Smooth for the Summer – Why more and more people are investing in Laser Hair Removal
Who can say they have never cut themselves whilst shaving? Or had some form of irritation after being waxed? Then there is the up keep of having to endure this daily, weekly or monthly – it really can feel like a chore. What if I told you there was a way to have long lasting (if not permanent) smooth skin all year round without having to go to all of this effort? Well, there is! Laser Hair Removal. 
You might be thinking “What is Laser Hair Removal?” or “how does it work?”. By using laser technology and light energy we are able to convert the pigment from the hair in the follicle into heat which over time will destroy the follicle meaning nothing can grow there. Going back a few years this process could be long and painful, however, with the modern-day technology available to us now, this has become a fast and relatively painless treatment. The lasers we have now are able to target multiple follicles at once reducing the time you spend having the procedure carried out. Most machines now also have a specially designed cooling tip meaning that whilst the laser is generating heat the surround is counteracting this and having a cool, soothing effect as it glides over the skin.
You do need to shave the area before your treatment and there is no waxing allowed in between sessions – if there is no hair in the follicle then there is no pigment for the laser to convert to heat meaning the treatment will be ineffective; if the hair in the follicle is unshaved, the energy from the laser will be wasted on the length of the hair rather than making its way deeper into the follicle making the treatment pointless. A course of 6-10 sessions is usually required but this varies from person to person, after all we are all unique individuals.
The pros to laser hair removal far outweigh any cons. The results are longer lasting (with maintenance) than most other forms of hair removal including shaving or waxing where you will commonly see the hair growing back again just a short time later. Laser hair removal will leave you with more time to spend on doing the things you enjoy. Although at first you may think it is expensive for a course of laser, in the long run you will find you actually end up saving money! Look at it as an investment in yourself. Although laser treatment can seem costly, it usually saves people money in the long term. According to BMI Healthcare, the average amount women spend on waxing in their lifetime is £17,000, with the average cost of shaving for women set at £7,000. Treatment prices for laser can vary depending on the size of the area being treated and the number of sessions needed. At Perfect Skin Solutions, individual treatments range from £39 – £279 with packages available from £119-£359. By purchasing a course of treatments, you will see a considerable discount meaning the more treatments you have the more money you save; courses here start from just £210. For those of us that are more eco-minded, this is also a much more sustainable option for hair removal as it reduces the need for single use plastics (I.e. disposable razors). If you are someone who suffers with ingrown hairs as well as shaving rash or dry skin, Laser Hair Removal is the perfect solution for you! The laser is targeting the follicle there for reducing (even eliminating) these annoying and painful problems.
Most machines now allow us to treat all skin types. We can target unwanted hairs without damaging the pigment in the skin meaning we can treat darker skin tones. Unfortunately, if you have grey or light blonde hairs that you want to get rid of this treatment will not work for you. No pigment means there is nothing for the laser to detect to target deeming the treatment fruitless.
There is no downtime after laser hair removal however there are strict aftercare rules that you will need to follow to reduce the risk of complications. On the day of your treatment and for 48 hours after this will include avoiding strong exfoliating products, swimming and strenuous exercise (anything that may cause excessive sweating), deodorants (for 24 hours only if the underarms have been treated) and no sun exposure for the first 5 days post treatment. For 1 week before you are due your treatment you need to avoid fake tan and sunbeds, direct sun exposure (apply SPF 30+ sunscreen on the areas being treated) and the use of Retinol is prohibited for 1 week pre and post treatment.
If Laser Hair Removal sounds like the option for you and is something you would like to know more about then please do contact our clinic and enquire about coming in for a consultation and patch test with one of our fully trained Aesthetic Therapists.
By Sarah Bevan
