For centuries, people have searched for better ways to remove unwanted body hair. Ancient Egyptians used pumice stones, beeswax and sugar. Romans made creams and used tiny flint razors. Persians introduced threading. Many of these methods are still around in more refined forms, but the same weaknesses remain. They can be uncomfortable and the results rarely last for long.
Table Of Content
Laser hair removal has now been used for decades and remains one of the most effective ways to reduce body hair over the long term. Highly advanced machines using state-of-the-art technology can make treatment far more comfortable while helping clients achieve smooth, long-lasting results.
Are Six Sessions of Laser Hair Removal Enough?
Laser hair removal uses heat to damage the hair follicle and reduce its ability to produce new hairs. The pigment in the hair shaft, known as melanin, absorbs light from the laser and, much like a black T-shirt warming up in the sun, carries that heat down towards the follicle.
Each hair moves through three growth phases and every follicle can be at a different stage at the same time. These stages are:
- Anagen – this is the active growth phase, when the root is still firmly attached to the follicle. It usually gives the best response to laser hair removal and can last for two to three weeks
- Catagen – the hair starts to detach from the follicle and is naturally shed. Because the connection is weakening, the laser has a less direct route and results are usually less effective
- Telogen – this is the follicle’s resting phase and, depending on the individual, it can last from several days to many months
To achieve a smoother, hair-reduced finish, each follicle needs to be treated while the hair is in the most responsive stage, which is anagen.
After your first appointment, you will usually notice a change, with hairs appearing finer and fewer. Those results tend to build after each session and many people find that by the third or fourth session progress is already very visible, though some follicles will still need time to move out of the dormant phase before they can be treated effectively.
Because hair growth and shedding vary from person to person, no fixed number can be guaranteed for everyone. Even so, six sessions are often considered a solid benchmark for many treatment areas. As more follicles are successfully treated, regrowth becomes lighter, patchier and slower, leaving the skin much smoother.
How to Prepare For a Laser Hair Removal Appointment?
There are several things you can do to help your treatment process go smoothly, and your salon will usually explain how they prefer you to prepare.
- Avoid tanning – whether from fake tan, sunbeds or extended time outdoors, recently tanned skin can become more sensitive during treatment. Try to avoid tanning for at least four weeks before your appointment
- Avoid plucking, waxing or using depilatory creams – these methods remove the hair shaft and the root, which means the laser has nothing to target inside the follicle
- Avoid bleaching – the laser targets melanin, which gives the hair its colour. If the hair has been bleached, there is less pigment for the laser to detect
- Shave the area to be treated – the night before your appointment, shave the area with a clean, sharp razor. This helps the laser focus on the follicle beneath the skin rather than surface hair
- Apply a non-perfumed moisturiser – keep your skin well moisturised in the lead-up to treatment, though it is usually best to avoid creams on the day itself
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing – to reduce any post-treatment sensitivity, choose soft, breathable fabrics such as cotton or silk
What to Expect at a Laser Hair Removal Appointment?
Your clinician should talk you through each stage of the process and give you the chance to ask anything you want before treatment begins.
They will usually assess your hair type and skin tone first. Some laser hair removal machines respond especially well to darker hairs because they contain more melanin. The laser targets that pigment, which absorbs the light energy and carries heat down to the follicle.
That said, many salons now use highly advanced systems such as the Nu Trilaze Plus which can also treat lighter hairs far more effectively than older equipment.
Undressing
Depending on the part of the body being treated, you may need to undress. Your clinician should provide towels so you can stay covered where needed and feel at ease.
Marking
Using a white pen, your clinician may mark the treatment area to confirm exactly what you want treated. During this step, they may also cover tattoos or blemishes to reduce the chance of irritation.
Numbing Cream
Some areas of the body are more sensitive than others, so numbing cream may be offered to keep you comfortable. Even so, many high-quality laser systems already include built-in cooling that makes treatment much easier to tolerate.
Goggles or Eye Shield
Laser light should never be viewed directly, so you will be given protective goggles or an eye shield to keep your eyes safe throughout the session.
Make Sure You’re Comfortable
Depending on the area being treated, your appointment could last as little as five or ten minutes or take much longer. Try to get comfortable before treatment begins and always say so if you need to shift position or feel any discomfort. The more relaxed you are, the easier the whole appointment tends to feel.
