LASER HAIR REMOVAL: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Laser hair removal is a medical procedure designed to remove hair from treated areas.

How does a session work?

The laser used for laser hair removal targets melanin and attacks hair in the growth phase. 6 to 8 sessions are required to permanently destroy the hair.

On average, 80% of hairs are destroyed, so this figure varies according to the patient’s age, hair quality and phototype, i.e. the color of the patient’s skin.

Laser hair removal destroys the hair bulb without damaging other skin structures.

After each session, the destroyed hairs will fall out, and it is necessary to wait for new hair growth in the treatment area before starting a new session.

Our Clarity and Elite + lasers feature a Cryo machine that numbs the skin with cold throughout the session.

Precautions and contraindications to laser hair removal

Before a session, it is essential to protect yourself from the sun, as recently exposed skin may not be suitable for laser hair removal.

On the other hand, it is still possible to treat dark skin using a different type of laser from that used for lighter phototypes.

Certain drugs are contraindicated:

• Roaccutane® -type treatment
• Cyclins, a family of antibiotics

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are also contraindications. At Epilium & Skin, we do not perform laser treatments on pregnant women. In fact, hormones are strongly disrupted during and after pregnancy, which can lead to hair growth disorders. Sessions are likely to be ineffective.

After the laser hair removal session

Sun exposure should be avoided for 1 week to 10 days following your treatment, depending on the sensitivity of your skin, to prevent hyperpigmentation of the skin tissue.

How does laser hair removal work?

The laser is a visible light that penetrates the skin superficially, targeting the melanin around the bulb.

This light is transformed into heat, which then destroys the hair bulb. The hair root weakens from session to session until complete eradication.

How does a laser hair removal session work?

A single laser hair removal session destroys a generation of hair, which corresponds to around 10 to 15% of hair growth, which is why 6 to 8 sessions are needed to rid an area of hair. (average for body areas, for patients over 25 years of age)

Depending on the area treated, sessions should be spaced 4 to 12 weeks apart.

During the session, patients may experience varying degrees of pain, tingling and warmth. However, most patients tolerate treatment without anesthesia. In the opposite case, you can apply an anaesthetic cream such as Emla, 2 hours before the session.

In the minutes following treatment, the skin of the treated area may become pink and swollen. We recommend applying a soothing cream.

How long does a laser hair removal session last?

The duration of a session varies according to the area to be treated. For example, an underarm laser hair removal session can last 5 minutes, while a half-leg laser hair removal session can last up to 30 minutes.

What are the side effects?

Most side effects are benign.

The risk of burns occurs mainly in people with tanned skin, as their skin synthesizes melanin, which is also targeted by the laser. This burn is superficial and will not leave any scars. For a while, it may leave whitish or darker spots, but these disappear very quickly.

It’s important to remember that the laser is a medical device, requiring precise adjustment to suit each individual patient, which is the key to effective treatment.

Find out more about laser hair removal prices.