Permanent hair reduction using lasers and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) has become increasingly popular recently. Laser and IPL machines were first used to remove unwanted hair commercially in the 1990s. Techniques and the effectiveness of the machines have improved enormously since.
Both techniques are extremely effective at permanently reducing unwanted hair growth, but can demand a significant investment in both your time and money. The return on that investment can, however, be extremely worthwhile especially when you consider the average British woman spends £8,000 during the course of their lifetime on hair removal products and treatments. It is essential however that you invest your money wisely to ensure you get good results.
1. Always consider the cost of your results not the cost of your treatments
This is the biggest mistake most people make. Often people are taken in by fabulously cheap offers for hair removal treatments. What most people don’t realise is that it’s the results they’re really interested in, not the treatments. Think about. Let’s say you buy 100 treatments for a £1000. That sounds like fantastic value doesn’t it, at just £10 a treatment? However, if you don’t achieve any reduction in your hair growth you’ve completely wasted £1000. Always focus on the results you want to achieve and always ask whether your clinic will guarantee your results like Brigstock Skin and Laser does. Check out our guarantee here.
It’s actually extremely easy for clinics to offer cheap treatments. They do this by reducing the amount of time they spend treating areas and can also reduce the cost of their consumables by reducing the power in the pulses of light their machines deliver. Another cost-saving exercise is to simply reduce the number of light or laser shots they administer to the area of skin being treated.
So remember, if you’re looking to permanently reduce your unwanted hair go to a reputable clinic that will guarantee your results and satisfaction.
2. Choose a CQC registered clinic
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the ombudsman that regulates all healthcare services. By choosing a clinic that is registered with the CQC you are choosing a clinic whose systems, training, governance and standards are regularly scrutinized by an independent inspector. If a clinic has demonstrated that it has met all national standards you can be assured that you are taking all reasonable steps to assure your safety during treatments.
This is important. Lasers, if operated inappropriately, can cause considerable harm to a patients’ eyes and skin. As well as your safety being assured, you’re also probably assured of a good quality of service, because clinics with CQC registration are more likely to be run by a well-run organisation. Simply achieving CQC registration demonstrates a level on administrative competence that your average beauty salon is not able to attain.
3. Know the level of training and experience of your technician
Operating Laser and IPL machines require a lot of skill and experience to assure good results. A poorly trained technician or even one not fully concentrating when operating the equipment can result in disappointing results. Always, therefore, request sight of the operator’s certificates -specifically the ones relating to the machines they will be operating on you. As well as these certificates, it’s important that the training doesn’t stop there. Regular training updates and evidence of continuing professional development are key to ensuring your technician will deliver the results you are looking for.
4. Choose a skilled technician
All the training in the world will not guarantee you good results if your operator simply isn’t very highly skilled. Operating the equipment appropriately and setting the correct energy levels for your skin, hair colour, density and thickness can usually be learnt, but knowing how to make you feel comfortable throughout the procedure and ensure enough energy is delivered requires a skill that not everybody can learn. Most clinics of repute will always have testimonials from satisfied clients. Many publish them on their websites for you to read at your convenience. Check these out before you choose a clinic and if a technician’s name keeps being mentioned that’s probably the technician you want to choose.
5. “Laser is better than IPL”
You might hear that laser treatments are better than IPL treatments and surely lasers are better than normal light… aren’t they? Well no, not necessarily. Laser is in fact simply a stimulated emission of light that has been amplified. In the case of hair removal, the light from both laser and IPL is used to destroy your hair follicles by heating up the melanin in them. Melanin is responsible for the pigmentation in your hair and skin. In much the same way that a leather car seat will heat up if left in direct sunlight on a summer’s day, your hair follicles will heat up if strong pulses of light are directed towards them. It really doesn’t matter if this heat is generated through lasers or intense pulse light.
Modern laser and IPL machines are much more effective than the first ones to appear on the market in the nineties. Modern machines are much more comfortable than the original ones that were, to be frank, actually quite painful. Modern cooling headpieces and the modulation of the light pulses has resulted in laser and IPL machines that direct the light and heat to the follicles and not the surrounding tissue. Some modern machines like the Soprano laser machines are designed specifically to be as comfortable as possible. The downside of this type of machine is that the treatments take much longer than many IPL treatments. As you can see it isn’t the case that lasers are necessarily better than IPL machines. It’s just that they are different and fulfil different requirements.
6. Never pluck, wax or thread before treatments
You must never pluck, wax or thread for at least six weeks before your treatment begins. This is essential if you are to achieve any meaningful results. This is because the laser or IPL needs to react with hair still located in the hair follicles in, what is known as, their growth stage. If they are removed prior to your treatment the light will not have anything to heat up and will therefore not destroy your hair follicles.
Shaving is permitted and, in fact, is actually necessary prior to your treatment. Many patients can struggle with this, particularly when receiving treatment to their face. The thing to consider is that this will only be for a couple of short weeks. After your first treatment, much of the hair will be permanently removed, never to return.
7. Never begin any treatment without first having a patch test and ensuring your full medical history taken
Although modern lasers and IPLs are extremely safe, a patch test and full medical history is an essential pre-requisite of any laser and IPL treatment. The patch test is used to determine the safe and effective settings that can be used on your skin and hair type. It’s recommended you wait at least twenty-four hours after your patch test to ensure you do not experience and adverse reaction before undergoing your first laser hair removal treatment.
A thorough exploration of your medical history is also good practice. There are a number of medical conditions that can mean that treatment cannot be carried out. These are called contraindications. These include things like chronic herpes, hypertrophic scarring or psoriasis to name a just a few. There are also a couple of medications that are also contraindications. This is another reason to only approach reputable medical clinics instead of beauty salons that offer similar treatments.
8. No hair will return after my course of treatment has finished
Both laser and IPL treatments only target hairs that are in their growth stage. This is why you will always require a series of treatments over a course of several months if you are to achieve the best results possible. Typically most people require at least six treatments to catch the hair in the right stage of the hair growth cycle. Even when a course of treatment ends some fine hairs will normally remain but you can expect 80-90% of your hair to permanently die off and never return.
9. Avoid sunbathing
Some modern lasers are designed to work on even the darkest skin, but increasing the amount of pigmentation in your skin through sunbathing immediately before undergoing any treatment will limit the treatment’s effectiveness. What’s more, it will make it more difficult for your technician to achieve the best results for you. Put simply, laser and IPL hair removal is much more effective when performed on skin that isn’t freshly tanned and hair that hasn’t been lighted by the sun.
This doesn’t mean that you have to cover up completely. As long as you use a good quality sun cream with a reasonably high SPF you will be fine. Many patients can also experience some sensitivity following treatments. Excessive sun exposure at this point can increase your risk of sun damage, and so is best to avoid if possible.
10. Always follow the treatment plan your technician prescribes for you
No two people have the same skin and hair. This means all treatment plans have to be customised for the individual undergoing the treatment. The best hair removal results can only be achieved with a well thought out and properly executed treatment plan. This will require several treatments delivered at precise intervals to coincide with your natural hair growth cycle. This is why it is necessary to always adhere to your treatment plan and turn up for your appointments as close as possible to your allotted time in keeping with your hair growth cycle.
These are your top ten tips to consider whenever you’re considering laser or IPL hair removal treatments, but here’s a bonus tip for you: if you want to ensure you get fantastic results in a reputable CQC registered medical facility Brigstock Skin and Laser Centre is the place for you. At the centre your results and satisfaction are completely guaranteed, otherwise, we treat you for free. You can check out our numerous testimonials from satisfied clients here.
To book your FREE initial consultation call NOW on 020 8683 6730 or click here.
Editor’s Note: We reviewed this article on September 22, 2023. As per our editorial policy, we are constantly updating our content, to make sure it reflects the best of the best when it comes to beauty, wellness, and fashion. We want to assure our readers that we still stand by our recommendations, which we do.
I can admit I have an obsession with skincare—I love testing the latest products and innovations. I want my skin to feel hydrated and look glowy all the time. Is that too much to ask? Here's the gist: I suffered from a tough case of eczema when I was a young girl, and I could only use products prescribed by my doctor. Fortunately, that cleared up as I got older, and my skin is far less sensitive. Now, I have a little more room to test formulas through trial and error.
My skincare products mainly consist of anything that my favorite "skinfluencers" Caroline Hirons, Tiara Willis, and Hyram Yarbo suggest. Like many of us, I love everything about K-Beauty—from the packaging, ingredients, and results but I had never actually tried any products.
With so many products available, everything tends to feel a little overwhelming, and sometimes it can be unclear where to begin. After a few hours of research, I decided to purchase $200 worth of K-Beauty products from Beauty & Seoul. "Customers are getting more clued up about formulations and ingredients, which are a huge focus in South Korean skincare products. BB creams, sheet masks, essences, etc., are all South Korean inventions, and as more people learn this, they realize how advanced these products are," founder Maree Kinder says.
I was then fortunate enough to participate in a Zoom skincare consultation with celebrity esthetician, Korean beauty expert, and founder of Peach & Lily, Alicia Yoon. Though it was virtual, we covered all the same elements of an in-person consultation. Yoon started by asking me questions relating to my skin type and current routine. I let her know that I wanted my skin to look less dull and more radiant.
After our consultation, Yoon then compiled a list of Peach & Lily products to help me achieve my skin goals. "Your current skincare routine is in a good place, but what I’m recommending is more focused on providing a little bit more of that extra hydration, nourishment, and radiance-boosters so that you can experience that glass skin glow from within that you’re seeking," she said.
She also noted that various ingredients and hydrators will work together to help attain the glow I am seeking. "Only thin layers of each product are needed. But see how your skin feels and if more layers are desired, these products can be layered more heavily," she says.
I decided to mix a few of my Beauty & Seoul products with a few products recommended by Yoon. Below, I’ve documented my honest thoughts on how the products have worked on my skin over the past month.
Cleansers
Peach & Lily
Peach Pudding Makeup Cleanser
$10.00
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Rating: 4.9/5
Description: This cleanser was recommended to me by Yoon and is the first step in a double-cleanse to remove oil-based makeup, SPF, and other impurities. It’s recommended for dry, oily, and normal skin types. On why she recommended it, Yoon said, "It’s super hydrating and won’t strip skin dry." She recommended that it be applied onto dry skin, massaged in, and rinsed off with lukewarm water.
My Thoughts: I used this cleanser a handful of times over the last month. I completely agree that it's ideal for removing oil-based makeup, SPF, and other impurities as my makeup slid off like butter. I tried it once or twice when I didn’t have anything heavy on my face, and I didn’t find the results to be quite as hydrating as when I removed heavy makeup. Overall, I really love this cleanser as it’s packed full of some of my favorite oils, including jojoba. It’s an ingredient that works wonders for soothing my dry skin.
Heimish
All Clean Balm
$18.00
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Rating: 5/5
Description: This balm helps remove makeup, excess sebum, and impurities without leaving your skin dry. A spatula is provided so that you never have to dip your fingers into the product. It’s recommended that this balm is applied to dry skin with a hint of water and then rinsed off with warm water.
My Thoughts: This balm is truly incredible, and I know it’s a product I’ll continue to repurchase. I strive only to purchase products with outstanding reviews, and this one had practically all positive reviews. It did an excellent job at removing my makeup and being a great first step to my double-cleanse. I found that this balm was so effective that my skin was spotless when I came to my second cleanse. It’s another product that contains some of the best oils, making it perfect for instant makeup and impurity removal.
Peach & Lily
Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser
$28.00
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Rating: 5/5
Description: Yoon added this product to my morning cleanser regimen and the second step to my evening double-cleanse. She recommended this sulfate-free, low-pH cleanser to help respect my skin barrier and keep it hydrated.
My Thoughts: This cleanser was so calming on my skin and gentle whether used morning or night. Because I have dry skin, my skin tends to dry out after applying a cleanser. I’m happy to report that this wasn’t the case with this cleanser, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone with a dry skin type.
Exfoliator
Pyunkang Yul
Peeling Gel
$14.00
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Rating: 4/5
Description: This exfoliator is designed to help reveal a smoother, more radiant complexion by gently removing dead skin cells and excess sebum. It’s only meant to be used a handful of times per week.
My Thoughts: Compared to other exfoliators I’ve used in the past, I am a fan of this exfoliator. It was gentle and left my face feeling super hydrated. To avoid over-exfoliating, I only used this in my evening routine twice a week. The only downside was the poignant scent; it was not as pleasant as other products in my routine. However, that is to be expected when a product doesn’t use ingredients to make the product smell sweet—which I think is a good thing.
Toner
Peach & Lily
The Good Acids Pore Toner
$39.00
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Rating: 5/5
Description: This was another recommendation by Yoon. This toner should only use be used three times per week rather than daily. "It's gentle enough for everyday use, but every three days is a good amount for you," she explains. It tones the skin and gently exfoliates it ever-so-slightly to help keep skin looking polished and radiant.
My Thoughts: I thought it was fascinating to use this toner three times a week, as I’m used to daily toners. However, I found that my skin didn’t ever feel dried out (as it has before) by using it less often. I apply this toner with a cotton pad and lightly pat it into my skin for instant results.
Essence
CosRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
$25.00
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Rating: 5/5
Description: This essence contains 96% snail secretion filtrate to help repair skin and restore skin elasticity. "Snail secretion filtrate is used in many Korean skincare products due to its soothing and repairing benefits to the skin," Kinder says, "Snail secretion filtrate also acts as a mild exfoliant promoting a clearer complexion by stimulating the cell renewal process."
My Thoughts: I was quite apprehensive about trying this essence at first because I wondered whether the mucin would feel gooey on my face. Thankfully, it wasn’t gooey and instantly felt super hydrating. The reviews I’d initially read raved highly of this essence, so it made my decision-making process much easier.
Serum
Peach & Lily
Glass Skin Refining Serum
$39.00
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Rating: 5/5
Description: This is one of the most sought-after products by Peach & Lily due to its capabilities to give you glass-like skin. "This serum has everything from soothing ingredients to antioxidants to fatty acids to vitamins to minerals to hydrators," Yoon says. She recommended that I use one-to-three pumps of this serum in the morning and night.
My Thoughts: One of my goals for this month was to achieve the look of glass skin—and this serum definitely helped me meet it. Every time I used it, I could see a glowy reflection in my skin and was inundated with compliments. It felt so lightweight and gave an overall radiance to my complexion.
Face Mask
Dr. Althea
Natural Brightening Velvet Mask
$18.00
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Rating: 5/5
Description: This mask is said to revitalize dull-looking skin with its soothing and radiance-boosting ingredients, including rice, oatmeal, and honey extract.
My Thoughts: Over the past month, I used one face mask per week during my evening routine. For me, none of the other masks compared to this one by Dr. Althea. Firstly, K-Beauty face masks provide a fun and simple experience compared to what I’ve used in the past. All K-Beauty sheet masks include high-quality protective paper for better mask precision which meant it was effortless to apply. After it had been on for 20 minutes, I genuinely didn’t want to take it off as my skin felt rehydrated and looked super polished.
Face Cream
Peach & Lily
Matcha Pudding Antioxidant Cream
$40.00
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Rating: 5/5
Description: This face cream is for morning and evening use. It’s packed with antioxidants to help fight off free radicals, and matcha to soothe your skin.
My Thoughts: In the past, I’ve found it difficult to find face creams that I’ve truly loved. So when I find a face cream that works well for me, I end up sticking with it and not trying anything else. I was pleasantly surprised at how hydrating this cream was. It includes one of my favorite ingredients, niacinamide, which helps calm skin conditions like eczema and redness. I also found that it works to keep skin looking and feeling smooth from the inside out.
Sunscreen
Rootree
Mobitherapy UV Sun Shield
$23.00
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Rating: 5/5
Description: This sunscreen offers SPF 50+ PA++++ protection without leaving behind a white cast or causing irritation. It also contains Korean Dendropanax, which is known for leaving skin calm and supple.
My Thoughts: As someone with dark skin, I’m always hesitant to try sunscreens that I'm not very familiar with. I often have to do extensive research to find one that doesn’t leave me with a white cast. Due to this, I tend to only use products recommended by people with similar skin tones to mine. Yoon took this into account when recommending this sunscreen. It applied gently and definitely was my favorite part of my whole routine. Also, I found that this worked well under and over makeup which is something I wear daily.