Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a concentrated beam of light (laser) to remove unwanted hair.

During laser hair removal, a laser emits a light that is absorbed by 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.

On average, most will experience a level of hairless happiness after 6-9 sessions which will result in not even checking for stubble (yes, it’s life-changing!).

Who should not have laser treatment: 

People under 18 years old, pregnant or breastfeeding or trying to conceive, with skin diseases, cancer, epilepsy, long-term use of isotretinoin and other drugs that may cause photophobia, etc. should not take laser treatment

Risks

Risks of side effects vary with skin type, hair color, treatment plan and adherence to pre-treatment and post-treatment care. The most common side effects of laser hair removal include:

• Skin irritation. Temporary discomfort, redness and swelling are possible after or during laser hair removal.

• Pigment changes. Laser hair removal might darken or lighten the affected skin. These changes might be temporary or permanent. Skin lightening primarily affects those who don't avoid sun exposure before or after treatment and those who have darker skin.

Rarely, laser hair removal can cause blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include graying of treated hair or excessive hair growth around treated areas, particularly on darker skin.

PrepCare (what to do before your appointment):

About Shaving:

• Treatment Area must be shaved 24 hours prior to your appointment. If your laser artist has to shave for you, there will be additional fees to apply.

• If it is your first time appointment, leave a small patch of hair so that your specialist can examine it. (Your Laser Artist will shave it down before beginning the treatment!)

• For Bikini services, don’t shave the part where you want to keep the hair.

Others:

• Try to wear light-colored, loose clothes and pants on the day of the appointment, for example black legging is not ok.

• No makeup/lotion/deodorant on the day of your appointment (on treatment area).

• Stay out of direct sunlight for at least 3 days prior to your appointment (& 7 days after).

• Do not use self-tanner or spray tan products for at least 2 weeks before your treatment to avoid potential injury.

• Avoid drinking more than 2 alcoholic beverages 24 hours before your treatment .

• Avoid waxing/threading/tweezing in the area for at least 4 weeks. Shaving is ok!

• Bikini laser services will not be performed on menstruating clients.

Post Care (what to do after your appointment): IMPORTANT

• Redness & Bumps are normal.Immediately after your treatment, redness & bumps at the treatment area are common; these may last up to 2 hours or longer. It is normal for the treated area to feel like a sunburn for a few hours. You should use a cold compress if the sensitivity continues. If there is any crusting, apply an antibiotic cream. Darker pigmented skin may have more discomfort than lighter skin & may persist longer.

• Only cold water shower in the first 48 hours, any hot water may cause skin burn. Skin should be patted dry & not rubbed during the first 48 hours. Cleanse the area treated gently.The treated area may be washed gently with a mild soap. 

• Avoid the Light to have the best result! Avoid not only sun, but any light exposure to reduce the chance of dark or light spots for 1 month. Use sunscreen (spf 30 or higher) at all times throughout the treatment period & for 1-2 months following.

• No makeup & lotion/moisturizer/deodorant for the first 24 hours.

• Keep the treated area clean & dry, if further redness or irritation persists, skip your makeup & moisturizer, & deodorant (for underarms) until the irritation has subsided.

• Dead hairs will begin to shed 5-30 days after your treatment. Stubble, representing dead hair being shed from the hair follicle, will appear within 5-30 days from the treatment date. That is normal, and they will fall out quickly.

• Exfoliate to speed up hair shedding. Anywhere from 5-30 days after the treatment, shedding of the hair may occur, and this may appear as new hair growth. It is not new hair growth, but the dead hair pushing its way out of the follicle. You can help the hair come out by washing with a washcloth or a Shobha Exfoliating Cloth (sold at LH) & shaving.

• Do not pick/scratch/wax/thread/tweeze the area. Avoid picking or scratching the treated skin. do not use any other hair removal methods or products, other than shaving, on the treated area during the course of your laser treatments, as it will prevent you from achieving the best results.