My Laser Hair Removal Journey at Calveo, Ashwell Near Oakham, Rutland

There are some beauty treatments that you book on a whim, and then there are the ones you've been thinking about for years.

For me, laser hair removal definitely falls into the second category.

Growing up, I was blessed with thick, dark, coarse hair. While that's wonderful for the hair on my head, growing up in the 90s meant body hair wasn't exactly celebrated. In fact, it quickly became one of my biggest insecurities.

I had my legs waxed for the first time when I was just seven years old. Well, one leg. My aunt managed one before I decided the pain wasn't worth it and called it quits!

Throughout my teenage years, my Mum could see how self-conscious I was and even offered to pay for laser hair removal. It was incredibly generous, and I remember researching it more than once. But back then, laser technology wasn't what it is today. Results varied, treatments could be uncomfortable, and many people still required ongoing maintenance.

Yet it remained something I thought about on and off for nearly two decades.

Fast forward to adulthood, and I'm still shaving my legs and underarms every other day, while my upper lip requires regular waxing to stop it from becoming a full-blown moustache.

The difference now is that laser technology has come a long way.

Modern systems are faster, more precise and significantly more effective than earlier generations of treatment, offering long-lasting hair reduction with far greater comfort.

So when the opportunity came to visit Calveo in Ashwell, near Oakham, for a laser hair removal consultation, the timing finally felt right.

Located at Rutland Garden Village, Calveo is one of Rutland's leading aesthetic and wellness clinics, specialising in advanced, injectable-free treatments designed to help clients look and feel their best.

Alongside laser hair removal, Calveo offers:

HydraFacial treatments, RF Microneedling, Emsculpt Neo body contouring, Skin rejuvenation treatments, Chemical peels, Massage therapies, Permanent makeup, Nutritional therapy, Pigmentation treatments and Thread vein removal.

The clinic itself feels calm, professional and reassuringly luxurious. From the moment you arrive, you feel completely at ease.

My Laser Hair Removal Consultation:

My consultation was with laser hair removal expert Lorna.

Before discussing treatment, we covered: Skin type, Hair colour and density, Medical history, Tanning habits, Lifestyle factors and Expected results.

Laser hair removal isn't a one-size-fits-all treatment, so Lorna carefully assessed my skin tone and hair type before determining the safest and most effective approach.

Because I have fair skin and dark brown hair, I'm considered an ideal candidate, as the laser can easily distinguish between the pigment in the hair and the surrounding skin.

After discussing my concerns, we decided to focus on the three areas that bother me most: Underarms, Upper lip and Chin

The Technology Behind The Treatment:

Calveo uses the Cynosure Elite iQ laser platform, one of the most advanced laser hair removal systems currently available.

Unlike older devices, Elite iQ combines two powerful wavelengths, allowing practitioners to safely treat a wider range of skin tones and hair types. It also incorporates Skintel® Melanin Reader technology, which measures melanin levels in the skin and helps personalise treatment settings for every client.

In simple terms, the laser targets pigment within the hair follicle. The light energy converts to heat, damaging the follicle and disrupting future hair growth.

Because hair grows in cycles, multiple sessions are needed to treat hair during its active growth phase. Over time, this leads to a significant reduction in hair growth, with any regrowth often becoming much finer and lighter.

Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?

Let's address the question everyone asks.

Honestly? No.

The Elite iQ system uses a cooling air device that continuously blows chilled air onto the skin during treatment.

Rather than pain, I would describe the sensation as a quick, hot flick or tiny elastic band snap.

It's certainly less painful than waxing.

What Areas Can Be Treated?

One thing that surprised me was just how many areas can be treated.

Face: Upper lip, Chin, Jawline, Sideburns, Full face and Neck.

Upper Body: Underarms, Arms, Hands and fingers, Chest, Abdomen, Back and Shoulders.

Lower Body: Bikini line, Brazilian, Hollywood, Buttocks, Full legs, Lower legs, Feet and toes

Laser hair removal is suitable for both women and men, with many clients choosing larger treatment areas such as full legs, chest or back.

Laser Hair Removal Prices at Calveo:

As a guide:

Upper Lip: from £60 per session

Chin: from £60 per session

Underarms: from £65 per session

Hollywood Bikini: from £95 per session

Half Legs: from £140 per session

Full Legs: from £210 per session

Package pricing and interest-free finance options are also available, making treatment courses more affordable when treating multiple areas.

My First Laser Hair Removal Session

After my consultation and patch tests, it was finally time for my first treatment.

Before we started, we took some before photos so we could properly track my progress throughout the course.

For me, that included my upper lip, the random chin hairs that seem to appear overnight, and my underarms; one of my biggest insecurities simply because of how frequently I need to shave them.

The treatment itself was surprisingly quick, taking around 15 minutes for all three areas.

One of the most fascinating parts was actually seeing some of the hairs react immediately to the laser. In the videos I took, you can occasionally spot individual hairs disappearing as they're treated, which is incredibly satisfying.

After completing my underarms, Lorna applied a cooling gel before moving on to my face.

For facial treatments, the skin needs to be completely clean, so any make-up, skincare products and surface hairs are removed beforehand. This allows the laser to focus directly on the follicle beneath the skin.

Wearing protective goggles, I sat back while Lorna treated my upper lip and chin.

If anything, the upper lip felt more ticklish than uncomfortable, and the whole process was over remarkably quickly.

There's also something oddly satisfying about hearing the tiny crackle as the hairs are treated. After years of shaving, waxing and plucking, it felt like those stubborn hairs were finally being tackled at the source.

Recovery and Results:

What surprised me most was how normal my skin looked afterwards.

There was very little redness and no obvious signs that I'd just had laser treatment. I could quite happily have gone straight out for lunch afterwards, and nobody would have known.

I love a treatment with no downtime.

Lorna is confident that, because of my fair skin and dark hair combination, I should begin seeing noticeable results relatively quickly, potentially even after the first few sessions.

Of course, laser hair removal is a journey rather than a one-off treatment, and consistency is key to achieving the best results.

But for the first time, it genuinely feels like I might be on my way to spending less time shaving, less money on waxing, and a lot less time worrying about whether I've remembered to shave.

And I think the childhood me would be very happy about that.

I'll continue updating this blog and sharing honest progress reports, treatment experiences and before-and-after results as my laser hair removal journey continues.

Watch this space! 📍Calveo, Rutland Garden Village, Ashwell Road, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 7QN www.calveo.co.uk

Charlie x

Please note: This treatment journey is marked as an AD because it has been kindly gifted in exchange for content creation. Throughout the process, I will be sharing my honest experiences, reviews, feedback and testimonials, as always reflecting my genuine opinions.