Laser Hair Removal

Some lasers can be painful or uncomfortable. However, at Shumaila’s, we use the breakthrough Soprano ICE platform that represents a new era in laser hair removal technology. With its ICE technology and multiple laser wavelengths, Soprano is virtually PAIN-FREE. This means that unwanted hair is removed with less discomfort than waxing, threading, IPL or electrolysis. A lot of clients find the treatment quite relaxing.

This depends on a range of factors. With each laser session, the targeted hair becomes finer, and its growth slows down. Generally, 8-12 sessions are recommended for long-lasting and permanent reduction. Some people may need less, while others may require more sessions.

If you suffer from PCOS or hirsutism, more sessions may be needed initially. The results are fantastic! As the growth of hair slows down, the treatment is no longer needed so frequently.

For laser hair removal on the face, your sessions will be every 4-6 weeks.

Every 6-8 weeks is recommended for laser hair removal on the body.

After a few sessions, as the hair growth slows down, the gaps between the sessions will increase. Eventually, you will only need to visit us once or twice a year for maintenance.

Although both IPL and laser devices are used for hair reduction, they work in very different ways. Here’s a clear breakdown:

Type of Light Used:

• Laser technology emits a single, concentrated wavelength of light that precisely targets hair follicles.
• IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) delivers multiple wavelengths, spreading energy over a wider area and producing a broad flash of light.

Effectiveness:

• Laser treatments offer superior precision and long-term results with fewer sessions.
• IPL treatments are generally less effective, often requiring more frequent top-ups.

Safe for All Skin Tones:

• Laser devices are safe and effective for all skin tones, including darker complexions.
• IPL is typically limited to lighter skin tones and may not be safe for deeper shades.

Comfort During Treatment:

• Laser hair removal is typically more comfortable, as the heat targets only the follicle.
• IPL can feel more intense on the skin and is often described as more painful.

Precision and Safety:

• Laser systems direct heat into the hair follicle while protecting surrounding skin, making them a safer choice—especially for darker skin.
• IPL’s broader light spectrum increases the risk of irritation or uneven results.

While laser hair removal is a safe and suitable treatment for women and men, it is not recommended if you have any of the following conditions:

• You are pregnant
• You have cancer or a history of cancer
• You have epilepsy
• You have diabetes Type 1
• You have lupus
• You are taking photosensitive medications
• You are taking strong acne medication (in the last 6 months)
• You have melasma (only if treating the face – the body can still be treated)
• You have vitiligo, psoriasis or eczema (can still treat other areas where the skin is fine)
• You have keloid scarring
• You have thrombosis, phlebitis or haemophilia
• You have a pacemaker
• You have hepatitis
• You have an Infectious disease

Get the best results by prepping your skin the right way.
At Shumaila’s London, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Before your appointment, follow these simple tips to ensure your treatment is safe, effective, and smooth.

Pre-Treatment Checklist:

• Shave the area to be treated the night before or the morning of your appointment.
• Protect your skin from UV exposure for at least 2 weeks before treatment. Wear protective clothing and apply SPF 30+ daily.
• No tanning or self-tan products before treatment—including sunbeds or spray tans.
• Don’t wax, pluck, tweeze, or thread between sessions. For the laser to work properly, the hair must still be rooted beneath the skin.
• Shaving is allowed and can be done as often as needed between treatments.
• Skip bleaching creams and perfumed products (like essential oils, deodorants, or body sprays) for at least 24–48 hours before your session.
• Avoid exfoliation, peels, or microdermabrasion for 1 week prior to your appointment.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing on the day of your session to reduce friction and allow your skin to breathe.
• Keep the area clean and dry before arriving.

Hair doesn’t fall out straight away—it gradually sheds over the next 1 to 3 weeks as your body naturally pushes it out of the follicle. This is a normal part of the process.

You may also experience mild warmth or sensitivity in the treated area shortly after your session, which typically subsides within a day or two.

To Support Best Results, Please:
Avoid direct sunlight or UV exposure for at least 2 weeks. No sunbeds or fake tans during this time.

Let the hair shed naturally—do not wax, pluck, bleach, thread, or use depilatory creams between sessions.

• Skip perfumed products on the treated area for 24–48 hours to avoid irritation.
• Be gentle with your skin—no picking, scratching, or rubbing.
• Avoid heat exposure (e.g. saunas, steam rooms, hot baths, or showers) for 24–48 hours.
• Pause intense workouts or gym sessions that cause sweating for 1–2 days.
• No swimming in chlorinated pools for 24–48 hours post-treatment.
• Avoid tight clothing over the treated area to prevent friction.
• Hold off on exfoliation (including microdermabrasion or chemical peels) for at least 1 week.
• Always wear SPF on exposed areas to prevent pigmentation or sensitivity.
• Keep the area clean and dry—no harsh cleansers or excessive touching.
• Stay hydrated—drinking plenty of water helps your skin recover and glow.

Yes absolutely. A large number of our clients have PCOS, and they have achieved great results with laser hair removal.

Before arriving at the clinic for your first treatment, it’s essential that you clean shave the area that you would like to have treated. It is vital that no hairs are missed, as the laser energy will be wasted on the surface rather than travelling right down to the root of the hair follicle. The closer you shave, the more effective and better your treatment results will be.

Many female clients are put off by the idea of shaving, as they do not want to shave their faces for fear of excess hair growth. You can rest assured that shaving will not result in thicker hair growth in an instant. This is because we target the roots of the hairs to slow the growth permanently. So there is nothing to worry about!

Absolutely. Our treatments are open to everyone—men, women, and transgender clients. We provide respectful, discreet, and personalised care to support your goals, no matter where you are on your journey.

After each laser hair removal treatment, it will take the targeted hairs 2-3 weeks to be pushed out of the hair follicle. During this time it will appear as though the hair is continuing to grow as normal. Then all of a sudden the hairs will begin to fall out of the skin.

No waxing, tweezing, plucking or threading of the hairs should be done between treatments, but you can shave as often as you wish.

You should start to see noticeable results from your very first session. The best results will be visible after a course of treatment.

Yes! The closer you shave, the better your treatment results will be. Before arriving at the clinic for your first treatment you need to clean and shave the area that is to be treated. For optimal results, it is crucial that no hairs are missed, as the laser energy will simply be wasted on the surface rather than at the hair follicle root.

No, it won’t. Shaving will not result in the growth of darker, thicker hair because we target the roots of the hairs to permanently stop the growth.

If you are having laser hair removal on the face, it’s recommended that you leave at least 1 week before having a deep cleanse facial. For deeper and more abrasive facial treatments, it’s best to leave a 2-week or longer gap.

Yes. Laser hair removal can permanently reduce hair growth up to 90%. To achieve this amazing result, you will need to have multiple sessions. We recommend at least 6-12 sessions at 6-week intervals.

Hair growth can be triggered by a change in the hormones at any time in life. Laser hair removal will not cause you to get new hair growth on areas where you do not already have hair.

Yes they can. Anyone who has dark hair is a suitable candidate for laser hair removal. At Shumaila’s, we offer back, chest, arm and cheeks laser treatments for men.

No. We sometimes get asked if bikini laser hair removal will cause problems for ladies who are planning to get pregnant and have children. Laser hair removal focuses on targeting the hair follicles that are in the dermis (middle) layer of your skin. The laser beam does not reach, or affect, the reproductive organs and will therefore not cause fertility issues.

The most common side effect of laser treatment is hyper-pigmentation – the darkening of the skin on areas that are exposed to the sun or daylight. This side effect can be easily avoided by following aftercare advice between every laser session, and wearing SPF daily.

Other possible side effects include: discomfort or tenderness, swelling or bruising of the skin, and reddening of the skin that lasts for some time.

The Fitzpatrick Test is a system and scale that is used to classify all skin types in the world, according to how they react to sun exposure. How each skin type tans depends on how much melanin (colour pigment) is present in the skin.

There are 6 skin types in the Fitzpatrick Skin Test. Find out which skin type you are: