Laser hair removal is a brilliant, modern technology people all over the world have taken advantage of.

Imagine never having to shave or wax again?

It seems almost too good to be true – but with Vitality, it indeed is!

Using medical-grade technology, each client’s individual needs are assessed, as we take the time to educate you on the number of treatments required as well as the predicted effectiveness and outcome of the treatment.

Unfortunately, however, our industry is unregulated. This means that the market is saturated with businesses operating laser equipment with an uneducated team. At Vitality, our team holds a Bachelor Degree in Dermal Science specialising in laser and skin.

That’s why patient education is so important to us here at Vitality. When you attend our laser skin clinic in Geelong, you don’t just come for your appointment. You come for expert information and care every step of the way.

No question is too big or too small; it’s our mission to arm you with all the knowledge you need to confidently choose your desired procedure!

This week, we look at some of your most common questions around laser hair removal. Is it right for you? How should you prepare for your appointment? And what about treatments for pregnant women?

Read on – all the answers are below.

If there’s something we’ve missed or you want to chat further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us; we’d love to answer your questions and ease any concerns or queries you might have!

Call our skin clinic on 03 5250 1319 or fill in this form and we’ll get in touch with you.

Can you get laser treatment while pregnant?

One of the most common questions from our patients who are either starting their laser hair removal journey or are wondering if they need to pause it during pregnancy.

If you’re pregnant, we will recommend waiting until after birth to begin or resume your laser sessions.

This is because of two primary concerns we wish to alleviate:

1. Unknown effects

While laser hair removal is a completely approved, safe, and effective laser skin treatment, this risk lies specifically with the fetus. This is because there has been very little research done into the effects of laser on unborn babies.

As the effects on a fetus are unknown, it is simply a risk we are not willing to take. As such, we unfortunately cannot perform this procedure if you are pregnant.

What about breastfeeding?

There is no evidence to suggest that laser hair removal technology affects breastfeeding or your breastfed baby, however we suggest speaking with your doctor before booking any postpartum laser hair removal appointments.

2. Compromised results

It’s commonly believed hormonal imbalances can dilute the effectiveness of laser hair reduction and removal.

In normal circumstances, each laser hair removal treatment works in alignment with your regular hair growth cycle. The Anagen phase is the active growth phase; this is the only time where laser hair removal is effective.

20% of hair is actively growing during the Anagen stage, which is why you require 6-10 treatments, depending on different areas of the body.

However, excessive hair growth is a very common effect of pregnancy, and hormones can impact the cycle of your ‘regular’ hair growth.

That means that if we were to continue offering treatments throughout pregnancy, you could be receiving the treatment during the wrong phase of the hair growth cycle.

This can diminish the long term effects.

Does laser hair removal hurt?

As we mentioned above, our industry is unregulated.

That means unqualified therapists could be performing laser treatments with cheaper, ineffective, and potentially dangerous machinery that makes skin more susceptible to pain during treatment.

We take the time to explain the technology behind our systems, helping clients understand the effects of laser hair removal, how it works, and why the medical grade equipment we choose to work with is the best in the market.

So, to answer your question: It all depends on the technology and system used, and of course, on your individual pain tolerance.

In most cases, clients report feeling a slight pinching sensation.

It’s commonly referred to as the feeling of snapping a rubber band against the skin. It is not painful.

Advanced technology also includes a cooling feature that reduces the risk of pain during treatment, as well as burns. This cooling feature renders laser hair removal virtually painless!

What should I do before my first laser hair removal treatment?

There are a few important steps you should follow to maximise the effectiveness of each laser hair removal treatment.

For best results, we ask you to:

• Shave the area that is to be treated 12-24 hours before your appointment
• Exfoliate the skin no less than 3 days before treatment
• Avoid fake tan for 2-4 weeks before your session to prevent undesired outcomes such as burns
• Do not apply moisturiser, body oil, deodorant, and perfume before your appointment
• Do not pluck, wax, or epilate the treatment area for 4 weeks
• Minimise sun exposure two weeks before your appointment

If you have any concerns or queries leading up to your appointment, don’t hesitate to give us a quick call. We’d be happy to answer any of your questions – no matter how trivial you think they might seem.

What do I have to do following laser hair treatment?

Laser hair removal does not require any downtime. Following treatment, your skin may be red and warm to the touch. Small bumps are common and normal.

There are a few simple steps we’ll ask you to take immediately following each treatment:

• Avoid direct sunlight on the affected area, and wear appropriate protective clothing
• Do not apply any tanning products, oils, or creams
• If required, cool the area with a cold compress
• Avoid strenuous activity or exercise post-laser
• Avoid picking or scratching the area, and do not pluck or pick at ingrown hairs
• Have a lukewarm shower; avoid hot water and make sure to gently pat (not rub) the area dry

We also offer a post-laser gel that can be used to soothe the skin following laser hair removal.

What is the difference between laser hair removal and laser hair reduction?

While colloquially referred to as “laser hair removal”, we want to stress the fact that the desired outcome (and thus the more accurate and correct term) should in fact be “laser hair reduction”.

The two terms are often used interchangeably, and while unwanted hair is indeed removed, it is impossible to guarantee permanent results. This is because lifestyle factors or hormonal changes beyond our control can influence hair growth.

Having said that, however, we see great success with our clients: on average, clients see up to 90% reduction in hair growth and hair density in just 6-8 sessions!

Is laser hair removal right for me?

Many people question whether their skin and hair colour makes them a suitable candidate.

When the technology was still emerging, the common message was that in order to enjoy the full benefits, the ideal client would have light skin and dark hair.

In just a few short years, however, technology has evolved in leaps and bounds; today, with the right lasers, it’s possible to treat clients with all skin tones, complexions, and hair colour.

If you’re looking for a long-term solution to hair reduction and removal, then laser is for you!

Visit our laser and skin clinic in Geelong

If you’re tired of shaving and have been thinking about laser hair removal, this is your sign to make the first move today!

Book a consultation and come visit our laser hair removal clinic in Geelong – we’d love to have a no-strings chat about your needs and any concerns you might have.

Our friendly, experienced team is passionate about educating our clients, helping them understand the process, technology, and outcomes of our skin and laser treatments for the face and body.

Give us a call today on 03 5250 1319 or fill in this form with any questions you might have.

Alternatively, you can book your appointment online here. You can also book a patch test to see if this treatment is right for you!