What you need to know before laser hair removal

Laser epilation—commonly referred to as laser hair removal or simply laser treatment—has been popular among women for many years. It’s loved especially for its high effectiveness and long-lasting results. A full course of treatments can help you get rid of unwanted hair once and for all, making it a go-to choice for anyone seeking smooth, hair-free skin without the constant need for shaving or waxing.

Laser hair removal isn’t just recommended for those with dark hair—it’s also ideal for anyone who values convenience and wants to save time. After all, who really enjoys spending hours shaving with a razor, especially when the smooth effect fades so quickly? Laser treatment offers a lasting solution and is the only truly effective way to eliminate the problem of “black dots”—those stubborn, short regrowth hairs that appear just a day or two after shaving or waxing. These tiny dark spots are a common frustration, particularly during the summer months, and laser hair removal helps you say goodbye to them for good.

Laser hair removal is a professional treatment that targets different areas of the body and is performed in a series of sessions. Depending on the chosen area, the cost ranges from 200 to 600 PLN per session. The first visible results usually appear after just 1 to 2 treatments, which are scheduled several weeks apart. At our clinic, we use the Mediostar Next diode laser—one of the top devices available for laser hair removal. It precisely targets and removes the hair along with its follicle. The laser light detects the pigment and destroys the follicle responsible for melanin production, without heating the surrounding tissues, making the procedure both effective and safe.

It’s important to note that the darker the hair and the lighter the skin, the better the results of laser hair removal tend to be. On the other hand, for individuals with blonde, red, or grey hair, the treatment may be significantly less effective. That’s why a consultation and a laser test patch are always performed before starting the procedure, to determine whether laser hair removal is the right choice for you. Want to learn more about what influences the results? Read: Laser Epilation – What Do the Results Depend On?

Diode laser hair removal is highly recommended for those who want to permanently get rid of unwanted hair. However, as with any cosmetic procedure, certain criteria must be met to ensure safety and effectiveness. So, what are the contraindications?

Laser hair removal should not be performed in the following cases:

•  pregnancy and breastfeeding
•  current or recent cancer (allowed only after medical consultation)
•  bacterial, viral, or fungal infections at the treatment site
•  use of photosensitizing medications (e.g. some antidepressants or antibiotics for acne) and photosensitizing herbs (like St. John’s wort, sage, marigold, or herbal teas such as Figura 1 and 2)
•  skin conditions (such as atopic dermatitis, lichen planus, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo)
•  intense suntan or use of bronzers and self-tanners
•  presence of metal surgical elements in the body (e.g. orthodontic braces)
•  age (clients must be of legal age; otherwise, parental consent is required)
•  epilepsy
•  diabetes
•  menstruation (laser is not performed on the bikini area during a period)
•  light-colored hair in the treatment area (blonde, red, or grey), due to insufficient melanin in the follicle, which reduces treatment effectiveness

Laser hair removal is performed on a thoroughly shaved area, to which a numbing gel is then applied. However, for the procedure to be not only effective but also completely safe, it’s essential to prepare for it properly. So, how should you do that?

First of all, at least 4 weeks before your scheduled laser hair removal, you should avoid any kind of tanning—including sunbathing and using tanning beds. During this time, it’s also important not to remove hair using wax, tweezers, or an epilator. You should also avoid depilatory creams, exfoliating products, and self-tanners. Additionally, creams or ointments containing vitamin C, vitamin D, retinoids, or fruit acids should not be applied to the area that will be treated.

One week before your appointment, it’s necessary to stop taking any medications or herbal supplements that cause photosensitivity, such as photoallergic or phototoxic reactions.

The day before the procedure, you should shave the treatment area with a razor. On the day of treatment, your skin should be clean and dry, without any lotions, creams, or deodorants applied. If your skin is sensitive and requires moisturizing, you may use mild products such as Dermosan, Alantan Plus, or Nanobase in the days leading up to your visit—but not on the day of the treatment itself.

Also, keep in mind that during the entire laser treatment cycle, you must not remove hair by the root, which means avoiding waxing and tweezing between sessions.

Proper preparation not only protects your skin from possible side effects, but also ensures that the procedure is comfortable, safe, and delivers optimal results. That’s why it’s so important to review all contraindications and recommendations in advance and follow them carefully.