Laser Hair Removal changed my life: Why I will never shave again

Absolutely everything you want to know
about laser hair removal

Gulf News

Laser hair removal changed my life. There. I’ve said it.

Yousra Zaki, Assistant Editor

It might be something that’s a bit taboo to talk about so publicly as a woman, but body hair continues to be a daily struggle for women everywhere, specifically in the Arab and South Asian regions, where it is common to start removing body hair when you hit your early teens. “I highly recommend laser hair removal,” my friend said quietly to me over lunch the other day. “It literally slows down the growth of your hair and when it does grow it’s very light and soft. I wish I had done it years ago.”

Laser hair removal is a big topic of conversation among my friends and me and even when I meet new people and the subject comes up, which it usually will when it’s a group of women, I very much vouch for this method as the most effective way to keep your hair from growing in the first place.

“Trust me guys,” Alexa, one of my other friends would say. “It is worth the investment of time and money.” No more tweezing, waxing or spending excessive amounts of money on razors and hair removal creams only to have to do it all over again in a few days.

Ahead of the summer vacation, laser hair removal has gone up in popularity since most people are peeling off their quarantine sweatpants and wearing more swimsuits and breezy summer outfits. “We have more customers than usual these days,” said my laser technician. “Many of our clients are using the quieter months of summer to get their sessions done.”

Razors leave behind pesky bumps on your skin and waxing could cause your pores to expand, but laser hair removal means you don’t have to deal with any of that. Plus, the demand for non-invasive hair removal treatments is increasing, which is seen evidently in the number of laser clinics continuing to pop up all over the place.

Not only does laser hair removal save you time and money, but it also requires very little upkeep (just a bi-yearly maintenance session). Consider all of the monthly waxing appointments and extra shower minutes that can now be substituted with more fun activities. You'll eventually be able to say goodbye to your disposable razors and hello to smooth, hair-free skin.

What exactly is laser
hair removal?

Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a concentrated beam of light (laser) to eliminate unwanted hair. During the hair removal process, a laser emits light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. This light is converted into heat energy, which damages the hair follicles and in turn, helps to reduce hair growth. It is the process of preventing your hair from growing by exposing the root to pulses of laser light that destroy the hair follicle.

Is it expensive?

Although it is more expensive than waxing, it will save you money over time, since you won’t need waxing appointments or have to buy any hair removal equipment.

In Dubai specifically, because of the sheer amount of laser hair removal clinics, it is easy to find plenty of discounts or packaged deals.

When I did my sessions I bought six sessions for a small area (think underarms) and six sessions for a medium area (think arms or Brazillian) for Dh1,800.

It also depends on which clinic you visit. If you go for something higher end in a high-end neighbourhood, you are looking at shelling out between Dh4,000 and Dh5,000. The smaller clinics in crowded parts of town are where you will get deals.

What is the procedure like?

Usually, you arrive at your session and your practitioner will help you shave the areas that you want to be lasered. (It saves you time to shave it yourself at home the morning of your treatment)

You and the practitioner will both wear special goggles that shield you from the laser beam during the procedure. Usually, machines will have a cool rush of air which reduces the pain of the laser beam on your skin. This makes it more comfortable for the patient and relaxing the skin at the same time. Most session lights depend on the portion of the body that is being treated. Underarms take about three minutes each, while legs, for example, will take slightly longer to complete since it is a bigger surface area.

What are the most commonly treated areas?

The most commonly treated areas include legs, underarms, bikini zone, back, arms and the face.

Does it hurt?

To a certain extent, laser hair removal is slightly painful. The pain level also depends on which area you are working on. The sensitive bikini zone does hurt more than if you were to laser your forearm or your legs, so numbing cream is certainly advised in some body parts.

The pain of a laser is comparable to a rubber band being snapped against your skin over and over again. But the cooling effect on the laser machine helps reduce the discomfort.

The downside was that with every session, the laser beam had to be more powerful so that it

How long does the
process take?

Laser hair removal isn't a one-time procedure. Most people will require a series of 5 to 10 sessions to attain the desired results. On average it takes six to eight months to complete your session and to reach desired results, so it’s best to start sooner than later.

Each session will be spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. After the first few weeks of treatment, you should notice that your hair starts to fall out. This is known as shedding, and it indicates that the treatment is effective. It's a good idea to exfoliate the region gently throughout this period.

Is it permanent?

The effects of laser hair removal are phenomenal, yet temporary since you will see a reduction in hair growth, not a complete halt. Laser hair removal requires regular maintenance, which means that once your sessions are complete, you should visit the clinic once a year to keep on top of any unwanted hair.

All your burning questions on laser hair removal answered

Two leading experts from Dubai weigh in on the laser hair removal procedure while discussing the pros and cons
Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor

As the popularity of laser hair removal continues to grow in the UAE, we get two experts to weigh in on the pros and cons of the treatment, along with answering all the burning questions you may have.

How popular is laser hair removal in Dubai and the UAE?

Dr Hebatallah Mahmoud, Specialist Dermatologist, Medcare Medical Centre, Jumeirah says: “Laser hair removal is a non-invasive way to reduce or remove unwanted body hair. With more than one million procedures performed in 2016 and continued increased since then, laser hair removal is one of the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic treatments in the UAE.”

Dubai London Clinic’s Laser Technician Rebecca Treston agrees as well, saying the treatment is ‘extremely popular’ in the region. “When I arrived in Dubai 22 years ago it was just emerging, but it has grown phenomenally since...”

What are the popular areas clients choose to undergo laser hair removal and does it differ between men and women?

Treston says popular areas for women include legs, underarms, the bikini line and the face, “although some cultures prefer to be completely hairless so will remove all of the hair on their bodies using permanent laser hair removal.”

Dh Mahmoud adds that full-body treatments are quite popular as well, including legs arms private areas, chest, back, face and neck.

What do you mean by ‘stages of hair’?

Treston further explains there are three hair growth stages which are Anagen, the active phase, Catagen, the shedding phase and Telogen, the rest phase, so depending on what stage of growth your hair is currently in, will affect how effective the laser is. “This is why you need several sessions of laser hair removal, in order to ensure that you target the correct phase in order to get permanent hair reduction,” she adds.

What actually happens during a laser hair removal treatment?

In layman’s terms, Dr Mahmoud explains that laser hair removal simply works by heating the hair follicles to stop new hairs from growing. “This puts the hair follicles in a state of dormancy for a long period of time — much longer than with shaving and waxing,” she explains.

Explaining the technical aspects further, Treston continues: “When you get laser hair removal, the laser, which stands for ‘Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation,’ or light is absorbed into the hair strand and the light radiation kills the hair follicle. Depending on what stage the hair is in, depends how effective it is.”

Is it safe for a person's skin?

“Years ago, lasers were considered quite risqué but since then, innovative technology has created an effective procedure that is completely safe,” reveals Treston.

Dr Mahmoud further adds: “For most people, laser hair removal is safe. The procedure also isn’t linked to any long-term side effects, however, it may cause pigment changes especially in those with darker skin. These changes are usually temporary. The skin might also experience slight redness or maybe temporary irritation resulting in blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture.”

Can someone with a low threshold of pain endure the procedure?

“Most patients describe the sensations experienced during laser hair removal treatment as little pinches, or like snapping a rubber band against your skin and entirely tolerable, and most patients say it hurts far less than other hair removal treatments like waxing,” explains Dr Mahmoud.

What about the post-procedure bumps and redness?

“Post-session you might experience a little bit of redness and bumps which are called PFE, which is good because this means that it’s working. In rare cases, a person might experience some irritation and Folliculitis, but this is temporary and can be easily treated,” says Treston. Considering the UAE is a cultural melting pot, you must have clients of different nationalities and skin tones. Does the treatment differ in any way?

“Patients with dark hair and light skin are ideal candidates for laser hair removal. This allows the laser to focus its light on the pigment within the hair and does not have pigment within the skin competing for it. In patients with darker skin, however, there are specific lasers that can be used successfully.”

Treston adds that treatments will differ by wavelengths only. Lasers that are less absorbed by melanin and instead get absorbed directly into the bulb are safer for darker skin tones and will ensure that the patient doesn’t experience any negative side effects.

We keep hearing there are all these different kinds of machines, each better than the next. How does one really choose what works for them?

“Different lasers are better for different hair and skin types,” says Treston. “For example, the Alexandria laser (755mm) is better for more fair skin tones while the NDYAG laser (1064 mm) can be used on all skin types and will ensure a safe treatment on darker, more pigmented skin tones. Ultimately, however, it’s the person operating the equipment that dictates how successful or unsuccessful your laser hair removal is.”

Dr Mahmoud further adds that some laser systems perform better on specific areas of the body than other lasers.

How important is it to go to a licensed practitioner to get the procedure done?

“In order to operate a laser, which includes providing laser treatment for the purpose of hair removal, the technician should be a registered nurse or physician's assistant in order to ensure the best procedure and technique possible,” says Dr Mahmoud.

Treston adds: “The practitioner you choose is working with powerful lasers that if used incorrectly can result in burns or other painful side effects. It is imperative that you select a practitioner who has been properly educated and trained in the use of lasers and understands the varied results that different lasers will get you.”

Are there any areas you can't do laser on?

Dr Mahmoud says the procedure can be done on all parts of the body, covering large areas quickly.

“That being said, however, I wouldn’t perform laser on soft, vellus hair as laser tends to react better on dark, thicker hair. I also can’t stress enough how important it is to ensure that you have a practitioner who is highly trained in the equipment that they are using and very experienced in the process because they need to be confident in the parameters they are delivering. If they aren’t, it could result in them stimulating hair growth rather than reducing it,” adds Treston.

How many treatments are needed for a person on average?

Treston says 6-8 treatments are usually required to ensure a large reduction of hair growth, while maintenance sessions are often required to keep the hair growth at bay.

Dr Mahmoud concurs, adding: “You can expect to see about a 10 per cent to 25 per cent reduction in hair after your first treatment. As you continue your treatments, more and more hair will fall out, and you'll notice that it continues to grow back more slowly.”

Is there any pre or post-procedure care to follow?

Both the experts concur the area that needs to be treated must be clean-shaven, with Treston advising shaving at home the night before the procedure, “to try to ensure that each hair strand is at its best phase to allow it to absorb as much of the laser as possible.”

Treston continues: “We also recommend no sun exposure for at least a month before (no active sun tanning) and at least a couple of weeks after a session to avoid any side effects as post inflammation pigmentation can be aggravated by the sun. We also recommend no heat aggravating activities such as the sauna.”

Dr Mahmoud goes a step further to say you should avoid chemical peels and other laser procedures in the area that’s been treated for two weeks prior and two weeks after your laser treatment. “After the treatment, we recommend no makeup and lotion/moisturiser/deodorant for the first 24 hours. Keep the treated area clean and dry, until the irritation has subsided. Apply sunblock and avoid UV exposure for seven days after the session. You may also exfoliate the treated areas to minimise the risk of ingrown hairs five days after the session.”

Dr Mahmoud also suggests applying something for the pain. “If applicable, apply numbing cream 30 to 40 minutes prior to your treatment.”

Are there any long term effects?

“Only a positive one – eventually, this procedure will permanently reduce hair growth and can improve the skin quality of the treated area. Pigmentation may also be reduced as a result of the laser procedure,” Treston adds.

“In the rare case that a client faces any issues, they should visit a dermatologist for a checkup,” adds Dr Mahmoud.

What is the future of laser hair removal?

“Technology has changed over the years, usually for the better and new lasers are more powerful, safer and more effective,” says Treston. “It is important to go to a clinic that uses high-tech, reputable laser machines as you know that these energies will definitely not be impaired. New technology lasers differ from the older ones as they offer larger spot sizes, which allow for deeper penetration, they have variable pulse durations so that you can effectively treat the hair and skin type that you need.

“Hybrid devices are new to the beauty world and are amazing as they combine the energies in a single shot or immediately one after the other, which allows for different depth to be targeted, using half the energy meaning that these are even safer, less painful and provide more comfort for the patient than traditional lasers do.“

Men’s grooming comes
under scrutiny

Laser hair removal isn’t a playground for women alone. Accord to health experts in the UAE, a growing male clientele has been walking through the doors over the years.

“The majority of clients who come in for laser hair removal are still female, but we do have a fair percentage of men, specifically Arab men who prefer the groomed, straight lines of beards etc,” says Treston, adding: “Some men also prefer to remove excessive hair growth on their backs and chests for example, so this area of hair laser removal is growing for men in the region.”

Dr Mahmoud concurs, adding: “We used to see more female clients than male for laser hair removal while effectively it works for all patients with dark hair and light skin. But nowadays, a number of common treatment areas for men like the chest, back, shoulders, neck, and face are increasing so it can reduce the itchiness and irritation that coarse and dense hair growth can cause.”

So what is it that men go for? “Men tend to focus a lot on their facial hair, sharpening their beard lines and sideburns while backs, chest and other areas with excessive hair growth are popular for men to receive laser hair removal too,” reveals Treston.

'Girls, don’t remove your hair forever. You might just want it back'

There’s a body hair revolution happening, and young women are at the forefront

Tabitha Barda, Parenting Editor

When I was a child, my mother always warned me never to get a tattoo because I might not feel the same way about it when I was old and wrinkly.

Now that I’m a mother myself, I’d warn all the young women out there who are considering laser hair removal to think along a similar principle. Why? Because body hair is back.

That’s right: being hirsute is now happening, tufts are on trend, furriness is in fashion. However you want to think about it, that stubble that you’ve learned to hate and onerously shave or wax off is being worn as a badge of honour amongst many of the hottest Generation Z-ers in the public eye today.

Ditching the razor

According to a recent study by Mintel, nearly one in four women under the age of 25 have stopped shaving their underarms.

And it’s not just lockdown laziness – this was happening before the pandemic. In 2013 95 per cent of women aged 16 to 24 said they removed hair from their underarms. In 2016, this had dropped to just 77 per cent, with a similar trend also being seen with leg shaving.

Just as the over-plucked eyebrows of the 1990s look old-fashioned next to the 21st century’s bushy brow, bald underarms are being eschewed in favour of ornamental armpit pelt.

A body hair revolution

From Sophia Loren to Julia Roberts, there is a fine history of gorgeous female celebrities defying restrictive beauty standards and showing off their body hair with pride. But what’s happening now is different: ordinary women and girls are also embracing the bush.

In 2019, a British student launched the campaign ‘Januhairy’, challenging women to grow out their body hair for the month of January and share photos of it on Instagram. Since then the @Januhairy account has amassed more than 40,000 followers, and tens of thousands of images now have the hashtag.

While you might associate the concept of female body hair with the stereotype of the ‘bra-burning’ feminists of the ‘60s and ‘70s - who tended to reject other trappings of feminine beauty too - the 2020s body hair trend is not incompatible with traditional beauty standards. Many of the women celebrating their body hair are conventionally attractive, wearing lipstick and embracing their femininity. Because body hair can be feminine too. All women have it, after all.

Finding a fresh perspective

The point is, body hair on women is not bad in and of itself. Historically, having a moustache was seen as a sign of beauty for women in certain cultures around the world. Body hair is also a sign of youth – as women age, hormone changes often mean their body hair thins out or disappears all together.

Not that there is anything wrong with wanting to remove your body hair, of course. Most of us (me included) have been sufficiently indoctrinated to crave smooth legs and fuzz-free arms. If the permanent process of hair removal seems worth it to you, then by all means go for it.

It’s just worth realizing that your desire to be smooth and fuzz-free is not a fact of nature, but a culturally engrained belief. And it’s possible that one day, you might just want it back.

What do today’s young women think about body hair?

With body hair making a comeback, is getting laser hair removal a sign that you’re out of date? Three Gen-Zers weigh in on modern beauty standards and body hair…

“There is pressure to fit in, but it is changing”

“In general, while growing up most of us have seen the common trend of women around us using different methods to get their body hair removed. As a child, putting yourself through the pain of getting hot wax poured on yourself to remove hair from your body seemed trivial to me, but upon entering my teenage years, I noticed that all my friends who were my age would do it too, and I would feel pressured to fit in. This is a common experience that is shared by most young girls. However, recently an increasing number of people around us, and influencers we see online have started going against the stigma of women having to be hairless. This has changed the perception of many young girls I know, who no longer feel the need to be hairless for the aesthetic of it or to fit into societal norms.” Avni Agarwal, 16, Indian.

“I know now that body hair removal is another part of society’s deep rooted sexism”

“When I was younger, I felt immense pressure to be hair-free. I always deemed body hair unnatural and something that I had to get rid of as soon as I was old enough to do so. It was so normalized to hate your body because of something that was as natural as body hair. I was always a hairy kid growing up, sometimes I’d steal my mum’s razor and end up cutting myself in an attempt to look ‘normal’. As I grew up, my perspective completely changed. I know now that removal of body hair is just another part of our society’s deep rooted sexism and gender norms. Body hair does not make you unhygienic or dirty or less beautiful in any way. I still remove my body hair, but not for anyone else to consider me more beautiful, but for my own self-confidence. And part of feminism is having that choice to do what you want with your body, for yourself , without external pressure.” - Stuti Sawhney - 17 - Indian

“Permanently removing body hair contradicts the idea of being confident in my own skin”

“I would never do a laser treatment as personally for me, I’d feel that I’m showcasing my insecurities regarding body hair when I don’t hold any. Performing an artificial process to permanently remove body hair completely, to me contradicts with the idea of embracing my body and being confident in my own skin. Laser treatment pose many harmful effects on your skin, producing allergies and infections in many cases. Therefore I don’t believe in indulging in an artificial and a not so safe process of a laser treatment. I also do believe in doing what you’re the most comfortable in, so if a girl would feel more like herself which such treatment, it’s her choice to do so but I would never feel empowering by performing this treatment on myself.” - Masoom Mehta - 16 - Indian

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