Laser Hair Removal FAQs at Bamboo Boutique

Immediately after treatment it is normal for the skin to look pink or slightly red and to feel warm, a little tingly or mildly itchy. You may also notice tiny raised bumps around each follicle (this is called perifollicular oedema and is a good sign that the hair has responded).

These effects usually settle within a few hours, although on sensitive skin or larger body areas they may last up to 24–48 hours. Keeping the skin cool, avoiding heat and wearing loose clothing all help it to calm more quickly.

Good preparation makes laser hair removal safer and more effective. At Bamboo Boutique we ask that you:

• Avoid waxing, plucking and threading for at least four weeks before starting your course.
• Use shaving only between treatments, and shave the area 24 hours before each appointment.
• Do not use hair-removal creams on the area for at least one week before treatment.
• Avoid sunbeds, sunbathing and self-tan on the area for at least two weeks before your session.
• Do not apply heavy lotions, oils or deodorant on the treatment area on the day of your appointment.

Please also let Donna know about any changes to medication, medical conditions or skincare products such as prescription creams or strong acids. This allows us to adjust your treatment plan safely.

Yes. At Bamboo Boutique you will always have a consultation and patch test before starting a course of Initia Diode LASER hair removal. This gives us a chance to assess your skin type, hair colour, medical history and expectations, and to explain the process in detail.

The patch test allows us to see how your skin responds to the laser and to set appropriate starting settings. It also gives you an opportunity to feel the sensation and ask any questions before committing to a full course.

For the consultation and patch test it is actually helpful to see some hair in the area so we can accurately assess colour, density and thickness. You do not need to shave the area completely for this first visit unless we advise otherwise.

For full treatment sessions however, we ask that you shave the area 24 hours beforehand so that the laser can focus on the follicle beneath the skin rather than burning hair on the surface.

Most clients at Bamboo Boutique start with a course of six to eight sessions, spaced roughly four to six weeks apart depending on the body area and hair cycle. Some areas may need up to ten sessions, particularly if the hair is lighter, finer or influenced by hormones.

Factors such as the area treated, hair thickness, skin type, medications and conditions like PCOS all affect how many sessions you will ultimately need. Once a good reduction has been achieved, occasional maintenance sessions help to keep the area smooth.

Laser hair removal is best thought of as a long-term reduction rather than a guarantee of complete, permanent removal of every single hair. Initia Diode LASER technology can significantly reduce both the amount and thickness of hair in the treated area, often by 80–90% after a full course.

Life stages and hormones can trigger some new growth over time. Any regrowth is usually finer and lighter, and most clients find that occasional top-up sessions are enough to maintain their results.

Most people describe the sensation as a quick elastic-band flick or a brief feeling of warmth in the skin. With the Initia Diode LASER system and contact cooling, treatments are far more comfortable than older systems, and usually less painful than waxing sensitive areas.

Some body areas, such as the upper lip or bikini line, can feel more intense than others. Donna will always work at a pace you are comfortable with and can adjust settings if you are particularly sensitive.

After your session it is important to be gentle with the skin. At Bamboo Boutique we recommend that you:

• Keep the area cool and avoid hot baths, saunas, steam rooms and intense exercise for 24 hours.
• Avoid scratching, picking or rubbing the treated area.
• Wear loose, breathable clothing over the area where possible.
• Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser if recommended, and avoid harsh scrubs for several days.
• Protect the area from sun exposure and apply a broad-spectrum SPF if it is uncovered.

If you are ever unsure about how your skin looks or feels after treatment, you can contact Bamboo Boutique for personalised advice.

Some medications can make the skin more sensitive to light or affect how it heals. It is very important that you tell Donna about any prescription or over-the-counter medication you are taking, including recent changes.

If a particular medicine is not compatible with laser hair removal, we will either adjust your treatment plan or recommend delaying your course until it is safe to proceed.

Yes, you can still have laser hair removal if you have tattoos, but we will not treat directly over the tattooed area. Laser is attracted to pigment, and tattoo ink contains a high concentration of pigment, so it must be avoided.

At Bamboo Boutique we will carefully work around your tattoo, leaving a safety margin. This allows us to treat nearby hair while protecting the tattooed skin.

Our Initia Diode LASER technology is suitable for a wide range of skin tones. We adjust the settings, pulse duration and energy to suit your skin type and hair colour, which is why consultation and patch testing are so important.

Very tanned skin, recent sunburn or active fake tan are not suitable for treatment, so we may need to postpone your session until your natural skin tone has returned.

Laser hair removal is generally not carried out during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Although there is no evidence that the laser light passes beyond the skin, hormonal changes can alter how hair behaves and how skin reacts.

If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, Donna will discuss the best time to safely begin or restart your course.

You should avoid sunbathing and strong UV exposure on the treatment area for at least two weeks before Initia Diode LASER hair removal and protect the area carefully with SPF afterwards. If you have recently been on holiday and your skin is tanned, we may need to delay your session until your natural skin tone returns.

As a general rule, the less active sun exposure around your course, the safer and more predictable your results will be.

Fake tan and laser do not mix well, because the laser cannot distinguish between pigment in the tan and pigment in the hair. For your safety, the treatment area must be completely free from self-tan at each laser appointment.

If you use fake tan, please remove it fully from the area at least several days before your session and avoid reapplying until a few days afterwards.

At-home devices are usually much weaker and are often IPL rather than true laser. They can soften hair temporarily but are not designed to deliver the same level of reduction as a professional Initia Diode LASER treatment.

At Bamboo Boutique we use Initia Diode LASER technology operated by a qualified and experienced therapist. The energy levels, pulse duration and cooling are all carefully calibrated for your skin and hair, which allows for more noticeable and longer-lasting results in fewer sessions.

We can treat most body areas for both women and men, including face, underarms, arms, chest, back, abdomen, bikini, legs and more. To see example areas, you can visit our Ladies Laser Hair Removal and Male Laser Hair Removal pages.

Full pricing for individual areas and packages is listed on our laser treatment price list.

You can read real client stories and feedback on our dedicated laser hair removal reviews page. These reviews share honest experiences from clients who have completed or are part-way through their courses.