Month: December 2011

Is laser hair removal safe? It is the first questions on every ones mind when considering laser hair removal. The media throws up stories from time to time of badly gone wrong treatments with scary close up pics, so no wonder it is one of the first questions that is asked.

This blog was first written in 2011 and since then technology has improved. Think the first Iphone v the lastest Iphone 11 for a comparison. As well as improved, safer technology, practitioners are also far more experienced and better trained too since 2011.

Is laser hair removal safe on the face or brazilian area?

If you are having laser on your face or brazilian or bikini you want to know it is safe. Statistics show that more than hundred thousands of laser hair removal treatments are performed in the UK each year.

Why so many?

The reason lays in how safe the method is, which is unlike any other hair removal treatment on the market. This means more people trust in it to get it right.

Safest cosmetic procedure

In fact, laser hair removal is rated second on the list of the most performed cosmetic procedures. Lasers are used in surgeries, in eye and vision correction, even in dentistry. Lasers in hair removal are now just as popular.

For many years we accepted other hair removal methods like waxing and shaving were the only permanent hair removal methods. Electrolysis was also popular. This was ineffective as the procedure was so long, and the procedure itself was very uncomfortable as clinics had to shock each follicle of hair to stop it from growing again.

Latest technology makes laser hair removal even safer

The latest top-of -the -range Candela Gentlemax Pro laser reduce the risk even further. The operate on a dual wavelength and are suit for light to dark skin tones. Traditionally people with darker skin tones did not experience the best results. Todays Nd:YAG lasers operate at a deeper 1064nm wavelength to destroy hair follicles without affecting the upper layers of the skins.

Benefits of laser

Laser hair removal is more effective because it can treat more than one hair at a time. This is because it can target the whole area. Before the laser hair removal takes place, a cooling gel is applied on the skin, after which a laser beam will be applied.

This laser penetrates deep into the layers of skin where the follicle is and is completely safe.

Some additional visits to the clinic may be required to treat the whole area of skin effectively, including the new hair follicles that start to grow in between the treatments.

Experienced Practitioners lower your risk

If conducted in a professional place, where qualified people carry out the treatment, then you are assured of a very safe laser hair removal treatment. You should always go and speak to the laser hair clinic first, having a consultation to figure out the kind of hair you need to have treated, your skin type, and so on.

This makes for the safest experience of laser hair removal possible.

Most stories where laser hair removal has gone wrong is where a practitioner was not experienced enough as todays lasers are extremely powerful. Also the clinic may not be a specialist laser clinic so their laser hair removal is an add-on to the main business. As it is not the main source of revenue they would be inexperienced in performing the treatment or use cheap inferior lasers.

Contraindications not disclosed

In some cases the person who had the bad experience may not have disclosed they were on medication or had a skin treatment recently on the same area and the skin was sensitive and in a healing phase when laser hair removal was undertaken or proper after advice was not followed.

After the laser treatment for hair removal , you should always follow the after care advice of the professional, i.e. not going out in the sun. This ensures your skin stays safe, free from discomfort and burning, and you get the best out of your hair removal treatment and you can stay hair free on a long term basis without any side effects, rashes or costly shaving/waxing fees!

Next Steps

If you live in London and are looking for a safe laser hair removal experience book a free consultation with us today. We are Londons largest laser hair removal specialist with 9 clinics across the capital.

To ensure you get your money’s worth for your laser hair removal, you should follow some simple tips. These include:

1. Make sure there is stubble growing in the area being treated. This means you shouldn’t try to shave for a few days before your treatment, to allow it time to grow back.
2. Don’t wax or tweeze either. Avoid doing this for six weeks before the treatment, because it damages the hair follicle making laser hair removal less effective.
3. Don’t tan (real or fake) before the laser hair removal treatment. This is because if your skin is dark, then the laser can’t distinguish between what is hair and what is skin.
4. After your laser hair removal, you shouldn’t sunbathe. Your skin may still be recovering from the treatment and this could damage it.
5. You should moisturise after the treatment. Your clinician should tell you which products are best; this helps restore the natural moisture balance in your skin.
6. About 5 days after laser hair removal, you should use a sugar scrub to get rid of excess hair falling out. This is an exfoliate and can help your skin become supple and soft.
7. Follow your salon’s instructions. As everyone is different, each person will have different care instructions depending on their needs, areas being treated and skin and hair type. Following the expert’s advice is vital in ensuing you recieve a professional laser hair removal treatment.

There are 5 things to do to prepare for laser hair removal yourself and your skin for your visit to a laser hair removal clinic.

Here are the 5 important tips to follow;

The first is not to go on any tanning beds or have fake tans

Do not have any applied on your skin within six weeks before the treatment or go on tanning beds. This is because the laser hair removal process works at its best when there is a contrast between the light skin and dark hair. The treatment won’t be as effective if your skin is darker, as the laser won’t be able to “see” the different between your skin and your hair.

wear clothes that are loose fitting and comfortable

When you go to have a laser hair removal session your skin may be slightly red or sore afterwards, so you’ll want to stay comfortable.

Do not bleach or wax the skin area

If you do any of these things, then it can leave open pores on your skin that the laser may try to target, which can cause problems on the skin. Your skin may swell, become itchy or develop a rash.

Protecting your skin from the sun is important after your treatment

If you are going out, make sure you put on a UVA/UVB sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher.

You should also follow the advice of your clinic

They will be able to recommend skin creams and things to avoid before your treatment, in order for it to be most successful. When investing in laser hair removal, you want to ensure it works as best as it can for you, so following these tips and any others your salon gives you is very important.

If you have any more questions please read our laser hair removal FAQs. If you live in London why not book a free consultation at one of our 9 London clinics. 

Laser hair removal hasn’t always been as popular as it has now. This is because technology has been developing since the 60s to form the best kind of treatment through laser hair removal, treatment that is effective and safe.

In the 60s, lasers were created that emitted a continuous wave of light rather than pulses. However, they were no good for removing hair because the beam of laser was uncontrollable and this means skin could be damaged. This was too much of a risk and so was not taken to market.

When it came to the 70s, a new laser was developed. These lasers could target individual follicles through a fiber-optic probe. However, it was quite painful and the FDA removed it from market because it was ineffective.

In the 80s, a new wave of lasers were created. These lasers were better at targeting hair, but still too ineffective.

In the mid 90s, the first laser was cleared by the FDA for public use. These types of lasers used a carbon-based lotion as a chromophore. The laser hair removal machine used a laser to heat the carbon which released a shock wave to the follicle which in turn destroyed it. By 1997, the laser was developed to target melanin in the hair. This laser was easy to use and didn’t have many side effects. This made it safer for people to use and these are the lasers currently being used today.

Now, millions of people have laser hair removal with minimal side effects and great results.

We also know that in the future, the laser is likely to develop, as it has done over the past fifty years, into something even more effective. Scientists are working on the new wave of lasers continuously but as of yet, the current ones are still the most popular and effective.

You may be reading this panicked about what to buy your girlfriend or wife this Christmas. You want something she’ll love… but that won’t break the bank! Year after year, men struggle with the perfect gift – but now your perfect solution is here!

Many of our customers are buying a course of laser hair removal treatments for their loved ones this Christmas. This is a popular choice, as it is an ideal time of year for your loved one to have the laser hair removal treatment in time for the summer. This means they can achieve smooth, supple and hair free skin in a painless, effective and safe procedure, something every girl dreams of!

There are some great deals available from the Premier Laser Clinic, too. For example, if you spend over £500 on laser hair removal you will receive a free £35 voucher for advanced skin treatments.

Another great grab is our buy two and get one free on the most advanced skin non surgical treatments.

You can also get 40% off your laser hair removal treatment cost when you pay for a course of 8 laser hair removal sessions in one go. This is a great bargain which saves you money – but don’t worry, we won’t tell her if you don’t!

Struggling with what to buy your loved one this winter for Christmas? Scouring the streets for deals and treats during the festive period is stressful and overwhelming. If you think they may be tired of the same old gift; a dressing down, a pair of slippers… then you might consider giving them a laser hair removal treatment as a gift.

This treatment is growing more popular as lasers are safe and the procedure is quick, painless and highly effective. Courses last around 6 weeks depending on the area of hair being treated and they can be carried out in centres across the UK.

By paying for laser hair removal for your loved one, you can ensure they experience smooth, supple, hair free skin which, after a course of around 6 treatment sessions, remains virtually hair free permanently. This means no need for razors, waxing or tweezers anymore!

This is the perfect gift for your loved one, male or female, so they have time to have the sessions and gain the full effect before the summer months. This means they’ll be experiencing smooth, hair free skin all year round – a great, thoughtful gift for anyone!

The two methods of hair removal, laser hair removal and IPL, are hot topics at the moment – with many celebrities endorsing their use and various beauty magazines raving about their effectiveness. But which one is best?

Laser hair removal uses a beam of high concentrated light, targeted at the hair follicle, to kill it from the root. This means the hair is destroyed and will not grow back. The treatment is not painful like waxing or traditional methods of hair removal, and can be completed in a short amount of time. Different types of lasers mean that different patients can be treated, including men or women with varying degrees of hair types. You need multiple treatments to achieve the best results, especially on larger areas of hair, however sometimes only one treatment is needed on some people. Laser body hair removal is now established in many clinics and salons, and is a trusted form of hair removal which is also cost effective.

IPL stands for intense pulsed light. Like laser hair removal, IPL uses a light beam to kill the hair at the follicle which means that the hair cannot grow back. The difference between this and laser hair removal is that the light beam is designed to take a shorter amount of time to remove the hair and is ideal for larger areas of hair removal. However, long term effects of the treatment have not been assessed because it is too new to tell. IPL treatments also require multiple sessions to achieve full effectiveness, and occasionally skin damage can occur but this all depends on the individual. Laser hair removal is a more accurate and effective way to remove unwanted hairs and can be less costly then IPL.

Laser hair removal – Sunbeds, Sunbathing and Fake tans – The Facts

Many people ask the question whether they can sunbathe, use sunbeds or apply fake tan before, during or after laser hair removal.

We will explain the do’s and the don’t so you will know exactly what you can and cannot do.

As with any procedure and laser hair removal treatments, speak to the qualified expert dealing with your treatment so you get specific, personal advice.

Sunbathing before, during and after laser hair removal advice

• sunbathing Before Laser treatment

Traditionally, advice was not to sunbathe before laser hair removal. However, with the advancement in laser technologies, treatments can be made which penetrate deeper into the skin – avoiding the top layers, so sitting out in the sun in the height of summer should not be a problem before your treatment as long as you take the necessary precautions of wearing a good SPF even if you have dark skin.

• sunburn and laser hair removal

If you come into your session with sunburned skin, however, your clinician may turn you away. And you may have wasted the cost of the session. When booking your treatments you should inform your laser hair removal clinic if you intend on tanning and they can give you the best advice.

Sunburn and laser do not mix.

Laser causes intense energy to be transferred into the hair follicle. Sunburn is also a transfer of light energy into the skin which your skin has to heal and recover from. Laser cannot be performed on sunburned skin. Your skin is trying to recover and heal from the sunburn which dermatologists classify as damage.

• sunbathing During laser treatment

Lasers make your skin more sensitive to the sun and UV light.  This increases your risk of burning. It can also cause hyperpigmentation which is an increase in the production of melanin, leading to dark spots or patches on your skin.

Laser works by being attracted to dark pigmentation in hair. When you tan this darkens the skin and makes it harder for the laser tell the difference between the skin pigment and hair pigment.

Lasers like contrast.

With lasers the better the contrast the more effective the lasers are.

Also if you are tanned your laser settings will have to be changed. With laser hair removal consistency is the key to good results (along with with an experienced practitioner.)

If you have an experienced practitioner they can adjust your treatment confidently, an inexperienced practitioner may be unsure and hesitant which could put you at risk

Clinics recommend you avoid sun exposure and sun beds completely during your laser hair removal sessions.

• sunbathing After laser treatment

Most people feel their skin feels slightly red and sore, similar to sunburn. You should not worry about this as it is perfectly natural.

Your practitioner should advise you of the best aftercare. As the laser uses a tremendous amount of energy and transfers this into your skin, your skin needs time to heal.

It is important to avoid sunbathing, cover your skin up and wear an SPF as your skin is vulnerable and needs protecting.

What to do if you have a holiday planned ?

Just because you are having laser hair removal it doesn’t mean your life should be put on hold!. However there are steps you can take to make sure disruption to your treatment is minimal.

The best advice if you are in the middle of treatment is to:

• Let your clinic know you are going away and how long you will be spending overseas – a weekend break v a month long trip!.
• Apply a good quality high SPF sun factor cream every couple of hours, especially if you are swimming.
• Cover up as much as possible with hats and light, long-sleeved clothing.

Sunbeds and laser hair removal

• sunbeds before laser hair removal

Avoid using sunbeds in the run up to your first laser hair removal session. Have your last sunbed 7-10 days before your first laser session, depending on how long you are on the sunbed for.

A deeper tan should see you stop 14+ days before.

Sunbeds use the same UV light as the sun so can cause the same damage. Laser will not be able to be performed on suntanned skin, even if it from a sunbed.

• sunbeds During laser hair removal

Your skin may not able to recover as easily from the treatment as you are causing extra trauma to the skin which has to heal.

If using sunbeds is a regular part of your life you may find it hard being told that you should avoid them for a while.

• sunbeds after laser hair removal

How long you sit on the side-lines is different for everyone. It depends where you have been treated and your skin type, tone and hair.

Make sure you look after your skin post-laser. It will heal quicker. Also use a good quality SPF. Have a good skin routine to keep your skin healthy and supple. This will help you get back on the sunbeds faster.

Fake tans and laser hair removal

Can you wear fake tan when having laser hair removal?

As you know there are different types of fake tan available. We are referring to tans which are:

• not instant
• that wash off
• are body foundations
• bronzing powders

This means formulas with slow tanning agents such as moisturisers including gradual tan formulas.

Fake tan must be removed from the area you are having laser hair removal treatment before your session.

All traces must be removed.

If you are having laser on your legs and your fake tan is on your face then you don’t have to worry.

Can you wear fake tan between laser hair removal sessions?

In between your treatments fake tan can be worn as long as you remove all traces before, if it is on the area you are having treated. The best advice is to stop applying your fake tan 7-10 days your scheduled laser sessions.

All residue must be removed as it can be dangerous to have laser with traces of fake tan present on your skin.

You will run the risk of your laser session being cancelled if the fake tan is still present when you attend your clinic.

Can you wear fake tan between my laser hair removal sessions?

Yes although if you have very dry skin and your tan takes longer to fade, leave a longer period 14+ days so all residue is completely removed.

Can you use instant or wash off tan before laser hair removal?

Yes. If using instant wash off tan you can use it no more then 2-3 days before your session but it is not recommended the day before as all residue must be completely removed.

Can you use fake tan on the same day of my laser session?

No. Your skin must be as natural as possible. So free from tanning products as well as oils, creams, moisturisers and lotions. This is to avoid any complications.

Advice on best way to remove fake tan before your session:

• Exfoliating mitts & scrub
• Tan eraser mitt
• Moisturiser after exfoliating to avoid dry skin
• Have a hot bath before exfoliating.
• Pay special attention to dry, wrinkly hard to clean areas like elbows, knees, shins etc

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Laser hair removal aftercare does not require any complicated routines to follow for weeks after your appointments. This is because laser hair removal is a relatively simple process with little recovery time.

However, it is important that you take time to care for your skin after the procedure. Caring for your skin means it will remain healthy and moisturised.

Immediately after your laser hair removal session, you can expect your skin to be slightly red and irritated, this is totally normal. It might even feel like mild sunburn. For many people, this disappears within a few hours.

But for others, it may take a few days before it totally goes. If you notice any of your skin blistering, you need to discuss this with the clinic where you had the treatment as this will be a reaction which shouldn’t happen.

How to soothe your skin during aftercare 

If you find the redness after your laser hair removal treatments to be uncomfortable and sore, there are things you can do to help ease the redness.

1. First you should get some cold compresses and apply these to the area of skin that’s red, to help any swelling go down. You might consider using ice if you don’t have any cold compresses , or a cold bath. This should soon have your redness going down.
2. Making sure the area of skin is kept clean is also an important point, to avoid infections.
3. You should also moisturise the area. Moisturising creams aid in the recovery of the skin in the areas that were treated with the laser. The clinic you go to will probably recommend some creams for you to use.
4. Consider using a daily moisturiser in the days leading up to your next treatment, if you have purchased a package are having a course of treatments. This will also keep your skin generally healthy and supple and give you optimum results when having your laser hair removal procedure.

In general, many people feel fit and ready to go back to work immediately after treatment. Others may feel they need a little rest, but this shouldn’t be more than a day or too. Depending on the length of treatment, area of skin being treated and skin type, all after care guidelines can vary and you should speak to your clinic.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]