Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal uses pulses of laser light to heat the hair follicle so that it grows less hair, giving long-term hair reduction rather than removal for ever. At our Al Qusais, Dubai clinic, sessions are done by our DHA-licensed laser therapists, who match the laser settings to your skin tone and hair at every visit.

How does laser hair removal work?

The laser targets the dark pigment (melanin) in the hair and follicle and turns it into heat, which damages the follicle's ability to regrow hair. Only follicles in the active growth phase respond, and only some of your hairs are in that phase at any time, so you need a course of sessions.

Most people need six to eight sessions, four to eight weeks apart. Hair usually becomes less and finer over the course; how much depends on your hair colour, skin type, hormones and the area. Hormone-driven areas such as the chin or bikini line may need extra sessions, and many people have a top-up once or twice a year afterwards.

Which areas can be treated?

• Face: upper lip, chin, sideburns and hairline
• Underarms
• Bikini line, up to a full Brazilian
• Full or half arms and legs
• Back, shoulders, chest and abdomen
• Neck, front and back

Is it suitable for darker skin?

Yes, with the right settings. Darker skin has more melanin competing with the hair for the laser's energy, so the risk of burns or colour changes is higher if the settings are wrong. The therapist assesses your skin type and adjusts the settings at each visit. Tell us about any condition that affects hair growth, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

How do I prepare, and what happens at the visit?

1. Two weeks before: avoid tanning. Do not wax, thread or use hair-removal creams in the weeks before, as they remove the root the laser needs.
2. The day before: shave the area.
3. On the day: come with clean skin, with no lotion, deodorant or make-up on the area.
4. During the session: you and the therapist wear protective glasses, and a cooling gel or cooled tip protects the skin. Most people describe each pulse as a quick snap, like a rubber band. Numbing cream can be used on sensitive areas.
5. Afterwards: mild redness and warmth usually settle within a few hours, and you can go back to your day.

What aftercare is needed?

For 48 hours, avoid hot baths, saunas, steam rooms and hard exercise that makes you sweat heavily. Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser and SPF 50 sunscreen every day. Treated hairs shed over the next two to three weeks; this is expected.

Can I have laser hair removal in the Dubai summer?

Yes, with care. Keep treated skin out of direct sun and high humidity around each session, and avoid tanning for two weeks before. If your skin is tanned, the session may be postponed until the tan fades, because tanned skin is more likely to burn or change colour.

If ingrown hairs from waxing or shaving have left dark marks, ask about pigmentation treatment. Some people also have a HydraFacial between laser sessions. The price depends on the areas and number of sessions, and the therapist gives it to you after assessing your skin and hair.