Your guide to laser hair removal

Are you growing tired of battling with wax strips, razors and hair removal creams? Are you curious about laser hair removal and want to learn more? Well look no further! Here at the Dr Tanja Phillips Medical Aesthetics Clinic Basingstoke, we are experts in laser hair removal. Lauren (our hair removal specialist) has answered some FAQ’s for everything you need to know to help you on your way.

How does it work?

Laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment in the hair follicle and destroying it, so it doesn’t grow again.

What are the benefits?

• Say goodbye to daily shaving!
• Laser hair removal selectively targets hairs leaving the surrounding skin undamaged, unlike other popular hair removal methods.
• You are not required to leave the hair to grow between appointments! In fact, laser hair removal works most effectively on 1-2 days growth, so unlike waxing treatments you can feel confident throughout your treatment course.
• Patients often start to see a significant change in their hair growth after 2-3 treatments and it’s great for minimising pesky in-growing hairs or keratosis pilaris (commonly referred to as ‘chicken skin’).

Is laser hair removal suitable for all skin/hair types?

Here at the Dr Tanja Phillips Medical Aesthetics Clinic Basingstoke, our award winning Fotona lasers are safe to use on all skin tones and hair types.

Using the Fitzpatrick skin analysis framework, Dr Tanja, an expert in laser hair removal treatments, can establish your skin type. This takes in to account ethnic background, your skin’s tolerance to the sun, hair colour etc. Once your skin type has been established, we can use this information to treat you in the safest and most effective way.

What are popular areas to have lasered?

Any area of skin can be treated, but the most common areas of concern are:

• Upper lip
• Chin/Jaw line
• Legs
• Under arms
• Bikini line

Popular treatment areas for our male patients include back, shoulders and buttocks.

How many sessions will I require?

This will vary from person to person, but on average we would recommend a course of 6 treatments, spaced 4-6 weeks apart. This will ensure that we are targeting the hair at the right stage of it’s growth cycle, so consistency in your appointments is key!

Does it hurt?

There can be some discomfort caused by laser hair removal. Often patients liken the sensation to the flick of an elastic band or small pin pricks, but it will vary from person to person and the area of treatment.

We combine the use of cool air, soothing spring water sprays and ZO Skin Health Aloe Vera gel masque to ensure our patients are as comfortable as possible. If you’ve tried IPL in the past, this will be a walk in the park!

What can I expect after treatment?

For the first 48-72 hours after treatment, you may experience flushing of the skin and inflammation around the hair follicles. A small number of patients also experience a warm or itchy sensation in the treated area. These reactions are perfectly normal and can be managed using a soothing gel/lotion such as Aloe Vera or cool air/compress. Our experts always recommend that SPF50 sun protection such as Heliocare 360 should be worn for 2 weeks prior to and following your treatment.

If you have any further questions regarding Laser Hair Removal or you would like to book a free consultation, contact Dr Tanja Phillips Medical Aesthetics Clinic at hello@tanjaphillips.com or call us on 07495 125247.