* Some clients may require additional treatments. Hormonally driven hair growth may require maintenance treatments.
** Full removal may not be possible on blonde, auburn, grey and white hairs, but reduction is likely
We easily have the best Hair Removal system in the North of Scotland. We use the world leading Quanta Duetto MT with its unique Mixed Technology feature. This system has two separate high power laser sources emitting different wavelengths of laser light simultaneously or individually to destroy hair follicles effectively and safely.
YES! We specialise in treating problem facial hair and have made a lot of women across Highland and Moray and beyond very happy indeed
Our standard estimate for full hair removal is 6 to 8 treatment sessions. This is based on treatments every 8 weeks or more. If you choose to have your treatments closer together you will get faster results but it may take more sessions. Treatment typically takes a year.
Please see Prices for costs.
Diode lasers are typically swept back and forth across the skin to build up heat in the hair follicles in an attempt to destroy them. IPL uses a powerful broadband pulse of light similar to a large camera flash to heat the hair follicle. Both these approaches are quite inefficient and lead to unnecessary heating of your skin and pain. Our Quanta Duetto platform uses two pulsed native lasers simultaneously or individually in a very short flash to destroy the hair follicle.
Full removal is unlikely with IPL and diode lasers. Typically the hair grows back thinner and lighter than before and becomes resistant to treatment. Continued attempts to remove may cause paradoxical hair growth, where the treatment actually stimulates hair growth! If you have been left in this situation, we can help.
Probably. Dark hair responds very well to treatment and you should genuinely have full removal in 6 to 8 sessions if you have black hair or if you’re brunette. Very blonde, red, grey and white hair is more challenging because it doesn't absorb the laser energy so well. Full removal may not be possible but significant reduction is likely.
Possibly. Hormonally driven hair growth may lead to new hair follicles forming. This is often seen with men, and with female facial hair. Maintenance treatments every 6 to 12 months depending on the individual may be required in this case. Long term removal would be expected for the majority of female hair growth on legs, arms, underarms etc, but there are always exceptions to this and it does grow back in some cases.
There is a wee bit of discomfort but most people tolerate it very well. We use a powerful cold air blower attached to the laser head which chills your skin as it works and makes the treatment much less uncomfortable.
Yes. Our hair removal system has two laser sources, one particularly good at removing light hair on light skins, and one great at removing dark hair on dark skins. We can use them together or individually to get results regardless of your skin type. Unfortunately due to the terms of our insurance, we are unable to offer hair removal on Fitzpatrick type 5 and 6 skin.
Ah, very good question. Some hairs need more than one hit to destroy them. But more importantly, there are 3 phases in the lifecycle of a hair. Anagen is when the hair is actively growing, this is when it’s most vulnerable to treatment. Catagen is when the hair stops growing and is resistant to treatment. Telogen is a dormant state when the hair falls out naturally and is untreatable during this phase. Telogen can last up to a year. Each individual hair is on its own wee cycle, so we need to keep coming back to hit them at different times to catch them all in the anagen phase.
The laser needs to target some hair in the follicle. We call this target the chromophore. This absorbs the energy and transmits it down to the growth area of the follicle known as the dermal papilla so that it can be destroyed. If we can kill the dermal papilla then that hair follicle will essentially heal up and disappear. If you wax, pluck or thread, you pull the entire hair shaft out and there is no target for the laser to attack. The hair will just grow back again. You are basically forcing the hair follicle into the Telogen phase which is when it’s untreatable.
Yes. We appreciate this is a little weird, but we need that hair in the follicle so that we can destroy it and make it go away. You may choose to start treatment after just 4 weeks of shaving, and have your first few sessions at 6 week intervals to get on top of the problem and minimise the number of times you need to reach for the razor.
We recommend 8 week intervals for maximum bang per buck, or 6 week intervals for faster results - but this might mean you need more treatment sessions in the long run.
You can use an electric razor, such as the Flawless device, or a more conventional razor. We recommend quality blades changed regularly. Aldi do excellent 4 bladed razors at a great price. Shaving can stimulate hair growth, to minimise this scissoring can be used to cut the problems hairs.
No, it needs to be nice and short please. You might be used to growing hair out for waxing, but this is definitely not the case with laser. Please shave a day or two before. Shorter hair will give you less discomfort during your treatment, faster recovery and more effective results.
This is known as vellus hair or peach fuzz and almost everyone has it to some extent. Laser treatment is not appropriate for this and we would recommend dermaplaning from a reputable practitioner in this case.
Yes we can. Beginning hormone therapy before you begin laser treatment will reduce regrowth, but you can start before if you choose to. We have clients coming from quite far afield to benefit from our trans friendly service.
For facial hair removal you can wear makeup the next day. It’s VERY important not to have ANY product of ANY kind on your skin on the day of treatment. You need to be properly cleansed of all make up, preferably in the shower so all traces are removed. We will refuse treatment for safety reasons if we see product on your face. This also applies to self tanning products.
The main risk from this treatment are associated with having make up or other product on your skin (see above). This makes burns and associated problems likely and must be avoided at all costs. Absolutely no fake tan allowed!
The other thing that significantly increases risk factors is being tanned. No sunbeds please! Wear sunblock. If you’re too tanned we will have to reduce power which may give you less effective treatment, or defer you to a later date.
Other side effects and risks are really quite minimal and problems are rare. This is an extremely safe treatment. You will get a wee bit of redness for a few hours, and some follicular oedema where hair follicles that have reacted well to treatment swell slightly. We will go through all of this at your consultation before you decide whether to proceed to patch testing.
Laser is light, clean sterile light amplified to a very high energy. It is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. We have a number of different lasers at our disposal to perform a number of aesthetic procedures. See Technology.
Detailed directions to the Highland Laser Clinic can be found on the Find Us page.
There are 2 designated parking places, one right in front on the clinic, and one up the side of Birchwood house. Please care not to obstruct access to our neighbour. Please note that our neighbour has a collie dog, who might shout at you a bit (it’s her job), but she's a sweetie really.
The clinic entrance is round to the left hand side of the house near the wooden fence.
We do not have a waiting room facility, so if you’re early or in the rare instance that we have an appointment over running, you may have to wait in your car.
If the blinds are closed in the clinic room, we are probably busy with another customer.
We sit down and discuss the procedure and how it all works. We talk about outcomes, side effects, risk factors and how to achieve the results you want. We aim to be completely transparent and open in these discussions and advise you to the best of or abilities, even if that is to recommend that you do not proceed with treatment with us.
Consultation is free. Once all your questions have been answered you can then choose to proceed with patch testing, or you can go away and think about it, or decide then and there that treatment is not for you. It’s up to you. There is no hard sell.
YES. Patch testing is part of the terms of our insurance and is compulsory before any treatment without exception. Patch testing is normally charged at £30 per site.
You can bring one person with you, but we don’t have the space or the protective eyewear for more one extra person in the clinic. For safety reasons, children can not be in the clinic during laser treatments under any circumstances.
Highland Laser Clinic has the facility to take payment from a wide range of debit and credit cards, by using your phone, or using direct transfer to our bank using Bacs. We no longer accept American Express. You can pay as you go for each treatment individually. For some courses of treatment you can pay in advance for a block of 6 sessions for a 10% discount. We do not offer credit terms.
Detailed aftercare instructions are provided after your first treatment and an aftercare document is provided for reference. This is also emailed to you after treatment.
We are always available for post-treatment advice. If you have any issues we may ask you to come in for review. We never charge for any follow up appointments, only for treatment sessions.
Yes. Our clients are really busy people and we fully respect that. We make it it easy to reschedule or cancel appointments yourself. There is a personalised RESCHEDULE and CANCEL link on your confirmation email that is unique to your booking. If you no longer have the confirmation email for that booking you will need to contact us so that we can arrange it for you.
We now charge a £30 cancellation fee for all appointments cancelled or rescheduled within 72 hours of your appointment time.
No charge is made for cancellations or reschedules outwith 72 hours.
Please contact us with any additional questions you might have.
• No waxing, plucking or threading for at least 4 weeks and/or between treatments. Shaving only
• Do not expose the skin to strong sun, tanning beds or self tan for at least 4 weeks before, and between laser treatments
• Avoid intense exfoliation, microdermabrasion or peels
• Make sure area being treated is cleanly shaved 24 hours prior to treatment. You will receive a text message to remind you to do this
• Avoid swimming in chlorinated water immediately before treatment
• Wear clothes which allow access to the areas to be treated or are easy to remove. If undergoing treatment to the bikini area, please use inexpensive light coloured underwear in case damage occurs
• Don’t be hungry, or thirsty, don't be hung-over and don’t have just worked a nightshift
• You may choose to take paracetamol an hour before treatment to help mitigate treatment associated pain if that’s a safe drug for you to use
• Please do not have any kind of product on the area to be treated on the day of treatment, including fake tan
• Do not pick, scratch or otherwise irritate the treated area
• If any blistering, changes in the colour of your skin, or any other unusual side effect occurs, contact Highland Laser Clinic immediately to arrange aftercare
• You will be given Aloe Vera gel to apply directly after treatment. A single application is usually enough. Some people can be sensitive to Aloe - if it irritates your skin please wash it off.
• Avoid all heat treatments including hot baths, saunas, steam rooms and hot showers directly onto the treated area(s)
• No swimming in chlorinated water
• Do not use Retinoids, AHA’s, BHA’s or other intensive skin treatments
• Do not shave the area if possible
• Treated hairs normally fall out by themselves. Sometimes facial hairs can remain in situ blocking pores and can provoke a folliculitis / acne type response. If this happened please remove any dead hairs projecting from your skin with a pair of tweezers
• Exfoliate gently 5 to 7 days after treatment for above
• Avoid intense exfoliation, microdermabrasion or peels
• Avoid waxing, plucking, threading, depilation creams at all times during your course of treatment. Shaving must be your only form of hair control. If this is causing issues please contact Highland Laser Clinic to discuss
• Use sun protection SPF30+
• Limit sun exposure and do not use tanning beds. If you are too tanned we will be unable to treat you or will have to treat you at reduced power that may give less effective hair removal