Some people want to reduce the amount of body hair they have. Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) and laser therapy are two methods that can achieve permanent hair reduction. Laser and IPL treatment can permanently reduce large and small areas of body hair. Any areas can be treated except those next to your eye. Many people use these treatments to remove hair from their face, upper lip, chin, bikini line, neck, chest, back, stomach, legs, armpits and around the nipples.
Your specialist will perform the treatment by focusing the beam from the laser or IPL device onto an area of your skin. The hair follicle absorbs the light and heats up, destroying the hair and preventing re-growth.
Following IPL or laser hair removal, you may be given an ice pack to reduce redness and swelling, and you'll need to avoid direct sunlight on the treated area for a while.
The effectiveness of laser hair removal treatment depends partly on your colouring, with the best results occurring in people with dark hair and light skin. However, laser treatment is not suitable for everyone, for example it may not be suitable for people with very dark skin. IPL is suitable for a wider range of skin and hair colours. An individual treatment of IPL or laser therapy will thin out the hair, so for best results you will need a series of treatments.
All procedures carry risks as well as benefits. The chance of complications following hair reduction treatment depends on the type of treatment and other factors such as your general health. Your specialist will explain how the risks apply to you.
Next steps
For more information on laser hair reduction, to arrange your initial consultation with a cosmetic surgeon, or to book a free cosmetic nurse appointment, call our cosmetic surgery team on 0800 434 6644 or enquire online.
