Laser Hair Removal

During your consultation, we will assess the areas to be treated. This means we’ll need a small amount of hair growth to be visible. We will then discuss the number of treatments and the intervals needed between sessions before carrying out a test on the area by shaving the hairs. This allows the laser energy to be absorbed deeper into the skin at the root of the hair. We will often test multiple laser settings to establish the best results for your skin and hair type.

Your first session can take place 24 hours after your test patch has been completed. You will shave at home first and then we will perform the treatment, apply aftercare and discuss this with you before scheduling your next appointment. The best results are achieved with regular treatments due to the hair growth phases.

After your session, the hairs will grow through your skin over the next two to three weeks. You can remove them using a razor if needed; however, a result of the treatment, the growth may be slower and hair can appear finer and sparser. After two to three weeks, in the post treatment stage, the hairs will ‘cast’ (fall away from the skin). You will then be hair-free for a number of weeks before the new regrowth will appear. Over the course of the treatments, you will see patchiness and the hair texture will become finer.

All body & facial hair goes through 3 distinct phases of growth; Anagen, Catagen & Telogen. At any time, 85% of your hair is in the anagen phase (active growth) which where you get best results from a laser hair removal treatment. This is because the follicle (dermal papilla) is closest to the skins surface. Lasers utilise different wavelengths to target the hair follicle, heats it and destroys the hair whilst leaving the surrounding skin untouched.

If you’ve ever noticed how dark clothes absorb sunlight & heat up on a hot day, you’ll begin to understand how the pigment (colour) in a hair follicle absorbs heat from the laser. The hairs need to have some colour to them to be treated with laser, and darker and thicker hairs respond the best to this treatment. This destroys the follicle and prevents further growth. We use three different lasers in our clinics, according to different skin and hair types, these are Diode, Alexandrite and ND:YAG technologies comprising of Lumenis and Cynosure Elite+ lasers.

Multiple treatments are needed (between six and ten) because only the hair in the active growth phase – the Anagen phase – can be affected by the laser. Time is needed for hairs in the Catagen and Telogen phases to move into the Anagen phase. Effective results require treatments spread evenly and consistently, from four to eight weeks, depending on the face or body area.

All skin types can have laser hair removal at DestinationSkin. We have invested in the safest & most effective lasers to allow us to treat all skin types & ethnicities. The Cynosure Elite+ lasers utilise different wavelengths to target the hair follicle whilst leaving the surrounding skin untouched. Laser treatment is most effective on darker hair as it is best absorbed when there’s more pigment. Our Cynosure Elite+ lasers mean we get good results even if you have darker skin or very light hair where other lasers wouldn’t work.

Whilst we treat the largest range of skin types, there are a few reasons why you may be unsuitable for laser hair removal:

• We regret we cannot treat clients under the age of 18.
• We are unable to treat clients who are pregnant.
• Lasers will struggle to pick up the pigment on fair or grey hairs – consider electrolysis.

If you are unsure if you are suitable and would like to talk about options for having laser hair removal then please contact your preferred clinic and speak to a practitioner.

At DestinationSkin we treat almost every area of the body. Common areas include face, legs, bikini, underarms and back & shoulders. With the bikini area, there are a variety of options available, such as hollywood and brazilian, which both include the buttock crease.

There are some areas which we cannot treat, which include under the eyebrows, inside the nostrils, over the nipple area and inside the ears.

At DestinationSkin, we use 3 different makes and models dependant on your skin and hair type. These models are

• The Lumenis Lightsheer Diode (810nm)
• The Cynosure Alexandrite (755nm)
• The Cynosure ND YAG (1064nm)

In your consultation, a hair assessment will be carried out to determine which laser will be best for your treatment to achieve the desired results safely, and effectively.

We use the most advanced lasers throughout our treatments to bring the best results for all skin types. Fewer hairs will grow back after each session with greater success depending on the number of treatments you have. The number of treatments varies for each person and the area being treated. On average, a good reduction of hairs will be achieved after just six sessions.

For laser hair removal to be effective, the hair needs to be present in the follicle. This means waxing, threading and tweezing must be avoided before the treatment. You’ll also need to avoid bleaching your hair as the laser needs pigmented follicles to target. You can shave in between treatments but remember that the treated hair will start to fall out of its own accord 1-2 weeks after your first treatment. Do not bleach your hair as there’s no pigment in bleached hair for the laser to target.

If your skin has been exposed to the sun within 4 weeks before your treatment, let your practitioner know prior to your treatment. We can’t treat anyone with a tan – real or fake. If you’re tanned, please contact your clinic at least 48 hours prior to your next appointment to seek advice on how you should proceed.

You must stop any acid based products such as Retinol, Glycolic and Salicylic at least 1-2 weeks before each treatment.

If you have been prescribed or are taking any new medications or herbal supplements, or if anything medically changes let your practitioner know prior to your treatment.

Laser hair removal requires a short term commitment to get long term results. Results aren’t instantaneous but once your course of treatments has been completed, you will not have to think about regular hair removal again:

• Once it’s gone, it’s gone! No in-grown hairs, stubble or razor rash
• Long-term cost saving against traditional methods
• Shave time not your legs: on average, it takes 6 hours of laser hair removal to keep legs smooth vs 178 days of shaving

After the treatment, you must avoid perfumed products including lotions, shower gels, deodorants and fake tan for at least two days. You can wear mineral make-up immediately – available at your clinic ­– if you wish to cover the redness. You must avoid using products with actives, retinol and exfoliating beads for at least a week to allow the skin to heal fully.

We recommend using Australian Bodycare Tea Tree lotion, deodorant and skin wash to minimise irritation and to calm redness. For any facial treatments, we recommend YoungBlood Mineral Cosmetics makeup and a physical broad-spectrum SPF like Dermaquest Zinclear.

Q: Can I have laser hair removal if I’m breastfeeding?
A: You can have laser hair removal whilst breastfeeding, the only area we don’t advise treatment on is around the nipple area, however all other body areas are fine to treat.

Q: How much downtime is there after treatments?
A: You may experience some reddening of the skin around where the hair used to be, which could last from a few minutes to 24 or 48 hours. For two days after each treatment, avoid exposure to the sun and don’t use the gym, saunas, steam rooms etc.

Q: How do I know if I’m suitable?
A: We have the safest and most effective lasers which allow us to treat all skin types.

Q: Does laser hair removal hurt?
A: Our Cynosure Elite+ lasers treat the area with a cooling jet of air to keep you feeling comfortable during your laser hair removal treatments. Our Diode lasers have a chilled applicator and we also use a cooling gel to keep discomfort to a minimum. We can apply a local anaesthetic to the area if needed; however, you will get an idea of how the treatment feels during the initial test patch. If you are used to waxing, laser hair removal is often described as less painful.

Q: Can I have laser hair removal after receiving treatment for cancer?
A: If it is under a year since you have been all clear, you cannot have laser hair removal. If you have been clear for one to three years, you will need a letter from your specialist for us to pass on to our Medical Director for review. Unfortunately, if you have had any lymph nodes removed from under your arms or breasts, you can’t have laser hair removal under your arms, even if you are all clear.

Q: How is it different from other treatments?
A: Laser hair removal requires a short-term commitment to achieve long-term results. Results are not instantaneous but once your treatments have been completed, you won’t have to think about regular hair removal again.