How long does a laser hair removal session take for each area?

The length of a laser hair removal session depends above all on the surface to be treated: the laser pass takes about 5 minutes for the underarms and 20 minutes for the lower legs. The appointment itself is a little longer. At the Centre Laser Valbonne, we book generous slots, to take the time to do careful work, without rushing.

Laser pass duration by area

The durations below correspond to the laser pass itself. They are a guide and may vary depending on your build.

Area	Laser pass duration
Upper lip	about 5 minutes
Chin	about 5 minutes
Between the eyebrows	about 5 minutes
Nose or ears	about 10 minutes
Full face	15 to 30 minutes
Underarms	about 5 minutes
Classic bikini line	about 10 minutes
Full bikini	20 to 30 minutes
Lower legs	about 20 minutes
Full legs	about 45 minutes
Forearms	about 20 minutes
Chest (men)	about 15 minutes
Full back (men)	20 to 30 minutes
Beard	15 to 20 minutes

Why does the appointment take longer?

The laser pass is only part of the session. The laser also has to be set according to your skin and hair, a soothing cream applied after treatment and the next appointment scheduled. Our slots are deliberately generous: this is one of the centre's strengths. They give the assistant time to treat each area carefully, without missing any hairs, and give you time to ask your questions.

Does the duration change over the treatment course?

No. Even when there are fewer hairs, the surface to be treated remains the same: sessions therefore keep the same length from the beginning to the end of the treatment course. Any later maintenance sessions, however, may be shorter.

Can several areas be treated in the same session?

Yes, it is common: for example the underarms and bikini line, or the bikini line and lower legs. The session length is then the sum of the areas treated. Grouping areas together means fewer trips for you.

What if the session is painful?

The sensation varies from person to person and from area to area. If the pain becomes hard to bear, the assistant increases the power of the cold air flow cooling the skin and slows the pace of the pulses. For the most sensitive areas, such as the bikini line or beard, Dr Milène VERA can also prescribe an anaesthetic cream to apply before the session.

Frequently asked questions

Can I go back to work straight after a session? Yes. Redness and slight swelling around the hairs may appear, but usually disappear within 48 hours. Avoid intense exercise on the day itself, and hot baths, saunas and steam rooms for 48 hours.

Do sessions get shorter over the treatment course? No. Even if there are fewer hairs, the surface to be treated remains the same: sessions keep the same length throughout the treatment course. Any maintenance sessions, however, may be shorter.

How should I plan my diary over the whole treatment course? A treatment course generally includes 6 to 8 sessions, about 6 weeks apart at first, then about 8 weeks apart, never more than 12 weeks. Also think about the sun: a session is not possible if the area has been exposed in the previous two weeks.

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