The lowdown on laser hair removal

How does laser hair removal work?

The lasers produce a high-intensity ray of pure light, which is absorbed by the hair. This creates a heat energy that destroys the hair root without damage to the skin. The laser light passes through the outer layers of the skin and is selectively absorbed by the melanin pigment in the hair follicle.

The laser light is quickly passed over an area of skin, treating multiple hairs with one pulse, as the laser flash is typically one centimetre in diameter. The light heats the pigment and effectively disables the hair follicle. The hairs gradually slip out over the next 7-10 days, leaving you with smooth, hair-free skin. Subsequent re-growth will be finer and sparser.

Duration of treatment

Laser treatments can take between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on the size of the treated area.

Pre-treatment preparation

You are advised to be as pale as possible before a laser treatment. If you have a tan, you should wait at least two weeks after your last UV exposure. If you are plucking or waxing, stop two weeks prior to treatment, changing to shaving, or cutting.

Avoiding deodorants, perfumes, talc or moisturisers containing sunscreen on the day of treatment is advisable. Also avoid alcohol, aspirin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (such as Brufen) 48 hours before treatments. This reduces the risk of skin reactions.

Techniques

State of the art technology makes laser hair removal extremely precise and effective. Many clinics use IPL (intense-pulsed light) systems that incorporate multi-filter heads, giving multiple treatment and long-pulsed applications, and intense-pulsed light.

IPL systems are an advanced generation of technology. Clinical trials have proven this to be effective in permanently reducing hair growth, while patented technology filters out the ineffective wave lengths, providing a safer option for those with darker skins.

Feedback

'After years of embarrassment and shame, suddenly the hairs were falling out and I had a lovely feminine neck to show off! It was as if suddenly someone shook the life back into me. I regained all my confidence and finally the old me was back.

'The hair still hasn't gone completely, but it looks so much better. I feel as though I can meet people now and talk to them face to face. When I used to look in the mirror, I would feel disgust. Now, for the first time in years, I can hold my head up high.'
Tracey Webb, Cumbria

More information

• The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons gives information about aesthetic surgery and has a facility for accredited surgeons.
• www.hairfacts.com is an informative web site on hair removal and includes guidance on choosing practitioners.
• Consumer Guide to Laser Hair Removal. The American Institute of Laser Medicine offers a fact sheet on laser hair removal with common questions asked.

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