Laser and energy-based treatments
Laser hair removal at Chamak Clinic, Chennai
Doctor-led laser hair reduction, with settings chosen for Indian skin.
Not offered yet. The machine for laser hair reduction is not at the clinic yet, so sessions cannot be booked. You can still book a consultation to talk it through and hear the other options.
From ₹1,500. The doctor gives your exact price for the area and number of sessions after the skin assessment, before anything is done.
Laser Hair Removal at a glance
- Sessions
- Usually 6 to 8, four to eight weeks apart
- Session time
- 10 minutes (upper lip) to 1 hour (full legs)
- Downtime
- Redness and bumps for a few hours
- Results last
- Long-term reduction; occasional top-ups
- Starting price
- From ₹1,500
- What is it?
- Laser light that heats the hair root and slows regrowth, so hair grows back finer and sparser over a course of sessions.
- How many sessions?
- Usually 6 to 8, four to eight weeks apart, then an occasional top-up.
- Is it permanent?
- It is a long-term reduction, not removal of every hair. Some fine hair can remain, and hormones can bring new growth.
- Is it safe for Indian skin?
- Yes, with a laser and settings chosen for darker skin, a test spot where advised, and sun care between sessions.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal uses concentrated light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. The light turns into heat at the root and damages the parts that grow new hair, while the skin around it is cooled.
Doctors call it laser hair reduction because the aim is a large, long-lasting reduction in hair, not the removal of every single hair. Hair that does grow back is usually finer and lighter.
Hair grows in cycles and the laser only reaches hairs in their growing phase, which is why a course of sessions spaced weeks apart is needed.
What it can help with
- Long-term reduction
Far less hair over months, not days.
- Less grooming
Fewer waxing, threading or shaving sessions.
- Fewer ingrown hairs
Often helps razor bumps on the beard line and bikini area.
- Any area
Face, underarms, arms, legs, back, chest and bikini line.
- Settings for you
Planned for your skin tone and hair type.
Areas we treat
- Upper lip and chinQuick sessions; hormonal hair may need top-ups.
- Full face and sideburnsThe doctor avoids the area close to the eyes.
- UnderarmsResponds well; one of the shortest sessions.
- Arms and legsHalf or full; full legs take the longest.
- Bikini lineDone privately; numbing cream can be used.
- Back, chest and shouldersCommon for men; larger areas, longer sessions.
- Beard line and neckFor shaping and to reduce ingrown hairs in men.
How does it work?
- Light
The laser sends pulses of light of one wavelength into the skin.
- Pigment
The dark pigment in the hair shaft and root absorbs that light.
- Heat
The light becomes heat at the root, which damages the growing parts of the follicle.
- Shedding
Treated hairs fall out over the next one to three weeks.
- Reduction
Each session catches the next set of growing hairs, so the hair thins out over the course.
What happens during a session?
- Assessment
The doctor checks your skin type, hair colour, medicines and the area, and plans the settings.
- Preparation
The area should be shaved a day before. It is cleaned and marked; eyes are protected with shields.
- Test spot
Where advised, a small patch is treated first and checked.
- Laser
The handpiece glides over the area with cooling. Small areas take minutes; full legs about an hour.
- Soothing
A cooling gel and sunscreen are applied. You can go back to your day.
Who is a good candidate?
- Dark, coarse hair on the face, underarms, arms, legs, back, chest or bikini line
- Ingrown hairs and razor bumps from shaving or waxing
- Women with facial hair, including with PCOS, alongside medical treatment
- Men who want to reduce hair on the back, chest, shoulders or beard line
- Anyone tired of frequent waxing, threading or shaving
Is laser hair reduction safe for Indian skin?
Darker skin also contains melanin, so a laser can heat the skin as well as the hair if the wrong device or settings are used. The doctor uses a wavelength suited to Indian skin, cools the skin during treatment, starts with conservative settings and does a test spot where advised. Avoiding a fresh tan before each session matters as much as the laser itself.
Who should delay or avoid it?
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- A fresh tan or sunburn on the area
- Isotretinoin (acne tablets) in the last six months
- Grey, white, blonde or very light hair (the laser cannot see it)
- Photosensitising medicines or a history of light-triggered rashes (tell the doctor)
- An active infection, cold sore or open wound on the area
The doctor checks your medicines and health before any procedure and may advise waiting or a different treatment.
Laser hair removal vs waxing vs shaving
| Laser | Waxing | Shaving | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How long it lasts | Long-term reduction | 3 to 4 weeks | 1 to 3 days |
| Regrowth | Finer and sparser | Same hair returns | Same hair, blunt tip |
| Ingrown hairs | Usually fewer | Common | Common |
| Pain | A brief snap with cooling | Sharp pull | None |
| Repeats | A course, then occasional top-ups | Every few weeks, for life | Every few days |
Side effects and risks
Common and short-lived
- Redness and small bumps around the hairs for a few hours
- Mild warmth like a sunburn
- Temporary itching as hairs shed
Uncommon
- Darker or paler patches of skin, usually temporary
- Blisters or burns, mainly on tanned skin
- Paradoxical extra hair growth near the treated area
Call the clinic on +91 90434 09465 if anything worries you after a session.
Results: what to expect
Hair sheds over one to three weeks after each session. Most people notice less and finer regrowth after the first two or three sessions, and a steady reduction over the course. How much hair reduces depends on your hair colour and thickness, the area and your hormones. The doctor reviews progress at each visit and adjusts the settings.
Does it hurt?
Most people describe it as a rubber band snapping against the skin, eased by the cooling on the handpiece. Bony and sensitive areas such as the upper lip and bikini line feel sharper. A numbing cream can be applied beforehand if you are worried about pain.
Laser Hair Removal cost in Chennai
The cost depends on your skin and your plan. What decides it:
- The area treated: an upper lip costs far less than full legs.
- Your hair: thick, dense hair may need more sessions.
- The number of sessions in your plan.
- Top-up sessions later, if hormones bring new growth.
At Chamak Clinic, Kandigai
From ₹1,500
Starting price; yours depends on the plan
- Consultation ₹500, paid at the clinic
- Your full price and number of sessions are told to you before treatment
- Treatments are billed at the clinic
Who does it
Dr Rohini K
How to prepare
- Shave the area a day before your session.
- Do not wax, thread, pluck or bleach for 4 weeks before.
- Avoid sun exposure and tanning for 2 weeks before.
- Come without make-up, deodorant or creams on the area.
- Tell the doctor about any new medicines.
Aftercare
- Sunscreen (SPF 50) every morning, reapplied outdoors.
- No hot baths, saunas or heavy exercise for 24 hours.
- Shave between sessions if needed; do not wax, thread or pluck.
- Apply the soothing gel or cream the clinic gives you if the area feels warm.
- Keep to your schedule; long gaps let the hair catch up.
Home care: Hair removal on Chamak
Laser Hair Removal: questions
Can men have laser hair removal?
Yes. Back, chest, shoulders, neck and the beard line are common areas, including to reduce ingrown hairs from shaving.
Can it help with PCOS-related facial hair?
It reduces the hair, but it does not treat PCOS. Hormonal hair often needs more sessions and top-ups, and the doctor may suggest blood tests and medical treatment alongside.
Can I shave between sessions?
Yes. Shaving is fine and is what you should do. Do not wax, thread or pluck, because the laser needs the root in place.
Can it be done on the face?
Yes. The upper lip, chin, sideburns and jawline are common. The area close to the eyes is not treated.
Can I have a session during my period?
Yes, though skin can feel more sensitive. For the bikini area, many people prefer to reschedule.
Can laser cause pigmentation?
On darker or tanned skin it can, usually temporarily. Correct settings, a test spot and sun protection keep this risk low.
Why does hair grow back after a session?
Hairs that were resting during the session were not reached. They come into the growing phase later and are treated in the next session.
Does it work on grey or blonde hair?
No. The laser needs dark pigment in the hair. The doctor can suggest other options for light hair.
How soon will I see results?
Treated hair sheds within one to three weeks. A visible reduction usually shows after two or three sessions.
Is it better than waxing?
For long-term reduction, yes. It costs more upfront, but needs far fewer visits over the years.
Do I need a consultation before a treatment?
Yes. Every treatment starts with a consultation. The doctor examines you and advises a procedure only if it suits you; many can be done the same day.
Related treatments
All treatmentsNot sure if laser hair reduction is right for you?
A consultation comes first: Dr Rohini K examines you, explains the options that suit you, and tells you the plan and the price before anything is done.
Far from Chennai? Consult a skin doctor online: photos and a chat, and a prescription when one is right.