Home Laser Hair Removal vs Professional Treatment

This year has seen an explosion in the choice and availability of at-home laser hair removal devices. But are they worth it?

The appeal of laser hair removal is clear. Women spend a lot of time and money removing unwanted hair, especially in the summer months. The promise of permanent hair removal is extremely appealing, but it is more costly than shaving, creams or waxing; which can be off-putting.

The appeal of DIY laser hair removal is based primarily on price, with machines coming in at around £300-£400 in the mass market arena. But do they work? An Argos laser hair removal machine currently has a dismal 3* rating, with two consumers giving it a single star on the basis of a lack of visible results. There are clear differences between the technology and practitioners which should be considered.

Home vs Professional Laser Hair Removal

There are a number of differences as you would expect.

1. Power – professional laser hair removal systems are significantly more powerful, which means that they are far more likely to produce a good result by blasting away the hair follicles
2. Professional – paying for treatment means that somebody else does it. This ideally would be a person who is properly trained and experienced in carrying out laser hair removal safely and effectively. Do check though, as there are no minimum requirements for laser hair removal qualification in the UK
3. Adjustability – professional machines tend to have much more sophisticated adjustability compared to DIY options, which means a tailor-made treatment to suit your skin/hair colour combination
4. Visibility – any laser hair removal practitioner would say that it’s easier to do the treatment on somebody else. You have much better visibility and control (compared to trying to do your own underarm using the wrong hand!). This means a safer and more efficient result
5. Pain – while they are more powerful, professional treatments also tend to be more comfortable. Some machines include skin cooling, others simply don’t have the sharp sensation for every laser blast. Sometimes a therapist will cool the area using ice before treatment. It is generally a much easier experience
6. Suitability – the more basic types of laser hair removal need a good contrast between darker hair vs lighter skin, making them unsuitable for fair hair or dark skin types. Certain professional machines can be used on any skin/hair colour combination
7. Safety – wearing proper eye covering is an essential safety precaution for both the therapist and the patient, but there is nobody to enforce correct procedure for at-home machines
8. Aftercare – having professional laser hair removal means getting correct aftercare advice. There is also somebody to talk to in case of any queries. Not the case with a DIY machines
9. Sessions – due to the lower power, many consumers find that they need numerous sessions with DIY laser hair removal, while professional courses tend to be much less. Mulberry House Clinic recommend courses of 6 treatments, but some clients see good results after only 3
10. Cost – the price of laser hair removal in a clinic or salon might actually be less than you expect. With machines such as the Philips Lumea costing £450, this is actually more than the price of a full course of bikini or underarm laser hair removal at Mulberry House Clinic

Laser Hair Removal Northamptonshire

Mulberry House Clinic offer the very latest skin treatments at their Hardingstone clinic near Northampton with advanced technology. Treatments are available for men as well as women.

Laser hair removal is carried out by Liz Tanqueray, a State Registered Nurse (SRN) with over 30 years experience. She has been fully trained in laser hair removal and understands how to adjust the treatment programme for each individual patient to get optimum hair reduction.

For further information or to arrange a confidential consultation, please complete our contact form, call 01604 702630 or email: info@mulberryhouseclinic.co.uk.