Ultimate Guide to Laser Hair Removal

The desire for smooth, hair-free skin is nothing new, yet the battle against banishing unwanted hair from our bodies has raged on for years, seemingly without an end in sight. Whether your weapon of choice has been shaving, waxing or plucking, it’s safe to say that all of these have only provided temporary fixes against ridding your body of unwanted hair. If you are looking for a permanent solution, then Thérapie Clinic can be your saviour, with the latest, most advanced technology in laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal is a simple, quick and extremely effective treatment that removes unwanted hair, permanently. You may have contemplated undergoing laser hair removal before, but perhaps were turned off by preconceptions of what is involved.

So, what are the facts about laser hair removal? Find out everything you need to know in our ultimate guide to laser hair removal at Thérapie Clinic.

How does laser hair removal work?

Simply put: heat targets an area to destroy the hair follicles and prevent regrowth.

Laser hair removal targets the hair follicle with concentrated beams of light (lasers). The medical grade laser is attracted to the melanin within the hair follicle. The laser is converted into heat energy which destroys the root within the follicle and prevents future growth. It only affects the specific structure of the hair, leaving the surrounding skin undamaged. 

Laser hair removal results depend on a variety of factors such as how dense and coarse the hair is, which will vary from person to person.

Common hair removal treatment areas include legs, armpits, bikini line, upper lip, chin, and chest and back for men. You will need to shave the area the day before or day of your treatment, as there should not be any surface hair on the treatment area. That way, all the energy from the laser can be transmitted under the skin and as close to the root as possible, ensuring more effective results.

It is important that you do not wax or pluck the area prior to treatment, as in doing so you will remove the follicle, and the laser will have nothing to target.

Is laser hair removal safe?

Yes, laser hair removal is safe.

At Thérapie clinic, we pride ourselves on the highest possible standards of safety. We have an exceptional team of highly trained professional staff who will only perform a treatment if they are completely secure in the knowledge that it is safe.

After the procedure your skin will normally be sensitive for 48 hours. It is advisable to keep an eye on the treated area in the days immediately following your session, but in general, laser hair removal should not impact a great deal on your normal routine.

You should wear loose comfortable clothing. For example, if you have had a leg treatment, avoid any clothing, such as skinny jeans or tights which can cause friction with your skin.

What type of laser is used?

All of our laser hair removal treatments are conducted using Cynosure lasers.

We use only medical-grade lasers, the most advanced technology in the industry, which safely deliver superior results and faster treatment times. All treatments are conducted using Cynosure lasers, making side effects minimal, with amazing results guaranteed. Cynosure is the market leader when it comes to safely and effectively removing unwanted hair and delivering smooth, long lasting results that you will love!

At Thérapie Clinic, we are proud to employ the most experienced laser therapists in the industry, all of whom are highly trained ensuring impeccable safety standards are maintained. Our highly experienced team is one of the many reasons why our clients trust our brand and return again and again.

What’s the difference between IPL and medical grade lasers?

They’re just not on the same wavelength.

If you have been researching treatment options for laser hair removal, then you’ve probably come across both IPL (Intense Pulse Light) and laser and you’re probably wondering what the difference is? In a nutshell, laser treatment is far more effective, more precise and much safer than IPL. The main difference between the two hair removal treatments is that IPL uses a broader spectrum of light, emitted at multiple wavelengths, whereas laser (Cynosure) emits a single, more focused wavelength which is far more precise, targeted and optimised for maximum follicle absorption.

Because a laser will target the hair follicle more precisely, you will begin to see results much sooner and with far fewer treatments. Not only is laser hair removal much more effective, it is also far less painful than IPL hair removal. Laser also works on all skin types, whereas IPL is not as safe on darker skin types. The laser strictly targets the hair follicle as opposed to the pigment surrounding it, resulting in less collateral skin damage.

Is laser hair removal suitable for all skin types?

Yes, but hair colour as well as skin type will influence how successful it is.

Laser works best on those with fair skin and thick, dark (brown or black) hair. A contrast between hair and skin colour will provide the best outcome of laser hair removal, i.e. the treatment will work best on those who have dark hair and pale skin.

Why is that the case? Well the basic principle is that the pigment of the hair, but not the pigment of the skin, should absorb the light from the laser. The laser should damage only the hair follicle while avoiding damage to the skin.

Therefore, a contrast between hair and skin colour (dark hair and light skin) results in the best outcomes. If you have darker skin, it could be the case that you will require more sessions. Those with blonde or light-coloured hair may find that the treatment will be less effective and may also require more treatments.

Laser hair removal is perfect for most women of differing skin types, but our laser hair removal is also suitable for men.

At your free consultation at Thérapie Clinic, your laser therapist will perform a patch test and will be able to assess whether you are suitable for laser hair removal.

How many laser hair removal sessions will I need?

For optimal results it is recommended that you undergo a course of 6-10 treatments.

The reason a course of treatments is recommended is because of the way the hair grows and the lasers work. The laser targets hair that is in the ‘growth phase’ or Anagen phase of its cycle. Your hair reaches this stage at different times, hence the reason for a number of sessions; so that each of the hairs is targeted by the laser at some point.

The area being treated, your hair density and skin type will also determine how many times you will need to undergo treatment. Your therapist will be able to advise you on the number of treatments required for your specific hair and skin type, but we generally would recommend a course of 6-10 treatments.

How long does laser hair removal take?

Depending on the area being treated, you can be in and out in as little as 10 minutes.

It really is that quick and easy. Our award-winning Cynosure lasers ensure quicker treatment times with minimal side effects, making it easy to undergo treatment on your lunch break or between meetings and then return to your daily activities straight after!

Your treatments will be spaced 4-6 weeks apart, giving the hair that was not in the anagen phase a chance to grow into it for best removal results.

Sun tan and laser hair removal

For the treatment to work effectively, it is advisable not to expose the skin to the sun before and after treatments to avoid sensitivity or sun damage.

Can you fake tan after laser hair removal?

Refrain from using fake tan for 1-2 weeks after your laser hair removal treatment.

We recommend you wait to fake tan to be on the side of caution and avoid damaging your skin. Equally it is just as important that you do not wear fake tan on the area being treated for at least 10 days before any laser hair removal session.

During your laser hair removal treatment, the light from the laser is attracted to the dark pigment in the hair follicle, but if the skin on the area being treated is tanned, discoloration or pigmentation may occur as the laser will also be attracted to the dark pigment in the tan. Because the colour of the tanned skin is closer to the colour of the pigment in the hair, the laser’s settings cannot be set as strong, making it less targeted, meaning the treatment is less effective.

If you arrive at your appointment wearing fake tan, unfortunately your therapist will not be able to treat you, so ditch that tan at least 10 days before your treatment!

Are there any laser hair removal side effects?

It is perfectly normal for the treated area to become red and slightly sensitive.

Your therapist will apply an aloe vera gel to combat any inflammation, and any redness will subside after 48 hours.

During this time, it is recommended that you avoid:

• Hot showers

• Baths

• Saunas

• Swimming

• Direct sunlight

• Sunbeds

• Perfumed products or creams

It is also normal to experience blemishes, red marks and itching. These effects will disappear completely after 2-3 days.

Your doctor will go through everything in the consultation stage, but feel free to contact us at any time if you have any further questions about the safety and possible side effects of laser hair removal.

Does laser hair removal hurt?

It really depends on the person.

Honestly, if you can endure the pain of waxing, then laser hair removal will be a walk in the park. Because of advances in technology, many people who have completed at least one hair removal session report experiencing little to no pain.

At Thérapie Clinic, we use Cynosure lasers, which have additional cooling devices to decrease sensitivity during treatment. The sensation is similar to an elastic band being snapped against your skin, and because the laser is moving all the time, the sensation is well-tolerated by most people.

It’s advisable to avoid caffeine before your treatment as it can make your skin more sensitive. You can take a mild pain reliever (Paracetamol; NOT Ibuprofen as this also makes the skin sensitive). While everyone’s pain threshold is different, and different body parts are more sensitive than others, it’s still considerably less painful than waxing.

Can you get laser hair removal while pregnant?

No, it is advised that you do not get laser hair removal while pregnant.

Although laser hair removal is considered a safe procedure, it is usually advised that women avoid the procedure when pregnant or breastfeeding. This is because not enough research has been done to prove that it’s safe for mothers and babies. In the absence of research, we err on the side of caution.

Why not plan ahead? You can purchase any of our special offers now and commence treatment once you have stopped breastfeeding.

How much does laser hair removal cost?

Our laser hair removal treatment prices start from just £7 / €15.95 per session.

We believe that everyone should have access to superior treatment at unbeatable prices. For this reason, we offer competitive price plans; including a pay per session option. We regularly run special offers on all of our laser hair removal courses, so keep an eye out for our next big savings.

Why not download the Thérapie App for iOS or Android, where you can earn 2% back in loyalty credit against all of your online purchases, meaning you earn money every time you spend with us.

Book free laser hair removal consultation

With over 60 Thérapie clinics available in Ireland and the UK you are likely to find one close to you. 

Use our location finder to find your nearest clinic, then book your free laser hair removal consultation online, or call our customer service team on 01 223 8180 from the Republic of Ireland or on 0800 012 1565 from the UK and Northern Ireland.

Team Thérapie,

#LoveYourSkin