Laser hair removal is honestly one of my favourite treatments, and with the right kit and clinic results can be pretty life-changing. However, there are a few misconceptions about laser hair removal. I want to help clear up some of those myths and give you the facts.
Does Laser Hair Removal really work?
Yes! It can permanently reduce hair growth. Permanently destroying hair follicles.
It’s not a one-off treatment. We have to zap the hairs at the right time. So a number of treatments are required. But every single treatment makes a difference and reduces the amount of hair that can grow back.
Is Laser Hair Removal Painful?
Well… the short answer is yes. There will be some degree of pain, it’s more like discomfort. But we can do pain-free laser, read on for more details…
There are some varying factors that contribute to the level of pain our clients can experience. The area being treated makes a difference, some areas are more sensitive than others. Your hair type and colour also make a difference. Also, everyone's pain threshold is different. Also the settings on the laser machine.
I like to think of the pain as the feeling that it’s working. The pain is caused by the laser heating up the pigment (melanin) in the hair. The light energy is converted to heat which damages the tube-shaped sacs within the skin (hair follicles) that produce hairs. This damage inhibits or delays future hair growth.
Clients with thicker, denser, and darker hair may experience more pain. It is normally these clients that see the most spectacular results.
So just how painful? Well, the good news is it is a case of short interval shots of laser, I’d describe it as snaps felt from the laser. Like elastic bands flicking your skin.
Our team of experienced medical professionals will do everything they can to ensure the treatment is more comfortable. We can use ice and a cryocooler, where we blow cold air on the treated area and we can always do lots of handholding.
I have a rubbish pain threshold but I consider it perfectly bearable. If you are already waxing or epilating then you should be able to tolerate the pain.
Some good news, as you progress through your course of hair removal treatment the pain levels do reduce as the hair becomes less dense.
I mentioned pain-free. We use a very special machine. I call it the daddy of all lasers. The FDA-approved Motus AY complete with a very special handpiece that allows us to give you a pain-free option. This is a great option for our clients with a lower pain threshold, especially on the first couple of treatments. I can only describe this attachment as wonderful! However, this attachment doesn’t pack quite as much of a punch which does mean you might need a slightly longer course of treatment. But that might be the best option for you. We can discuss your individual treatment plan for your laser hair removal and review at every session.
If you are interested to know the pain involved the best thing to do is come in for a complimentary consultation where we will do a patch test. Book now
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?
Everything we do at EK Clinic® is safe. Laser hair removal is safe.
This treatment is only safe when conducted by a fully trained professional. Only ever have laser hair removal at a professional and reputable clinic, with someone who is qualified. If you are not local to EK Clinic® we may be able to recommend a clinic in your area.
To ensure your safety we have created a treatment room, specifically for our laser hair removal in Brackley. We have taken into account any potential risks that may occur from the presence of a class 4 laser. We even have a laser protection supervisor.
We’ll get you to wear special eyewear in the laser treatment room!
Are there any risks with Laser Hair Removal?
Of course, there are side effects, like the pain. You might experience some redness on the skin we’ve treated, but this normally only lasts a few days.
Other risks include crusting, blistering, bruising, swelling, lightening or darkening of your skin, scarring, burns from the heat of the laser and antibacterial infections.
These are all low risk because we have safety measures and precautions in place to minimise the risk and avoid these reactions.
If you have any concerns or would like to discuss in more detail please book your laser hair removal consultation. Book Now
Is Laser Hair Removal suitable for everyone?
It is suitable for many people but not all. Pregnant women, people with certain medical conditions and certain skin types may not be suitable. At EK Clinic® your consultation and treatments are with medical professionals, who will discuss your medical history. Your suitability is checked properly by one of our doctors or nurses. We will only go ahead if we believe the treatment will be safe and effective for you personally.
Is it expensive?
Laser hair removal is an investment, but we have to spread out appointments in order to catch the hairs at different growth phases. So you can spread out your payments. We do offer blocks of treatments with a discount for payment in advance. We also have a go cardless option where you can save towards your treatment in advance.
Please come and discuss the costs with us. We can come up with a treatment plan that works for you and your budget.
Does Laser Hair Removal work for everyone?
So a question we get a lot is “why didn’t laser hair removal work for me”. There are many reasons why your treatment might not have been successful. Our experienced team will be able to discuss this with you at a consultation. But the questions we normally ask are,
- Was it a true laser? It could be that you didn’t have true laser. Many clinics, or salons, are actually using inferior machines or IPL (intense pulsed light). The right laser matters. A true FDA-approved laser like our Motus AY is key. We have invested in the newest and best technology out there.
- Was the practitioner experienced? Laser hair removal is actually pretty technical. There are many variables the person doing your treatment can change to ensure a safe and effective environment. These variables need to be changed from treatment to treatment as we assess hair type, colour and thickness to ensure the best results.
- Were you suitable? We are all about honesty at EK. Unfortunately, we cannot treat blonde, white hair that has no colour. If you are not sure, come and see us for a patch test. We can gauge the hair's response to the treatment. Skin colour also matters. Our laser treats all skin colours including black skin. But not all machines cover that range. We will need to assess skin type in relation to hair colour and the area treated to help determine the results you can expect. That’s why a consultation is so important.
- Were your expectations realistic and did you stick with the treatment? Most clients need a course of at least 8 treatments to see complete permanent hair reduction upwards of 90% clearance. Don’t worry or be disheartened if you don’t see hair reduction after your first treatment. We’ll discuss your results after every treatment and encourage you to voice concerns.
- Did you have a pain-free treatment? As I have said this isn’t as powerful so results take longer. We will always explain to you that this option comes with the need for more treatments.
- Are there any contributing factors that may have affected your results? Some conditions such as PCOS can mean you require more treatments than the average course. Our doctors and nurses will ask questions about your medical conditions at the consultations so we can discuss realistic expectations.
Hopefully, this blog on laser hair removal has answered any questions you had on the subject. But if not please get in touch as we love discussing the benefits of laser hair removal!
Book your complimentary consultation here. One of our medical team can do a patch test and discuss your suitability and the benefits of permanent hair removal. You can find out more about our laser hair removal packages here.