During laser hair removal, a laser emits a light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. The light energy is converted to heat, which coagulates or inactivates the tube-shaped sacs and the capillaries that supply the hair with oxygen and nutrients. This inhibits or delays future hair growth. Now this may sound painful, but trust us, it’s really not!

The short answer is, not at The Laser Beautique! Conventional laser technology is very painful and feels like an elastic band stretch (far!) and then snapping on your skin, repeatedly. Yes, conventional laser is torture!  

To best explain how we can treat painlessly yet effectively, we like to use the analogy of having a hot bath. If we draw you a boiling hot bath and you try to get in, you will burn yourself, just like many old school lasers have burnt and scarred people. BUT if we draw you a lukewarm bath and you get in and we gradually increase the temperature of the water, we can get the bath boiling hot without you feeling any discomfort. Gradually increasing the temperature allows you to withstand high temperatures without pain.

This is how we can treat you more aggressively, yet painlessly. We gradually increase the energy with a high repetition rate. This results in you needing fewer treatments, saving time and money in the long run! 

You have to bear in mind that pain is subjective. What one finds pain-free may be painful to someone else. It’s very important to communicate with your Beau-gician (TLB laser technician) and explain if you’re feeling any pain at all. She will simply decrease the energy but treat for longer. This way, you will still reach the same temperature, but it will just not hurt. You see, no pain and all gain!

Not all laser hair removal is safe for all skin types. Older devices were not safe for skin types 4 and 5. The reason for this is that older technology used very high frequencies and a treatment technique which was not suitable for darker skin types. The technology would pick up pigment in the skin and would cause burns and scars. With our new technology, the laser “follows” the pigment in the hair only and does not affect the surrounding tissue (skin).

Hair grows in stages. Anagen, Catagen, Telogen and Exogen. Hair grows and falls, and new hair grows. Laser hair removal is only able to treat hair successfully when it is in the Anagen phase of growth. Why? Because in the Anagen phase, the follicle is attached to the dermal papilla. In image 2 below, you can see how the hair follicle starts to detach. In image 3, you can see how the new hair follicle starts to grow. And in image 4, the hair is exiting. If hairs are in catagen, telogen or exogen phase, they will not be successfully treated in that treatment and therefore will only be treated successfully in subsequent treatments. Hair should be in Anagen phase every  4-6 weeks.

Do keep in mind that a laser is a medical treatment. The Laser Beautique is registered with the Department of Health. With any medical treatment, there are no hard or fast rules. Being in the industry for many years, we have seen that clients generally need between 8 and 12 treatments.

A laser only emits one pure red light that is absorbed by the melanin of the hair. This results in the optimum energy absorption by the melanin, in order to transform it into heat to eliminate the hair growth cells efficiently & safely.

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is NOT a laser. As you can see from the image below, IPL emits all the colours of the rainbow. IPL uses a spectrum of high-intensity pulses of visible light, which some falsely sell as “laser hair removal”. Many people who think they have had laser hair removal and it didn’t work have actually been treated with IPL.

The IPLs’ “scatter gun” approach is painful, inefficient and hair growth cells fail to be destroyed, resulting in thinning and lightening of the hair. This means the hair has less pigment, which makes it harder to treat with a laser. IPL treatments result in the need for significantly more sessions, which costs you more in the long run.

An ingrown hair is hair that has simply grown inwards and creates an infection. It will recur, and the best way to treat it is to permanently remove it with Laser or Electrolysis.

Directly after your treatment, your hair will start to grow back. You may even think the treatment did not work. You will notice after 2-3 weeks that the hair falls out. If you try to tweeze, it will come out with no pain or any force needed. Your hair will grow back more slowly and less after every laser treatment. You will need 8-12 treatments every 4-6 weeks.

Yes, we would if the hair is dark. Laser is not effective on light, blonde, red, grey or white hair. You will need to have electrolysis if you would like to remove this hair. We highly recommend Apilus Electrolysis as it’s the most modern, comfortable and speedy electrolysis treatment there is. Facial hair could be hormonal. If it is hormonal, you may need to have more than 12 treatments and may need to see a doctor and get your hormone level balanced. Between treatments, one can get a facial trimmer, shave or use depilatory creams between treatments.

Areas of the skin where there is a tattoo should be avoided during laser hair removal. This is to minimise skin irritation, as well as any potential aesthetic changes to your tattoo. If you would like to remove hair from an area where there is a tattoo, we recommend Apilus electrolysis treatments. This is a speedy and comfortable treatment. Make sure it’s not an old-school electrolysis device being used. Those devices are not recommended. Only opt for Apilus electrolysis treatments.   

A laser won’t make you smell good, but it will definitely help with body odour. Odour from any part of your body is, strictly speaking, caused by bacteria. The sweat glands, including those under your arms, produce sweat that mixes with bacteria, causing an unpleasant scent of body odour. Body hair exacerbates the unpleasant aroma in a couple of ways. First, it provides extra surface area for bacteria to cling to, creating more opportunities for a nasty smell to develop. Second, it absorbs the odour, allowing the smell to stick around for longer. Even worse, sweaty underarms can soak into your clothes, making your body odour really linger.

The fix is getting rid of the hair. Less hair under your arms means fewer places for sweat and bacteria to hang out, so you can raise your arms with confidence.

If you have embarrassing unwanted hair anywhere, and we mean anywhere, you can have it lasered! See the images below. We laser for a living! We have seen it all, and our beauts and beauties are made to feel super comfortable.

For sure we do! We have many members of the LGBTIQA+ community who visit our clinics regularly and are not just super happy with their results but feel right at home. We have many of our clients going through gender transition, and we assist in this process. Laser hair removal and electrolysis are very important steps pre-op. Most surgeons will insist that one undergo laser hair removal as well as electrolysis pre-op, as it reduces the chances of post-op complications.

For sure, they can! As they say, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander! Bro-zilains are becoming very popular. Firstly, it’s more hygienic. Secondly, nobody wants ingrown hair, especially down under. And thirdly, we don’t know about you, but we prefer smooth to prickly privates.

• If you have mechanically removed hair from the root (wax, pluck, epilator)
• If you have had treatments where a substandard laser or an IPL was used
• If your therapist is not qualified. She can have the best laser and still not give an effective treatment
• Biological factors. Hormonal issue/imbalance (e.g. PCOS).
• We do not recommend laser for anyone with an untreated hormonal issue
• Laser targets colour. It does not see light, blonde, red, grey or white hair. The curlier and darker the hair, the better the result. If the hair on your treatment site is fine, it will not treat well, if at all.

Hair removal is one of the aesthetic medical industry’s most well-known and researched applications of laser technology. Lasers have provided permanent hair removal for hundreds of thousands of clients, safely and successfully, since it was cleared by the FDA in 1997.

The short answer is no. Once treated, new hair can’t grow. However, there are invariably a few hair follicles that manage to partially escape the laser during each treatment. Some of these follicles may be only stunned and will need to be retreated. Please note that hair can stay dormant for years, which means you may need touch-up treatments a few years after your 8-12 treatments. Do also keep in mind that a laser is a medical treatment. The Laser Beautique is registered with the Department of Health. With any medical treatment, there are no hard or fast rules. Being in the industry for many years, we have seen that clients generally need between 8 and 12 treatments.

Unfortunately, as the laser relies on the pigment within hair to have a successful effect on the underlying follicle, blonde and grey hair does not respond well. We highly recommend you try The Laser Beautique’s state-of-the-art Apilus Electrolysis treatment for 100% permanent hair removal of all hair colours, even blonde, grey or white hair.

The short answer is yes! Our treatments offer you effective, permanent hair removal. It is also important to be realistic and to remember that there are various factors which could trigger new hair growth, such as hormonal changes. When this happens you would pop in for a couple of touch-up treatments.

We discourage any form of sunbathing prior to, in between and after your laser hair removal treatments.

We recommend no waxing while you are investing in laser treatments. We recommend shaving in between your laser hair removal treatments. This hair removal method is most suitable, as methods like waxing, tweezing and using epilators remove the hair from the follicle, thereby removing the target, required for the laser to yield good results.

No. Most treatments and drugs have never been tested during pregnancy and, therefore, are not approved. This is the only reason why it’s not safe, as it’s never been tested. Pregnancy means notable hormonal changes, which can stimulate hair growth. Your Laser Hair Removal program is best pursued when your pregnancy has come to an end, and hormone levels are balanced.

The short answer is no. Once you have eliminated a hair follicle, it can never “come back to life”. Pregnancy means notable hormonal changes. Some do experience new hair growth due to hormonal changes. This hair should fall out once the baby is born and the hormone levels have balanced. Some of the hair may not fall out, and one may need a few touch-ups.

After your laser hair removal treatment, acne and pimples may appear on treatment areas, including your upper lip, legs, armpits, or bikini line. This post-treatment breakout is rare and a side effect of your pores opening up due to the heat of the device and getting clogged with dead skin cells, dirt, and bacteria. As your body tries to get these particles out, it creates a pus-filled bubble as a response. 

Another acne-like side effect is called oedema, which is swelling caused by excess fluids trapped in the skin’s tissues. Redness and inflammation are common side effects after laser hair removal and are not permanent, so they aren’t a cause for too much worry. 

Preventing post-laser treatment pimple breakouts requires proper aftercare and good skincare habits. Here are three ways to manage your skin after undergoing a laser hair removal procedure:

1. Keep the treatment area clean:

Once you’re done with your laser session, it’s important to cleanse the skin to remove any residue or bacteria that may have been left behind on the surface. You can apply an astringent such as witch hazel to calm down the redness and inflammation. Other anti-inflammatory and antiseptic ingredients, like tea tree oil, may also help.

As much as possible, don’t apply any heavy creams or oils to the treatment area immediately after the procedure, as these can clog up your pores. Avoid applying make-up, deodorant, lotion, cosmetics, or any other scented cosmetics as well, so your skin can breathe as it heals. With the pathways to your pores open, it would be much easier for them to clear out any debris and prevent an acne breakout. 

2. Don’t sweat it out just yet:

Heat is going to be your enemy after a laser hair treatment, as your skin is very sensitive and prone to damage. Sun exposure is definitely a no-no. Anything that increases your body temperature will cause you to sweat, which creates a breeding ground for bacteria that may lead to infection or ingrown hairs. Sweaty and strenuous workouts will also open your pores up to sweat, oils, and bacteria that create pimples as well. 

For a similar reason, you should also avoid saunas, hot baths, hot showers, and steam baths. If you really want to exercise, light walking is the best choice. You should also avoid swimming in the sea, lakes, rivers, jacuzzis, and swimming pools with strongly chlorinated water for at least 2 – 3 days after treatment. Bodies of water would have bacteria, chemicals, and algae you wouldn’t want entering your skin. 

3. Be gentle with your skin

As much as possible, do not pick, pop, rub, or scratch any emerging acne spots to avoid scarring or other adverse effects. In the days following laser hair removal, exfoliate the treatment area with a gentle exfoliant or scrub to prevent ingrown hairs and clogged pores. If swelling and redness occur, you may apply ice. Be sure to keep the ice inside a clean towel before patting it on your skin. 

Depending on your needs, your dermatologist may prescribe cooling creams, ointments, or topical steroids for any skin irritation. A thin layer of hydrocortisone cream is also good for managing itchy bumps and preventing breakouts or edemas from forming. A product with aloe vera in it would also keep your skin cool and moisturised, so you wouldn’t be as red either. 

There is little to no risk at all. Our lasers are FDA and CE-approved. There are a few contraindications; for example, if one is on a high dose of Roaccutane, it’s best to treat after one has completed their course. We will also not treat any woman who is pregnant or lactating. This is because lasers have never been tested on anyone who is pregnant or lactating, not because they can cause any complications. Here is a complete list of contraindications:

1. Pregnancy
2. Breast-feeding
3. Psoriasis
4. Bleeding Disorders
5. Severe reactions to histamines
6. Previous treatments, such as chemical peels and laser resurfacing
7. Vitiligo
8. Some Medications: Medications come with side effects, including those that will make your skin more photosensitive. This means that your skin might react more negatively to change, such as laser hair removal. If this is the case, you might want to think of ways to get around the issue. For example, taking a break from the problematic medication may be an option or switching to an alternative treatment. Discussing with your GP will help determine the right course of action for your needs.
9. Sun Tan: The sun will cause your skin to create more melanin, which is there to protect your skin from damage. However, this can cause your skin colour to become patchy and uneven, which isn’t the best start for laser hair removal. As a result, your consultant will have to change lasers depending on the condition of your skin at the time of your treatment. This can make it difficult to maintain uniform hair removal and may affect the quality of the results. In the event of an active or severe sunburn, the procedure cannot go ahead. You’ll be expected to allow the skin to fully heal before returning for your treatment. You should always be given guidance on sun rules with a consultation.
10. Dark Skin: People with dark skin shouldn’t be prevented from seeking laser hair removal treatment. However, if you also have a sun tan, it’s important that it fades before any laser can get underway. All the laser therapist will need to do is change the laser parameters to suit your skin type. They will know which is most suited to your skin type and, if you’re still unsure, a patch test can be carried out on a less obvious part of your body.
11. Keloid scarring: Keloid scarring occurs when wounds do not heal properly, and it can be especially hazardous to anyone seeking laser hair removal. The skin is usually raised, which can make it vulnerable during the treatment. There are some cases where your laser therapist might still be able to perform laser hair removal. However, it’s essential that you are aware of the risks and fully informed before coming to a final decision.
12. Tattoos: Areas of the skin where there is a tattoo should be avoided during laser hair removal. This is to minimise skin irritation, as well as any potential aesthetic changes to your tattoo.
13. Lesions, open wounds: Laser hair removal can be especially painful in areas of the body where there are lesions or open wounds. It’s therefore a good idea to postpone the procedure until they’ve fully healed. The beams can potentially slow down the healing process and lead to additional discomfort. We will refuse to carry out laser hair removal until the lesions have fully healed.
14. Herpes and cold sores: Laser hair removal is possible once the herpes virus is kept under control. However, bear in mind that you will be required to make sure that prescription medication has been taken and that the condition is in remission before a consultation. Herpes and cold sores are treated as contagious skin diseases, so don’t be surprised if you’re initially turned away. Once the problem has disappeared, you should be able to undergo the treatment
15. Moles: If you have a mole, you can still undergo laser hair removal. The beams used aren’t on the UV spectrum, so there is so far no evidence to suggest they can change a mole and make it cancerous. However, it is important to keep an eye on any visual alterations that may occur. If you do see anything suspicious, make sure you inform your GP of the treatment and have it checked as soon as possible. We will not treat over a mole, we will tape the mole. Should you like to remove any hair from a mole, you can have Apilus treatments for the permanent removal of hair on an area where there is a mole.
16. Recent waxing or plucking: Any laser hair removal treatment requires there to be a follicle to target. If you’ve recently plucked or waxed the hair, there won’t be any. It’s usually recommended that you wait two weeks before attempting laser hair removal. Alternatives like shaving or depilatory creams are great to bridge that gap between hair and laser results.
17. Epilepsy: Light seizure-induced epilepsy sufferers are usually advised against laser hair removal, unless they have a note authorising the procedure from their GP. If you do decide to go ahead, you should be provided with eye protection that blocks out the light to minimise the likelihood of a seizure.
18. Hirsutism: Hirsutism is a genetic condition that causes women to experience excessive hair growth. The hair is generally thick and dark, making it easy to see. Laser hair removal can be an effective way of getting rid of these unwanted hairs. It is worth bearing in mind that the procedure can take longer for hirsutism sufferers – potentially several months.