In the past hair removal was strictly a female thing, it wasn’t considered “manly” to indulge in anything so self conscious as hair removal (apart from beard maintenance of course!)

Today however it’s a vastly different story. Thanks to a growing trend in smooth bodied celebrities such as David Beckham, increasingly men are moving towards the beauty profession to rid themselves of unwanted excess hair! It is now perfectly acceptable for a man to visit a beauty salon or clinic to invest in his appearance. Some salons are reporting an 80% rise in male clients, the majority of which are opting for Laser Hair Removal. So where exactly are men having their hair lasered…and I don’t mean geographically! The most popular areas are the face, back, chest, shoulders and legs. Before taking the plunge into long-lasting smoothness, I thought you might like the inside scoop on Laser Hair Removal. What is it? Is it safe?, Does it hurt?, Will it work on me? How long will it last?, Where should I go - and when?

What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser light energy penetrates the hair shaft and is absorbed by the melanin or pigment in the hair safely destroying it without damaging surrounding tissue of the skin.

Is Laser Hair Removal safe?

Yes, the FDA approved the fi rst hair-removing laser in 1995 and technology has come on light-years since then.

Does it hurt?

No, you do feel a quick snap or flick but there is no after sting. The laser may leave the area pink, which should go away within an hour or two. If you can handle shaving, you can handle laser!

Will it work on me?

It depends. The ideal candidate is fair with dark, thick hair. A person with sallow skin and brown hair may need an extra couple of sessions to get clearance. Blonde, red, or grey hair cannot be treated. Those on certain medications should avoid the procedure too. Most clinics offer a free consultation to determine if laser will work for you.

How many visits will I need?

Every person is different, but you can expect to need between six and eight treatments. For facial treatments at 4-6 weekly intervals and 6-8 weeks between body treatments. This will increase the chance of hitting the hair in the growth cycle.

Will it last forever?

If you’re lucky. Regrowth years later is usually new hair, not the follicles that have been destroyed by the laser.

What can I expect after?

With each session only about 20 to 25% of the hair is permanently gone. So when it starts to grow back you’ll get another 20 to 25% of the remaining 75% and so on. The more sessions you have the more hair will disappear. You can shave throughout your treatments, but do not wax or use depilatory cream. By the third treatment, most of people are only shaving once every few weeks, as the hair growth is stunted.

So is it worth it?

Absolutely! Many men report feeling cleaner, more attractive and happier after their Laser Hair Removal treatment.