Underarm laser hair removal reduces the hair under your arms over a course of sessions, so stubble grows back slower, finer and sparser. It is one of the most common areas people treat, and it is particularly useful if shaving leaves you with a rash, a dark stubble shadow or ingrown hairs. The result is long-term reduction, and a top-up now and then is normal.
In our W2 clinic on Edgware Road, underarms are treated with diode laser or IPL. Underarm hair is usually dark and coarse, which suits the way the light works. Because it is a small area, it is easy to add to another area in the same visit.
Your cost is confirmed at a free consultation, and a patch test is done before the first full session.
Why do so many people start with their underarms?
Underarm hair grows back quickly, and most people shave it every day or two. That frequent shaving over thin, folded skin is a common cause of razor burn, itching and bumps. Waxing lasts longer but can be uncomfortable and still leads to ingrown hairs for some people.
Laser breaks that cycle by reducing how much hair comes back. It is also a good way to see how your skin and hair respond to laser before committing to larger areas such as legs or back.
How quick is an underarm session?
The underarms are one of the smaller areas we treat, so the laser part of the appointment is short compared with legs or a back. Your first visit takes longer, because it includes a consultation covering your medical history, medicines, skin and hair growth.
We will confirm how long to allow when you book. Since we are open until 8pm Monday to Saturday, an underarm session is easy to fit in after work.
Does laser help with underarm ingrown hairs and irritation?
For many people, yes. Ingrown hairs happen when a cut or broken hair grows sideways into the skin, causing red, tender bumps and sometimes dark marks. With fewer hairs growing back, there are fewer chances for that to happen, and the need to shave daily drops. If ingrown hairs are your main reason for booking, see ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
Laser is not a treatment for skin infection. If you have painful, swollen lumps under the arm, or bumps that keep coming back in the same place, see your GP or a pharmacist first, as these can have other causes. The area needs to be free of infection and broken skin before laser.
If old ingrown hairs have left dark marks, these can be looked at separately with pigmentation treatment once the hair is under control.
What about sweat and deodorant?
Come to each appointment without deodorant or antiperspirant on your underarms. Products on the skin can interfere with treatment, so arrive with the area clean and dry. If you are coming straight from work or the gym, a quick wash before your appointment helps.
Laser hair removal targets hair, not sweat glands, so it is not a treatment for heavy sweating. If heavy sweating is your main concern, mention it at your consultation and we will talk through the options.
After a session, the skin can feel warm and look red, with small bumps around the follicles for a few hours to a day or two. Keep the area cool and use only gentle, fragrance-free products on it while it settles.
Does darker underarm skin matter?
In people of every skin tone, underarm skin is often a little darker than the skin around it. Laser works by heating the pigment in the hair, so the contrast between hair and skin matters. That calls for careful settings on darker skin and the right method, and diode is generally considered to suit a broader range of skin tones than IPL does.
The patch test, 24 to 48 hours before your first full session, shows how your underarm skin reacts. It is one of the main ways we reduce the risk of burns or changes in skin colour. Our laser hair removal for dark skin page explains how deeper skin tones are assessed.
How many sessions, and how do you prepare?
Six to eight sessions is typical for most body areas, with four to eight weeks between them. Many people notice patchier regrowth after the first few. Hormones affect underarm hair, so some regrowth over time, and occasional top-ups, are common.
- Stop waxing, plucking and epilating for about four weeks before you start.
- Shave your underarms about 24 hours before each session, without hair removal cream.
- Avoid sunbeds and self-tan on the area for several weeks beforehand.
- After treatment, skip hot baths, saunas, steam rooms and hard workouts for 24 to 48 hours.
Who should wait before underarm laser?
We postpone treatment during pregnancy, while you take light-sensitising medicines such as isotretinoin or some antibiotics, and if the underarm skin is infected, broken or cut from shaving. Tattoos in the area are avoided and raised moles are covered. Tell us first about any recent tan, epilepsy set off by light, or a skin condition that worsens with heat.
To get started, send us a WhatsApp on 07479 973309, ring 020 4619 8781, or book a free consultation online.
Underarm laser hair removal: your questions answered
Does underarm laser hair removal hurt?
Most people find it very manageable. Underarm hair is dense, so you may feel a series of quick snaps with some warmth. Cooling is used during treatment and the area is small, so it is over quickly.
Will laser stop me sweating?
No. Laser reduces hair, not sweat. If heavy sweating is your main concern, mention it at your consultation so we can talk it through.
Can I shave my underarms between sessions?
Yes. Shaving is fine because it leaves the root in place. Avoid waxing, plucking and epilating during your course.
When will underarm hair fall out?
Expect treated hairs to drop out over one to three weeks. At first it can look as if the hair is still growing, as it is pushed out of the follicle. Let it fall out naturally.
Do men have underarm laser too?
Yes. Men book underarms for the same reasons: less irritation and fewer ingrown hairs. The methods and course are the same.
Can I add underarms to another area?
Yes. Underarms are often combined with the bikini line or legs in the same visit, and each area follows its own plan.
