Laser IPL Hair Removal

Want to be hair free?

The St Mellion Cosmetic Clinic, Plymouth offers Laser hair removal so you can say goodbye to messy waxing and daily shaving. 

We have 3 different permanent hair reduction systems so you can rest assured that you will receive the most suitable treatment for you and your hair type.

LUMINA Q has two standard water cooled IPL hand-pieces, each with its own flexible software with pre-set settings for each skin type that can be altered to suit the clients needs:
650 hand-piece for Hair Removal (skin types 1 to 5) and Collagen treatments.
585 hand-piece for Superficial Blood Vessels & Pigmentation, Active Acne and Photo-rejuvenation treatments.
Optional 755 hand-piece for Hair removal for safe treatment of darker skins (skin types 3 to 5).

Advance IPL Hair Removal Hand-piece

LUMINA Q has an optional 650 Advance IPL hand-piece, which has been designed to provide faster results in hair removal of finer, lighter hairs found on the face and navel. The 650 Advance hand-piece has software optimised for the greater power it delivers, allowing experienced practitioners to treat finer and fairer hairs successfully, in skin type 1 to 3 clients in a single or dual pulse mode.


Laser hair removal offers a long-term solution to unwanted or excess hair for both men and women and is suitable for most areas of the face and body.

A course of laser treatments is usually required at 4 - 8 weekly intervals to follow the hair growth cycle.  Treatment will leave your skin feeling smooth, soft and free from painful in-growing hairs.

This treatment is for you if:

• Unwanted facial hair is affecting your self confidence
• In growing hairs are causing concern
• You desire long-lasting hair removal

Before and After Images

Photo Credit: Lynton Lasers Ltd

Photo Credit: Lynton Lasers Ltd

Common Questions

How does it work?

Light is absorbed by the melanin (the pigment in the hair follicle).  The light energy heats the pigment and effectively destroys the cells in the hair follicle which are responsible for hair growth, without damaging the surrounding cell.  The laser or IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is placed on the skin and a short pulse of light is released, which targets many follicles simultaneously.  The applicator is then moved to the neighbouring area of the skin and the process is repeated until the entire area is covered.  For IPL treatments, a thin layer of gel is applied to the skin to help guide the light.

Am I suitable for treatment?

Most people are suitable for treatment.  Best results are seen with people who have lighter skin and darker hair.  Dark hair is more easily treated as it has a high concentration of melanin. Fair hair however contains less melanin so is harder to treat.  Grey/white hair has no melanin so is not suitable for treatment.

How does the treatment feel?

Treatment sensation varies but is often described as a ‘flick of an elastic band’.  No anaesthetic is required and most clients describe the discomforts as moderate and tolerable.

What will I see after treatment?

The hair follicles are damaged by the heat but the hairs remain in the follicles.  The dead hairs shed after 1 to 3 weeks as the epidermis renews.  During this period the hairs will seem to grow as they are pushed out by the new epidermis.

Are there any side effects?

The skin may be red immediately after treatment and the hair follicles may be swollen and raised but this usually subsides within a few hours.   Adverse reactions are rare but may include a small blister or temporary lightening or darkening of the skin.

How many treatments are necessary?

Only hair that is actively growing is affected, therefore multiple treatments are needed.  Treatments are conducted every 4 to 8 weeks depending on the area being treated, until a good result is seen.  The number of treatments varies, although typically 6 treatments or more are needed for optimum results.

How long does treatment take?

Treatments can take as little as 10 minutes and up to 1 hour, depending upon the size of area being treated.