If you’ve been debating laser hair removal, you’ve come to the right place. As I’m sure you know, 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 a device at home.
Only after reading the pros and cons of laser hair removal and the resulting side effects can you decide if the treatment is right for you.
Laser hair removal not only helps remove unwanted hair, but can also help with other problems such as ingrown hairs, which are prone to causing hyperpigmentation, especially in deeper skin tones.
While we’ve come a long way in accepting our body hair, we fully understand that for some, permanent removal is still the goal. In that case, the laser would definitely be worth the investment.
However, it is important to remember that laser does not always result in permanent hair removal and there are many other methods such as waxing, threading, shaving and tweezing. Not to mention home IPL devices.
The only thing you can be sure of with laser hair removal is that it takes time and money. Unfortunately it is not a one time job and usually 8-12 treatments are recommended, over 4-6 weeks. However, this can vary depending on the person and the area you are treating.
To answer some of your burning questions, we spoke to experts at Pulse Light Clinic and sk:n clinic for everything you need to know before getting laser, as well as to share our personal experiences after treatment.
Below you’ll find clear facts and dispel all the myths about lasers – from triggering hair growth (rarely) to avoiding sun exposure (always).
1. The process sounds painful, but it’s not 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. “It (the light) turns into heat, which damages the hair follicle and the hair bulb.” In our experience we found it to be a quick, sharp pain that was most painful on thinner skin near the nose, chin and temples. Fortunately, the lasers used on us had a cooling mechanism (basically a continuously running cold blast of air right where the laser was pointing) that really helped. We also found it more painful if our body temperature rose from running around town to make it on time for our appointments. So time management really helps.
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 effect. You also need to be very regular with your appointments because your follicles are all at different stages of growth, so you want to make sure each one gets a chance to be 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 the active stage of growth. Clients may find hair looks finer and less noticeable after one treatment, but a series of treatments is necessary to see optimal results.”
3. You must use a trimmer/shave the area before lasering (same goes for makeup)
The laser can react with hair on the surface of the skin which will cause some irritation and sometimes that awful burnt hair smell that we learned firsthand. Luckily for us, we knew that “shaving = thicker darker hair” was a very common beauty myth and shaved before our next appointments.
Remember, you need to make sure you are properly prepared before each visit for optimal results.
Lucy says these are the key things to remember:
- The area must be clean shaven within 24 hours prior to treatment. Electric razors are not recommended as the hair is usually left too long.
- Do not tweeze, wax or pluck the treated area between or before sessions. Shave only the area.
- The treatment area should be free of make-up, lotion, deodorant and sun cream – tell the practitioner before treatment if you need wipes.
- The area cannot be treated if it has been exposed to the sun within 4 weeks prior to treatment.
- Fake tanning products cannot be used 3-4 weeks before the treatment. the area should be thoroughly exfoliated to remove all debris.
Glossier Body Hero Exfoliating Bar
Kylie Skin Coconut Body Scrub
Estrid Razor
Precision Brush Works Eyebrow Razors
4. It’s actually a pretty quick process
A full face appointment can last as little as 20 minutes and this includes a quick chat and make-up removal at the start.
5. You can’t go to the gym afterwards
It is important to remember that the heat from the laser stays on your skin for 24 hours. That means no gym, saunas or hot showers, get that? If you do, you run the risk of creating a lovely warm environment for bacteria to multiply, resulting in blemishes and irritation.
6. Get ready to think seriously about the sun
Your dermatologist will advise what is best for you, but you may need to avoid sunbathing and sun exposure as much as possible before and after treatment. Also, if you have a tan, you should wait until it fades before starting your treatment. Again, your dermatologist will check with you about upcoming holidays to make sure there are no holidays coming up that might affect the time of your next appointment.
7. Laser treatment can cause more growth in some cases
It’s true, certain hair types can be stimulated to grow longer and thicker. But don’t worry, if your hair isn’t suitable, your dermatologist will let you know.
“Yes, in rare cases laser hair removal can stimulate growth,” says Lucy. “We found that the most common reason for stimulated hair growth is when certain types of finer hairs, known as vellus hairs, are stimulated to grow by light from the laser.”
8. You may need to change your beauty regime and products
Glycolic acid and retinol creams should be avoided two days before and after treatment. We also started using a facial mist and added extra hydration to our regimen as we found our skin became drier.
It is recommended that for a period of two weeks before and after the laser, you avoid chemical peels and similarly wait 1-2 weeks before using fake tan.
Shop our favorite post-facial and body laser products:
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra 8 Face Mist
Summer Fridays Dream Oasis Deep Hydration Serum
Avene Avène XeraCalm AD Cleansing oil with lipid replenishment for very dry itchy skin
Nourishing body cream Garnier Body Superfood Avocado & Omega 6
9. Laser hair removal has more than one benefit
We were surprised to learn that the laser can actually help with irritating ingrown hairs. “In addition to clearer, smoother skin and permanent hair reduction, laser hair removal also has benefits such as helping to reduce ingrown hairs and less skin irritation. This is because the treatment encourages the hair to grow straight,” said sk:n’s Head of Medical Standards, Lisa Mason.
10. You may not pluck, dye or wax the hair
Plucking, waxing and bleaching hinder the process. If you want to be hairless throughout the process, go the shaving route. However, you’ll need these tips to make every shave last longer.
11. Works on all skin tones
The hair just needs to be dark enough to catch the laser. sk:n use long pulse ND:YAG lasers – which are safer for treating pigmented or darker skin tones.
“Older laser hair removal technology was not previously recommended for people with darker skin tones, particularly people with black or Asian skin,” says Lucy. “The energy from the laser targets the pigment in the hair, with the skin pigment being shallower, this could result in the laser being attracted to the skin rather than the pigment in the hair. Putting darker skin tones at risk of burning.”
12. You may need to return for top-up treatments
Most people report a 90 percent permanent reduction in hair growth, but hormone fluctuations can cause hair to grow back. “Depending on your hair growth and the individual client’s case, at the end of the treatments we may suggest some treatments that could be done with longer periods between three months or twice a year,” advises Lucy.
