Does Laser hair removal hurt?
Laser hair removal is surprisingly painless. I describe it to my clients as a warm pinch similar to that of the flick of an elastic band. Some have described it as a prick similar to that of a gentle pinprick or static. Clients are always apprehensive but leave happy that it has been considerably more comfortable than they were expecting.
I have very fine very blonde hair, will it work?
Laser hair removal is less effective for hair colours that don’t absorb light well. The laser is attracted to the melanin which converts to heat and damages the follicle. Therefore, colours like gray, red, very blonde or white won't absorb the laser and are unfortunately untreatable. It is always a good idea to come for a free consultation as sometimes even though you have red or blonde hair in the desired treatment area, there is enough brown pigment in the hair to treat. You will obviously require more treatments than a client with dark hair though which is worth bearing in mind.
Why do I need a course of treatments?
The hair has three stages of growth. The first one is the active stage, this is called the Anagen stage. We need to treat the hair in this phase to permanently remove it. There is only a certain amount of hair in this stage on our bodies which is why we require a course of treatments at intervals to treat the hair in that phase. The intervals will start off 4-6 weeks apart depending on the area being treated, these intervals will then increase during the course and get further apart.
Is laser hair removal an expensive option?
If you work out the cost of painful waxing five weeks apart, 8 treatments of laser hair removal (the average required but everyone is different) would be paid for after roughly two years of waxing. Plus no more pain!
Why do I need maintenance treatments once I’ve finished my course of laser?
Everyone is different but on average after 6-8 sessions of laser hair removal you will have achieved up to 85% hair reduction. Maintenance sessions after longer periods than you have had before will be introduced to treat the odd stray hairs and get you lovely smooth hair-free skin. These treatments can also eliminate new hair growth which can occur from hormonal conditions or changes such as PCOS or having a baby, etc.No hair removal treatment can remove 100% of your hair permanently as new follicles can still develop. It's important to have these maintenance sessions to ensure you get the most from the course of treatments you have already had. You may find one a year is enough. You may only require a few, some clients will need less, some none. Everyone is different with varying desired outcomes.
Which areas can I have treated?
Any external areas on your body from the nose down! Laser hair removal isn't recommended for eyelids, eyebrows or surrounding areas, due to the possibility of severe eye injury.
Internal areas such as nose and ears can not be treated.
Why am I only allowed to shave and not wax before my appointment?
The laser is attracted to the Melanin in the hair follicle which heats the root bulb and destroys it. Therefore the hair needs to be present. You will need to stop waxing four weeks prior to starting treatment. You must ONLY shave the area from then on. No waxing, plucking or epilation creams must be used. You can shave as little or as often as you like but the area being treated must be shaved the DAY before your treatment.
Can I have laser hair removal while I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
No, you can’t. There is no proof that the laser treatment can damage a pregnancy, however, when you are pregnant or breastfeeding your hormones can affect your skin pigment and hair growth cycle. You will have to wait until you have had your baby, finished breastfeeding and your menstrual cycles are back to normal before beginning your course of laser treatments. This is to achieve the best results for you and prevent any skin pigmentation issues.
Amanda has a free 30-minute consultation if you are interested in proceeding with laser hair removals, complete with a mandatory patch test.
