Are you wondering about the process of a permanent hair removal session at Epilia?
First, we welcome you for an initial consultation at one of our locations.
This consultation is free and non-binding.
How to make an appointment?
Two options are available to you :
Make an appointment online
You can book your time slot directly through our website.
- Select your city or the Epilia center of your choice.
- If you are a new patient, choose the option “This is my first visit to Epilia”.
- You will then receive a confirmation email for your appointment, as well as a reminder email a few days before your first consultation.
Make an appointment by phone
You can also reach our telephone secretariat at: +32 2 280 33 33
Initial consultation free of charge and non-binding
Why is the initial consultation so important?
This is an informational appointment that allows you to learn everything about laser hair removal. The laser technician ensures that all conditions are met for optimal laser treatment (skin type, hair color and type, age, possible hormonal issues, medication intake, etc.). She will also ask you several questions to better understand your profile.
This first consultation is crucial for the proper progression of the protocol, as laser hair removal is a treatment that takes place over the long term. This appointment also gives you the opportunity to ask any questions to the technician who is assisting you.
At the end of this consultation, you will have all the necessary information to decide whether you want to begin the laser hair removal treatment. A detailed quote, depending on the areas to be treated, will be provided, and you can schedule a date for your first laser session with the technician. She will also inform you about the steps to follow before your sessions.
It is important to note that no procedure is carried out during this first consultation. Therefore, it is not necessary to shave your hair, as the technician will take this opportunity to observe its color and thickness.
Are there any contraindications to laser treatment?
- It is important not to expose yourself to the sun or use a tanning bed during the entire duration of the treatment. If the area to be treated is tanned, the treatment cannot be performed, as the risk of burns will be increased.
- No laser treatment can be performed on a pregnant woman.
- An area with an infectious inflammation cannot be treated.
- Tattooed areas (or with permanent makeup) cannot be treated. However, the treatment can be done around the tattooed area, but the hair in that area will remain intact.
Advice before your laser session
- It is strongly advised not to expose yourself to the sun during the entire duration of the treatment.
- For similar reasons, it is recommended to avoid using self-tanning lotion or tanning accelerators.
- The hair in the area to be treated with laser hair removal must not be bleached or removed (by wax, electric epilator, tweezers, or sugaring) during the 4 weeks prior to the session (2 weeks for the face).
- It is preferable to shave or trim the hair just before the session, so they are very short (maximum 1 mm), avoiding shaving the face for women and areas with fine hair.
- On the day of the session, your skin must be free of any cosmetic products.
- Applying anesthetic cream (such as Emla) is prohibited. The sensation felt during the session is a key indicator to adjust the laser energy and avoid the risk of burns.
- It is advisable to avoid wearing new, unwashed clothes if they come into direct contact with the area to be treated.
The process of a standard laser hair removal session
Your laser session
- Upon your arrival, we invite you to take a seat in our comfortable waiting room.
- At Epilia, we make sure to welcome you on time, respecting your schedule.
- The assistant who greets you will start by asking a few questions, then will help you get comfortably settled on the treatment couch.
- The assistant carefully marks the area to be treated with a white pencil to ensure no surface is left untreated.
- Protective glasses are provided, to be worn throughout your laser session.
- The assistant will pass the laser over the entire pre-marked area.
Is laser hair removal painful?
Depending on the areas to be treated and each person’s sensitivity, permanent laser hair removal can vary in terms of comfort. However, the procedure is generally well tolerated. The sensation is comparable to small rubber band snaps against the skin.
To make the laser sessions more comfortable, all our Epilia centers are equipped with an additional device. This advanced equipment ensures skin cooling in the targeted area while inducing a numbing effect. This helps to better tolerate the tingling sensation caused by the laser.
Is laser hair removal risky?
Permanent laser hair removal has been practiced worldwide since 1995. Since then, numerous scientific studies have been conducted. Today, we have enough data to confidently state that this method has no harmful effect on health.
The laser specifically targets melanin, meaning that adjacent tissues are not affected by the light beam. Additionally, the laser wavelength is very precise and does not penetrate beyond the dermis.
The end of your laser session
- After the treatment, your assistant will offer you a moisturizing cream to apply to the treated area.
- It is normal to observe redness and slight swelling immediately after the session, but these effects disappear quickly.
- Payment is made at the end of the session.
- You will agree with your assistant on the date for your next session.
Payment
- For your convenience, all Epilia centers have Bancontact terminals.
- There are no surprises, you pay the amount specified in the consent form signed during your first consultation.
- At Epilia, you always pay at each session, we never ask for an advance payment for future sessions.
After the session
- If you feel an intense heat sensation on your skin after the session, feel free to contact us.
- It is important to hydrate the treated area in the days following the treatment.
- The hair follicle elimination generally occurs within 14 days after the session and can be facilitated by light exfoliation.
- It is advised to avoid any sun exposure on the treated area throughout the treatment.
How long is a session?
The duration of a session directly depends on the size of the area or areas to be treated. The larger the area, the longer the treatment will take. For small areas like the upper lip or armpits, expect about fifteen minutes.
How many laser sessions are necessary?
The hair growth cycle is divided into three phases. The laser only acts on hairs in the active growth phase (anagen phase). During the resting phase (catagen phase) and the shedding phase (telogen phase), the hairs are detached from their hair follicle, and the laser has no effect during these phases.
Since not all hairs in an area are in the active growth phase at the same time, it is necessary to schedule multiple sessions to achieve optimal results.
The number of laser hair removal sessions can vary depending on several factors:
- Age
- Gender
- Skin type (phototype)
- Color and texture of the hair
- Area to be treated
Taking into account the individual physiology of each person, it is impossible to determine precisely the number of sessions required to achieve the desired results.
Depending on the situation and individual expectations, it may be recommended to schedule an annual maintenance session to maintain the results, although this is not always necessary.
During your free initial consultation, our specialists will assess the feasibility of the treatment based on your request and will take the time to explain the details of the laser and the treatment protocol.
Time intervals between sessions.
Our specialists in permanent laser hair removal recommend waiting about 4 to 6 weeks between two hair removal sessions, depending on the areas treated.
As the treatment progresses, this interval may be extended.
From the first session, results are visible. With each subsequent session, hair regrowth decreases, and the hairs that do grow back become finer and less numerous. It is essential to follow the recommended protocol to optimize results.
The Epilia teams are available to answer all your questions throughout your permanent hair removal journey, offering personalized advice and support at each laser session.
Ready to take the plunge?
Book your first free, no-obligation consultation now.
Are the results permanent?
The results of permanent laser hair removal are generally very satisfying and long-lasting. Although this method is considered the most effective, it does not guarantee complete hair removal. The remaining hairs will be finer, spaced out, and depigmented.
It is also important to note that laser hair removal does not prevent the formation of new hair follicles, especially in cases of hormonal changes (such as pregnancy, menopause, or hormonal imbalances). In these situations, touch-up sessions may be necessary.
