Skin Care Education

Laser Hair Removal

A professional treatment that uses laser energy to target and damage hair follicles, significantly reducing hair growth over a course of sessions and providing long-lasting results on the face and body.

What Is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal uses concentrated light energy to target the pigment in hair follicles and damage them, reducing their ability to produce hair. The laser emits a specific wavelength of light that is absorbed by the melanin in the hair shaft and root, converting to heat that damages the follicle. When the follicle is sufficiently damaged, it can no longer produce a hair, or produces only a finer, lighter hair that is much less visible.

The treatment works most effectively on hair that is in its active growth phase, which is why multiple sessions are needed. At any given time, hair follicles across the body are in different phases of the growth cycle, and only follicles in the active growth phase respond fully to laser treatment. A course of sessions spaced several weeks apart is therefore necessary to treat each follicle during its active phase and achieve comprehensive reduction across the whole treatment area.

Laser hair removal is available for virtually all areas of the face and body, including the legs, underarms, bikini area, face, back, chest, and arms. The laser technology used varies between clinics, with diode, Nd:YAG, and alexandrite lasers among the most commonly used systems. The appropriate laser type depends on the individual’s skin tone and hair colour, as different technologies are better suited to different combinations.

What to Expect

Before each session the treatment area is shaved, as the laser targets the follicle beneath the skin surface rather than the hair above it. The skin is cleaned and a cooling gel or device is used to protect the surface and improve comfort during treatment. Protective eyewear is provided throughout.

During treatment, the laser handpiece is moved systematically across the area. Each pulse of laser energy produces a brief warm or stinging sensation, often described as similar to the snap of a small elastic band against the skin. Most people find laser hair removal well tolerated, though some areas, such as the upper lip and bikini line, are more sensitive than others. Cooling systems built into the device or applied separately significantly reduce discomfort.

After treatment, the skin in the treated area typically looks slightly pink and may feel warm for a few hours, similar to mild sunburn. Some swelling around the treated follicles is normal and settles within 24 hours. Over the following one to two weeks, the treated hairs shed from the follicles, which can look like hair growing but is actually the damaged hair being pushed out. Sun protection on treated areas is important between sessions.

Who It’s For and Results

Laser hair removal produces the best results on those with a clear contrast between their hair colour and skin tone, specifically darker hair on lighter skin. This contrast allows the laser to target the hair pigment precisely without significantly affecting the surrounding skin. Advances in laser technology, particularly the Nd:YAG laser, have made treatment safer and more effective for darker skin tones than earlier systems, though the treatment parameters need to be carefully adjusted to manage the reduced contrast and higher melanin in the skin.

Laser hair removal is less effective on very light, blonde, red, or grey hair, as these hair types contain less or different pigment and do not absorb the laser energy as effectively as dark hair. For these hair colours, alternative hair reduction methods may be more suitable.

A full course of laser hair removal typically involves six to eight sessions spaced four to eight weeks apart, depending on the area. Most people achieve a significant and lasting reduction in hair density and thickness after completing a course, with many areas becoming effectively hair-free or requiring only occasional maintenance sessions annually. Results are long-lasting but not always permanent, as some follicles can recover over time, particularly with hormonal changes.

Frequently Asked Questions: Laser Hair Removal

Most treatment areas require six to eight sessions to achieve a significant and lasting reduction in hair growth. This is because hair grows in cycles and only follicles in the active growth phase respond fully to the laser at each session. Sessions are typically spaced four to six weeks apart for the face and six to eight weeks apart for the body, aligned to the natural hair growth cycle of each area. After completing the initial course, occasional maintenance sessions once a year or less are usually sufficient to manage any regrowth.

Laser hair removal produces a significant and long-lasting reduction in hair growth, but permanent complete elimination is not guaranteed for everyone. The majority of treated follicles are permanently damaged and will not produce hair again. However, some follicles can partially recover over time, particularly in areas influenced by hormonal activity such as the face, chin, and bikini area. Hormonal changes including pregnancy, menopause, and certain medical conditions can also stimulate new follicle activity in previously treated areas. For most people in most areas, the reduction is long-lasting enough to be considered permanent in practical terms, with only minimal maintenance needed.

Modern laser systems can treat a range of skin tones, but the appropriate laser type and settings vary significantly with skin tone. Lighter skin tones with dark hair are the most straightforward to treat. For darker skin tones, Nd:YAG lasers are generally considered the safest and most effective option, as this wavelength bypasses the melanin in the skin surface more effectively and reduces the risk of pigmentation changes or burns. Treatment of very dark skin tones requires a highly experienced provider using the correct technology and conservative settings. A thorough consultation and often a patch test before full treatment is recommended for anyone with a medium to deep skin tone.

No, and in fact the opposite is true. The treatment area should be shaved before each session, typically the day before or on the day of treatment. The laser targets the follicle beneath the skin, not the hair visible above it. Having hair above the surface does not improve the treatment and can actually increase the risk of surface irritation as the laser energy is absorbed by the hair shaft above the skin rather than reaching the follicle beneath. Waxing, plucking, and threading should be avoided in the weeks before treatment, as these remove the hair root from the follicle and leave the laser with nothing to target.