Laser hair removal – 13 facts you need to know before having it

While we’ve come a long way in accepting our body hair, we fully understand that for some, permanent removal is still the goal. In that case, the laser would definitely be worth the investment.

However, it is important to remember that laser does not always result in permanent hair removal and there are many other methods such as waxing, threading, shaving and tweezing. Not to mention home IPL devices.

The only thing you can be sure of with laser hair removal is that it takes time and money. Unfortunately it is not a one time job and usually 8-12 treatments are recommended, over 4-6 weeks. However, this can vary depending on the person and the area you are treating.

To answer some of your burning questions, we spoke to experts at Pulse Light Clinic and sk:n clinic for everything you need to know before getting laser, as well as to share our personal experiences after treatment.

Below you’ll find clear facts and bust all the myths about lasers – from triggering hair growth (rarely) to avoiding sun exposure (always).

1) How painful is laser hair removal?

Dr. Daron Seukeran, Group Medical Director at the sk:n clinic explains that laser hair removal works by sending the light of a laser through the pigment in the hair. “It (the light) turns into heat, which damages the hair follicle and the hair bulb.” In our experience we found it to be a quick, sharp pain that was most painful on thinner skin near the nose, chin and temples. Fortunately, the lasers used on us had a cooling mechanism (basically a continuously running cold blast of air right where the laser was pointing) that really helped. We also found it more painful if our body temperature rose from running around town to make it on time for our appointments. So time management really helps.



2. How long does laser hair removal take to work?

It takes two or three weeks after your first treatment to see a difference and 8-12 treatments to get the full effect. You also need to be very regular with your appointments because your follicles are all at different stages of growth, so you want to make sure each one gets a chance to be zapped. Basically if you stop, your hair will grow back.

“Laser hair removal gets to the root of the problem, literally,” says Lucy Dawe, Senior Consultant at Pulse Light Clinic. “The laser will target the hair that is in the active stage of growth. Clients may find hair looks finer and less noticeable after one treatment, but a series of treatments is necessary to see optimal results.”

3. What preparation should you do before laser hair removal?

The laser can react with hair on the surface of the skin which will cause some irritation and sometimes that awful burnt hair smell that we learned firsthand. Luckily for us, we knew that “shaving = thicker darker hair” was a very common beauty myth and shaved before our next appointments.

Remember, you need to make sure you are properly prepared before each visit for optimal results.

Lucy says these are the key things to remember:

1. The area must be clean shaven within 24 hours prior to treatment. Electric razors are not recommended as the hair is usually left too long.
2. Do not tweeze, wax or pluck the treated area between or before sessions. Shave only the area.
3. The treatment area should be free of make-up, lotion, deodorant and sun cream – tell the practitioner before treatment if you need wipes.
4. The area cannot be treated if it has been exposed to the sun within 4 weeks prior to treatment.
5. Fake tanning products cannot be used 3-4 weeks before the treatment. the area should be thoroughly exfoliated to remove all debris.



Hero Exfoliating Bar



Coconut body scrub



Estrid The Razor Starter Kit



Precision eyebrow razors

4. How long is a laser hair removal appointment?


A full face appointment can last as little as 20 minutes and this includes a quick chat and make-up removal at the start.

5. Can you exercise after laser hair removal?

It is important to remember that the heat from the laser stays on your skin for 24 hours. That means no gym, saunas or hot showers, get that? If you do, you run the risk of creating a lovely warm environment for bacteria to multiply, resulting in blemishes and irritation.

6. Can you tan or sunbathe before, during or after laser hair removal treatment?

Your dermatologist will advise you on what is best for you, but you may need to avoid sunbathing and sun exposure as much as possible before and after treatment. Also, if you have a tan, you should wait until it fades before starting your treatment. Again, your dermatologist will check with you about upcoming holidays to make sure there are no holidays coming up that might affect the time of your next appointment.



7. Can laser hair removal cause more hair growth?

It’s true, certain hair types can be stimulated to grow longer and thicker. But don’t worry, if your hair isn’t suitable, your dermatologist will let you know.

“Yes, in rare cases laser hair removal can stimulate growth,” says Lucy. “We found that the most common reason for stimulated hair growth is when certain types of finer hairs, known as vellus hairs, are stimulated to grow by the laser light.”

8. How do you take care of your skin during laser hair removal treatment?

Glycolic acid and retinol creams should be avoided two days before and after treatment. We also started using a facial mist and added extra hydration to our regimen as we found our skin became drier.

It is recommended that for a period of two weeks before and after the laser, you avoid chemical peels and similarly wait 1-2 weeks before using fake tan.

9. Which products are good for hair removal after laser?

Shop our favorite face and body laser treatments:



Curél Deep Moisture Spray 150ml for dry, sensitive skin



Summer Fridays Dream Oasis Deep Hydration Serum



Avène XeraCalm AD Lipid Replenishing Cleansing Oil for Dry, Itchy Skin 400ml

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Nourishing body cream Garnier Body Superfood Avocado & Omega 6

10. Laser hair removal has more than one benefit

We were surprised to learn that the laser can actually help with irritating ingrown hairs. “In addition to clearer, smoother skin and permanent hair reduction, laser hair removal also has benefits such as helping to reduce ingrown hairs and skin irritation. This is because the treatment encourages the hair to grow straight,” said sk:n’s Head of Medical Standards, Lisa Mason.

11. Can you pluck, wax or bleach between laser hair removal treatments?

Plucking, waxing and bleaching hinder the process. If you want to be hairless throughout the process, go the shaving route. However, you’ll need these tips to make every shave last longer.



12. Does laser hair removal work on all skin tones?

With many systems no, as the hair needs to be much darker than the skin as that is what the laser catches, excluding light hair or deep skin, but now there are options for deeper skin tones. The hair just needs to be dark enough to catch the laser. sk:n use long pulse ND:YAG lasers – which are safer for treating pigmented or darker skin tones.

“Older laser hair removal technology was not previously recommended for people with darker skin tones, particularly people with black or Asian skin,” says Lucy. “The energy from the laser targets the pigment in the hair, with the skin pigment being shallower, this could result in the laser being attracted to the skin rather than the pigment in the hair. Putting darker skin tones at risk of burning.”

13. You may need to return for top-up treatments

Most people report a 90 percent permanent reduction in hair growth, but hormone fluctuations can cause hair to grow back. “Depending on your hair growth and the individual client’s case, at the end of the treatments we may recommend some top-up treatments which could be carried out with longer periods quarterly or twice a year,” advises Lucy.