Laser hair removal (2024)

Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure that uses a powerful laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) to remove unwanted hair.

This light source heats and destroys hair follicles in the skin, which disrupts hair growth.

Common areas to treat are the face, chest, legs, arms, underarms and bikini line.

It can be helpful for women withexcessive hair growth (hirsutism).

What to think about before you have laser hair removal

Laser hair removal may have side effects, it has limitations, and it can be expensive.

Safety

Laser hair removal is safe, but it can occasionally cause side effects, such as pain and discomfort, and red skin that may last for some time.

It may also not be suitable for everyone, including pregnant women and people with certain skin types.

There's no evidence to suggest that laser hair removal causes skin cancer.

It's important to make sure the person doing your laser hair removal is experienced and suitably qualified.

Check they're on a register to show they meet set standards in training, skill and insurance.

Avoid practitioners who have only completed a short training course.

Read more about choosing who will do your cosmetic procedure.

It's not permanent

You'll need regular sessions to keep hair from regrowing.

How often sessions are needed varies for each person. For example, you may need a session to remove facial hair every 4 weeks, and for body hair every 6 to 8 weeks.

There's no guarantee laser hair removal will get rid of all the hair.

It does not work well on dark skin

Laser hair removal works better on people with pale skin and dark hair.

It's not as effective on tanned skin or hair that's been bleached by the sun. If you've got a tan you'll need to let it fade before having treatment.

Cost

The cost of laser hair removal depends on the area of the body being treated and the number of treatments needed.

For example, for single treatments it may cost around:

  • £85 for the upper lip
  • £110 for under the arms
  • £130 for the bikini line
  • £270 for the arms

What laser hair removal involves

You'll need to shave the area of skin the day before your appointment.

On the day, you'll wear specially designed goggles to protect your eyes.

The practitioner usually applies a cool gel or cooling air spray to the area of skin.

They then press a handheld device to your skin and triggerthe laser. This may feel like an elastic band snapping at your skin.

Each session may take between 15 minutes to over an hour.

The number of sessions needed depends on the area to be lasered and the system used.

Afterwards

The affected area may be red with a raised rash for a few hours to a few days.

Regularly holding an ice pack to the skin may help (try a pack of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel).

Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun after laser hair removal. It’s best to avoid exposing the treated area of skin to sunlight until after the treatment course has finished.

Regardless of the weather, use sunscreen (minimum SPF30) for at least 4 weeks on exposed areas that have been treated.

Rarely, laser hair removal can result in:

  • pain, discomfort or tenderness
  • red skin that may last for some time
  • crusting, blistering, bruising or swelling of your skin
  • lightening or darkening of your skin
  • scarring
  • burns from the laser's heat
  • bacterial infections

What to do if you have problems

Ifyou've had laser hair removal and you're not happy with the results or you have side effects that are troubling you, talk to your practitioner at the clinic where you were treated.

Go back to the practitioner who treated you if you have any complications that need medical attention. If this is not possible, see a GP or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E).

Laser hair removal (2024)

FAQs

Is laser really a permanent hair removal? ›

Most people experience hair removal that lasts several months, and it might last for years. But laser hair removal doesn't guarantee permanent hair removal. When hair regrows, it's usually finer and lighter in color. You might need maintenance laser treatments for long-term hair reduction.

How much does laser hair removal cost in Alabama? ›

Laser hair removal cost ranges between $75 – $100 for small areas, $100 – $275 for medium areas, and $225– $500+ for larger areas such as the legs or back.

Do people regret laser hair removal? ›

Regret usually stems from choosing the wrong provider. While laser hair removal itself is rarely regrettable, what can lead to regret is choosing the wrong provider. A cheap, inexperienced clinic may use outdated equipment or incorrect techniques, leading to less effective treatment or even unwanted side-effects.

Should I laser my pubic hair? ›

' Yes, it is safe to laser the pubic area for most patients. It should be noted that this is one of the more sensitive areas when it comes to laser hair removal, but it is quick and effective. Many patients also believe it is overall less painful than waxing.

Is laser hair removal painful? ›

Though there is some pain, it's often less than people imagine. Laser hair removal targets your hair follicles with a very hot laser, but you won't feel this heat or any burning. Instead, you might feel a sensation similar to having an elastic band snapped against your skin.

How much did you spend on laser hair removal? ›

The price for a single laser hair removal session can range broadly from about $200 to $600 depending on the size of the area being treated. For smaller areas like the upper lip or chin, costs might be lower, while larger areas such as the back or full legs can be at the higher end of the spectrum.

Is laser cheaper than shaving? ›

Laser hair removal is often considered a beauty investment. It costs more money than shaving or waxing, but over time, when treatments are no longer needed, you can save money on body hair removal costs. Many factors affect the price of this procedure.

What happens if I stop laser hair removal after 4 sessions? ›

If treatment is stopped before all of the hair follicles have been destroyed, some may continue to grow. It is important to complete the recommended treatment plan to achieve the best results. Sometimes, the patient sees hairs are thicker and darker after the treatment when they have original light and fair hair.

Do you shave before laser hair removal? ›

Shave Before Treatment

You should shave within 24 hours of your scheduled laser appointment. Your laser technician cannot treat areas that have hair above the skin. You cannot even receive treatment if there is rough stubble because this may create too much heat for the pigment of your skin.

How many laser sessions do you need? ›

Expect between six to ten sessions for a 90% reduction in unwanted hair. It sounds counterintuitive, but darker, coarser hair often requires fewer sessions. This is because the laser is able to pick up on the pigment easily, and blitz more effectively.

Why laser hair removal is so expensive? ›

Laser hair removal is expensive due to the high acquisition cost of the machines used for the procedure. On average, one machine can cost around $70,000 – $100,000. Even a used laser machine is worth tens of thousands of dollars.

What is best for permanent hair removal? ›

Electrolysis can permanently remove unwanted hair. Once your hair is gone, you won't need maintenance treatments. It works on all hair types, including light-colored hairs, which lasers cannot remove.

Will hair grow back if I stop laser? ›

While most patients enjoy the benefits of laser treatments for many years, this procedure is technically semi-permanent. This is because some hair follicles can remain unaffected by the laser. That said, patients generally find that most hair follicles no longer grow back.

How long does permanent hair laser last? ›

You may need 12 treatments or more to completely eliminate hair growth. After that, the need for touchups should be minimal. Some people may require semiannual treatments at first. Others may find that they don't need a touchup for 5 years or longer.

Does laser hair removal really work long term? ›

It's not permanent

For example, you may need a session to remove facial hair every 4 weeks, and for body hair every 6 to 8 weeks. There's no guarantee laser hair removal will get rid of all the hair.

Is hair still there after laser hair removal? ›

The growth cycle is the reason why it could take between 6 and 8 sessions before the hair follicles have been destroyed. Each treatment area has its own unique growth cycle, and hair growth in the upper lip can be four weeks, and the cycle for the legs can take between 8 and 10 weeks.

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