And yes, laser is widely regarded as the most effective, risk-free and convenient form of hair removal among experts, however there are some very important things to note, because it definitely isn’t for everyone. Mr Ernesto Azzopardi, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and laser specialist at the Cadogan Clinic says, “The closer the colour of the hair to the skin, the more difficult it becomes to treat without causing side effects. The ideal match is dark hair on fair skin because the background doesn’t provide much else the light treatment can target.”
So what does that mean for the rest of us? In order for this treatment to be effective, the hair needs to be dark, and significantly darker thank your skin if you want to avoid harm. Because of this, the treatments aren’t effective for red, blonde or grey hairs. And, while some newer lasers say that they are suitable for dark skin tones, it is still very much new territory that many experts aren’t willing to risk. “One needs to be particularly careful about treatment after becoming more tanned. Both laser and IPL have the potential to cause side effects including blistering, burns, increased or decreased pigmentation, and pain if not administered correctly,” says Azzopardi. And yes, just like every form of hair removal, laser can be painful.
Because of the above risks, experts do advise some pre-treatment prep to make things easier. First off, you must always shave and never wax prior to your appointment. In order for laser to work, the hair still needs to exist in the follicle. Gently exfoliating the area and ensuring it is well moisturised also minimises the risk of ingrown hairs that might be missed during treatment. And, most importantly, as mentioned above, tanned skin shouldn’t be treated, so you must always wear SPF to avoid tanning and never apply fake tan in the run up.
