Laser hair removal
Before and after your laser appointment
Everything on this page is for laser hair removal. It is worth two minutes before every session, not just your first one — most of the appointments I have to turn away are turned away for something on this list.
Read this before every sessionWhen I cannot patch test or treat you
Tell me if any of these apply. It is not a formality — laser on skin in the wrong state is how people get burned.
- New medication or any medical changes since your last treatment. I will need to check my medical notes before I can treat you, as you may need GP consent or another patch test.
- Antibiotics within the last 7 days.
- Ibuprofen or antihistamines within the last 48 hours. Paracetamol is fine, but please tell me if you have taken anything else.
- An operation under general anaesthetic within the last 6 weeks.
- Sun exposure within the last 4 weeks, or a sun holiday planned within the next 4 weeks. This includes sunbeds.
- Fake tan on the treatment area within the last 2 weeks.
- Fillers or anti-wrinkle injections in the treatment area within the last 2 weeks.
- A chemical peel within the last 4 weeks.
- If you have fallen pregnant.
- Local anaesthetic within the last 2 weeks.
None of these are permanent. Most of them just mean we move your appointment rather than cancel it, so tell me as early as you can and I will find you another date.
Before your appointment
On the day
- You must shave on the day of your appointment. I cannot treat you unless you have a clean shave, with the hair below the surface of the skin.
- Wear loose clothing. Tight clothing can cause irritation and redness afterwards.
- No deodorant, lotions or products on the skin on the day.
- No make-up or skincare products if you are having laser on your face.
- No oil-based products for 48 hours before.
In the weeks before
- Avoid sun exposure and sunbeds for 4 weeks before treatment.
- Avoid self-tan for 2 weeks before treatment.
- Avoid photosensitive medication, such as antibiotics, for 1 week before treatment.
- Avoid ibuprofen and antihistamines for 48 hours before treatment.
- Avoid local anaesthetic within 2 weeks of treatment.
- Stop using Roaccutane 6 months before laser treatment.
- Tell me about any medical changes, or if there is any chance you could be pregnant.
Aftercare
The first 48 hours
- Nothing on the treated skin for the rest of the day — no deodorant, no make-up, no products. SPF 50 and aloe vera gel only.
- No exercise for 24 hours.
- No sauna, steam room or hot baths for 48 hours.
- Apply aloe vera gel for at least 48 hours.
- Avoid self-tan for 48 hours.
Between sessions
- Avoid sun exposure and sunbeds for 4 weeks after treatment.
- From 10 days after treatment, exfoliate with gloves two to three times a week until your next session. This helps the hairs shed.
- Shaving only. No plucking, waxing, threading or epilating — the hair needs to be present in the follicle for the laser to work.
- Keep shaving between sessions.
Laser is a course, not one appointment. Following the aftercare between sessions is most of what decides your result — if you wax between sessions there is nothing for the laser to target and the course will not work.
If you are not sure
Message me. I would far rather answer a question the day before than turn you away at the door, and there is no charge for asking.
Prices, patch test details and what laser can realistically do are all on the laser hair removal page.
Something changed since you booked?
New medication, a holiday booked, a peel you had somewhere else — tell me before your appointment rather than on the day, and we will sort the date out between us.
Laser hair removal at House of Glam HQ is women only and gives permanent hair reduction, typically 80 to 90%, rather than permanent removal. Every session is carried out by Natasha Oguntade at 1A Auckland Road East, Southsea, Portsmouth PO5 2HA.
