Laser Hair RemovalFAQ

Laser hair removal uses a focused beam of light to target the pigment in a hair follicle and disable it, so that follicle stops growing hair, while the skin around it is left unharmed. The light is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair and travels down to the follicle, where it turns into heat that disables the follicle's ability to grow a new hair. The Elysion-Pro diode laser we use has a built-in cooling tip that cools the skin's surface as it works, which protects the skin and keeps the treatment comfortable.

Your hair does not all grow at the same time. At any moment some follicles are in the active growth phase, some are resting and some are shedding, and the laser only disables a follicle that is actively growing. That is why one session cannot treat everything, and why a course of 8 to 12 sessions is usually needed to catch each follicle during its growth phase. It is also why the sessions are spaced out: every 4 to 6 weeks for the face and every 6 to 8 weeks for the body, timed to the next wave of growing hairs.

Laser hair removal gives long-term, permanent hair reduction. Treated follicles stop producing hair, so the area is left much smoother and with far less regrowth. Most people keep it that way with the occasional maintenance session over time.

Yes. Older lasers struggled with darker skin, but the medical Elysion-Pro diode laser is designed to treat the full range of skin tones safely. We treat from Fitzpatrick 1 to 6, making laser hair removal available and safe for everyone.

Most clients find it very manageable. You feel a quick warm snap as each pulse fires, and the laser's built-in cooling takes the edge off. It is far less painful than waxing for most people.

Waxing pulls the hair out, so it grows straight back within weeks and has to be repeated forever, while laser reduces the hair permanently over a course. For more mature clients waxing is often no longer suitable, as the skin may be thinner and more sensitive. IPL, including home devices, uses scattered light rather than a focused laser beam, so it is generally less effective and less suited to darker skin than a medical diode laser. Electrolysis treats one follicle at a time with a fine probe and is the only method that works on white, grey and very fine blonde hair, where laser cannot, because the laser needs pigment to target. We offer electrolysis too, so we can advise which suits your hair.

Laser hair removal suits most people wanting to reduce unwanted hair on the face or body. We would avoid it if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, undergoing treatment for cancer, have a fresh tan or sunburnt skin, are on photosensitising medication, have an active skin infection, or have a tattoo in the treatment area. Conditions such as epilepsy (due to flashing lights), a pacemaker, an active autoimmune flare-up or an unmanaged chronic illness require medical clearance beforehand.

Usually 8 to 12 for a full result, depending on the area, your hair and your skin. Maintenance sessions are recommended after the full course to keep results.

Face every 4 to 6 weeks, body every 6 to 8 weeks, timed to the hair growth cycle of the area being treated.

Yes. Shave the area, and do not wax or pluck, a day or two before, so the follicle is intact but the surface hair is short.

Yes, you can continue with laser hair removal in summer. We recommend SPF 50 on the face and body, and the skin must not be tanned or sunburnt before a session.