Question 1

What are the different types of laser hair removal technologies?

Accepted Answer

There are 4 main types! We use the Nd:YAG and Alexandrite.

Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm)
•Nd:YAG laser penetrates deepest into skin
• is absorbed relatively poorly by melanin within the hair follicle though absorption and follicle heating does occur. This poor melanin absorption is the reason why it is the safest laser to use on dark skin types
•Considered "gold standard" by medics for laser hair removal on dark skin types

Alexandrite (755 m)
Alexandrite penetrates deeper into skin than Ruby laser or IPL but with less collateral damage is strongly absorbed by melanin within the hair follicle (better than diode or Nd:YAG)
•Works better for lighter coloured hair / however it is risky for treating darker skin types (4-5)
•Considered "gold standard" by medics for laser hair removal on skin types 1-3.

Diode Laser
•Penetrates deeper into skin than the Alexandrite or IPL but with less damage to the epidermis
•Well absorbed by melanin within the hair follicle, though not as good as Alexandrite (but better than Nd:YAG)
•Works better for light olive skin compared to alexandrite (skin types 1-5)
•Need to be cautious on slightly darker skin - it is better to use the Nd:YAG

IPL - intense pulsed light
•Strong absorption for melanin
•Can't penetrate as deeply as alexandrite, diode or Nd/YAG lasers
Greater risk in treating darker skin types
•Is relatively non-selective

Question 2

How long does it last? Is it permanent?

Accepted Answer

Laser hair removal is the best and longest lasting type of hair removal, and is formally referred to as permanent hair reduction, as there will be permanently less hairs (given that your hairs are brown-black and the hairs are darker than your skin), however no clinic can guarantee you wont ever get any hairs grow back in the future so we cannot legally say it is permanent removal. We aim to leave you hairless in your treated area after your recommended course. Realistically you can expect the odd hair to come through over the following few years where dormant follicles awaken - this is why maintenance sessions are suggested - to keep these hairs at bay - this is generally anywhere between 9-36 months after the end of your course.

The hairs which grow back in the future varies across clients, some clients may find their hair grows back quicker than others, and some find no hairs grow back at all.
This will vary from person to person and hormones play a large part, too. so some may find they need more frequent maintenance sessions.

Alternatively, some clients report very fair fine hairs coming through which they find much better than whatever was there before.
Sadly, there will always be some people who do not respond well to laser hair removal.

Question 3

I have medical/skin concerns, am I suitable?

Accepted Answer

There are a number of skin and medical conditions which are contraindications or cautions to our treatments where you should check with us before booking if you are safe for treatment, these include but are not limited to;
Being under 18yo, pregnant or breastfeeding, ever had Skin cancer, or cancer in general (Dr note needed), epilepsy, use of roacutane in the last year, have melasma, cystic acne (treated area), autoimmune diseases eg lupus/chrones, metal plates or pins in the area, skin diseases, blood disorders, moles & tattoos in the area, hypo or hyperpigmentation, diabetes, birth marks, keloid scars, any medication with photosensitivity as a side effect needs a Dr note, 
 
Also there are cautions if the client is using antibiotics/antifungals, St Johns Wort, steroids, retinols/acids, HRT, 
Please contact us to confirm your suitability.

Question 4

Do I need a patch test?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all of our devices require a patch test. 
Generally speaking it is wise to leave at least 7 days between your patch test and your treatment as this will cover all technologies and their required gaps from patch test to treatment. Depending on your skin/hair type we may patch test multiple technologies on you or we may patch test another technology on you at a treatment later down the line for best results. 
If you are Fitzpatrick 1-3 the soonest you can have your treatment after a patch test is 4 days later. If fitzpatrick 4-6 it needs to be a minumum of 7 days.

Question 5

How do hair growth phases effect the treatment

Accepted Answer

Hair grows in cycles. Anagen = the growth phase; Catagen = atrophy / loss of nourishment, and Telogen = dormancy / falls out. Your hairs are best treated whilst in the Anagen phase - when the follicle is attached to the bulb and blood supply and there is the highest concentration of melanin within the hair. Different areas (face, under arm, legs etc) a have different % of hair in each stage any any one time, and have different cycle durations (how long the hair is in each stage).
EG: Generally around 20% of leg hair is in anagen phase at any one time. That means that the maximum % of your follicles we can target in any one session is 20%.
This is why it’s a multi treatment process.

Question 6

How can I prepare for my treatment?

Accepted Answer

Before your treatment you must HAVE:
-Booked in a patch test 4-7 days prior to your appointment, depending on your Skins Fitzpatrick scale (4-6 skin type need a 7 day gap)
- Checked you are medically suitable for this treatment either by reading the website or getting in touch.
- Shaved the area & any areas you wish to patch test 8h before treatment depending on how fast your hairs grow, we advise to take a picture of hair growth prior to shaving to keep track of progress.
 
Before your treatment you must NOT:
- Apply anything to the treated area eg moisturiser, oil, deodorant
- Use acids in the area for 5 days (AHA’s/BHA’s/Glycolic/Retinol).
- Have waxed or epillated for 4 weeks.
- Expose the area to direct sun or sun-beds for 28 days prior, if sun is unavoidable, spf 50 must be used & reapplied at all times however we cannot treat skin which has developed a tan even with factor 50 for 2-4 weeks and will be skin dependent. No fake tan for 14+ days prior or the treatment cannot go ahead.
- Expose the area to steam eg hot bath or shower on the day of treatment
- Strenuously exercise before treatment.
- Have deeply exfoliated the area for 4 weeks eg skin peel or microdermabrasion
- Have had electrolysis or similar for 8 weeks in the area.
- Use hormonal, steroidal or treatment creams on the treated area for 2 weeks.
-Take anti-microbial, antibiotics, anti-fungal, anti-viral or St. John’s Wort for 21 days.

Question 7

Does it hurt?

Accepted Answer

Depending on which machine/technology we use to treat your hairs, the sensation you will feel will vary. 
Clients report a tingling/needling/prickly sensation. This varies across clients, taking into consideration different hair & skin types, client sensitivities and tolerances. Towards the end of your course we may increase the energy for the best results, at this stage it can feel like some hairs are being plucked or pulled.

However, this is soothed by the cooling system attached to the laser which blows cold air (the temperature can be adjusted to your needs) at the same time to make the session more comfortable. You can then have aloe applied at the end of your treatment if you feel it requires soothing.

Question 8

Do I need to shave or not?

Accepted Answer

Yes, please! For your treatment we ask that you shave the area around 8h beforehand as your hairs need to be totally gone but your skin not sore from just doing so. DO NOT WAX or epilate at all before or during your treatment for at least 4 weeks prior. Only shave between treatments as we need the follicle intact to reach the bulb.

In some cases we may ask you to leave a patch unshaven so that we can see your specific hair growth.

Question 9

What happens after my treatment?

Accepted Answer

Immediately after treatment the skin may tingle or feel warm or cold, there may be redness of the skin and/or follicles and there can be swelling. Itching & tingling is also common. Cool aloe gel can soothe any treated areas.
 
After your treatment you must NOT:
- Shave the area until the hairs have grown 2-3mm and are long enough to pull at
- Apply makeup to the area for 12 hours following treatment, if any blistering or surface damage then no makeup on the area until fully healed.
- Use perfumed creams, chemicals etc for 48h.
- Wax, pluck or epilate etc after or between treatments at all. You can shave between treatments if necessary.
- Scratch, rub or pick the area.
- Bathing in hot water, steam sauna etc for 5 days.
- Play contact sports or activities that may irritate the area.
- Wear tight clothing that may irritate the area.
- Exposure the area to sun for 4 weeks (factor 50 if unavoidable).
- Use sun beds for at least 4 weeks.
 
After your treatment you MUST:
- Keep the area protected from the sun. Wear factor 50 on treated areas for at least a month following treatment.
- You should keep the area clean.
- Exfoliate the treatment area everyday (after 48h) with an exfoliating mitt (not a chemical exfoliator).

Question 10

Can it remove blonde hairs?

Accepted Answer

Afraid not - there needs to be enough pigment in the hair for it to work. Blonde, grey, light brown, and red hair will not be picked up by the laser.

Question 11

I have skin type 4-6, can I have laser hair removal?"

Accepted Answer

We can safely treat all skin types, particularly using our Alexandrite or Yag lasers, and have different modes within the technologies more suitable for more melanin-concentrated skin. The hairs must be darker than the skin in order for hair removal to be achieved.

Question 12

What affects the success of treatments?

Accepted Answer

Where your hair is at in its cycle - best treated in anagen phase.
Frequency of treatment - see below for schedule guidelines.
Hair thickness and colour - the thicker the hair, and more contrast with the skin the better.
Laser settings tolerated - we need to utilise certain settings for best results but this can sometimes be a little tender! If only low settings are tolerated then results may not be achieved as quickly as hoped.
Underlying clinical problems - hormonal or medical conditions can delay results.

Cheshire Glow Clinic

Part of the Multi Award-Winning
Glow Clinic Group

Frequently asked questions