How much does laser hair removal cost?
The cost of your laser hair removal treatment will depend on the amount of hair being removed, and the size and number of the areas being treated. Your surgeon assistant can give you a detailed breakdown of the cost involved and show you our flexible finance plans.
What is IPL hair removal and how does it differ from laser hair removal?
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) technology is not a laser treatment, as it uses a broad spectrum of light to heat and destroy the hair follicle at the root, preventing it from regrowing. Laser hair removal uses a powerful laser that emits precisely controlled pulses of energy, which heat and destroy the follicles in the skin.
Can you treat my skin type?
Laser hair removal is most effective on hair that is a darker pigment than the skin. Your medical aesthetic practitioner will advise you at your consultation as to whether you’re a suitable candidate for the treatment.
How many sessions will I need?
Most people require six to eight sessions of laser hair removal to get the results they want, and annual top up treatments may be required to maintain the results. Typically, with laser hair removal the interval between treatments is between 4-6 weeks, as it’s best at removing hair which is in the active growth stage and not all hair is in that phase at the same time. You’ll notice that the regrowth becomes more sparse each time.
Are there different types of hair removal?
Yes, there are. Here at Transform, we offer two different types of hair removal – laser hair removal and IPL technology. They work in a similar way, using pulses of light to heat up and destroy hair follicles. Typically, both types of laser hair removal take between six and eight sessions to get the area completely free of hair. But there’s one important difference – laser hair removal is more intense as it has a denser light which focuses all the energy. The ideal candidate for laser hair removal is anyone with hair that’s darker than their skin, whereas IPL technology is usually only suitable for those with naturally dark-blond, brown and black hair. If you’re unsure whether IPL or laser hair removal will be right for you, get in touch with our experts today who’ll be happy to help you find your most suitable method.
How many sessions of laser hair removal will I need?
Most people require six to eight sessions of laser hair removal to get the results they want, but your practitioner will be able to advise exactly how many are right for you. Typically, with laser hair removal the interval between treatments is between four and six weeks, as it’s best at removing hair which is in the active growth stage and not all hair in in that phase at the same time. You’ll notice that less and less hair grows back after each treatment.
Is laser hair removal safe?
Yes, laser hair removal is a safe treatment, but may sometimes cause side effects such as redness, bruising, pain and swelling, although this is quite rare. Here at Transform, all our practitioners are CTC-registered and receive ongoing training in the very latest techniques. Using our experience and expertise, we have helped thousands of people through their hair removal journeys, so you can book your treatment with complete confidence and know that you’re in capable hands. We also use the highest quality equipment such as Lightsheer, Quantum, Soprano, Lumenis One and Harmony machines in our Care Quality Commission-registered clinics to ensure your treatment is effective.
Will the hair grow back after my treatment?
You'll notice that your hair grows back finer with each laser hair removal session, reducing by approximately 10-15% with each treatment until it disappears entirely. We recommend a top-up treatment once a year to maintain the smooth results.
Can I shave between my hair removal treatments?
Yes, shaving is fine. In fact, we’ll ask you to shave between each laser hair removal session as it makes it easier to perform the treatment, but you shouldn’t wax or pluck as this removes the hair from the follicle, so there’s nothing for the lasers to target.
When should I plan my laser hair removal course?
Winter is the best time to have laser treatment for hair removal because it’s easier to avoid direct sunlight, which can damage sensitised skin. However, you can have laser or IPL treatment at any time of year, as long as you don’t have a tan. Because it takes several months to fully complete a laser hair removal course, it’s important to plan ahead. For instance, if you want hair-free skin in time for your summer holiday, you probably need to book your first session for January or February.
Do I need to avoid sunlight after having laser hair removal?
Yes, you’ll need to keep the treated area out of the sun for approximately two weeks before and after your laser hair removal course, depending on your skin type. Your practitioner will advise you on any precautions you’ll need to take and for how long. For darker skin types, you may need to avoid sunlight for six weeks before and after your treatment to avoid marks appearing on your skin.
Can I have hair removal treatment if I use fake tan?
No, your skin needs to be totally free of tanning products. This is because the lasers can’t tell the difference between natural melanin in the skin or stimulated melanin from the tanning products, so they’ll heat up both structures to the same temperature. This can damage the skin and cause blisters, darkening or pigmentation.
How long do I have to wait after waxing or plucking before I can have treatment?
You’ll need to wait for approximately six weeks so that the hair has time to grow back in the follicle.
Do I need to prepare before having hair removal treatment?
For your first consultation and patch test, you should leave hair unshaven so that the practitioner can properly assess the hair and take accurate before photos. After that, we advise that you shave before each treatment session.
How do IPL and laser hair removal work?
Understandably, many patients are keen to understand how IPL and laser hair removal work. While both lasers and IPL use light to heat hair follicles and prevent hair regrowth, the technology used for each is not the same, because different light sources are used.
Laser hair removal treatment involves using a powerful laser that emits precisely controlled pulses of energy, which heat and destroy the root of the hair in the skin. By damaging the hair at its source, future hair growth is stopped or delayed safely without affecting the surrounding tissue.
IPL technology, in contrast, is not a laser treatment because it uses a broad spectrum of light rather than the single spectrum light used in laser hair removal.
How long does laser hair removal take?
How long your laser hair removal, or your IPL treatment, takes will depend on the size of the area you’re having treated and the amount of hair you have. As a guide, sessions can last anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours. For example, laser hair removal of the underarms may take 30 minutes or less, whereas treatment of the upper and lower leg may take up to 90 minutes.
Are there any laser hair removal side effects?
If you’re thinking about having this treatment, it’s important to get a good understanding of the potential laser and IPL hair removal side effects. Please know that both IPL and laser treatments are safe and will be carried out by CTC-registered practitioners with the relevant knowledge and expertise. However, there are some potential laser hair removal risks which may include tender or painful skin, bruising, blistering, swelling, scarring or burns. The IPL and laser hair removal side effects are rare, and your advisor will discuss all risks with you during your consultation. We’re here to help you along your hair removal journey, so please don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have.
How effective is laser hair removal?
IPL and laser hair removal are very effective, but results will vary depending on your complexion and hair. You’ll notice that your hair grows back finer with each laser hair removal session, reducing by approximately 10-15% with each treatment until it disappears entirely. We recommend a top-up treatment once a year to maintain the smooth results.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
Technically, laser and IPL aren’t permanent hair removal techniques, but they will have long-lasting results. Laser hair removal works by heating and destroying the hair follicle to reduce future hair growth. While this is not a guaranteed permanent hair removal method, most patients will find that the hair will grow back finer with each session until it stops growing. Typically, we advise patients to have a laser hair removal treatment once per year after their initial course to maintain the result.
Does laser hair removal hurt?
Many of our patients ask us if laser hair removal is painful. The treatment shouldn’t hurt, but as the practitioner glides the laser device across the surface of your skin, you’ll experience a pulsing sensation. Some patients say this feels like stinging, a hot pinprick or an elastic band flicking the skin.
Is there a laser hair removal aftercare programme to follow?
After laser hair removal sessions, you should be able to leave the clinic and go about your normal daily life. However, it’s important to avoid any strenuous activities or applying products that may irritate the treated area. Your skin will be much more sensitive to sunlight after laser hair removal so you should stay out of the sun for several weeks and apply regular SPF protection. Your patient advisor can provide more information on laser hair removal aftercare during your consultation. Rest assured that we’re committed to providing the highest standard of aftercare for all our patients, which is why we have a 24/7 helpline that you can contact if you need any assistance or advice post treatment.
