Laser hair removal in Cornwall: frequently asked questions
Laser hair removal has taken the celebrity world by storm and for good reason. It removes the need for regular shaving or waxing. And you can also treat pretty much any area on the face or body. Based in Cornwall, Luxe offers high-performance laser hair removal. We use high-spec equipment and offer a range of packages to choose from. Whether you’re planning a holiday, a wedding or a special event, laser hair removal is the perfect solution.
Here at Luxe Cornwall, we get asked all sorts of questions about laser hair removal. Our clients want to know what it involves, how much it costs and how it works. We’ve put together this thorough guide for you to explain exactly what to expect from laser hair removal.
The benefits of laser hair removal
Laser hair removal offers a variety of benefits. The most obvious benefit is that your skin is hair free and silky smooth. You don’t need to worry about ingrown hairs or regular shaving. You don’t need to time your waxing sessions around special events and you have full freedom from excessive hair growth. And, since it’s a permanent solution, you actually do save money in the long run. When you consider the cost of regular waxing appointments or shaving products, it really is very cost-effective.
How does laser hair removal work?
If you’re looking for laser hair removal in Cornwall, the most important thing is to find the right studio. There are different machines available and so it’s important to do your research before booking. Here at Luxe Cornwall, for laser hair removal we use Contour Dio-Ice™ which is a high-performance, gold-standard piece of equipment.
A laser from the machine will emit a light that it then absorbed by the pigment in the hair. The light will then convert to heat which then causes damage to the follicle. This then prevents growth.
How many sessions of laser hair removal do you need?
We usually recommend a minimum of 6-10 sessions but this is dependent on the person. You’ll have one session followed by another in 4-6 weeks. This continues for a few months until the full course is completed. You’ll likely notice a difference to your skin in as few as 3 sessions. You’ll probably need a couple of top-up sessions to maintain the full results. After you’ve finished your treatment, silky, smooth, hair-free skin will be yours!
What areas can be treated with laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is used pretty much anywhere on the body. The areas we can treat are:
- Face
- Chest
- Neck
- Back
- Bikini line
- Arms
- Underarms
- Legs
How often should you get laser hair removal?
We advise a course of 10-15 sessions, spaced out at 4-6 week intervals. The number of sessions is usually dependent on the thickness and density of your hair. Here at Luxe Cornwall, we offer free consultations. We will advise you on how many sessions we think you will need once we have assessed the area.
Does laser hair removal hurt?
Laser hair removal doesn’t really hurt at all. You might feel slight discomfort during the process. This might feel a little like an elastic band flicking your skin. Other than that, there is no pain associated with getting laser hair removal. Your skin might feel a little warm afterwards. However, getting laser hair removal is actually much less uncomfortable than getting a wax or dealing with painful shaving rashes.
Are the results permanent?
The results are certainly permanent. However, it’s impossible to achieve a 100% full removal of every single hair. You will notice during the course of your laser hair removal treatment that the hairs will change. They will feel softer and less coarse and thick. You may notice a few very light hairs that are soft to the touch but you will certainly notice a huge improvement overall.
How to prepare for laser hair removal
We recommend that you don’t wax or pluck your hair for 4-6 weeks before your first session. Also, it’s important that you don’t have any fake tan applied to the area you are looking to remove hair from or put any topical products on that area on the day of your session. We recommend that you lightly shave over the area the night before your treatment. For the underarms, it’s best not to wear deodorant on the day of your treatment but if you are wearing deodorant we can remove it for you.
What not to do after laser hair removal
Your skin might feel a little sensitive after your laser hair removal treatment. It’s best to avoid hot showers and baths for 24 hours, although a warm shower will be fine. We also recommend that you avoid going to steam rooms, saunas and swimming pools for 48 hours. It’s best to avoid any heavy exercise for 48 hours after your sessions and we also advise our clients not to exfoliate the area for 10 days. You should avoid sunbeds and sunlight during the course of your treatment. You should also avoid using perfumed products or active creams containing acids for 48 hours after your treatment.
Clothing-wise, it’s best to not wear tight clothing for 48 hours. Clothing that is too tight can cause friction from sweating and can irritate your skin.
You can apply aftercare cream to the area and aloe vera is also very beneficial to use on the affected area. If you want to apply fake tan, we recommend that you wait five days after your treatment before doing so but it will need to be fully removed in time for your next session.
What to do between laser hair removal sessions
It’s absolutely fine to shave in between your laser hair removal sessions but it’s best not to wax, epilate, thread or tweeze your hair. Shaving will allow you to keep on top of regrowth and is fine to do in between sessions.
Should you exfoliate in between laser sessions?
Once ten days have passed since your treatment, we recommend lightly exfoliating the area. You can do this two to three times a week. It’s a good idea to use a gentle exfoliating mitt when you shower, or apply a light scrub to the skin. You can then apply a moisturiser after exfoliation to keep your skin feeling soft and silky.
Does laser hair removal work on blonde hair?
Laser hair removal is most effective on darker hair as it relies on the hair having a darker pigment. Blonde, red, grey or white hair doesn’t tend to have any dark pigment in it so laser hair removal might not be right if you have light hair. It’s best to book a free consultation and we can offer advice on how to proceed.
Can you go on holiday during your course of treatment?
You need to avoid sun exposure on the treated area as much as possible. The reason for this is that UV exposure will trigger your skin to produce melanin pigment which is what causes your skin to tan or change colour in the sun. With laser hair removal, we want to be able to see a real differentiation in colour between your skin and your hair in order to get the absolute best results.
If your skin is tanned, you will probably need to wait for quite a long time before having laser hair removal, so we really do recommend that you limit your sun exposure during your treatment.
You may notice a few very light hairs that are soft to the touch but you will certainly notice a huge improvement overall.
Which laser hair removal machine is best?
There are lots of different machines used for laser hair removal so it depends on which clinic you book your laser hair removal through. Here at Luxe Cornwall, for laser hair removal we use Contour Dio-Ice™ and we believe this is one of the best machines on the market. It uses triple wavelength technology which is particularly good for treating lighter-coloured hair and skin, as well as darker and tanned skin that has lower melanin absorption.
Does laser hair removal work for PCOS?
If you suffer from PCOS (Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome) then you will be familiar with the excessive hair growth associated with this condition. This is known as ‘hirsutism’ which essentially means hair grows excessively on the face and body where you would not normally expect to see much hair. Laser hair removal is a great solution for anyone coping with PCOS and excessive hair growth.
Why laser hair removal is especially great for darker hair
Clients with darker hair tend to really see the benefits of laser hair removal very quickly. With waxing they need to let their dark hair grow out in between waxing sessions. Laser hair removal means that you no longer have to worry about unsightly dark hair being visible in between waxing sessions.
Why do our clients choose laser hair removal?
Our clients tell us that one of the main reasons they opt for laser hair removal is that shaving is such a short-term solution and requires regular – almost daily – maintenance. Excessive shaving can result in a shaving rash which can look unsightly and feels uncomfortable, especially in the warmer months where you sweat more and friction from clothing can be more of an issue. Very often you can shave an area and by the following morning, it feels prickly to the touch already.
Waxing is a great longer-term solution but it also requires maintenance. You can only enjoy hair-free skin for so long before the hair starts to grow back and then you’re stuck in a cycle of having to let it grow to a certain length before you can have it waxed again. Also, many clients have told us that they still notice a few hairs left after a waxing appointment. This is because hair grows at different rates and so some hairs will be longer in length and easier to remove with waxing, whereas others will be shorter and more stubborn to remove. You then have to end up shaving the area to keep it feeling silky smooth but that feeling tends to only last a day or so and then you have to repeat shaving.
Tweezing, plucking and epilating are also treatments that require regular maintenance.
Because none of the above offer long-term solutions, laser hair removal really is the perfect option if you want to stop having to think about regular hair removal.
Why laser hair removal is worth it
Laser hair removal is a great investment in your self-care. Not only does it remove the need for regular shaving or costly waxing appointments, it also leaves your skin in much better condition because you don’t have to put up with shaving rashes and ingrown hairs. Ingrown hair is one of the main reasons our clients come to us for laser hair removal in Cornwall. Living close to Cornwall’s many beaches, our clients tend to spend more time in swimming costumes and bikinis than those living inland and so they are likely to be shaving more regularly which can cause irritation to the skin and result in ingrown hairs.
Ingrown hairs can be painful and can sometimes get infected so laser hair removal really is the perfect solution. You may also find with ingrown hairs that scarring can occur. This can look a little like acne pitting on the skin and can be darker in colour, usually purple. It can also create an indent in the skin. This is because the follicle has been damaged.
Inflammation of ingrown hair within the hair follicle can then change the shape of the follicle and this is what causes the skin to scar or change colour. Ingrown hairs are more common in oily skin or skin that’s prone to acne. It can also happen when there is weak collagen in the follicle or when the hair is removed in the opposite direction of its natural growth. With laser hair removal, you don’t have to worry about ingrown hairs anymore. And that’s pretty amazing!
Do men have laser hair removal?
Absolutely! Male clients from Cornwall come and see us for laser hair removal, typically for areas on the chest or back. They usually tell us that they shave the area but that they believe the hair has grown back thicker and so that’s what prompted them to have laser hair removal. Other male clients say that they have tried waxing but found it very painful, particularly in the chest area.
Is laser hair removal good for the LGBTQ community?
Yes. Here at Luxe Cornwall, laser hair removal is something we offer regularly to anyone in the LGBTQ community. Whether it’s laser hair removal on the face or body, our studio is a very private and relaxing space. If you want to talk to us specifically about laser hair removal for LGBTQ, please contact us for a free consultation.
We hope this guide has given you a thorough insight into the many benefits of laser hair removal as well as answered any questions you might have about the process. We really can’t recommend laser hair removal enough: its benefits are long-lasting and it’s lovely to not have to keep on top of regular hair removal appointments.
Our clients tell us that their confidence has improved since getting laser hair removal and that they feel much freer to wear certain clothing and they feel more comfortable in their own skin. Laser hair removal is an investment you’ll make once that will pay off again and again in future. Whether you’re planning a beach holiday, a special event where you want to feel your best, or you just want to liberate yourself from regular hair-removal appointments, laser hair removal really does offer the ideal solution.
Where can I get laser hair removal in Cornwall?
Based in the heart of Truro, Cornwall, our studio is a relaxing place to come and have laser hair removal. We offer free consultations and we will then advise you on how many sessions we think you will need and will talk you through the process. During your consultation, we’ll also explain what you need to do to prepare your skin for laser hair removal and how the after-care process works. We can book a block of sessions for you in advance so you can plan around the sessions, making it much easier to plan things like when to apply fake tan, when to avoid exfoliating and when to shave the area in between sessions.
If you’d like to book in to meet with Leeann, please get in touch.