Buyer’s Guide for Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is an effective solution to unwanted body and facial hair. It works by harnessing the effects of a specially designed and very powerful laser to target the hair follicles.

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Buyer’s Guide for Laser Hair Removal

What is laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal is an effective solution to removing unwanted body and facial hair. It works by harnessing the effects of a specially designed and very powerful laser to target the hair follicles and preventing regrowth.

This guide will provide you with all of the information that you should consider when you are shopping around for laser hair removal treatment, including details on how the treatment works, how to get the best results and the difference between laser hair removal and intense pulse light (IPL) therapy.

Even though laser hair removal is widely available, it’s important to remember that it is a serious treatment to undergo and can have harmful complications if not delivered in a safe environment by a fully qualified practitioner.

How qualified is the practitioner?

When carrying out laser hair removal, a practitioner will be directing a powerful laser at your skin to target the hair follicles. This type of specialist equipment should only be used by a qualified, expert practitioner who you can trust.

At sk:n, all of our practitioners undergo four to six weeks of thorough training and are required to pass a theory and practical test before they are allowed to carry out laser hair removal treatments. We are known for having the best training programme in the industry, during which all of our practitioners are supported and assessed by a senior nurse. The nurse will only pass the training when they can be sure they are a safe, competent, knowledgeable laser practitioner, delivering high-quality care. Our laser practitioners are trained to NVQ Level 2 and 3, and many of our laser treaters have the laser BTEC, or are qualified nurses.

It’s worth bearing in mind that there is currently no industry standard for the level of training required to administer laser hair removal. Beauticians working in salons may only have undergone a couple of hours’ training before carrying out this treatment.

Are there rules in place for performing laser hair removal?

At sk:n, we follow a laser hair removal protocol which has been developed by our dedicated medical standards team (leading doctors, dermatologists and nurses) based on 20 years of experience delivering more than one million laser hair removal treatments. Our clinic protocols are specifically designed with the needs of our clients safety in mind. We choose the right parameters dependant on hair type and ensure all practitioners adhere to these strict protocols at all times.

How many treatments will you need?

Laser hair removal works by targeting the hair follicle during its active growing cycle, known as the ‘anagen’ phase. It is important to note that not all of your hairs will be in this phase at the same time (roughly 10-20%), and therefore having a course of treatments at regular intervals means that the treatment will be more effective.

Check out some of our laser hair removal clients’ Before and After photos.

How long will the treatment take?

The time it takes to perform the laser hair removal treatment depends on the area of the body being treated and how thick and dense the hair is. We recommend booking a course of treatment for the best value and results.

Find out more about our courses of laser hair removal.

What is the difference between laser hair removal and IPL?

Laser: As the energy from the laser is extremely focused, it offers very precise, powerful and accurate results. At sk:n our range of advanced lasers can be calibrated to suit your needs meaning that whatever your hair or skin type, laser is safe to use.

IPL: With IPL therapy, the energy is produced by a lamp, a little like a light bulb. This lamp produces a variety of light waves that are less powerful and accurate than laser. IPL cannot be used on all skin types and it often takes a lot longer to achieve desired results than with laser.

What type of laser wavelength will be used?

The type of laser wavelength that is chosen will be dependent on the client’s individual skin type.

At sk:n, we conduct a full consultation which includes a thorough assessment of skin and hair type. We also carry out a test patch on a small, representative area of skin to ensure we have selected the right wavelength and strength of laser/laser parameters.

If you have a darker skin type, the wavelength of the laser is of particular importance to you and your treatment. The laser is attracted to the pigment in the follicle of the hair and this is how the hair growth reduces. This means that when darker skin types are treated, a longer wavelength is required to avoid the laser targeting surface pigment in the skin as opposed to the hair follicle.

At sk:n, we use the Fitzpatrick scale to determine skin type and will discuss the results you can expect from treatment during the initial consultation. We have a variety of lasers to safely treat different skin types and tones, and our practitioners will be able to select the correct laser to best suit you.

Learn more about how laser hair removal works.

How should you prepare for laser hair removal?

For the best results, before laser hair removal treatment you should ensure that the area is clean, that hair has been removed by shaving (not waxing) and that all make-up is also removed.

Is laser hair removal suitable for you?

Is the hair you want treated dark and thick? The greater the contrast between your skin colour and your hair colour, the better. As the laser targets the melanin in the hair, it is important to note that people with red, blonde or grey hair will have less effective results.

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