A free preliminary consultation with our specialists enables us to assess your expectations and medical history, and to confirm whether laser hair removal is right for you.
Book an AppointmentHow Does Permanent Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser hair removal is a permanent hair removal method that uses a concentrated beam of light to target and destroy hair follicles at their root. The principle behind laser hair removal is based on the selective absorption of light by melanin, the pigment responsible for the colour of the hair. When the laser is directed at the area being treated, the light is absorbed by the melanin present in the hair. This absorption generates heat, which damages the hair follicle cells and inhibits future hair growth. As a result, darker hairs are generally easier to treat. In contrast, lighter coloured hairs can be more difficult to remove during a laser hair removal session because they contain little or no melanin.
In all cases, Claris Clinic offers treatments tailored to your needs, whether for a larger area such as the back or for more sensitive areas such as the bikini line. In addition, laser hair removal offers several advantages. It provides long lasting results, is generally painless, helps prevent ingrown hairs and can show visible effectiveness from the very first treatment session.
How Many Sessions Are Required?
In general, laser hair removal can be used on most areas of the face and body where unwanted hair grows, for both men and women.
The most commonly treated areas include, but are not limited to:
- The face: upper lip, chin, sideburns…
- Neck, beard, nape…
- Upper body: torso, back, areolas, abdominal line…
- Arms: full arms, forearms, armpits…
- Legs: thighs, full legs, feet…
- The bikini: Brazilian bikini, full bikini, classic bikini…
- Buttocks: full buttocks, gluteal cleft…
For more information, don’t hesitate to book an information appointment. Our specialists will answer all your questions.
Which Areas Can Be Treated?
The number of appointments you need depends on the area to be treated, your skin type and the colour of your hair.
The laser acts on hair pigmentation (melanin), and is most effective during the hair growth phase (anagen phase). Not all hairs are simultaneously affected by this phase. Several laser hair removal sessions are therefore necessary. The number of sessions depends on the area of skin to be treated and the number of hairs in the resting phase. When hairs re-enter the active phase, additional treatment sessions are required.
After 6 to 8 sessions, laser hair removal results in permanent hair removal. 80 to 90% of your hair is permanently destroyed after treatment. However, touch-up sessions once or twice a year may be necessary, as the body has the capacity to produce a few new hairs, especially during hormonal changes (pregnancy, the pill, puberty…).
It should be noted that white, grey and red hairs cannot be treated effectively, as they are low in melanin. The same applies to dark and black skin, which is highly charged with melanin and therefore at risk of burning.
The Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
- Permanent hair removal: destroys hair follicles permanently, unlike temporary methods
- Precision and safety: targets only hair follicles without damaging surrounding skin
- Prevent ingrown hairs: reduce and prevent their appearance over the long term
- Time-saving: effectively treats large areas in a single session
- Comfortable: the procedure is generally painless and well-tolerated without anaesthesia.
- Long-term savings: a cost-effective solution that reduces the costs associated with repetitive hair removal methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose Permanent Laser Hair Removal?
Excessive hair growth can have a negative impact on self confidence. In addition, traditional hair removal methods such as regular shaving can quickly become tedious and costly. Other techniques, including electric epilation and intense pulsed light, may provide temporary results but are not permanent because the hair bulb is not fully eliminated.
Laser hair removal offers a fast, effective and long lasting solution for reducing unwanted hair on both the body and the face. However, it is important to choose a qualified professional in order to minimise the risk of side effects. At Claris Clinic, laser hair removal treatments are performed by nurses under medical supervision.
At What Age Can Laser Hair Removal Be Performed?
In general, laser hair removal is recommended for people aged 18 or over, as this is the age when hair matures and the treatment is most effective. Teenagers may also be candidates for laser hair removal, but this will depend on the maturity of their skin and hairiness.
Is Laser Hair Removal Really Permanent?
The laser’s energy is converted into heat and eliminates the hair bulb. Any hair destroyed is therefore permanently removed. Hormonal variations (pregnancy, menopause, etc.) may cause a few new hairs to grow. One or two annual maintenance sessions are recommended. Laser is the most effective hair removal method.
Is Laser Hair Removal Possible on Light-Coloured Hair?
Laser energy is absorbed by melanin, the pigment that gives hair its colour. For this reason, it can be more difficult, and sometimes impossible, to treat blond, red, grey or white hair, as well as very fine hair.
Is Permanent Laser Hair Removal Dangerous?
Permanent hair removal can be risky if carried out by an unqualified person, or if the equipment is poorly maintained or of poor quality.
At Claris Clinic, hair removal is carried out by specialised nurses, under medical supervision and after prior consultation to check for any contraindications. The risk of burns is very limited, as laser energy is absorbed by the hair’s melanin without damaging surrounding tissue. Redness and sometimes slight swelling may occur immediately after the session, but these disappear very quickly.
Laser hair removal cannot be performed on tanned skin (sun, sunbed, self-tanner).
What’s the Difference Between Pulsed Light and Laser?
Intense pulsed light weakens and thins the hair without completely destroying it, which means that hair can eventually grow back. Laser treatment, on the other hand, targets and destroys the hair at the root, preventing it from growing back.
Is Laser Hair Removal Painful?
The sensation varies from one area to another, and also depends on individual sensitivity. The sensation is comparable to light needle pricks. A laser hair removal session must be slightly painful to be effective. Our lasers are equipped with a skin cooling system to limit the unpleasant sensation, and it is also possible to apply an anaesthetic cream before the session.
How Can I Permanently Remove Hair Naturally?
There’s no natural way to get rid of hair for good. However, there are methods such as waxing, using electric razors, bleaching hair and using hair growth inhibitors. These methods can help slow hair growth, but they are not permanent.
Which Laser Is Best for Safe, Professional Hair Removal?
There are several types of laser used for permanent hair removal. The diode laser, the alexandrite laser and the Nd:YAG laser are the most commonly used. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on skin and hair colour. It’s important to consult a qualified professional to determine which type of laser technology is best suited to your needs.
At Claris Clinic, we use Light Sheer. The Light Sheer uses diode laser technology to emit pulses of light that penetrate the hair follicle and destroy the cells responsible for hair growth. Light Sheer is considered one of the most effective lasers for permanent hair removal, thanks to its ability to treat large areas of the body quickly and effectively. It is also considered less painful than other types of hair removal lasers, with virtually no post-treatment side effects.
Who Is Authorised to Perform Laser Hair Removal?
It’s important to note that in Belgium, laser hair removal is considered a medical procedure that must be carried out by a healthcare professional authorised to perform this type of treatment. Those authorised to perform laser hair removal in Belgium are doctors (usually dermatologists or aesthetic physicians) and nurses.
Your Journey in 3 Steps
- Preparation
- Treatment
- Follow-Up
During the session, precise laser pulses target the hair follicles using a handpiece equipped with a cooling tip. A contact gel is applied beforehand and both the practitioner and the patient wear protective goggles. Depending on the area being treated, the procedure can last from around 15 minutes for areas such as the underarms to about one hour for full legs.
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After the session, a soothing cream is applied. The skin may show some redness and slight swelling, which will disappear rapidly.
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Overview
Treatment Duration
15 min to 1h depending on area. 6 to 8 sessions are recommended.
Clinic Stay
Limited stay. Do not wax 24 hours before the session.
Reasonable Mobility
Immediately. Do not expose to sunlight.
Physical Exercise
Possible directly after treatment.
Recovery
Immediate. Touch-ups once or twice a year may be necessary.
The Results
Laser hair removal achieves permanent hair reduction of 80-90% after 6-8 sessions, with visible results from the very first sessions; it also prevents ingrown hairs from growing back, while providing smooth, clear skin over a wide range of body and facial areas, without damaging surrounding tissue.
Results are long-lasting, but annual touch-ups may be necessary in the event of hormonal changes. This treatment is safe and suitable for different skin types, subject to prior consultation with a specialist.
Laser hair removal is particularly effective on dark, melanin-rich hair, as it absorbs laser energy more effectively. On the other hand, white, gray and red hairs, which contain little or no melanin, cannot be treated effectively by this method.
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* Our prices are indicative and include VAT. The precise estimate will be drawn up by the specialist during the consultation.
