Is laser hair removal painful?

It is relatively painless and well tolerated by most patients, thanks to the special cooling system of the skin with cold air, during laser’s application. The sensation of the laser is like mild, barely noticeable stings. However, in those cases where patients are very sensitive, an anaesthetic cream may be applied locally, one hour before the treatment. In the subsequent sessions and as the hair density decreases, the discomfort is minimized.

Is there any laser hair removal preparation necessary?

• On the day of the laser session, the area should be clean and if it is the face, free of make-up.
• For about 3 weeks before treatment, do not use wax, electrolysis or tweezers in places, where laser hair removal is going to take place.
• You are allowed to shave, up to 2-3 days before laser treatment and after laser treatment if, for some reasons, you delay the next session.
• Avoid sunbathing and solarium, for parts of your body that will undergo laser hair removal. Also, is necessary to use a wide range sunscreen with SPF 30, for 1 week after your treatment.
• If you have a history of herpes zoster or cold sores, the Doctor should be informed.

Why several sessions are needed, in order to clean an area, from unwanted hair growth?

The hair grows in repetitive cycles (anagen, catagen, telogen) and only when it is in the active phase of growth (anagen phase), it contains enough melanin to absorb the necessary energy that the laser beam has. This energy is sufficient to destroy the hair follicle. When the hair is in one of the other phases of its life cycle, it contains little or no melanin and cannot absorb the energy of Laser.

Therefore, on the day of your laser application, hair follicles that are in the anagen hair growth are destroyed. A few weeks later, some of the hair that was in an inactive growth phase, has gone into the active phase again and now it’s their turn to absorb the laser’s energy. Whenever this procedure is repeated, hair density gradually decreases.

Can I shave between sessions?

Yes, you can shave or cut the hair. It is not allowed to use tweezers or waxing, as they remove the hair with its hair bulb and that way, there is nothing left for the laser to target.

What should I take care of, after laser hair removal?

• Immediately after treatment, there may be a mild redness and swelling at the site, which may last a few hours up to 24 hours and it is useful to apply a moisturizing body lotion, during this time period.
• Avoid sun exposure, until the skins returns to its normal appearance and always use sunscreen for a few days, after hair removal.

How many sessions are required?

Effective laser hair removal can be achieved with 6 to 8 sessions. Each session requires from 15 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the treated area. At the end of the session, you can immediately return to your daily activities.

Are there any side effects?

In our Clinic, laser hair removal is done with the latest 7th generation lasers, without any side effects. Adverse effects may occur only, when the patient does not follow the instructions given to him or if the laser treatment is not performed, by an experienced dermatologist or under his/her supervision.

Can laser eliminate white hair?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. The laser targets the black colour of melanin, at the hair follicle. In white hair, there is no melanin and therefore we will not have any effect there.

Can laser hair removal be done during pregnancy?

Laser hair removal does not have any risk for the baby. Many women continue laser hair removal, with the permission of their gynaecologist, during pregnancy.

Should I have specific tests before laser hair removal?

In our clinic, the doctor who assesses your medical history decides whether specific tests, such as hormonal control, are necessary before laser treatment.

Can I stop whenever I want, the laser hair removal method?

Laser hair removal is a procedure that suppresses the hair growth and you can stop it whenever you want, without any consequences.

What is the difference between Laser hair removal and IPL hair removal?

First of all, IPL is not a Laser and usually is misleadingly referred to as IPL laser hair removal, from some non-medical centers. IPL causes a general damage, which also causes hair root destruction, while Laser causes selective damage, only at the root of the hair.

IPL is producing a broad spectrum of wavelengths (like a light bulb) and cannot be focused to a specific, narrow beam. As a result, its action is not very strong and not as effective, for the treatment of unwanted hair, as the actual laser hair removal and therefore more sessions are needed.

The biggest part of IPL energy, is absorbed by smaller, more superficial targets. In order to heat deeper targets, like the hair roots, higher levels of energy are required, therefore the risk of burns and other unwanted side effects, such as hyperpigmentation is increased.

On the contrary, laser acts much more precisely and with higher safety, as it is capable of selectively reaching its target (selective photothermolysis), leaving the surrounding areas intact.