Treatment Review

LASER HAIR REMOVAL AT BEYOND MEDISPA, HARVEY NICHOLS

Tested by Kris Bromley

What it promises: No-one wants back hair. Evolution has long since needed it. I don’t need it. I don’t want it. So, what can be done? Shaving is far too time consuming and regular (and the hair comes back thicker apparently). It’s also ridiculously awkward to do yourself. Waxing lasts slightly longer, but is also expensive, higher-maintenance, and despite our best efforts to hide it, actually a bit painful. Hence, I find myself in the very capable hands of the Beyond Medispa team, on the 4th floor of Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge, looking for a better way. Laser Therapy involves a total of 5-6 treatment sessions, with a 6 week or so gap between each, and is quite simply the most effective way to remove unwanted hair.

What happens: So, what happens on this magical sci-fi journey? After a quick chat, I’m led to a swish private room by Amreet – the assistant manager, who will be taking care of me and my hirsute back region. First, she dry-shaves my back to get rid of the offending hairs and then applies a special conductive oil/gel. Next comes laser power! The laser covers the entire back top to bottom and no follicle is left un-blasted. To make sure all is covered, the laser slightly overlaps the last wave of application – leaving your back covered like a high-powered lawn mower on the Wembley turf. Just to clarify something for those of a wild imagination - the laser is not a James Bond style affair beaming down from a massive industrial metal cannon, capable of piercing a ships hull. You do have to wear special wraparound sunglasses as a precaution, but it’s more like a pulse of light from a handheld device. You’re safe! There’s a slight smell of burning hair during the process (which I find strangely reassuring), and a slight nip on the skin when the laser hits – but compared to waxing, it’s a piece of cake. Within 24 hours, the slight redness had vanished. It’s not the only thing that’s vanished either - I was now completely bald on my back and it was a strange and impressive feeling! Six weeks later, the hair had grown back, but a lot softer and a lot patchier. I returned for my second session – and another six weeks passed before my third, with even less hair growing back. The odd strands that did appear were significantly thinner. I will definitely be returning for the remaining sessions after my uncoming holiday. Near domination of my follicles!

The Results: Even after three sessions, my opinion on my back hair problem has completely turned around. I feel 100% confident taking off my top, without the need to try and cleverly position myself so that no-one can see my Chewbacca style reverse. It might seem a small thing, and not everyone finds back hair as depressing as I did, but it really does help with self-confidence knowing you do have an option to battle your genes! Medispa are friendly, fun, highly professional and most importantly successful! I can’t speak any higher of the experience or the results, and although it’s not cheap – compared to the on going hassle and costs of shaving or waxing – it really is an economical option. More than that, it’s the only way you get the results you need.

Price: A single laser treatment session for the back costs £250. A course of 6 (needed for permanent reduction) is £1250.

Location: Beyond MediSpa,
Fourth Floor,
Harvey Nichols,
 109-125, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RJ. 0207 2018595. www.beyondmedispa.co.uk/laser_therapies.html