Free yourself from the constant battle of shaving, epilating and waxing unwanted hair on your body. The world has come a long way in terms of getting rid of hair in a quicker and longer lasting way – such as laser hair removal Here are some of the most common questions about laser hair removal:  How does it work?Laser hair removal works by selectively heating melanin that is in the hair follicle while leaving the rest of your skin untouched. This then weakens the hair follicle, and hairs that were present in the follicles will fall out over the next couple of weeks and future hair growth will be impaired. What is the average amount of treatments required?The number of sessions depends on various factors, including the area of the body being treated, skin colour, coarseness of hair, hormones and gender etc. Generally: Face: 6 to 12 treatments. Body: 6 to12 treatments. (This may vary) Bear in mind that laser hair removal is a permanent hair reduction, there will be some hair that are left and will require top ups. How often do I get my treatment done?Face every 4 to 6 weeks. Body every 6 to 8 weeks. Why can I only shave when having a laser treatment?In order for the laser to work you need to have hair in the hair follicle. This hair attracts the laser, heats up and weakens the follicle.  Do I need a patch test?Yes, a patch test is always required before starting any treatment to ensure your suitability to the laser, along with a full consultation. You can start your treatment 5-7 days after your patch test. What are the most common side-effects and risks? During treatment: slight discomfort. Post treatment: itching, redness, and swelling around the treatment area. These side effects rarely last more than three days. Most people wont even have any side-effects. Like anything beauty related there are always rare side effects and risks. In this context it could be hyper-pigmentation, blistering, scarring, acne, swelling around the hair follicle and scab formation. However, with a through consultation, patch test and following the aftercare instructions these risks are minimised. Preparing for your treatmentAvoid sun exposure at least four weeks before treatment. Avoid fake tanning for at least 2 week before treatment. Do not bleach, pluck or wax 4 to 6 weeks before and stick to shaving. For lighter skin clients wait for tanned skin to fade before beginning treatment. What to expect on the day of treatment24 hours prior to your procedure you should make sure the area being treated is freshly shaven. This will allow for effective energy delivery of the laser device to your hair follicles, thus providing a more effective treatment.  During the treatment, the laser specialist will guide the device over the treatment area. As she does, it will deliver light energy and you will feel cold air blowing from our Cryo-6 Skin Cooling unit, for added comfort. It is normal to feel a slight snapping sensation like a rubber band as the energy is being delivered.  Does laser work for all skin types? Yes, you just need to make sure that it is the right laser type At Saiqs we use the Cynosure Elite+ laser system, which uses both Alexandrite and the ND:YAG system, which target and destroy hair cells without damaging the surrounding skin resulting in smooth, hair-free skin that lasts. Treating all skin types from the darkest to the lightest. Our system is the safest laser for darker skins as it can penetrate into the skin by passing the melanin in the skin and getting to the root of the hair therefore less risk of burning the skin. At Saiqs you can also pay for your laser hair removal treatment in 4 instalments. Get in touch for the start of your hairless journey: Saiqs (Hair & Beauty) 0208 539 9466