As I enter Vie Aesthetics on Harley Street, there is an overwhelming sense of calm and professionalism. I have hair on my back which is annoying to shave but at the same time I don’t like pain or waxing. I heard that Vie Aesthetics have a new Diolaze laser treatment which is highly effective and pain free so I am very excited.
The Clinic
Vie Aesthetics is a team of doctor-led clinics in Harley Street London, Essex and Germany. I walk in and their founder Vicky Grammatikopoulou is tapping away at a computer at reception. Here, it is all about relationship. There is a natural, effortless synergy between the team and the patients. As Vicky said to me, it is all about working with people to find out their motivations and importantly agree what treatment is the best way forward.
Vicky Grammatikopoulou
Vie Aesthetics is a CQC-regulated, Save Face-accredited medical establishment. This doctor led approach offers medical and cosmetic solutions for face, body, hair and wellness. I also meet Medical Director Dr Ioannis Liakas who explains how the team make sure a treatment is really right for you both medically and personally and we talk about the new laser hair removal technology I am about to experience, DiolazeXL, powered by Inmode.
What is Diolaze?
Basically, this is a face and body hair removal solution offering peak power with optimal speed. Designed with state-of-the-art powerful 810 nm diode lasers, the Diolaze is effective, comfortable and relatively pain-free. Diolaze targets coarse and stubborn hair, up to skin type VI (dark brown or black skin) so it covers all skin types.
This is a game changer because this is a gold standard wavelength, pulsing and power for optimal hair removal results and maximal safety. This means that the treatment doesn’t take long and virtually painless due to strong built in cooling technology. Cost wise, having six treatments will last me a lifetime and I won’t need to spend any more money on back waxing – the six sessions will only cost the same as 80 wax sessions so it is an investment and most importantly, this will save me hours and hours of time.
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Before my laser hair removal
I am sent some detailed instructions explaining the whole process but all I need to do before is shave my back. As I do it I am pleased that this is one of the last few times I will need to do this for the rest of my life! Shaving before laser hair removal protects the skin as well as targeting the hair follicle beneath the skin surface.
Aimee Piper
The first session
I arrive and I am offered a drink from their bespoke drinks menu which even includes champagne. I opt for a glass of water as Aimee calls me in. She is the Clinic Manager, Senior Skin Therapist and an expert in her field.
Aimee explains to me what we are going to do, how long it will take, the benefits, the risks and the after care. She is so detailed and so meticulous. I am in great hands. The machine is calibrated according to my skin type which we discover by filling out a detailed questionnaire.
We take some photos and apply some ultrasound gel to my back to help protect skin while helping the laser to penetrate the skin. I am face down and for safety, I close my eyes. The machine warms up and for nervous patients like me, it is great because there is an audible sound to indicate the laser is active. The whole of my back took just 15 minutes to do as Diolaze has a very large (4 cm) treatment spot size, which makes the procedure fast.
Before Diolaze Laser hair removal
How does it feel like?
It really was painless. The machine head feels really cold to touch and the powerful cooling system also makes everything comfortable. The machine glides along my back, expertly guided by Aimee and we do the back patch by patch to make sure there are no reactions. It feels like a scratch along my back. There was one bit in the middle of my lower back which did hurt a little but that was the only place. One second of mild pain was really worth it! The treatment was just 15 minutes long per session.
After the treatment
Everything is fine. My skin didn’t react at all, not even any redness. I am sent some more detailed post treatment instructions and the most important is to not expose the area to heat or sun for a few weeks. In the UK this is very easy to do! Best of all, there is no downtime. I am on the way to my next meeting in Mayfair.
After Diolaze Laser hair removal
The results
I had six sessions at Vie Aesthetics (the number of sessions needed depends on the hair growth and is continually assessed each time) and the results speak for themselves. I started seeing a reduction in hair growth after 2 weeks and the hair was softer and lighter.
After the second session, hairs became finer and weaker, and the skin was smoother. Diolaze laser hair removal is a treatment course so multiple sessions will be required to achieve your optimal hair free result. This depends on your hair type, hair colour and skin tone. Also remember hair grows in cycles. At any given time, different hairs will be at different stages of their growth cycle. During a single treatment session, some of your hair follicles will be lying dormant and will therefore not be killed off by the laser.
Overall, the treatment at Vie Aesthetics was really life changing. I no longer have to worry about back hair and it didn’t hurt.
Prices for the whole back are from £515 for one session. A course of six sessions costs £2,450.
To discover more, visit: vie-aesthetics.com
All imagery courtesy of Vie Aesthetics
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