Treatments · Treatment guide · Energy devices
Laser hair removal in your clinic: records, settings and aftercare
How a clinic runs laser hair removal: the treatment record, screening, matching wavelength to skin type, how many sessions a course takes, and the aftercare sheet clients need afterwards.
- Typical course
- 4–12 sessions, by skin type and area
- Spacing
- 4–8 weeks, by area
- Fitzpatrick V–VI
- Nd:YAG 1064 nm only
- Not suitable
- Blonde, red, grey, or white hair
What to record
Device settings are the part most clinics lose in free-text notes. Record the device and wavelength, fluence, spot size, pulse width, cooling, the area, and the number of shots, along with the client's Fitzpatrick type, hair colour and density, and how the skin responded. The next practitioner should be able to ramp from the last treatment, not start over.
Track the series too: session number, interval since the last, and the package the client bought.
Consent and contraindications
Consent should establish that the client was screened, understands how the treatment works, and knows the risks: temporary redness and swelling, and less commonly pigment change, blistering, or burns. Set expectations in writing. Laser reduces hair over a series and does not guarantee permanent removal in one visit, and results vary with hair colour, skin type, and hormones.
Screen for these before you treat
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Isotretinoin in the past 12 months
- Photosensitising medication
- Sun exposure, tanning, or self-tanner in the past 2 weeks
- History of keloid scarring or cold sores
- Skin condition, tattoo, or implant in the treatment area
- Test patch if recommended
Laser hair removal protocol: wavelength, settings and skin type
Laser targets melanin in the hair follicle, so the contrast between skin and hair colour decides both the laser and the number of sessions. The figures below are those used by our session calculator; your device's manufacturer settings and your medical director's protocol come first.
- Fitzpatrick I–II: Alexandrite, IPL, or Diode. 4–6 sessions, 6–8 weeks apart, low pigmentation risk.
- Fitzpatrick III–IV: Diode or Nd:YAG. 6–10 sessions, 4–7 weeks apart. Alexandrite carries a moderate burn and hyperpigmentation risk here.
- Fitzpatrick V–VI: Nd:YAG 1064 nm exclusively. 8–12 sessions, 4–6 weeks apart. The longer wavelength bypasses epidermal melanin.
- Blonde, red, grey, and white hair contain too little melanin for effective treatment. Electrolysis is the alternative.
Course of treatment
Hormonal areas (face, bikini, underarm, chest) can need 1–2 extra sessions because of androgen-driven regrowth. PCOS and high testosterone conditions can add 2–3 sessions and often call for maintenance every 6–12 months, so tell those clients up front and price the package accordingly. Non-hormonal areas (legs, back, arms) respond more predictably.
Aftercare you send
The sheet tells clients what is normal (redness and small raised bumps around follicles for a few hours to a couple of days), what to avoid (sun and tanning, heat, plucking, waxing, or threading between sessions), and what to use. It also explains shedding, because hairs that fall out over the following weeks look like regrowth and prompt needless calls. Rules differ by device and clinic, so the sheet leaves room for yours.
Running this in Zdrovia
In Zdrovia, device settings are stored per client and per session, so the next practitioner ramps from the last treatment rather than from scratch, and session packages sit alongside the clinical record. Attach the aftercare sheet to the laser service and every client receives it after their visit.
See how Zdrovia is set up for med spas and laser clinics.
Frequently asked questions
How many laser hair removal sessions does a course take?
Most need 4–12 sessions. Fitzpatrick I–II typically 4–6, III–IV 6–10, and V–VI 8–12. Hormonal areas and PCOS add 2–3 sessions. Sessions are 4–8 weeks apart depending on the area.
Which laser suits which skin type?
Fitzpatrick I–II: Alexandrite, IPL, or Diode. III–IV: Diode or Nd:YAG. V–VI: Nd:YAG 1064 nm only. Match the wavelength to the skin's melanin: shorter wavelengths for light skin, longer for dark.
Does laser work on blonde or grey hair?
No. Blonde hair contains pheomelanin that absorbs laser energy poorly, and grey or white hair contains no melanin. Electrolysis is the usual alternative.
What should laser hair removal aftercare cover?
What is normal and for how long, sun and heat avoidance, no plucking, waxing, or threading between sessions, gentle skincare and SPF, what hair shedding looks like, and the signs that mean call the clinic.
Related
- IPL photofacial consent form
- Photo consent form template
- Software for laser clinics
- All treatment guides
This guide summarises published figures and common documentation practice for clinics. It is not clinical or legal advice. Dosing, depth, and device settings are decisions for the treating practitioner, the manufacturer's instructions, and your medical director's protocol, and scope of practice varies by province and profession. Confirm anything you rely on with your regulatory college.