Is there a long-term alternative to shaving and waxing?
Unwanted Hair Removal in St Ives
Shaving, waxing and plucking only deal with the hair you can see. Laser hair removal works on the follicle underneath, which is why it reduces hair growth over time.
Unwanted hair can be down to genetics, hormones or simply the nuisance of constant shaving and waxing, along with the ingrown hairs, rashes and irritation that often come with them.
Laser hair removal uses light energy that is absorbed by the pigment in the hair and turned into heat, damaging the follicle so it produces less hair in future. Hair grows in cycles and only follicles in the active growth phase respond, so a course of treatments spaced a few weeks apart is needed. Most people see a significant, long-term reduction, though occasional maintenance sessions may be needed.
Laser works best on darker hair. Very fair, grey, white or red hair has little pigment to absorb the light, so it responds poorly or not at all. We will carry out a patch test and talk through what to expect for your hair and skin type before starting.
For fine, soft facial hair, often called peach fuzz, dermaplaning is a gentle alternative. It uses a sterile blade to remove fine hair and dead skin cells, leaving skin smooth and helping makeup sit better. It does not make hair grow back thicker or darker. It is a temporary result, so it suits people who want a regular treatment rather than permanent reduction.
Sudden new hair growth, especially on the face, can sometimes be linked to hormonal changes. If that is your situation, it is worth speaking to your GP as well.
When this is not the answer. Laser hair removal is not effective on white, grey, very fair or red hair. If that describes your hair, we will tell you before you spend anything.
What tends to help
Treatments assessed for this
Which one applies to you?
This page describes the possibilities. The assessment tells you which one you actually have, and it is free.


