Say goodbye to shaving and waxing! Say hello to laser hair removal!

Staying hair free is a costly and time consuming business. Whether you wax every few weeks or shave every few days, the amount of up-keep involved sometimes seems more hassle than it's worth. But there is an answer; there is something that will allow you to forget about shaving your legs before a night out or booking a bikini wax before you holiday and that is laser hair removal.



It is a safe, long-term solution to unwanted or excess hair for both men and women and is suitable for most areas of the face and body and can even be used on sensitive skin.



This type of hair removal works by using lasers to pulse light to a target which breaks down and destroys the melanin (dark pigment) in the hair. This means it only works on dark hair, so anyone with very fair or grey hair won't be able to try the treatment.



In order to understand the laser hair removal process it is important to understand the structure of and the growth cycle of the hair. Hair consists mainly of a hard protein known as Keratin, which is produced by the hair bulb, and is situated deep within the dermis. Hair grows in three phases: growing, resting and shedding. Lasers target the hair during the growth phase as it is easier to tackle and break down. The melanin then converts the energy into heat, destroying the hair and hair bulb at the base of the follicle.

These lasers can target several follicles at once meaning that you can treat large areas of skin at the same time. While it would take many sessions over many months for lasting results using electrolysis to get rid of hair on the back or legs, a typical laser hair removal session on both legs usually takes under two hours. Lasers are great for treating the back, shoulders, arm, chest, upper lip and the chin.



Most experts recommend a course of between 4-6 sessions of laser hair removal, usually spaced a few weeks apart which results in around a 70-80% reduction in hair growth in the treated area. After that, most say having maintenance treatments once a year for a couple of years afterwards will help to ensure that you stay hair free.



Although it is no more painful than waxing or epilating, laser hair removal can be uncomfortable, especially during your first few treatments, so try to relax and maybe take a pain killer an hour before your first treatment. After a few sessions, any pain or discomfort you felt will be gone as you get used to the sensation of the laser. It is also not a quick fix. It is a solution to getting rid of the hair and will take some time but once your course is complete you no longer have to think about it.



Always speak to an expert before you decide whether a course in laser hair removal is for you and then you can sit back, relax and enjoy the fact that you won't have to worry about shaving again.