Sensation differs between people and between body areas; many describe a quick snap or a feeling of warmth. Cooling methods are used to reduce discomfort, and this can be discussed with the doctor.

Will the hair go away completely?

Laser aims to reduce hair growth, and results vary from person to person. Some hair may grow back, and the doctor may discuss follow-up sessions.

Can laser be done in summer?

In many cases, yes, with sun avoidance and sunscreen. The doctor may postpone a session if the skin has a recent tan.

Why doesn't the page state the number of sessions?

Because the number depends on the area, the colour and thickness of the hair, skin type and hormonal factors, and because hair grows in phases that do not all respond at the same time. The doctor sets the plan after the assessment.

Full-Body Laser

What it is

Laser hair removal uses light energy that targets the pigment in hair follicles, with the aim of reducing hair growth over time. In a "full-body" plan, several areas of the body are treated according to a plan the doctor sets after an assessment. Laser does not usually remove all hair, and some hair may grow back.

Who may benefit, and why people ask about it

Wanting to reduce unwanted hair on several areas of the body.
Repeated skin irritation or ingrown hairs from shaving or waxing.
Looking for an alternative to repeated hair-removal methods.
Increased hair growth that may have a hormonal cause and may need a medical assessment before, or alongside, laser.

Laser can help some people reduce hair growth; the response depends on hair colour and thickness, skin type and other factors.

What the consultation covers

An assessment of your skin type and the colour and thickness of the hair in each area.
A review of your health history, including hormonal conditions, medicines that increase the skin's sensitivity to light, a tendency to raised scars (keloids), recurrent cold sores, and skin conditions.
Questions about recent sun exposure or use of tanning products.
Questions about recent hair-removal methods, such as waxing, plucking or threading.
Noting tattoos and moles in the treatment areas, as they may be excluded from laser.
A test on a small patch of skin may be done in some cases.
Agreeing the areas and treatment plan, explaining the risks, and obtaining informed consent.

Questions you may want to ask the doctor:

Is laser suitable for my skin tone and hair colour?
Why does the number of sessions differ between people, and what affects it in my case?
What side effects are possible, and what should I do if one appears?
What should I avoid between sessions?

What a visit looks like

Registration, review of the forms, and confirmation of the agreed areas.
You are usually asked to shave the area before the session, following the clinic's instructions.
Everyone in the room wears protective eyewear.
The skin is cleaned, and a gel or cooling method is used depending on the device.
Laser pulses are applied to the area section by section.
The skin is soothed, sunscreen is applied, and aftercare instructions are given.

The session may be performed by the doctor or by a trained member of the medical team under the doctor's supervision, following clinic protocols. The number of sessions, their length and the interval between them vary by area, hair and skin, and are set by the doctor based on the assessment.

Preparation

Avoid sun exposure and tanning — including tanning beds and self-tanning products — before the session, following the doctor's instructions.
Avoid waxing, plucking or threading for a period before the session set by the doctor, because the laser targets the hair follicle. Shaving is usually allowed and may be requested before the session.
Please tell the doctor about all medicines, especially those that increase the skin's sensitivity to light, and any recent use of certain acne medicines.
Please tell the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding; laser is usually postponed during pregnancy as a precaution.
The treatment area should be clean on the day, without deodorant, creams or make-up.
If the face is being treated, please tell the doctor about any history of cold sores.

After the session and possible side effects

Common effects, usually temporary:

Redness and swelling around the hair follicles.
A warm feeling similar to mild sunburn.
Shedding of the treated hair in the period after the session, which can look like new growth.

Less common effects:

Temporary darkening or lightening of the skin.
Blisters, crusting or burns.
Spots or inflammation of the hair follicles.

Rare effects:

Increased hair growth in or around the treated area.

Aftercare instructions may include avoiding the sun and using sunscreen, avoiding very hot baths, saunas and strenuous exercise for a period the doctor specifies, and not picking any crusts. Please contact the clinic if you notice blisters, increasing pain or a clear change in skin colour.

The doctor explains the full list of risks during the consultation.

Limitations

Results vary from person to person; laser reduces hair growth but does not usually remove all hair, and the doctor may discuss follow-up sessions later.
Light, blonde, grey, white or red hair usually responds less to laser.
Darker skin needs specific settings and precautions, and the doctor decides what is suitable.
Hormonal factors can affect results, and new hair may appear over time.
The doctor may advise against laser, or postpone it, in situations including: pregnancy, an infection or active skin condition in the area, a recent tan, some medicines that increase light sensitivity, or a tendency to keloids.
Laser is not used on some areas, such as the eyelids and the area immediately around the eyes.