Hair Reduction

Pigment in the hair shaft absorbs the light and conducts heat down to the follicle. Heating the follicle while it is in its active growth phase reduces its ability to produce hair.

Only a proportion of follicles are in that active phase at any time, which is why a course spaced over weeks is required rather than a single session.

The treatment relies on contrast between hair and skin. Darker, coarser hair responds more predictably than fine or light hair.

• This is hair reduction. Most people reach a point of substantially less hair and then maintain periodically — it does not end hair growth for good.
• Do not wax or pluck between sessions — the treatment needs the hair root in place. Shaving is fine.
• Avoid sun exposure and self-tan before treatment; tanned skin raises the risk of a burn.
• Fine, light or grey hair contains little pigment and responds poorly. We will tell you if your hair is unlikely to respond.
• Each area is planned on its own. The upper lip and the legs behave differently, so what one area needs tells you little about another.

Ten areas, from a single small area such as the upper lip through to the legs, plus a full-body protocol that combines them. Each of the ten is assessed and booked as its own area.

• Upper lip
• Full face
• Underarms
• Forearms
• Upper abdomen
• Upper back
• Upper legs
• Lower legs
• Bikini line
• Brazilian
• Full body — planned as one combined protocol

If the area you want is not on this list, ask us. We would rather tell you we do not treat it than improvise on the day.

Each area is planned as a course spread over months rather than as a single session. How many sessions yours calls for depends on the area, your hair characteristics and your hormonal profile — some people need more, and most need occasional maintenance afterwards.

We give you a realistic range at assessment rather than a fixed number.

Underarm tone is a separate matter from hair reduction. It is assessed and booked on its own rather than added to a hair reduction session, and which treatment is appropriate is decided at that assessment.

What is addressed there is darkening related to shaving, friction and past inflammation, rather than the skin colour you were born with. We will tell you which of the two you are dealing with at assessment.

Your consultation will determine this. Skin type, medical history, medications and the changes you would like to see all affect which treatment is appropriate, and whether any treatment is suitable at all.

If a treatment isn't suitable for you, you'll be informed.

Your first visit includes a consultation where the doctor examines your skin and determines if this treatment is suitable for you before proceeding with any procedures. You don’t need to book the consultation separately.

If you prefer to come in solely for an assessment, our consultation charge is $80. However, if you decide to proceed with treatment on the same day, this fee will be waived.

The doctor will examine your skin, take your medical history and give you a detailed account of your skin condition, which may differ from your initial expectations.

You leave with a written plan and the associated costs. If a treatment isn’t suitable for you, you’ll be informed of that instead.

There’s no same-day price or deadline attached to the plan. Prices don’t change based on when you decide.

The plan is yours to keep. If you’d like more time to consider or make comparisons, that’s perfectly fine. We respect every customer’s decisions.