Laser hair removal is not permanent removal. It is permanent reduction, and the difference matters.
The word "permanent" is easy to oversell, and overselling it is exactly why so many clinic websites get ignored by anyone who reads past the first paragraph. What a full course of laser or IPL hair removal actually gives most people is a lasting drop in hair, typically 70 to 90 percent, after which the odd top-up session keeps things smooth. Some follicles survive treatment and carry on producing hair, just finer and paler than before. If you want hair removal that is genuinely permanent on a small area, electrolysis is the treatment that does that, because it disables each follicle individually rather than relying on pigment to find its target.
Is laser hair removal 100% permanent?
No, not for the vast majority of people, and any clinic promising 100% permanent results with a single course is not being straight with you. A completed course damages enough of the hair follicles in the treated area that regrowth slows dramatically and what does come back tends to be sparse and light. That reduction usually lasts, but "lasts" is not the same word as "permanent". Hormonal changes, ageing and the natural cycling of hair follicles mean most people need an occasional maintenance session, sometimes once a year, to keep an area consistently clear.
How does laser hair removal actually work?
Hair grows in cycles, and at any given moment only a portion of the hair in an area is in the anagen, or active growth, phase. Laser and IPL both work by targeting the pigment in the hair shaft and using that to heat and disable the follicle beneath. That only works on hair that is actively growing. Hair in the resting or shedding phases has little pigment in the shaft and is effectively invisible to the treatment.
That is the entire reason a single session was never going to work. A course of six to eight sessions, spaced four to six weeks apart, is timed to catch each hair as it cycles into its growth phase, treating a fresh batch of follicles at every visit until most of the area has been reached.
How many laser hair removal sessions will you need?
Six to eight is the figure most laser clinics quote, and it's a reasonable starting expectation for most areas and skin types. At Skin & Beauty Box the technology is medical-grade IPL from Lynton, a British manufacturer whose systems are also used in NHS settings, and the course we run is slightly longer: eight to ten sessions, spaced four to eight weeks apart depending on how quickly hair grows back in that particular area.
The exact number depends on where you're treating (facial hair generally needs more sessions than body areas), how coarse and dense the hair is, and your hormonal baseline. Your therapist will set out a realistic schedule at your consultation and patch test rather than promising a fixed number upfront.
Does laser hair removal work on grey, red or very fair hair?
Less well, and sometimes not at all. Laser and IPL both target melanin, the pigment that gives hair its colour. Dark, coarse hair on lighter skin gives the clearest contrast and the best result. Grey, white, red and very fair blonde hair contain little to no melanin, so there is nothing for the light to lock onto, and the follicle often comes through the treatment unaffected.
This is exactly what a patch test is for. With us, if your hair colour means IPL is unlikely to give you a meaningful result, your therapist will tell you that honestly before you commit to a course, rather than after you've paid for one.
Can hormones affect your results?
Yes, and it isn't a sign the treatment has failed. Conditions that raise androgen levels, PCOS being the most common cause according to the British Association of Dermatologists, can stimulate new hair growth in areas that had previously cleared well. That's the body producing new hair, not old follicles reactivating, which is why it can happen even after a genuinely successful course. If you suspect an undiagnosed hormonal cause behind excess or fast-returning hair growth, that's a conversation for your GP first. A salon can treat the hair you have; it can't diagnose what's driving it.
Is there a downside to laser hair removal?
A few, and they're worth knowing before you book a course rather than after.
- It's a course, not a session. Budget the time and the sessions, not just the first appointment.
- Skin reacts short-term. Redness and mild sensitivity for a day or two afterwards is normal. Our before and aftercare guide covers exactly what to do before your first session and after every one that follows.
- It doesn't suit everyone's colouring. As above, grey, red and very fair hair respond poorly.
- Some areas are off-limits. IPL isn't used around the eyes or over tattoos.
- A patch test comes first. Every new client needs one before their first treatment, which is a safety step rather than an upsell.
How much does laser hair removal cost in the UK?
Price depends on the size of the area, how many sessions your course needs and which technology the clinic uses, so treat any figure you see online as a general market range rather than a quote. Small areas like the upper lip sit at the lower end; larger areas like full leg or full back sit considerably higher, and a full course costs more than a single session by definition. Klarna is available over three months if spreading a course helps. For current session and course prices at our salons, see our price list.
Frequently asked questions
Can I shave 2 hours before laser? Yes, and same-day shaving is actually preferred by most clinics. The laser needs the follicle beneath the skin, not the hair above it, so a close, recent shave gets the best result with the least surface irritation.
What not to do before laser hair removal? Don't wax, pluck or use hair removal cream on the area in the weeks beforehand: those methods pull the follicle out or dissolve it, and the laser has nothing left to target. Skip sunbeds and sun exposure beforehand too, and avoid fake tan or heavily fragranced products on the day itself. Our before and aftercare guide sets out the full checklist.
Will the NHS pay for laser hair removal? Almost never for cosmetic reasons. The NHS occasionally funds laser hair removal for a specific medical need, most often before certain surgeries or for diagnosed hirsutism linked to a hormonal condition, and only after a GP referral. NHS guidance on hirsutism confirms that longer-lasting hair removal methods "are not usually available on the NHS" even where a hormonal cause has been diagnosed. For anything else, it's a private cosmetic treatment.
Book a consultation
IPL hair removal at Skin & Beauty Box runs at our Clifton Down and Westbury on Trym clinics. Every course starts with a consultation and patch test, so we can tell you honestly whether your hair colour and skin will respond well before you commit to anything. Get in touch to book yours.