SHR Hair Removal Southampton
Comfortable, in-motion hair reduction with integrated air cooling
Super hair removal (SHR) is an in-motion approach to long-term hair reduction. SHR is designed to support long-term hair reduction over a course of treatments. Results vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed.
- In-motion SHR
- Targets the hair germ cells and blood supply
- Suitable for all Fitzpatrick skin types, subject to assessment
- Integrated air cooling
- No numbing or anaesthesia needed
- Shave 2–12 hours before
- Usually 6–10 treatments
- Upper lip from 20 minutes
- Full body up to an hour or more
- Patch test and consultation required
- Course of 8 saves 20%
From £20 per treatment
Patch test and consultation £10, required before treatment begins
- Over 15 years’ laser and IPL experience
- Level 5 qualified laser practitioner
- UK Responsible Person, MHRA
- Medical-grade equipment with air cooling
- Patch test and consultation before every course
- Male and female treatments
SHR and IPL are not the same thing. If you are weighing up the two, our IPL hair removal page explains that route, and your consultation will tell you honestly which suits your hair and skin better.
Comfortable hair reduction
This technology works by targeting the area under the skin’s surface, so the skin surface itself is left intact.
Treatment is paired with an effective air cooling tool on the surface, so that your skin feels a little warm and tingly, at most. Unlike waxing, most clients find SHR comfortable, and there is no need for numbing or anaesthesia. Visible after-effects are usually limited to mild redness or warmth that settles quickly.
How does SHR work?
SHR combines laser technology and pulsed light to treat most hair types, and is suitable for all Fitzpatrick skin types subject to assessment and patch test.
SHR is different from traditional IPL and laser because it targets the hair germ cells and the blood supply that feeds the follicle. It does not rely solely on the pigment in the hair, which is why it can be used on a wider range of skin tones.
A slower, longer heating process is used for long-term hair reduction, rather than high energy delivered in short bursts. Clients commonly describe the sensation as warm rather than sharp.
How many sessions are needed?
Around 6 treatments is typical, though this varies with where your hair cycles are when we start.
- On average we recommend 6 to 10 treatments for best results
- Sessions are spaced so that hairs are treated during the active growth phase
- Maintenance top-ups once or twice a year may be advised after a course
- People with a hormone imbalance may require more treatments
Hair grows in cycles, and only hair that is actively growing at the time of treatment responds. That is why a course is needed rather than a single session, and why results build gradually.
What preparation is needed?
For treatment to be as effective as possible, please follow the guidance below.
- Ensure the area to be treated is free from all topical products
- Shave 2–12 hours beforehand. Shaving any sooner can heighten sensitivity during treatment
- Avoid sun exposure for at least three days before treatment. Tanned skin can be treated, but the tan must not be active
- Stop using tanning creams two weeks before treatment
- Avoid bleaching, plucking, waxing, epilation and any other form of hair removal for 4 weeks beforehand
- Do not use essential oils in the 48 hours before treatment
- Avoid depilatory creams for 1 week before treatment starts
- Cold sore medication can be taken for five days before and five days after treatment
- If you are taking antibiotics, leave a two week gap between finishing them and starting treatment
Will my hair ever grow back?
Hair treated while it is actively growing should not regrow from that follicle.
Where a follicle has been sufficiently damaged it should not produce hair again, although how many follicles respond varies from person to person. Follicles that were not in the active growth phase at the time of treatment will still need treating, which is why a full course matters. It is also not unusual for some clients to need a touch-up around two years after the initial course, because of hormonal changes.
How long will each treatment take?
That depends on the area of the body being treated.
Treatment can take a few minutes for the upper lip, around half an hour for the lower thigh, and more than an hour for a full body session. SHR treatment time with our medical-grade machine takes less time than with our IPL technology.
Are there any risks or side effects?
Depending on skin type and skin sensitivity, some light redness (erythema) or slight swelling (oedema) can be experienced.
These are normal reactions and generally settle after a short while. Medicines that can cause photo-allergic and photo-toxic reactions must be discussed beforehand. Tattoos must be covered carefully, otherwise there is a risk of damaging them.
Quad wavelength diode laser
SHR is not the only route we offer. For many people the quad wavelength diode laser is the better choice for hair removal, and we will tell you honestly which suits you at consultation.
| SHR | Quad wavelength diode | |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | In-motion super hair removal | Laser, 755nm, 808nm, 940nm and 1064nm |
| How it targets hair | Hair germ cells and blood supply, less reliant on pigment | Four wavelengths selected to suit hair depth and skin tone |
| Darker skin | Can be used, subject to assessment | Often the preferred option following assessment |
| Dark coarse hair | Responds well | Often responds very well |
| Fine pigmented hair | Can be treated where suitable | Can be treated depending on hair and skin |
| Grey or white hair | Not suitable | Not suitable |
| Cooling | Integrated air cooling | Advanced cooling built into the platform |
| Patch test | Required | Required |
Neither route works on grey or white hair, because there is no pigment for the light to target. Everything else is decided at your assessment.
SHR hair removal prices, Southampton
| Treatment | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Patch test and consultation | 30 mins | £10 |
| Upper lip | 20 mins | £25 |
| Chin | 20 mins | £25 |
| Under jaw line | 20 mins | £30 |
| Sideburns | 20 mins | £30 |
| Beard area | 25 mins | £45 |
| Full face, including under jawline, neck and chin | 50 mins | £75 |
| Half arms, both sides | 45 mins | £75 |
| Full arms, both sides | 1 hour | £99 |
| Underarms | 20 mins | £49 |
| Areola | 20 mins | £30 |
| Chest, male | 45 mins | £75 |
| Stomach, male | 40 mins | £65 |
| Back and shoulders, male | 1 hour | £99 |
| Chest, back and shoulders, male | 1 hour | £125 |
| Bikini line | 20 mins | £35 |
| Brazilian | 25 mins | £50 |
| Hollywood, no peri-anal | 30 mins | £60 |
| Hollywood, including peri-anal | 35 mins | £69 |
| Peri-anal, male or female | 20 mins | £25 |
| Navel and pubis | 20 mins | £25 |
| Half legs | 45 mins | £85 |
| Full legs | 1 hour | £99 |
| Toes, all | 15 mins | £20 |
| Ears and brows | 20 mins | £40 |
Courses
Any of the treatments above carries a 20% discount when a course of 8 is purchased. A full body course including the face, 8 sessions, is £1,999.
Prices are per session unless stated otherwise. Your final plan is confirmed at consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Is SHR the same as IPL?
No. SHR targets the hair germ cells and their blood supply and does not rely solely on hair pigment, which is why it can be used on a wider range of skin tones. See our IPL hair removal page for that route.
Does it hurt?
Clients commonly describe the sensation as warm rather than sharp. Air cooling is used throughout and no numbing or anaesthesia is needed.
Do I need to shave first?
Yes, 2–12 hours before your appointment. Shaving any sooner can make the skin more sensitive during treatment.
Can I be treated if I am tanned?
Tanned skin can be treated, but the tan must not be active, so avoid sun exposure for at least three days beforehand and stop tanning creams two weeks before.
How many sessions will I need?
Most people need around 6, and we recommend 6 to 10 for best results. Hormone imbalances can mean more are needed.
Do I need a patch test?
Yes. A patch test and consultation are required before treatment, and cost £10.
Hair removal at our Southampton clinic
Book your SHR consultation in Southampton
Every course starts with a patch test and a proper conversation about your hair, your skin and what a realistic course looks like. We treat men and women, and we will tell you honestly whether SHR or IPL is the better fit before you book a course.
Real Client Results
