I Tried Laser Hair Removal, and It's the One Treatment I Wish I'd Done Sooner

Hair removal is a very personal choice. I'm all about empowering beauty decisions, and this includes zero judgment on what you decide to do with your body hair.

If you choose to remove it, cool! If you choose not to, that's cool too. Hair is hair, after all, and just like how we express ourselves through a new haircut or hair-colour transformation, what we do with our body hair is a form of self-expression as well. Whether you want to leave it alone or shave, wax, epilate or use IPL or laser hair removal, I'm all for it.

As for myself? I've been shaving since my early teenage years. As the daughter of parents who both have great heads of hair, I've been blessed with dark, thick lengths and full lashes (no need for an eyelash serum) and brows. This, however, goes hand in hand with an abundance of hair in other areas, too, which I have chosen to shave, pluck or wax depending on the area. As a beauty editor, I find joy in my beauty rituals, but this was one part of my routine that felt more like a chore, not to mention the cost. I hate to think how much money I've spent on expensive waxes, overpriced razors and IPL devices over the years—I've truly tried it all.

Plus, as someone with very dark hair and light skin, any shaving efforts are usually short-lived. Even immediately afterwards, the roots of my hair follicles appear as little black dots all over my legs, no matter how much body scrub and body cream I use, and if I were to shave in the morning, I can already feel regrowth towards the end of the day. (Someone give my follicles a medal for working overtime.)

This makes shaving a time-consuming, annoying and expensive part of my beauty routine. And as for my facial hair on my chin and upper lip, I've tried plucking the thicker individual hairs from my chin and dermaplaning the fluffier hair above my lips, but alas, due to the stubbornness of these hormone-dependent areas, I haven't had effective or long-lasting results.

So, when I was invited to review laser hair removal late last year, I jumped at the opportunity to try it and (hopefully) bid farewell to the other methods of hair removal that just weren't working for me. I visited the Brighton branch of Laser Clinics for a consultation with branch manager Pam Smith, who welcomed me into her clinic and talked me through everything that I needed to know about laser hair removal. It's safe to say I was enlightened. I chose to have my legs treated, but I have since loved the results so much that I've also opted for my bikini line, upper lip and chin to be treated too.

If you've landed on this article, chances are that you're where I was before I discovered laser, searching for reviews on laser hair removal to find out if it's actually worth it, plus the best places to go for the treatment. I've tried to make this review as thorough as possible, so I hope you'll find everything you need to know right here.

Laser Clinics is the leading provider of laser hair removal in the UK, so its practitioners really know their stuff, and better yet, my friends within the aesthetics industry rate the clinics' laser machinery, which is highly regarded as the best in the biz. All this convinced me to have my treatment there, and if you're lucky enough to be local to the Brighton branch like I am, I'd highly recommend a visit to Smith's team, who can talk you through everything you need to know if you're considering laser hair removal.

Ahead, you'll find everything you need to know about laser hair removal, as well as my honest thoughts on my treatment journey so far.

What Is Laser Hair Removal, and How Does It Work?

Let's get down to the science for a sec. What exactly is laser hair removal, and how does it work? "Laser hair removal works by targeting the hair follicle. The light energy is then converted into heat, which damages the follicle attached to the blood supply, making it grow back finer, lighter or not at all over the course of treatment," says Chloe Layton, Laser Clinics UK's national training manager for the north.

This is a different form of light from IPL (intense pulsed light), which is what you'll find in at-home hair-removal devices. "Typically, IPL devices don't penetrate deep enough into the skin's epidermis," explains Smith, so these tend to be less effective than professional in-clinic treatment using a high-spec, medically approved machine.

Who Can Have Laser Hair Removal?

It's really important to have a consultation before laser hair removal to find out if the treatment is safe for your skin. At the Brighton Laser Clinics branch, I had an in-depth consultation with Smith, who assessed my medical records as well as my hair colour and skin type. Thankfully, I was suitable for treatment. In fact, I was the ideal candidate, as my hair is so dark and I have fair skin.

Pigment must be present for the laser to locate the hair and treat it, and the contrast of dark hair and light skin makes it easy to find the follicles that the treatment is targeting. This means, however, that if you have fair hair, unfortunately, laser hair removal isn't suitable for you. "The laser cannot do white, grey or blonde hair, and some kinds of auburn hair that have a transparent look to them. The same goes for vellus hair (or peach fuzz) on the face. The hair must [be pigmentated] the laser to work," explains Smith.

What about different skin tones? Well, Laser Clinics uses a device called Candela Gentlelase Pro, which can treat all skin tones on the Fitzpatrick scale (a system used in aesthetic medicine to classify skin by its reaction to sun exposure) can be treated, from very deep to very fair. In other clinics, you may find that the devices used can't treat certain skin tones, but at Laser Clinics, your treatment suitability is down to the pigment in your hair follicles rather than your skin.

During the consultation, it's important to raise your medical history, including any medications you're currently taking (some medications can cause light sensitivity or hormonal fluctuations, which can affect your treatment or suitability), and if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Laser hair removal is not recommended during pregnancy, and again, fluctuating hormones may impact hair growth and treatment results. However, if you become pregnant midway through your treatment, Laser Clinics will freeze your treatment plan so you can resume your sessions when you're ready to come back.

What Areas Can Be Treated With Laser Hair Removal?

Really, the question should be what areas can it not treat? From underarms to the bikini line and full Hollywood to full legs, there are so many areas that can be treated with laser hair removal. The same goes for the face; the chin and upper lip can be treated, as well as between the eyebrows and the neck. There are also full-body packages available and bundles of the most popular areas, which can make treatment more cost-effective. The only caveat is that tattooed skin cannot be treated.

Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?

What I appreciated most about my consultation with Smith is that she was genuinely upfront about the results I could expect. Whilst I might not see permanent hair removal, she told me I would likely see an 80–85% reduction in my hair after a full course of treatment. Any hair that remains would be finer and slower to grow back, making shaving much easier and quicker—a major plus. Of course, this will vary from person to person and is also dependent on the area being treated.

The reason that laser hair removal isn't totally permanent is that our hormones can continue to create new hair follicles. This is particularly so for areas such as the bikini line or chin, where hormones particularly like to grow hair. This is why it's recommended to have a top-up every couple of months to keep new hair growth at bay. This leads us to how many treatments are required.

How Many Laser Hair Removal Treatments Are Required?

At Brighton Laser Clinics, your therapist will draw a grid on your legs and treat one area at a time to ensure a thorough treatment.

On average, you will need to have between 10 and 14 sessions over the course of treatment (that's one session every four weeks or so). However, more hormonally affected hair (such as the genital area, underarms and chin) may be more stubborn to treat and require additional sessions, and you may need top-ups after your initial course is complete.

At around the sixth session, you may only need one every six weeks, and your therapist will be able to discuss how your treatment is going and how often you're finding the need to shave. The tenth session is the ideal time to assess how well the treatment is working and whether you may need additional sessions.

The reason so many sessions are needed is that hair grows in different cycles, Smith tells me. So at any given time, some of the hairs on your body will be in their growing phase, whilst others will be in the shedding phase. These phases alternate, so a session is needed every four to six weeks to ensure that all follicles have been targeted in their growth phase.

That being said, once you've completed a full course of treatment, you may only need to do a top-up a couple of times a year to maintain your results. Smith says that some of her clients can go without shaving for weeks after their treatments and forget what it was like to have to shave all the time—something I can definitely get on board with.

How to Find a Good Laser Hair Removal Clinic

The laser hair removal treatment room at Laser Clinics in Brighton.

You'll want to research the best clinics that are local to you, read reviews and ensure you ask plenty of questions during your initial consultation, including (obviously) if you're suitable for the treatment. A good clinic or therapist will turn you away if they know laser won't deliver results for you, or safely. Any good clinic will be happy to share its credentials in terms of qualifications, the machines it uses and its safety processes.

It's also important to consider if you can easily get to the clinic, as you'll need to visit every month or so for the next year during your course of treatment.

Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?

Pain tolerance varies from person to person, but having tried the treatment myself across several sessions now, I can tell you that the pain is extremely minimal. I'd liken it to a short burst of heat pinging the skin. Thankfully, the laser hair removal machine in Laser Clinics has a cooling tip which blasts freezing air, helping to minimise the heat in the skin that can cause an uncomfortable sensation.

How Do You Prepare for a Laser Hair Removal Treatment?

There are a couple of key things to note to ensure your treatment is both safe and effective. The first is that you need to shave the area the day before your appointment. This is really important, as the hair root needs to be visible for the laser to work. Methods such as waxing, epilating or plucking (which pull out the root) will render the treatment ineffective, so don't be tempted. Shaving the day before also helps to mitigate any irritation on the day.

"The skin can become irritated after shaving, so we recommend shaving the skin the day before to reduce any irritation," says Smith. "On the day itself, we ask that you don't wear any body lotion, oils or creams on the area, as [they] can cause an adverse reaction."

The same goes for deodorant if you're having your underarms done, or any skincare or makeup if you're having laser hair removal on your face.

You also want to avoid any form of sun or UV exposure during the course of treatment. If you're planning on being in the sun or going away on holiday, it's advisable to wait at least two weeks after laser before you jet away, and two weeks after sun exposure before returning to treatment. If you use fake tan, make sure there's none on the skin to be treated before your session, because the laser can pick up the pigment from the tan and cause scarring.

It's also a good idea to postpone heavy workouts, saunas or hot showers or baths before your treatment and immediately afterwards. This is because the additional body heat can contribute to inflammation with the laser. And it's for this reason that Smith advises wearing loose clothing for the rest of the day after your treatment, and using a product like Skinstitut Laser Aid (£34) for around five days afterwards, which helps to draw out the heat from the skin and reduce any post-treatment irritation or itchiness.

If you're having laser hair removal on your face, you must religiously apply SPF (and regularly top it up) to protect your skin. In addition, avoid any actives such as exfoliating acids or retinoids (this includes retinol and retinal) in the days leading up to and after your treatment.

How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost?

Prices will vary based on region, clinic, body area and he number of sessions you require. Many clinics also offer packages, which can make the treatment more cost-effective if you're planning to have more than one area treated. My initial treatment for full legs at the Brighton Laser Clinics branch would cost around £650 for 10 sessions. However, smaller areas such as the lip and chin together will cost around £180 for 10 sessions, and a full Hollywood would cost £300 for 10 sessions.

My Review

Having now completed my course of treatment, I have to say it's the one thing that I wish I had done years ago. As someone who finds shaving a big chore and expense, I was delighted at the results I had just halfway through my treatment course. After my fourth treatment, I noticed that I didn't have quite so many black dots on my skin after shaving, and I could get away with doing it once or twice a week rather than every day. Any hair that does grow back now takes ages to surface. Not having to shave all the time means my routine is far quicker, and it's one less thing I have to think about doing.

As for the treatment itself, I was surprised at just how quick each session was. Both of my legs were treated in just 20 minutes (smaller areas like the lip and chin take less than five minutes), so you can be in and out quickly without it taking up a whole morning or afternoon.

My Review: A Year On

Having now completed 10 treatments on all of the treated areas (remember, I was so impressed with the results on my legs that I decided to have my bikini line, upper lip and chin treated too), it has now been over a year since my last appointment, and my hair is still significantly reduced on my legs, bikini line and upper lip. I'd say about 75-80% of my hair is still gone, and I can get away with shaving only once a week, which has been a real game-changer.

I've noticed some hairs returning, so I'll definitely be booking in for top-up treatments every few months to maintain my results. The hairs on my chin have been more stubborn, however, but as the hair here is hormonally-driven, I'd expected it to be trickier to treat. That being said, it's still a significant improvement.

The only downsides are that laser hair removal is both an investment and a process that spans almost a whole year, but I can tell you that it's absolutely worth it for the freedom of not having to worry about removing my hair. Plus, when you think about the cost of buying razors or having waxes, it actually makes for a smart investment if you want to significantly reduce your hair growth. All in all, if you're happy to invest in a course of treatment and have top-ups a couple of times a year thereafter, I think it's a very worthwhile treatment.

Shop Laser Hair Removal Prep Products: