Skin & Medical Treatments
Laser hair removal
Laser hair removal targets pigment in the hair follicle, which means it works on hair that is actively growing and does nothing to hair that is dormant. Since only a proportion of your hair is in the growth phase at any time, a course is not an upsell — it is how the treatment works at all.
Most people finish a course with a substantial, lasting result: far fewer hairs, and the ones that grow back are often finer and lighter. It does depend on the person. Some hair may remain after a course, and an occasional top-up keeps it down.
Skin and hair type
Laser works best where there is strong contrast between dark hair and lighter skin. Grey, white, red and very fine blonde hair contain little or no pigment for the laser to target, and will not respond meaningfully — we will tell you that before you pay for a course rather than after.
Darker skin types can be treated safely with the right wavelength and settings, but require lower fluences and more caution. We skin-type everyone at consultation.
Some medications, including certain antibiotics and acne treatments, make skin photosensitive. Tell us everything you are taking.
Face and body, for women and men
Face and neck
The upper lip, chin, jawline and neck. Facial hair is often finer, so it can need the top end of the course and occasional top-ups.
Underarms and bikini line
Two of the areas that tend to respond best to laser.
Legs, arms and stomach
Half or full legs, forearms or full arms, and the stomach line. Larger areas take longer each session and cost more.
Back, chest and neck
The usual areas for men, along with the beard line, which is shaped and agreed with you before the first session because the result lasts.
How many sessions
Six to ten for most areas, four to six weeks apart on the face and six to eight on the body. Hormonal factors, including PCOS, can mean more sessions and ongoing maintenance — that is not a treatment failure and we will discuss it upfront if it applies to you.
From patch test to a finished course
Consultation and patch test
Both are free. We check your skin type, your hair and anything you take that makes skin sensitive to light, then test the laser on a small patch. The price for your area is confirmed here.
At least 24 hours later
Your first session, never on the same day as the patch test. How long it takes depends on the size of the area.
The course
A session every four to six weeks on the face, or six to eight on the body, each timed to catch the next hairs coming into growth.
Between sessions
Shave or trim only, because waxing, plucking, threading and epilating pull out the hair the laser needs to find. Keep the area out of the sun and off the sunbed, and skip fake tan.
Top-ups
Some hair may grow back over time, often finer than before. An occasional top-up keeps it down, priced when you need one.
After a session, redness and slight swelling usually settle within a few hours.
Area pricing
From £25 per area, per session. Most areas need six to ten sessions, so from £150 for a course on a single area. Larger areas, such as the legs and back, cost more. The price for each area is confirmed at your free patch test.
Common questions
How long does laser hair removal last?
Most people finish a course with far fewer hairs, and the result lasts. What grows back is often finer and lighter. It depends on the person: some hair may remain after a course, and an occasional top-up keeps it down. Be wary of anyone who promises you will never see another hair.
How many sessions will I need?
Six to ten for most areas, spaced four to six weeks apart on the face and six to eight on the body. Laser only affects hair in its active growth phase, which is why a course is necessary rather than an upsell.
Does it work on blonde, grey or red hair?
Not meaningfully. Laser targets pigment in the follicle, so hair with little or no pigment does not respond. We will tell you this at consultation rather than after you have paid for a course.
Do I really need a patch test?
Yes, at least 24 hours before your first treatment. It is free, it takes five minutes, and it is the difference between a good result and a burn. Any clinic willing to treat you the same day you first walk in is cutting a corner that can leave a lasting mark.
Do you treat men?
Yes. The back and shoulders, chest, and the neck and beard line are the usual areas. A beard line is shaped and agreed with you before the first session, because the result lasts.
Can I have laser hair removal if I have darker skin?
Yes, darker skin can be treated, with more care. Your skin is assessed at the free patch test, and if our laser is not right for it, we will tell you plainly rather than treat you.
Can I have laser hair removal while pregnant?
No. The clinic does not carry out laser hair removal during pregnancy. You are welcome to book a patch test once your baby has arrived.
Does laser hair removal hurt?
Most people describe a quick snap, like an elastic band against the skin, with a flash of heat. Some areas are more sensitive than others, and you can ask to pause at any point.
What are the side effects?
Redness and slight swelling, which usually settle within a few hours. Less often, patches of skin turn darker or lighter, usually for a while and rarely for longer, which is more likely on darker or tanned skin. Rarely, blistering, scarring, or hair growing thicker around the treated area.
How much will a full course cost?
From £25 per area, per session, so six sessions on one area is from £150 and ten is from £250. Larger areas, such as the legs and back, cost more. Each area is priced separately, and the price for yours is confirmed at the free patch test, before you book any sessions.
I have PCOS. Will laser hair removal work?
It can remove the hair you have now, but it does not treat the cause, so new hair may keep growing. Expect more sessions than most people need, and regular top-ups. If the hair is new, has appeared suddenly or comes with irregular periods, see your GP first.
Who will treat me?
Alicia Marsland, the clinic's nurse prescriber, or a member of her small team. Whoever treats you is fully trained in laser hair removal, and the clinic is fully insured.