Permanent Laser Hair Removal: Procedure, Side Effects & Cost in India

Skip the razor, think about laser. Thats a tagline that I recently read on a hoarding which got me thinking about laser hair removal. Somehow, everytime someone utters the word laser, I think of pain worse than waxing! Upon some research, I realized that permanent laser hair removal is not only a pain free process with minimal side effects but its popularity has also grown steadily in India. The procedure is being opted by many girls besides the bride-to-bes. I bet many of you have a whole lot of questions about it and to clear our doubts we recently got talking with Dr Kiran Lohia, who is an American board certified Celebrity Dermatologist.

Laser Hair Removal Procedure: Side Effects, Facts & Cost in India

Laser Hair Removal: Procedure, Side Effects & Cost in India

What is laser hair removal? Is it a safe procedure?

Laser Hair Removal is the process of removing hair by using specific light wavelengths to selectively destroy the hair follicle while leaving the rest of the skin intact.
Yes, laser hair removal is a safe procedure, especially when done with the newer lasers available that have in-motion and in-built cooling technologies. These lasers allow for the right energy delivery without the risk because it is delivered over time as opposed to in one go.

What are the different types of laser hair removal machines & which is the most suitable for the Indian skin?

The different technologies of laser hair removal machines include:

Soprano Pain-Free Hair-Free Laser: A diode based technology; this laser is pain-free and without side effects. Providing energy with in-motion technology so that it is delivered over time, there is practically zero risk and many fall asleep comfortably while getting this laser done. This type of laser is ideal for Indian skin.

Lumenis Light Sheer ET: A diode based technology, it is very effective for laser hair removal but it can be painful with risk of burns! So go to a specialist for this specific laser.

Cutera Long Pulse Nd: Yag: An older technology based on Nd: Yag science, this laser used to be believed to be better for Indian skin. But with the advent of Soprano Pain-Free In-Motion technology, this is no longer true. Also, exceedingly painful, long pulse Nd: Yag can be highly uncomfortable, especially in sensitive areas.

Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent? How effective is it?

Is Laser Hair Removal a permanent solution?

Many people call it permanent hair reduction rather than permanent hair removal. How true is this statement?

So Laser Hair Reduction or Removal can only get rid of 70-90% of hairs in a given area. This hair removal is permanent, but nearly all protocols recommend getting a year maintenance session to maintain those results. It is called reduction because it is very hard to get rid of 100% of hairs in any given area.

How many laser hair removal sessions/sitting are required?

For laser hair removal, typically 6-10 sessions are required depending on the density and color of your hair as well as the area you are treating.

Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal: Is it a safe procedure?

What are the side effects of laser hair removal? Does it harm the skin in anyway?

The side effects of laser hair removal depends on the laser used and the technician or doctor operating the machine. If the laser is good and the technician is well trained, your laser hair removal should be painless and without side effects. If either of the two are a problem, then you can run the rare risk of burns. Luckily, these laser burns are very treatable.

Laser hair removal does not harm the skin in any way. In fact, it can improve the overall quality of the skin because you are no longer going through the inflammatory and irritating process of waxing or shaving. So ingrown hairs, irritations, and marks and bumps can be a thing of the past!

How much does laser hair removal cost in India

What is the cost of laser hair removal in India?

Pricing depends on the clinic and the machine used.
Many centers give very low pricing for laser hair removal, but they don’t follow the proper protocols so the patient has to end up doing set of sessions because the previous set did not do the job. If a centre is giving an extremely low price, you can guarantee that you won’t get the quality you are looking for.
Ideally, a centre should be able to give you at least 70% reduction in thickness and density of hair after 10 sessions. If they are not able to do that, then they are not following the proper protocols.

HBM Edit: The average cost of one laser hair removal sitting costs anywhere between Rs 9-12k for arms and can go upto Rs 15k for the legs. The prices are bound to vary across clinics.

Lastly, with so many questionable laser hair removal clinics popping up, what sort of certification or approvals should one look for while choosing a clinic for the service
Look for a clinic that stands by its results.

They should have a good senior doctor with a dermatology degree and an aesthetic laser degree who oversees the laser hair removal protocols and is there to provide guidance to patients when they have queries.
You should feel safe wherever you go.

Thank you so much for your time and for answering all of our questions & doubts about laser hair removal, Dr Kiran! *hugs & kisses*