By Krista Madden
A few years ago I had laser hair removal on my lower legs and underarm, at the time I was too chicken to have my bikini line done, but the results have been so good I went back to Transform Clinic to have it done. In my last review I did say in my first sentence, if you are wondering whether to have laser hair removal…..just do it! Well I should have paid more attention to myself, because after years later of waxing every 3 weeks here I am two sessions in and pretty much done. The course is for six sessions, but I am already so pleased with the results, there won’t be much hair left soon I’m sure.
The pain is really not as bad as I thought it might have been in such a sensitive area, it helps that the laser they use at Transform has an attachment that blows cold air on the area as it is treating it, so this does massively reduce the heat on the skin. Plus the bikini area is so small the treatment is over so quickly, before you know it the appointment is over, mine take about 15 mins tops, obviously we all vary but it is pretty fast. I have a great therapist at Transform too, you have to feel comfortable with someone being very exposed for this appointment, but if you wax then you are already prepared for the awkwardness of what is going on down there and are already over it.
Laser hair removal has become more and more popular over the past few years as the treatments have become more readily available, more effective, and in the long run, less expensive than the waxing alternative. This treatment is not just for women anymore. 22% of all laser hair patients are men with their main treatment area as the chest, where as females make up 78% of patients, most popularly targeting their top lip/chin hair.
After a herd of celebrities, most notably Victoria Beckham, advocated for laser hair removal, there was a spike in enquiries about the treatment. You could say after Beckham spread the word about her experiences with laser hair removal, others wanted the posh solution to their hair removal.
Wondering if laser hair removal is right for you and your hair? It’s helpful to know that the best candidates for laser hair removal are fair skinned people with darker hair. It’s not impossible for patients with dark skin or very fair hair to be treated.
So how does laser hair removal work exactly? The highly concentrated light is beamed from the lasers into the hair follicles, where the pigment in the follicles absorb the light which in turn destroys the hair.
Why is laser hair removal more beneficial than other types of hair removal? The highly targeted process offers the most permanent solution of any type of hair removal, which is ideal for any woman. Another huge benefit is that the lasers used in the process can target dark, coarse hairs without damaging the surrounding skin, a blessing for us girls struggling with razor burn and ingrown hairs for years.
Some helpful tips to know are that if you are planning on having a course of treatments, strictly no tanning, that includes booths, tanning lotion, anything that adds colour to your skin. So the winter months are a perfect time to get this done, you will need approx 6 weeks in-between appointments Also essential to know before you go is that you need to shave before hand. This isn’t like your typical waxing session where you come in as a hairy mess and walk out all smooth and bare. Instead, it’s a process of treatments that, if consistent, will offer fantastic long term results.
So I am just two sessions in and I am really pleased, I will report back at the end of my 6 sessions with end results, but if you are thinking about it I would say pop in for a test patch and talk it through with a therapist. The cost may look a lot in a lump sum, but when you think about how much you spend on waxing it works out much cheaper and more importantly there is barely any regrowth. Laser hair removal does not permanently remove every hair follicle, but you won’t even notice the odd hair growing through, it’s such a refreshing change to just not think about shaving at all any more.
To find more about Laser Hair Removal at Transform Clinic visit their site here. I am going to the London clinic in Cavendish Street, they are really helpful and such lovely staff you will feel at ease discussing what you would like with them.