During your consultation, we will assess the areas you wish to have treated. This means we’ll need a small amount of hair growth to be visible. Using this information, we will then discuss the number of treatments and the intervals needed between sessions, before carrying out a test on the area.

We will start this test by shaving the hairs in the area to be treated because 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 Laser Hair Removal session can take place at least 48 hours after your test patch has been completed. To prepare, you will shave at home first before we perform the treatment, apply aftercare and discuss the aftercare process with you before scheduling your next appointment. The best results are achieved with regular treatments due to the hair growth phases mentioned above.

After each treatment, the hair growth will slow down and it will usually take approximately 2 weeks for the hairs to fall out. Your next appointment will be booked in for around 6 weeks later when some hairs have regrown. With each treatment session, fewer and fewer hairs will grow back and take longer to show. This means we can gradually space the treatments further apart.

Laser Hair Removal works to destroy the hair follicles in the skin using light energy. As experts in cosmetology, our practitioners use their knowledge of hair growth cycles to identify which stage the body hair is in and evaluate when a future session will provide the most effective results. The three phases of hair growth are the Anagen, Catagen and Telogen phases. When the hair is in the Anagen phase, the hair is actively growing and is fully pigmented, Laser Hair Removal is most effective during this time. However, as hair is only in this stage 20% of the time, a course of treatments is needed to target this growth phase and get the best results.

So, with all that in mind, intense pulsed light devices are the perfect technology to effectively remove unwanted body hair. But, how does it really work, I hear you cry? Well, the laser devices emit powerful visible and invisible light pulses to the dark hairs, and this light turns to heat. Using the light energy produced by the device, the dark pigment in the cells soak up the heat from the laser which damages the hair follicles, causing delays in future hair growth. During the treatment, the intense light pulses hits the hair follicle very quickly and you can hear the results, it’s all in the ‘zap zap’!

Laser Hair Removal works best on dark hairs, as the more pigmented (coloured) the hairs, the better the results! At our clinics, we modify the treatment to what suits you. Depending on your hair and skin type, we pick between our lasers – Diode, Alexandrite and Nd:YAG – to which one would produce the best results in removing body hair. Each one of our devices also comprises of Lumenis and Cynosure Elite+ lasers technology.

At Destination Skin all skin types are suitable for Laser Hair Removal. Although, the effectiveness of the treatment depends on how pigmented (dark) the hair is. Clients with darker and thicker hairs have better results and higher satisfaction than those with fairer hair. It is commonly used to remove any unwanted hair – from ingrown hairs,  to body hair on your bikini line – and it can achieve proven results in permanent hair removal.

In order to safely and expertly perform the best Laser Hair Removal, we use dermatologically tested methods to identify your skin type, it sensitivity and how it reacts to different light energy and sun exposure to find the treatment most suitable for you. Edibility will be confirmed by consultation.

On average 6-10 treatments are needed for permanent hair removal. Multiple treatments are necessary to target the hair in the Anagen phase (the first stage in the hair growth cycle) as during this phase, the hair is most responsive to the intense pulsed light. For the best results, even and consistent treatments over four to eight weeks are needed – depending on the area.

At DestinationSkin we treat almost every area of the body. Common areas include the face, legs, bikini line, underarms, back and shoulders. Within the bikini area, there are a variety of options available, such as Hollywood and Brazilian, which both include the natal cleft.

Areas that are ineligible for Laser Hair Removal are the eyebrows, the inside of the nostrils or ears and over the areola.

Dark, unwanted facial hair can make you feel self-conscious and unattractive. You’re probably fed up of the temporality of standard treatments, like waxing and threading, with your body hair and ingrown hair, growing back aggressively and thicker than before. Yet, you don’t have to endure it any longer.

Laser Hair Removal and Electrolysis treatments are worth exploring you for. Both treatments are safe and clinically effective ways of removing hair from your body. They are very suitable for treating unwanted facial hair especially – ideal for eliminating those hairs in sensitive areas un-invasively. Unlike Laser Hair Removal, which can be less effective on light hairs, Electrolysis can be used on finer and lighter hair, targeting those smaller, intimate places that a laser cannot.

How does Facial Laser Hair Removal work?

Depending on your hair type, the treatments available would be either Laser Hair Removal or Electrolysis. Laser Hair Removal is more effective on clients with darker hair as the procedure works by beaming light pulses to the hair root. The intense pulsed light device detects the dark hair on the skin and targets large areas using a combination of light energy and heat. The heat destroys the hair follicles, causing no further hair to grow there. Electrolysis Hair Removal, is more suited to those with lighter hair. The laser used in this treatment is finer and targets smaller areas of hair, with a single beam rather than lots of beams in traditional Laser Hair Removal.

It is advised to have a session of Laser Hair Removal once a month and, with Electrolysis Hair Removal, one every two to four weeks as the laser used is sensitive and less intense than Laser Hair Removal. With both treatments, multiple sessions are the key to permanent hair removal. During your first free consultation, we will evaluate in detail how many sessions would work best for you.

During each session, we will target your desired area. Yet as hair grows in three cycles, we recommend at least six sessions so we can target the hair in these different stages and give you the best results. After six sessions, you should see significant results in body hair reduction.

At Destination Skin, we modify the treatment to suit your skin. We choose between three different kinds of laser technology to best match your hair. These models are:

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

In your consultation, we will assess your hair to determine which laser will give the best, desired outcome. We prioritise your safety above all, and will deliver these results safely and expertly.

For the best results, before undergoing Laser Hair Removal you must avoid waxing, threading, tweezing and bleaching your hair. We need the body hair to be naturally visible in the follicle as this is how the laser detects the hair, if we cannot see the hairs, the treatment will be ineffective. You can shave in between treatments, yet this may be counterproductive as the hair will gradually start to fall on its own 7-14 days after the first treatment!

We cannot treat skin anyone with a tan – natural or fake, as sun exposure will cause your skin to be more sensitive to the light energy used during the treatment. If your skin has been exposed to the sun within a month before your session, let your practitioner known prior to your treatment, as this could create some side effects. If you are tanned, please contact your clinic two days before your next appointment to seek advice on how to proceed.

One to two weeks before each treatment, you must stop using any acid based products such as Retinol, Glycolic and Salicylic as this can cause reactions during the session.

If you are taking any medications, prescribed or natural, please let your practitioner know prior to your treatment. It is important you maintain good communication with your practitioner regarding any medical changes you undergo.

After the treatment, avoid using any perfumed products such as lotions, shower gels, deodorants, and fake tan for at least two days whilst the skin heals. You can use mineral-based makeup immediately which will be available at your clinic, if you wish to cover redness. You must also avoid using products with actives, Retinol and exfoliating beads for a least one week until the skin has healed fully. This will help reduce any probability of experiencing side effects.

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

Q: How old do I have to be to have Laser Hair Removal?
A: 18 years or older, as under 18 your body is undergoing lots of hormonal changes and may mean that the treatment will be ineffective as the body hair may grow back.

Q: Can I have Laser Hair Removal if I’m breastfeeding?
A: Yes you can, however we do not advise treating areas around the nipple.

Q: Can I have Laser Hair Removal if I’m pregnant?
A: If you are pregnant, we cannot treat you for Laser Hair Removal. This is because of the lack of research surrounding laser light energy and the effect on the foetuses is unknown. As you and your baby’s safety are our top priority, the treatment would be too risky to undergo.

Q: Can I have Laser Hair Removal if I have keloid scars?
A: If you have keloid scars, or a predisposition to keloid scarring, we would assess the area on a case-by-case basis. As keloid scars extend beyond the original area of skin damage, and can be a raised pink, red, skin-coloured scar or darker than the surrounding skin. Your suitability would depend on your personal situation.

Q: How long does it take to recover after treatment?
A: Recovery time ranges between minutes to 24 or 48 hours, depending on you. You may experience some reddening of the area where the hair used to be but this is not permeant. After your treatment, for two days avoid sun exposure on the area, and don’t use the gym, saunas or steam rooms as this can cause irritation as a side effect.

Q: How do I know if I’m suitable?
A: We adapt our laser treatment to suit your skin. We are proud to say we can treat all different kinds of skin types and tones too. Have a read of our Laser Removal page to find out what kind of skin you have and whether you’re suitable.

Q: Does Laser Removal really hurt?
A: All of our laser devices use cooling technology to keep discomfort to a minimum. After treatment we also apply cooling gels and, if necessary, can apply a local anaesthetic to the area if you have a low pain threshold. You will get an idea of the discomfort of the intense pulsed light during the initial patch test. Compared 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 you were last treated for cancer 1-3 years ago you may be suitable for Laser Hair Removal. We would require a letter from your specialist to pass onto our Medical Director to review before undergoing any further consultations. If you have had any lymph nodes removed from under your arms or breasts you unfortunately cannot have any Laser Hair Removal, even if you have received the all clear as it is too risky and the side effects uncertain.

Q: What’s different about Laser Hair Removal?
A: Laser Hair Removal is a fast, less painful way of getting permanent hair removal. It is a short-term commitment for long-term, hair-free skin. Once your course has been completed, you will not have to worry about regular hair removal again.