FAQs laser treatments

Laser machines use light beam technology which produces energy through the layers of skin. This energy converts to heat and is attracted to the red pigment (haemoglobin) and brown pigment (melanin) within the blood and skin. The laser technology has filters which allow a range of settings to adjust the pulse settings and energy output in order to safely target specific conditions. The IPL and SHR laser light passes safely through the epidermis layer of the skin to reach the deeper layers of the dermis and hypodermis. The depths of skin is measured in nanometers and IPL can reach a depth of a range between 430nm and 640nm. Tattoo removal machines will use a setting which can reach levels of 532nm and 1064nm. 

There are many different laser machines available for many uses. We use IPL intense pulsed light with speed shots at a frequency of 1Hz per second and covers a range of 430nm to 1200nm from our dual defender. We use the newest technology SHR super hair removal also from our dual defender, which fires shots at 10Hz per second and covers a range of 640nm and 950nm. We have the titan 3 Q switch ND:YAG with ruby crystal which has a dual wavelength of 532nm and 1064nm for safe tattoo removal. 

IPL has been around for years and produces a high intensity light with broad wavelength. This IPL technology is safe to use through the superficial layers of the skin to reach the deeper dermis layer. The light technology produces heat which can reach deep enough to destroy the hair follicles. IPL produces shot of 1Hz per second and is ideal for smaller body areas, SHR dispenses light energy with a high frequency of 10Hz per second on a low temperature. SHR is therefore quicker and considered safer for the skin and is ideal to cover larger areas of the body.

The light energy that is produced from in clinic lasers are far more powerful and effective than home devices. At home devices tend to have much smaller heads compared to in clinic ones and would therefore take an immense time to cover an area. Areas need to be covered every 4-6 weeks for 8 sessions by in clinic lasers followed by maintenance. Most customers therefore tend to give up using at home devices and have subsequently wasted their time and money. 

The laser light is attracted best to melanin in darker hair. The filter used is at a setting of 640nm deep enough for the heat to reach into the hair follicles destroying them. Hair growth is growing at different rates across the face and body in 3 phases of anagen, catagen and telogen. It is therefore important to have 8 sessions to completely interrupt this growth. Please note, no lasers can currently offer 100% permanent hair removal as your body will retain 20-30% which comes out in times of stress, hormone changes, illness and medication changes. No laser can get rid of grey or white hairs. Light coloured hair will need a patch test and 1 session to see if there are any results. The laser light is attracted best through light skin with dark hair.

Acne is caused from an excess production of the hormone androgen which stimulates the sebaceous glands producing more oil. The oil clogs the pores and hair follicles producing the bacterial infection. The IPL technology is aimed at the depth of skin with a filter on 430nm. The light technology produces heat to stimulate the healing response to trigger fresh oxygenated blood flow with white blood cells to fight off the bacterial infection and encourage new healthy cells to grow in place.

The laser light is set with a filter of 590nm which will break down rosacea, cherry dots and thread veins. The light from the laser will attract to the red pigments and the heat will shatter them, small enough to allow the body to clear the shattered fragments away. The heat allows the body to send a wound healing response to trigger fresh oxygenated blood flow to the area to encourage healthy new cells to grow in place. 

The laser machine is on a setting of 530nm ideal to reach the depths of skin to produce more collagen. The heat attracts fresh oxygenated blood flow which comes along with the healthy protein called collagen to rebuild the skin. The laser IPL treatments leave the skin with a firm, smooth youthful appearance, usually noticeable after just 1 session. 

The IPL laser technology is on a setting of 530nm ideal to reach the depths of skin capable of breaking up hyper-pigmentation, age spots, freckles and sun damage. The light is attracted to the darker brown pigment colours of the skin. The pigmentation is effectively drawn to the surface of the skin allowing the dermis layer to correct the blemishes underneath. The heat produced will break up the pigmentation and attract fresh oxygenated blood to begin the healing process, restoring the skin cells to a healthy colour. 

You should see a slight difference after your session but unfortunately we cannot guarantee results. You should continue to see improvements in the weeks after your sessions. We take an in depth consultation to understand your current mental and physical health. Certain health conditions and medication can interfere with results and so you must answer questions accurately. We take before and after photos to ensure your progress between sessions. Laser treatments encourage the healing response and blood circulation to the area. We are therefore reliant on your good physical and mental health to ensure a positive response between sessions. We are trained to adjust the settings to ensure you are getting the most efficient results for your skin type. If you see no progress between sessions than we may redirect you to see your GP to check whether there are any underlying health issues. 

Yes as long as your therapist is trained and qualified. We follow many protocols to ensure the clinic is safe. You will be required to wear protective goggles. We carry out an extensive consultation to determine whether you have any medical conditions or are taking any medication which may prevent you from having laser treatments. Your therapist will highlight the possible temporary risks to your skin such as hyper-pigmentation going darker for 7-10 days, thread veins may crust over for 7-10 days, you may feel a sense of heat for a few hours following your treatment, and you can receive erythema (redness), odema (swelling) and for tattoo removal pinprick bleeding. You will need to follow all aftercare advice to avoid any permanent risks.

Depending on the laser treatment and depth of skin that we need to reach will depend on the sensation. You will be asked by your therapist throughout your treatment and should feel a pleasant warm sensation of around 4 out of 10. You may also feel an elastic band sometimes pinging against the skin. Your practitioner will always ask you for a response and can adjust the laser settings accordingly. Tattoo Removal is unfortunately a little unpleasant and often described as hot oil spitting against the skin! We will provide aloe vera gel, cooling sprays and ice packs if necessary to keep your skin calm and cool. Please follow all aftercare advice.

Laser treatments can have positive and negative side effects on your skin following your sessions. There can be some temporary short term after effects such as hyper-pigmentation areas may get darker for 7-10 days, thread veins may crust over for 7-10 days, temporary redness and swelling. These possible side effects are only temporary and only in some severe cases of unknown medical conditions can be permanent. Laser technology has improved over the years and as long as your therapist is trained and qualified to use the correct settings for your skin type, it should not leave permanent scarring or burns on the skin. Depending on the wavelength and filter used, the treatment area receives the positives of blood flow and the healing process, triggering collagen boost and skin rejuvenation.

We firstly need to carry out a consultation to cover any contraindications. If you have any of  the following medical conditions we unfortunately wont be able to offer you laser treatments. Your safety is our priority.

Epilepsy

Diabetes

Skin cancer

Heart issues

Hemaphilia

Recent surgery

Open wounds

Tattoos have to leave a 3cm gap around the tattoo (unless you are having this permanently removed)

Moles in treatment area

High/Low blood pressure

Pregnancy and breast feeding (Please wait 3 months)

Any sensitivity to light

Taking anti-coagulant medication (blood thinners, aspririn, warfarin)

Taking photosensitising medication (The Pill, St Johns Wort)

Any undiagnosed lumps and bumps

Semi permananent make up

Keloid scarring

Fake tans (Please wait 2 weeks)

Sun tans (Please wait 4 weeks)

Botox injections (Please wait 2 weeks)

Fillers (Please wait 4 weeks)

Any major hormonal changes such as menopause, hysterectomy and PCOS will affect your treatments

Any other recent medical conditions that may affect your treatment

No. Laser light technology is absorbed into darker skin tones and reflected with lighter tones. We therefore carry out a fitzpatrick scale test to determine on a level of 1-6 how light or dark your skin is. This determines the treatments we are able to offer you. 1-5 are able to choose between any of our treatments offered. Unfortunately our IPL and tattoo removal is currently not able to offer treatments to skin tone 6 due to risk of burns. Skin tone 6 are able to now have SHR for hair removal. Please get in touch if you are unsure. 

Our laser technicians go through an extensive skin analysis before you commence your treatment plan. This covers an initial consultation covering any medical conditions that may prevent you from having laser treatments. We cover a fitzpatrick test to determine your skin type and determines the settings we are to use from our machines. We then analyse the skin for any conditions or reasons why we cannot offer laser treatments. We analyse the skin to decide the best treatment for your skin. A patch test is necessary for our insurance to be valid. A patch test allows us to check that the laser treatments is safe for your skin and that you subsequently have no reactions to the treatment. It allows us to decide the best setting for the most efficient treatment for you. 

The purpose of the patch test is to ensure there are no adverse reactions to your skin following your laser treatment. You will be required to check the area and send a photo 24hrs and 48hrs following your patch test. Providing there are no adverse reactions to your skin, skin types 1-3 can book a laser treatment 48hrs after the patch test. Skin type 4 will have to wait 2 weeks. Skin type 5 will have to wait 3 weeks and skin type 6 will need to wait 4 weeks. This will all be explained on the day of your skin analysis and patch test.

We have covered this in depth on our pre and post advice page. You will need to shave the area 24-48hrs before treatments. Stay out of sunlight and UV light for 4 weeks before and after. Do not apply any creams, lotions, perfumes, deodorant on treatment area on the day of treatment. After your session you will need to apply aloe vera gel and SPF30+ daily. Please follow all our guidelines to ensure there are no long term side effects from treatments. 

The key to quality results will be gained with you following all the pre and post aftercare. Results will be faster dependant on you leading an active lifestyle and eating a healthy balanced diet filled with nutrients. 

Hair removal will need 8 sessions for permanent hair reduction. You will need facial hair to be treated every 4 weeks and body hair every 6 weeks.

Acne removal will need 2-6 treatments every 7-10 days.

Collagen Boost/Anti ageing will need 3-6 treatments every 4 weeks. Maintenance sessions 3 times a year. 

Hyper pigmentation/age spots.freckles/sun damage will need 3-6 treatments every 4 weeks followed by possible maintenance sessions. 

Thread veins, cherry dots, rosacea will need 2-4 treatments every 4 weeks followed by maintenance. 

Tattoo removals will need 3-10 sessions across 6 weekly periods. This is highly dependant on the original quality of the tattoo, the placement on the body, depth of ink amongst many other factors. You can get a rough idea on how many sessions you will need by filling in a kirby-desai scale calculator available on the internet. 

We have qualifications from a reputable company and extensive training. We are proud to be able to provide these treatments. The costs involved cover our equipment, machines and products. We have ongoing costs of rent, insurance, licencing regulations. All equipment has a limited use before needing replacement, the laser heads only have a limited number of shots in them before they need to be replaced too. We offer quality and time to get to know our clients and understand the best settings for their skin type and conditions so that they achieve optimal results. We are satisfied that we are offering the best quality treatments at a reasonable cost to both ourselves and our loyal clients.

We initially started our careers as Level 5 Sports Remedial Therapists. We are trained in Level 3 anatomy and physiology. We have a core of knowledge laser training. We are VTEC Level 4 laser trained in laser hair removal and skin rejuvenation. We are Level 5 trained in laser tattoo removal. We have our 3 year first aid certificates. We have many other qualifications and have over 10 years of experience with our clients. We are keen to keep learning and keep adding treatments to offer our client base.

It is advisable to wait until after puberty for effective long lasting results as hormone changes can interrupt the laser treatments. 14 to 18 years old will need a parent or adult guardian to accompany them. We regret that we are unable to treat children due to insurance purposes.

Results will be different for everybody and so we keep a good record of your results so that we can keep a timeline that is best for you. Some clients notice 100% results after their 8 sessions of hair removal. Some clients may need ongoing maintenance. You should see results after just 1 session of hair removal, skin rejuvenation and tattoo removal. Tattoo removal is usually between 3 and 10 sessions depending on the original tattoo. It is therefore important you keep up with your initial recommend number of treatments and follow all pre and post aftercare advice. Your therapist will highlight to you how many maintenance sessions you may need following your treatments. 

Please wear loose fitting clothes to allow your skin to breathe and stay cool following treatments. Ladies, please wear a bra that unclips from the back rather than sports bras. Bikini hair removals will be provided with disposable underwear to change into and please use tampons or a cup if you are on your period. It is best to wear loose fitting clothes that fully cover the skin so that your skin is not exposed to UV light following your laser treatments.