Laser hair removal

Road test: Laser hair removal (Candela GentleLASE)

Aim? To permanently reduce unwanted hair and therefore stop ingrowns.

Who's it suitable for? "The ideal candidate for laser hair removal is a patient with light skin and dark hair," explains Ellen Alexander from the City Laser Clinic. "Patients with dark skin and dark hair can still be treated, but may need more treatments. Blonde, red and grey hairs cannot be treated."

Pre treatment? Avoid sun exposure, solariums and fake tan on the area for two to three weeks. The hair being treated needs to be short, so shave or trim the area two to three days beforehand.

What happens? "Lasers work by delivering an intense beam of light that is absorbed by the skin," explains Alexander. "This light is converted to heat and is absorbed by the cells being targeted, while leaving the surrounding tissue unaffected." She uses Candela GentleLASE which features a skin-cooling device for greater patient comfort and safety. "You and your practitioner will both wear safety glasses to protect your eyes. The practitioner will then use a small hand piece to deliver the light to your skin." You may feel a light spray of coolant on your skin before each laser pulse, which covers an area about the size of a 20-cent piece. Once the treatment is finished, you may experience some slight redness which will dissipate after one to two hours. Eight to 10 treatments are recommended, with four to six weeks between each.

Post treatment? Again, avoid sun exposure, solariums and fake tan for two to three weeks. Alexander recommends wearing an SPF 30+ daily, and advises you don't exfoliate the area until at least three days after the treatment. Your hair will take up to two weeks to fall out, and she recommends refraining from plucking, waxing and epilating as forcing the hair from the follicle will reverse the treatment's effect.

Cost? Approximately $70 per five minutes. Underarms are around $70, while the bottom half of the legs may be $280 to $320.

The bottom line: "I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt — it did! I found using a numbing cream (available from chemists) definitely helped, as did playing a few mind games during the treatment (yes, really). Regardless, I kept on going, and I'm so glad I did — the results are great." — Bree, Your Beauty Spot beauty ed.

For more info: Contact the City Laser Clinic on (02) 9232 8090, www.citylaserclinic.com.au. For more info on Candela GentleLASE, visit