Unexpectedly, a few tweets about my laser hair removal experiences have left me with an inbox full of questions. Though the procedure has been around for a number of years, there are still a lot of queries and misconceptions surrounding laser hair removal and I figured the best way to address them for all of you would be the following guide.
As it stands, I have completed four full leg sessions over the year at Pulse Light Clinic and couldn’t tell you the last time I used a razor.
Does laser hair removal hurt?
Yes. But perhaps not as much as you would expect. In my experience, each ‘pulse’ feels like a short snap of a rubber band and only intensifies on areas where skin is naturally thinner (ie ankles), disappearing almost as soon as you feel it.
If you feel particularly worried, you can take a light painkiller 30 minutes before your treatment to take the edge off.
Where can you get laser hair removal?
According to my consultant, the most common area to get the zap is the underarms but you can actually get full body laser hair removal (special exceptions for the eye area, due to the strength of the lasers).
How much is laser hair removal?
The cost often comes down to the size of the area you’re lasering and the quality of the clinic. I have seen a number of ‘deals’ for laser hair removal over the year but hadn’t felt safe enough to proceed until I visited Pulse Light Clinic. Though it a series of treatments will cost a few hundred pounds, like many things, you get out what you put in (and reap the rewards in time and money!).
After laser hair removal, is the hair gone forever?
The first session cut my hair growth down by about 75%. As our bodies grow hair in a cycle, it takes a handful of session intervals (of six weeks or so) before you get access to all of the hair follicles but, yes, each time a hair is lasered it is pretty much lasered to death. Many clinics say you’re “done” in six to eight sessions but I have been left almost completely hairless after four.
After that point, most men and women return every five to ten years (it truly depends on the individual’s body) for a top up session.
Is laser hair removal worth the money?
If shaving or waxing feels like more than a chore, yes. I have my legs out almost every day of my year and found waxing (where you have to grow hair out between treatments) ridiculous and shaving an OCD bore. Pulse Light Clinic’s Gentle Max Pro (by Syneron Candela) works incredibly fast, is tailored to each patient’s skin & tolerance, reduces ingrown hairs, smoothes skin, and leaves you with much more time to spend on things you actually want to do.
If you’re in London, head to Pulse for a free consultation and patch test with one of their laser experts. They accept walk ins, are open to 8pm (weekdays and weekends!), and have super convenient clinics by Bank and Tottenham Court Rd – I couldn’t recommend them enough.