Laser Hair Removal FAQ

Small areas such as the upper lip, chin or underarms run roughly $70–$120 a session across Kelowna clinics; large areas such as Brazilian, full legs or a full back run $180–$400. At Marzi Skincare & Laser Clinic the upper lip is $80, underarms $95, Brazilian $180 and full legs $290, with three-session packages discounted 12–15%.

Judge cost by the full course, not the session. See the complete price list.

Six to ten for most areas, spaced four to eight weeks apart. Coarse dark hair on underarms and bikini clears fastest; fine facial hair and hormone-driven growth need more.

The accurate term is permanent hair reduction. Properly treated follicles are destroyed and do not regrow. But hormones can activate follicles that were dormant during your course, which is why most people book one or two maintenance sessions a year afterwards. Expect 80–90% density reduction, with remaining regrowth finer and lighter.

Most people describe a warm snap rather than pain. The sapphire cooling tip chills the skin before and after each pulse, and continuous motion passes spread the sensation out rather than concentrating it. Underarms and Brazilian are the most sensitive; arms and legs are usually very comfortable. Nearly everyone finds it easier than waxing.

Yes. The Alpha Pro is an 808 nm diode laser with contact cooling, safe across Fitzpatrick I–VI including brown and Black skin. Deeper tones are treated with lower fluence and longer pulse widths. A patch test is performed on every new client. More on the technology.

Not reliably, on any machine. Lasers target melanin, and these hair colours contain little or none — there is nothing for the energy to be absorbed by. Dark blonde and light brown hair often responds partially over a longer course. Any clinic promising results on white or grey hair is misrepresenting the physics.

Shave 12–24 hours before. No waxing, plucking, threading or epilating for two weeks beforehand. Arrive with clean skin — no lotion, deodorant, makeup or self-tanner on the area. Avoid sun and tanning beds for two weeks, and mention any photosensitising medication.

Mild redness and small raised bumps around each follicle for a few hours — that reaction means the energy was absorbed. Avoid saunas, hot tubs, hot yoga and intense exercise for 24 hours. Use a fragrance-free moisturiser and SPF 30+ on exposed areas for two weeks.

Seven to twenty-one days after each session. It looks like regrowth but is the follicle shedding the dead shaft. Gentle exfoliation helps clear them.

Yes — shaving is the only hair removal method you should use during a course. It cuts at the surface and leaves the root intact. Waxing, plucking, threading and epilating all remove the target the laser needs.

Most clinics, including this one, decline to treat during pregnancy. There is no evidence of harm, but there is also no research establishing safety, and pregnancy hormones cause hair changes that will reverse afterwards anyway — so a course started now would partly be wasted. Breastfeeding is generally fine outside the chest area; mention it at your consultation.

Laser works, but it is managing an ongoing process rather than finishing a fixed job. Expect a longer initial course, often 10–12 sessions, and maintenance every three to four months. The reduction in density and coarseness is still substantial. More on hormonal facial hair.

Keep treated areas out of direct sun for two weeks either side of a session, and use SPF 30+ on anything exposed. This is not about discomfort — recently treated skin is more prone to pigment change, and a fresh tan alters the settings that are safe for your next session. Self-tanner should be avoided for the whole course.

Common and temporary: redness, mild swelling around follicles, a sensation like sunburn for a few hours. Uncommon: blistering, temporary darkening or lightening of the skin, usually where sun exposure or incorrect settings were involved. Rare: scarring, or paradoxical hair growth on fine facial hair.

Risk drops sharply with correct wavelength selection, adequate cooling, a patch test and an experienced operator. This is the argument against bargain IPL and home devices, not against laser.

A laser emits one coherent wavelength; IPL emits broad-spectrum light through a filter. The diode concentrates all its energy where it is useful, reaches the follicle at depth, and can be run safely on dark skin. IPL scatters energy, needs more sessions, and carries higher risk beyond Fitzpatrick III.

As maintenance, sometimes. As a replacement for clinical treatment, no. Home units are capped at fluences under about 10 J/cm² for safety, against 40+ on a clinical diode. That is not enough energy to permanently disable a coarse follicle, which is why they require indefinite ongoing use.

Face and neck every four weeks; underarms and bikini every five to six; arms, legs, back and chest every six to eight. Booking sooner than the area's cycle wastes a session on follicles that have not re-entered the growth phase.

Wait 24 hours before deodorant on treated underarms — the alcohol and aluminium salts sting on reactive skin. Mineral makeup is usually fine after a few hours if you need it, though bare skin for the first evening is better.

Yes, with parental consent and a consultation first. Laser is often recommended for teenagers with severe ingrown hairs or hair growth causing genuine distress. Because hormone levels are still changing, results may need topping up in the early twenties, and that is explained up front.

Marzi Skincare & Laser Clinic is at 1856 Ambrosi Rd #120, Kelowna, BC — central, just off Highway 97 near Orchard Park Mall, with free on-site parking. Call (250) 215-4930 or email marzi@marskincare.ca. The consultation is free and takes about fifteen minutes. Hours and directions.