Is laser hair removal safe?

“Laser hair removal is the safest and most effective method of removing unwanted body and facial hair. Side effects are minimal, usually mild and temporary; most people will experience some redness and sensitivity after treatment, which usually dissipates after a couple of days – at most. As part of our aftercare plan, we offer a cooling spray and aloe vera gel to cool and soothe the skin, and an SPF to protect delicate skin from sun exposure after treatment”

“There are a number of things to consider before booking laser hair removal to ensure you stay safe during treatment and get the best results. Read on for our top considerations when choosing a provider for laser hair removal”

Helen Green, Nurse Prescriber and Non-Surgical Lead at sk:n

Why choose sk:n for laser hair removal?

All of our laser practitioners are rigorously and clinically trained who will always test patch the skin for suitability, and we’ve created industry-leading health and safety protocols to ensure we deliver the best and safest services. We’re also regulated by the Care Quality Commission, the safe body that regulates the NHS, Health Improvement Scotland and Health Inspectorate Wales, so our clients can trust we’re the safest place for treatment.

Unregulated providers

By choosing a provider or clinic that is regulated by the Care Quality Commission or other relevant regulatory body, you can trust that the practitioner carrying out the treatment has met the very minimum training requirements and that the clinic meets the appropriate health, safety and hygiene standards. Never trust an unregulated or unregistered provider to deliver laser hair removal treatment – lasers used are powerful and should only be handled by a qualified, skilled professional.

Medication and laser hair removal

Some drugs can cause light sensitivity of the skin, increasing the likelihood of you burning during laser hair removal treatment, or leaving you with pigmentation (dark patches on the skin). These include some antibiotics, anti inflammatories, acne medication, and some types of medication prescribed for cancer and diabetes. For this reason, it’s important to provide your practitioner with information on all the medication you are currently taking before your treatment begins – even if you don’t believe it’s relevant.

Sun exposure, tanning and laser hair removal

After treatment, your skin will be sensitive and will need time to heal. Exposure to UV rays at this point could risk damage to your skin, so we strongly advise that you avoid sunbathing and tanning beds for two weeks. If the area is exposed to the sun, you must apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30. We also recommend covering up with a hat and long sleeves or trousers for around a week after treatment.

If you do happen to experience some sunburn in the weeks running up to your treatment, you’ll need to tell us as lasers can aggravate burned skin.

If you have a tan, we will advise you to wait around 2 weeks until the tan has faded before we treat you. This is because tanning essentially changes the pigment in your skin, so the laser may have difficulty distinguishing between the change in skin colour and hair, putting you at risk of burning as the skin could absorb the light energy. The same applies to fake tan – make sure your skin is free of fake tan at least 2 days before treatment.