The Harley Medical Group reports a new trend this spring – laser hair removal on the feet

The Harley Medical Group, the UK's leading cosmetic provider, has reported a 23% rise year-on-year in laser hair removal, as well as the normal pre-summer rush for silky smooth legs there has been an interesting new trend - a surge in bookings to 'de-fuzz' feet and toes in time for summer.

With an average person shaving 11,540 times in their lifetime, and a typical hair growth cycle of two days, women are turning their backs on their hairy areas, favoured by celebrities like Julia Roberts, and instead preferring the long lasting results of laser hair removal. Although the bikini, legs and underarms continue to be top of the laser list, the feet are becoming a popular area for women to have treated. This is often combined with treatments to the lower legs, and the Group revealed that 350 women booked foot treatments in the last two weeks of April alone.

Chantelle O'Leary, laser hair specialist at The Harley Medical Group, said: "Women are so much more comfortable in discussing their body hair. Five years ago women rarely would approach us for laser hair on more unusual areas, whereas now, females are embracing the options out there for them."

Laser hair is a clinically proven treatment for the removal of unwanted facial and body hair. The treatment results in 60-95% of targeted hair being permanently eliminated, offering patients a long-lasting and effective method of hair removal. The laser is passed over the skin which is absorbed by the hair pigment, targeting and destroying the follicle, reducing further growth.

Chantelle continues: "Treatment takes around 15 minutes on each foot, making it easy for busy career women or mums to fit into their daily routine. We recommend a course of 4-6 treatments, depending on the hair growth, with a rest period of four weeks between each booking. April and May are the ideal times to start a course to ensure smooth skin in time for summer."

Case study quote: "I was always embarrassed about my feet – I had hair on my toes and tops of my feet. Summer was a nightmare; I was self-conscious in sandals, and avoided having any foot treatment like pedicures because I was worried someone would notice. Laser hair removal has made life so much easier; I feel much more confident in summer shoes, and no longer have to make time for lengthy hair removal processes."

The Harley Medical Group's Laser Hair Hotspots
1. Bikini Line
2. Lower Leg
3. Underarm
4. Upper Lip
5. Chin

For further information please visit www.harleymedical.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Harley Medical Group is the UK and Ireland's largest cosmetic surgery provider, performing more procedures and with more clinics than any other cosmetic surgery group. It has been established since 1983 and is one of the most highly-regarded cosmetic surgery groups operating in the UK. It has treated over 500,000 patients to date.

The Harley Medical Group works tirelessly to maintain the highest standards in the industry for the benefits all cosmetic surgery and non-surgical patients. We are currently at the forefront of the campaign to ensure that the government continues to regulate the use of certain laser types used in cosmetic surgery and non-surgical treatments so that patients are protected from rogue practitioners.

In 2004, The Harley Medical Group's chairman Mel Braham, at the request of the Department of Health became a member of the department's steering committee, set up to oversee the introduction of new regulations covering the entire cosmetic surgery sector. All of The Harley Medical Group's clinics are registered with the Care Quality Commission. There are now 31 clinics in the UK and Ireland: London (Harley Street, Wimbledon, The City, Chiswick, Finchley & Watford), Marlow, Birmingham, Leeds, Brighton, Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle, Chester, Nottingham, Southampton, Cardiff, Chelmsford, Dublin, Northampton, Cambridge, Maidstone, Belfast, Reading, Sheffield, Liverpool, Bromley, Glasgow, Cheltenham, Leicester and Guildford.

The Harley Medical Group is renowned for introducing and pioneering most new surgical and non-surgical techniques to the UK and Irish markets, such as Aesthera PPx, laser hair removal, Cool Touch, and Silk Touch lasers, Collagen for lines and wrinkles, laser treatments for snoring and stretch marks, Tumescent Liposuction, LPG cellulite treatment etc. All new treatments and techniques are first thoroughly researched and tested before they are submitted for approval by the Group's medical advisory board.