Medical Conditions
Some medical conditions and associated medication are not compatible with laser.
To achieve the best results with no surprises, we have a consultation first. We’ll assess your skin and hair to ensure you are suitable, review your medical history to ensure it’s safe and we’ll make a plan with you that will deliver the best results. We’ll also answer any questions you may have about the process.
What our Customers Say
“The staff at Urbana really know their stuff,. They’re courteous but professional, I relaxed knowing I was in good hands”
Niamh Murphy, Dublin - Google Review
“I’m loving my experience at Urbana. Since the first session that I see results. All the staff is incredibly nice and professional and the environment is clean and comfortable.”
Roberta Rechena - Google Review
“I have been going [to Urbana] for 2 years. I was 100% pleased with my first time to get a laser treatment. The staff is very friendly and helpful. They have explained me everything during my consultation.”
Magdalena Ryndak - Google Review
Read Reviews on...
We're qualified and experienced professionals
We’re approachable and friendly, but we’re also qualified professionals doing hundreds of treatments each week. Laser is not what we do it’s all we do so you can rely on us for the best experience and results.
Pre-Treatment FAQs
Here's a few things to ensure the best results for your treatment.
- Comfort during treatment
- Getting the best results
- Medication and medical conditions
- Shaving, waxing & exfoliation during treatment
- Tanning, sun exposure and fake tan
- The Treatment Process
After Waxing
Before Waxing
Comfort during treatment
Does laser hair removal hurt?
When we initially perform a patch test we do this on the most sensitive part of the area to give you a true reflection of what you will be feeling. We adjust settings in accordance with how sensitive you are and what you can manage personally. As with most treatments it depends on the person and on the area being treated but we will always ensure you are comfortable.
The lasers we use all have additional cooling devices to decrease any sensitivity you may feel throughout your treatment. The vast majority of people say it’s the anticipation and thought of it which is the worst part, the actual treatment itself is fine. For the first few pulses the energy can feel a little sharp but over the duration of a session it does get easier to manage.
Read More
Getting the best results
Can Laser Hair Removal Work On Light Hair?
Laser hair removal will work on light hairs that contain dark pigment, laser has no effect on light hairs that are blond, red, grey or white in colour as they don’t contain enough pigment for the laser to absorb into. Read More
Do I need to do anything before my first laser treatment?
If you are thinking about laser and wax or use an epilator regularly we would recommended you stop waxing/epilating 4-6 weeks before your first session to ensure your follicles are full and you have enough hair to treat.
Ensure the treatment area is free from tan - real or otherwise and lightly exfoliate approx 5 days before your first session.
Do not apply any moisturiser, cream, oil or lotion to the treatment area, Aloe Vera is the only thing we would recommend if skin is irritated from shaving.
Close shave the area the night before and not the day of treatment, because when you shave you slightly exfoliate and irritate the area so allow the extra time overnight for the skin to regenerate and make treatment more comfortable. Shaving the day of your treatment will cause your skin to feel more sensitive throughout the treatment and may limit the amount of energy we can use due to skin sensitivity.
Read More
How many laser hair removal sessions will I need?
This is all down to the individual. Below is an average amount of sessions of someone who has pale skin, dark hair that is dense, has no underlying medical issues and attends for their sessions and top up sessions at the time frame given to them.
- Face 6-12 Sessions (Most difficult areas to treat, due to hair being finer and more follicles being present)
- Bikini and Underarm: 6-10 (Labia is one of the most difficult areas here, due to skin colour being darker)
- Large areas, legs/arms etc 6-10 (Knees, Upper thighs due to thick skin on knees or finer hairs on thighs)
- Mans Back/Chest 12-15 sessions due to hair being very strong, coarse and resilient to laser.
After these sessions have been completed maintenance sessions are required, most people will need an average of 2-3 maintenance sessions a year.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
The reduction you receive is permanent, but it is impossible to achieve 100% removal of every single follicle in a given area. Over the course of treatment your hair and the amount of it that you have will change dramatically - and we mean dramatically. What starts off as rough, coarse and thick hair will eventually become soft, thin and light hair. You will have areas where the hair has completely disappeared and some areas with sporadic light hairs remain. These hairs will be picked up on your subsequent top up treatments.
Top up treatments are recommended to keep these finer hairs away and are typically needed once or twice a year.
What factors will influence my laser hair removal results?
For the vast majority of people laser hair removal is an amazing and sometimes life changing treatment. Because genetically we are all so different this has a huge impact on the effectiveness of your treatment, there are a number of different factors that are listed below that will determine the level of final result you will receive and how many treatments it will take to get that result. (new bullet) Colour of your Skin
- Colour and diameter of your Hair
- Optimum Fluences (Energy levels)
- Optimum Treatment Intervals (Time between treatments)
- Underlying problems (new para) All of these areas are fully explained when having a consultation with our laser specialists.
Ingrown Hairs
Medication and medical conditions
Can I take Ibuprofen before my session of laser hair removal?
Please do not take Ibuprofen for 48 hours before your laser hair removal session, this medication may cause bruising after laser for certain people.
Shaving, waxing & exfoliation during treatment
Can I shave in-between my laser hair removal sessions?
Absolutely, you can shave as much as you like while having laser treatment.
We recommend shaving the treatment area the night before treatment, not the day of because when you shave you slightly exfoliate and irritate the area so allow the extra time overnight for the skin to regenerate and make treatment more comfortable. Shaving the day of your treatment will cause your skin to feel more sensitive throughout the treatment and may limit the amount of energy we can use due to skin sensitivity.
Read More
Can I wax during my laser hair removal treatment?
No, shaving is the only method of hair removal recommended while having laser. Waxing in between your sessions will affect hair growth patterns and affect results. Read More
Why can’t I wax or pluck in-between my laser hair removal sessions?
When you wax or pluck, the hair is completely removed from the follicle in order for the laser to be effective hair follicles must have hair present so that they can be targeted. If you have waxed or plucked the treatment area you would have to wait 6-8 weeks for follicles to produce a new hair. Read More
Tanning, sun exposure and fake tan
Can I tan while having laser hair removal treatment?
No, tanning is not recommended while having laser hair removal. Tanning does have an impact on the amount of sessions needed and will impact on your results. This is more prevalent when you begin your treatments as it is important to have at least 6-8 treatments with a 6-8 week gap in-between.
When you tan and stimulate the melanin within the skin cells we would have wait at least 8-10 weeks before repeating a patch test. This long gap in-between sessions can see an increase in density and growth in the hair. And because we are missing growth cycles due to gap in treatments you may see growth cycles of hair coming through at the same time. This is normal and will be the reason why potentially more sessions may be needed.
Can I use fake tan while having laser hair removal treatment?
Yes, you can apply Fake Tan approximately 4-5 days after your session and use it in between each session. It is extremely important that you don’t use any tan for a week before your treatment and ensure that you are exfoliating your skin daily to remove any residue. If there is any residue on the skin we cannot perform your treatment until all tan is removed.
Can I use sun beds while having laser hair removal treatment?
No, using sunbeds is extremely dangerous while having laser hair removal and must be avoided at all times. You will seriously damage your skin if you use sunbeds during the course of your treatments.
The Treatment Process
Do I need to do anything before my first laser treatment?
If you are thinking about laser and wax or use an epilator regularly we would recommended you stop waxing/epilating 4-6 weeks before your first session to ensure your follicles are full and you have enough hair to treat.
Ensure the treatment area is free from tan - real or otherwise and lightly exfoliate approx 5 days before your first session.
Do not apply any moisturiser, cream, oil or lotion to the treatment area, Aloe Vera is the only thing we would recommend if skin is irritated from shaving.
Close shave the area the night before and not the day of treatment, because when you shave you slightly exfoliate and irritate the area so allow the extra time overnight for the skin to regenerate and make treatment more comfortable. Shaving the day of your treatment will cause your skin to feel more sensitive throughout the treatment and may limit the amount of energy we can use due to skin sensitivity.
Read More
How long should I leave between each laser hair removal session?
Again this differs from person to person but on average a 4-6 week gap initially depending on the area being treated.
We would recommend every 4 weeks for the face for at least 6 sessions. This does depend on the rate of regrowth. After that we may extend the gaps in-between sessions to a 6-8 week interval or longer if necessary. We would recommend every 6 weeks on the body depending on the density of hair and regrowth pattern and again extend the gaps in-between sessions to a 8-10 week interval. Your treatment area will be continually assessed throughout your course of treatment and your therapist will recommend when you should return for your next session.
How many laser hair removal sessions will I need?
This is all down to the individual. Below is an average amount of sessions of someone who has pale skin, dark hair that is dense, has no underlying medical issues and attends for their sessions and top up sessions at the time frame given to them.
- Face 6-12 Sessions (Most difficult areas to treat, due to hair being finer and more follicles being present)
- Bikini and Underarm: 6-10 (Labia is one of the most difficult areas here, due to skin colour being darker)
- Large areas, legs/arms etc 6-10 (Knees, Upper thighs due to thick skin on knees or finer hairs on thighs)
- Mans Back/Chest 12-15 sessions due to hair being very strong, coarse and resilient to laser.
After these sessions have been completed maintenance sessions are required, most people will need an average of 2-3 maintenance sessions a year.
I have never had laser hair removal and I'm nervous.
We completely understand, if you have never had laser before it is a pretty daunting experience, but there is nothing to be worried about. When we carry out your initial patch test we explain how treatment is performed and you will get a sense of how it feels. If you are experiencing any real discomfort we can adjust settings so that you have a comfortable starting point.
Our main aim for your first few sessions is really to slow hair growth down and thin it out. This can be done by introducing a lower level of heat into the skin. Your first few sessions should be comfortable and you should feel a slight/medium pinch depending on the density of your hair.
We will take our time to explain what will happen and ensure you feel at ease. Our therapists are very professional and will make sure you never feel uncomfortable.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
The reduction you receive is permanent, but it is impossible to achieve 100% removal of every single follicle in a given area. Over the course of treatment your hair and the amount of it that you have will change dramatically - and we mean dramatically. What starts off as rough, coarse and thick hair will eventually become soft, thin and light hair. You will have areas where the hair has completely disappeared and some areas with sporadic light hairs remain. These hairs will be picked up on your subsequent top up treatments.
Top up treatments are recommended to keep these finer hairs away and are typically needed once or twice a year.
Whats the difference between IPL and laser hair removal?
Lasers are most selective and more effective at absorbing into melanin, meaning fewer treatments are required.
There has been more published clinical evidence to support effectiveness of laser treatments.
Lasers penetrate deeper into tissues to specifically target hair structures. Alex 755nm, NdYAG1064nm and Diode 810nm penetrate approx 4-5mm specifically design to target hair structures, while most IPL’s only target 2mm which is not deep enough to target these structures effectively.
Lasers have more advanced cooling systems meaning more comfortable treatments.
Pre-Treatment FAQs
Here's a few things to ensure the best results for your treatment.
- Comfort during treatment
- Getting the best results
- Medication and medical conditions
- Shaving, waxing & exfoliation during treatment
- Tanning, sun exposure and fake tan
- The Treatment Process
Comfort during treatment
Does laser hair removal hurt?
When we initially perform a patch test we do this on the most sensitive part of the area to give you a true reflection of what you will be feeling. We adjust settings in accordance with how sensitive you are and what you can manage personally. As with most treatments it depends on the person and on the area being treated but we will always ensure you are comfortable.
The lasers we use all have additional cooling devices to decrease any sensitivity you may feel throughout your treatment. The vast majority of people say it’s the anticipation and thought of it which is the worst part, the actual treatment itself is fine. For the first few pulses the energy can feel a little sharp but over the duration of a session it does get easier to manage.
Read More
Getting the best results
Can Laser Hair Removal Work On Light Hair?
Laser hair removal will work on light hairs that contain dark pigment, laser has no effect on light hairs that are blond, red, grey or white in colour as they don’t contain enough pigment for the laser to absorb into. Read More
Do I need to do anything before my first laser treatment?
If you are thinking about laser and wax or use an epilator regularly we would recommended you stop waxing/epilating 4-6 weeks before your first session to ensure your follicles are full and you have enough hair to treat.
Ensure the treatment area is free from tan - real or otherwise and lightly exfoliate approx 5 days before your first session.
Do not apply any moisturiser, cream, oil or lotion to the treatment area, Aloe Vera is the only thing we would recommend if skin is irritated from shaving.
Close shave the area the night before and not the day of treatment, because when you shave you slightly exfoliate and irritate the area so allow the extra time overnight for the skin to regenerate and make treatment more comfortable. Shaving the day of your treatment will cause your skin to feel more sensitive throughout the treatment and may limit the amount of energy we can use due to skin sensitivity.
Read More
How many laser hair removal sessions will I need?
This is all down to the individual. Below is an average amount of sessions of someone who has pale skin, dark hair that is dense, has no underlying medical issues and attends for their sessions and top up sessions at the time frame given to them.
- Face 6-12 Sessions (Most difficult areas to treat, due to hair being finer and more follicles being present)
- Bikini and Underarm: 6-10 (Labia is one of the most difficult areas here, due to skin colour being darker)
- Large areas, legs/arms etc 6-10 (Knees, Upper thighs due to thick skin on knees or finer hairs on thighs)
- Mans Back/Chest 12-15 sessions due to hair being very strong, coarse and resilient to laser.
After these sessions have been completed maintenance sessions are required, most people will need an average of 2-3 maintenance sessions a year.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
The reduction you receive is permanent, but it is impossible to achieve 100% removal of every single follicle in a given area. Over the course of treatment your hair and the amount of it that you have will change dramatically - and we mean dramatically. What starts off as rough, coarse and thick hair will eventually become soft, thin and light hair. You will have areas where the hair has completely disappeared and some areas with sporadic light hairs remain. These hairs will be picked up on your subsequent top up treatments.
Top up treatments are recommended to keep these finer hairs away and are typically needed once or twice a year.
What factors will influence my laser hair removal results?
For the vast majority of people laser hair removal is an amazing and sometimes life changing treatment. Because genetically we are all so different this has a huge impact on the effectiveness of your treatment, there are a number of different factors that are listed below that will determine the level of final result you will receive and how many treatments it will take to get that result. (new bullet) Colour of your Skin
- Colour and diameter of your Hair
- Optimum Fluences (Energy levels)
- Optimum Treatment Intervals (Time between treatments)
- Underlying problems (new para) All of these areas are fully explained when having a consultation with our laser specialists.
Medication and medical conditions
Can I take Ibuprofen before my session of laser hair removal?
Please do not take Ibuprofen for 48 hours before your laser hair removal session, this medication may cause bruising after laser for certain people.
Shaving, waxing & exfoliation during treatment
Can I shave in-between my laser hair removal sessions?
Absolutely, you can shave as much as you like while having laser treatment.
We recommend shaving the treatment area the night before treatment, not the day of because when you shave you slightly exfoliate and irritate the area so allow the extra time overnight for the skin to regenerate and make treatment more comfortable. Shaving the day of your treatment will cause your skin to feel more sensitive throughout the treatment and may limit the amount of energy we can use due to skin sensitivity.
Read More
Can I wax during my laser hair removal treatment?
No, shaving is the only method of hair removal recommended while having laser. Waxing in between your sessions will affect hair growth patterns and affect results. Read More
Why can’t I wax or pluck in-between my laser hair removal sessions?
When you wax or pluck, the hair is completely removed from the follicle in order for the laser to be effective hair follicles must have hair present so that they can be targeted. If you have waxed or plucked the treatment area you would have to wait 6-8 weeks for follicles to produce a new hair. Read More
Tanning, sun exposure and fake tan
Can I tan while having laser hair removal treatment?
No, tanning is not recommended while having laser hair removal. Tanning does have an impact on the amount of sessions needed and will impact on your results. This is more prevalent when you begin your treatments as it is important to have at least 6-8 treatments with a 6-8 week gap in-between.
When you tan and stimulate the melanin within the skin cells we would have wait at least 8-10 weeks before repeating a patch test. This long gap in-between sessions can see an increase in density and growth in the hair. And because we are missing growth cycles due to gap in treatments you may see growth cycles of hair coming through at the same time. This is normal and will be the reason why potentially more sessions may be needed.
Can I use fake tan while having laser hair removal treatment?
Yes, you can apply Fake Tan approximately 4-5 days after your session and use it in between each session. It is extremely important that you don’t use any tan for a week before your treatment and ensure that you are exfoliating your skin daily to remove any residue. If there is any residue on the skin we cannot perform your treatment until all tan is removed.
Can I use sun beds while having laser hair removal treatment?
No, using sunbeds is extremely dangerous while having laser hair removal and must be avoided at all times. You will seriously damage your skin if you use sunbeds during the course of your treatments.
The Treatment Process
Do I need to do anything before my first laser treatment?
If you are thinking about laser and wax or use an epilator regularly we would recommended you stop waxing/epilating 4-6 weeks before your first session to ensure your follicles are full and you have enough hair to treat.
Ensure the treatment area is free from tan - real or otherwise and lightly exfoliate approx 5 days before your first session.
Do not apply any moisturiser, cream, oil or lotion to the treatment area, Aloe Vera is the only thing we would recommend if skin is irritated from shaving.
Close shave the area the night before and not the day of treatment, because when you shave you slightly exfoliate and irritate the area so allow the extra time overnight for the skin to regenerate and make treatment more comfortable. Shaving the day of your treatment will cause your skin to feel more sensitive throughout the treatment and may limit the amount of energy we can use due to skin sensitivity.
Read More
How long should I leave between each laser hair removal session?
Again this differs from person to person but on average a 4-6 week gap initially depending on the area being treated.
We would recommend every 4 weeks for the face for at least 6 sessions. This does depend on the rate of regrowth. After that we may extend the gaps in-between sessions to a 6-8 week interval or longer if necessary. We would recommend every 6 weeks on the body depending on the density of hair and regrowth pattern and again extend the gaps in-between sessions to a 8-10 week interval. Your treatment area will be continually assessed throughout your course of treatment and your therapist will recommend when you should return for your next session.
How many laser hair removal sessions will I need?
This is all down to the individual. Below is an average amount of sessions of someone who has pale skin, dark hair that is dense, has no underlying medical issues and attends for their sessions and top up sessions at the time frame given to them.
- Face 6-12 Sessions (Most difficult areas to treat, due to hair being finer and more follicles being present)
- Bikini and Underarm: 6-10 (Labia is one of the most difficult areas here, due to skin colour being darker)
- Large areas, legs/arms etc 6-10 (Knees, Upper thighs due to thick skin on knees or finer hairs on thighs)
- Mans Back/Chest 12-15 sessions due to hair being very strong, coarse and resilient to laser.
After these sessions have been completed maintenance sessions are required, most people will need an average of 2-3 maintenance sessions a year.
I have never had laser hair removal and I'm nervous.
We completely understand, if you have never had laser before it is a pretty daunting experience, but there is nothing to be worried about. When we carry out your initial patch test we explain how treatment is performed and you will get a sense of how it feels. If you are experiencing any real discomfort we can adjust settings so that you have a comfortable starting point.
Our main aim for your first few sessions is really to slow hair growth down and thin it out. This can be done by introducing a lower level of heat into the skin. Your first few sessions should be comfortable and you should feel a slight/medium pinch depending on the density of your hair.
We will take our time to explain what will happen and ensure you feel at ease. Our therapists are very professional and will make sure you never feel uncomfortable.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
The reduction you receive is permanent, but it is impossible to achieve 100% removal of every single follicle in a given area. Over the course of treatment your hair and the amount of it that you have will change dramatically - and we mean dramatically. What starts off as rough, coarse and thick hair will eventually become soft, thin and light hair. You will have areas where the hair has completely disappeared and some areas with sporadic light hairs remain. These hairs will be picked up on your subsequent top up treatments.
Top up treatments are recommended to keep these finer hairs away and are typically needed once or twice a year.
Whats the difference between IPL and laser hair removal?
Lasers are most selective and more effective at absorbing into melanin, meaning fewer treatments are required.
There has been more published clinical evidence to support effectiveness of laser treatments.
Lasers penetrate deeper into tissues to specifically target hair structures. Alex 755nm, NdYAG1064nm and Diode 810nm penetrate approx 4-5mm specifically design to target hair structures, while most IPL’s only target 2mm which is not deep enough to target these structures effectively.
Lasers have more advanced cooling systems meaning more comfortable treatments.
Blog
9th January 2023
What is the success rate of laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal has a very high success rate. The majority of people will...
7th August 2021
Does laser hair removal hurt?
Laser hair removal should not hurt you during treatment. It is common for some...
26th July 2021
What is the difference between an IPL and laser?
There are a number of differences between IPL (Intense pulsed light) and laser....