Some about laser hair removal questions

Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?

The sensation I felt was a cross between a plastic band pinging against my skin and the mild electric shock you often get from touching the hand rail on escalators.

It's slightly more uncomfortable in certain areas where the skin tends to be more sensitive such as along your top lip and bikini line but as the sessions go on and the hair decreases, the feeling diminishes, too.


How Long Does It Take To Recover From Laser Hair Removal?

After each session I noticed a touch of redness and sometimes the odd whitehead but there was no burning or rash-like symptoms - this shouldn't happen if your technician gets the intensity of the setting right depending on your hair and skin type.

Aloe vera gel was always applied to the area to soothe and calm the skin and a few days after my first few treatments I noticed the hairs starting to fall out - result!

Fast forward to today, I'm seven sessions in to my treatment (one session is recommended every four weeks to catch the hair in its correct stage of growth) and I can't quite believe the difference.

In some places, my hair is non-existent and in others it's so fine it's barely even noticeable.

The Dos And Don'ts Of Laser Hair Removal

- DO shave in between treatments. This is the best way to quickly remove hair without damaging the root. Your beauty therapist will shave the area before applying the laser to your skin, anyway, as any visible hair will only get singed otherwise!

- DON'T apply heavy make-up for 24 hours after your laser treatment to avoid clogging the skin and causing breakouts. If you really have to, opt for mineral types, such as Jane Iredale, Inika and bareMinerals which let the skin 'breathe.'

- DO avoid sun exposure - and lay off the fake tan, too. Lasers are more compatible with paler skin-types, so, even though a tan looks great, it'll minimise the efficiency of the laser, preventing the energy from making its way to the root of the hair.

- DON'T wax, epilate or pluck your hair in between treatments as it removes the hair from the root. Lasers work because they are attracted to the hair's pigment underneath the skin and if it is completely gone, there won't be anything there for the laser to zap. If this is the case, you might have to wait up to another four weeks for the root to re-form until you can be treated again.

- DO wear a high factor SPF. After treatments, skin becomes more sensitive to UV rays, so always slather it in a high factor sunscreen to protect it from things like hyperpigmentation and sensitivity.

- DO exfoliate the area gently as it encourages the dead roots to fall out after every treatment and will make your skin look less bumpy and shadowy.