›As a general rule of thumb, you can expect to see the results of each session one to three weeks after your session is complete. After that, you need to wait until the hair follicles in the area enter the active growth phase.
Can I trim instead of shave before laser? ›The treatment may take longer
As you can see, there are some risks associated with not shaving before laser hair removal. However, these risks can be minimized by trimming the hair instead of shaving it.
Why do I have more hair after laser? ›
Patients may notice more hair 1 – 3 weeks after laser hair removal sessions as follicles in the growing cycle begin to shed. During this process, exfoliating the skin, once swelling and redness have dissipated, can help hairs shed faster, leaving skin feeling smoother.
How many sessions of laser until hair is gone? ›As a general rule of thumb, the majority of patients need four to six sessions. Individuals rarely need more than eight. Most patients will see results after three to six visits. Additionally, treatments are spaced out about every six weeks since individual hairs grow in cycles.
Does laser cause infertility? ›No, laser hair removal can not cause infertility. The only area affected by the laser is the surface of your skin, pigment and hair follicles. The laser will not be able to penetrate any further to your organs/ or ovaries.
How painful is laser hair removal? ›Yes, laser removal does cause discomfort, but it typically causes much less discomfort than other forms of hair removal, especially waxing. Many individuals describe laser hair removal as akin to the feeling of a rubber band snapping against your skin.
Do people tip at Laser Away? ›Tipping and Gratuity
LaserAway is a non-tipping facility. The best tip we can receive is your repeat business and referrals.
Don't panic, and don't give up on your hair removal journey. If you miss a laser hair removal session, it's important to get back on schedule right away. The reason for this is because the hair that hasn't been treated during its growth cycle will return when it is in its growth phase.
What happens a week after laser hair removal? ›One Week After
During this time, you will notice some hair shedding. This is entirely normal and is a part of the natural cycle of hair loss and regrowth. This is why multiple treatment sessions timed while the hair follicles are at their active growth stage is highly recommended.
The laser's energy won't do as much damage to follicles that are shedding or dormant. As you wait a few weeks between each treatment, more hair will move from dormant or shedding and into the active growing stage, allowing your next treatment to effectively target them.
Can I get laser on my period? ›Can I have my treatment when I am menstruating? Yes - you can still have laser hair removal treatment while on your period. We advise you to wear a tampon or menstrual cup if you would like to have the Brazilian area treated.
How do I prepare for laser hair removal day? ›- DO NOT wax, tweeze or sugar the area to be treated. ...
- DO NOT use cream depilatories on the area to be treated. ...
- DO NOT tan before your laser hair removal appointment. ...
- DO NOT tan after your laser hair removal appointment. ...
- DO NOT use skin care products on the area to be treated.
Should I laser my armpits? ›
Armpit laser hair removal provides longer lasting results than other home hair removal methods, because the process temporarily destroys hair follicles. Still, your desired results may require multiple sessions at a higher cost than waxing or shaving.
What happens if you don't shave properly before laser hair removal? ›As we mentioned a little earlier, if you don't shave before your appointment, the laser will singe the hair resulting in a burn to your skin. In addition, if the hair hasn't been shaved properly, treatment will not be as effective, and it may result in small temporary grazes on the top layer of your skin.
Is it OK to not shave before laser hair removal? ›Many people also wonder if they should shave before their treatment. The short answer is yes, you should shave — but it's important that you don't wax for a week before your treatment. If the hair on your treatment area is too long, you could risk getting burned.
Do you shave right before laser hair removal? ›When you're getting ready for your laser hair removal procedure, make sure you shave the night before or the morning of your treatment. The reason for this precaution is simple – you want to remove as much hair as possible so that it doesn't absorb most of the laser's energy.
Is it better to trim or shave before laser hair removal? ›Ideally, you should shave the treatment area about 24 hours before your laser hair removal treatment. This will give the hair time to grow back a bit so that the laser can more easily target the hair follicle. If you are unable to shave before your appointment, don't worry – our staff will be able to do it for you.
What happens if you shave less than 24 hours before laser hair removal? ›Therefore, if you shave less than 24 hours before your scheduled appointment then there won't be enough hair present to burn, and this can cause irritation to the treatment area.
How long does it take for hair to fall out after laser? ›What happens right after the treatment? Do the hairs fall out right away? In many patients the skin is slightly pink for 1-2 days; in others (generally, fairer patients) there is no pinkness after laser hair removal. Hairs begin to fall out in 5-14 days and may continue to do so for weeks.
How long does hair laser removal last? ›Laser hair removal is not a one-and-done sort of deal. After you're finished receiving all of your sessions, laser hair removal will last for two to six years. However, maintenance sessions one to four times a year may be needed to keep the area hairless forever.
Can I shower before laser hair removal? ›Things to do before laser hair removal:
Shower. While the treatment area itself will be cleaned before treatment begins, it is a good idea to have a bath or shower before coming in - remember no lotions, oils, or fragrances on the treatment area though!
After the procedure
You might notice redness and swelling for the first few hours after laser hair removal. To reduce any discomfort, apply ice to the treated area. If you have a skin reaction immediately after laser hair removal, the doctor might apply a steroid cream to the affected area.
How many sessions does it take for laser hair removal to work? ›
As a general rule of thumb, the majority of patients need four to six sessions. Individuals rarely need more than eight. Most patients will see results after three to six visits. Additionally, treatments are spaced out about every six weeks since individual hairs grow in cycles.
Can you get laser with ingrown hairs? ›Laser hair removal can actually remove ingrown hairs rather than simply alleviate the irritation that they cause. You can get laser hair removal even while you have ingrown hairs and the treatment will still be as effective and even lead to permanent hair removal after enough laser hair removal sessions.
How often should I get laser hair removal? ›Most patients can have laser hair removal once every 4 to 6 weeks. Your dermatologist will tell you when it is safe to have another treatment. Most patients see some hair regrowth. Your dermatologist can tell you when you can safely have laser treatments to maintain the results.