Your first laser hair removal appointment: what to expect

Before you arrive

Come with a closely shaved area and clean skin. Shave the day before or the morning of, and leave deodorant, lotion and makeup off the area. Stop waxing and plucking about four weeks beforehand, and keep the area out of the sun and away from fake tan.

Write down any medications you take, including creams, supplements and anything you have started recently, so you don’t have to remember them on the spot. Our before and aftercare checklist has the full list.

Step 1: the consultation

Your first appointment usually begins with a conversation. Your specialist asks about the areas you want treated, how you currently remove hair, your skin and sun exposure, and your health history.

Be open about medications, skin conditions, pregnancy, tattoos in the area and any recent tanning. None of this is about judgement. It helps your specialist decide whether laser is suitable for you now and which settings are appropriate. If there is a medical question, they may suggest you check with your GP or healthcare professional first.

This is also your chance to ask questions: how many sessions you are likely to need, how far apart they should be, and how pricing works for your areas.

It can help to jot a few questions down before you arrive, so nothing slips your mind once you are in the chair. Useful ones include what results are realistic for your hair colour, what you should do if you notice a reaction, and how to plan sessions around holidays or events where you will be in the sun. There are no silly questions, and a good specialist will be happy to explain.

Step 2: the patch test

A patch test is usually done before a full treatment. Your specialist treats a small section of the area and checks how your skin responds. Depending on the clinic’s protocol and your skin, the full treatment may go ahead the same day or at a follow-up visit.

The patch test is a normal and useful step, not a formality. It lets your specialist check the settings for your skin tone and hair, and it gives you a feel for the sensation before a full session. Read more about laser and skin types.

Step 3: the treatment

During treatment, you wear protective eyewear, and your specialist moves the handpiece across the area in a steady pattern. We use Candela laser technology, and settings are chosen for your skin tone, hair colour and the area.

Most people describe the feeling as a quick snap or a warm flick, like a rubber band. Areas with thin skin or dense hair, such as the underarms and bikini line, often feel more intense. Tell your specialist if you are uncomfortable at any point. Small areas can take just a few minutes; larger areas take longer.

Step 4: straight after

Expect some redness and warmth, like mild sunburn, and possibly small bumps around the follicles. These are common and usually settle within a few hours to a day or two.

As general guidance, avoid heat, hard exercise, saunas, spas and pools for 24 to 48 hours, and protect the area with SPF 50+. Call the clinic if you notice blistering, crusting or pain that gets worse.

• Keep the area cool and pat it dry
• Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser if it feels warm
• No tanning for at least two weeks
• Shave between sessions, but don’t wax or pluck

Booking your next session

Before you leave, your specialist will usually go over your aftercare and suggest when to book your next session, typically around 4 to 8 weeks later depending on the area. We are open 7 days, 9am to 9pm in Liverpool, and you can book online or by phone. Find out more about laser hair removal in Liverpool.