Permanent hair removal with laser is a safe, non-surgical treatment for removing unwanted hair on the body. The laser light damages the hair follicles and reduces the hair's ability to grow back.
How permanent laser hair removal works
Permanent laser hair removal works by directing laser light at the pigment (melanin) in the hair follicle, heating it, and disabling its ability to produce new hair. The treatment is precise and non-surgical—the hair follicle itself is destroyed, while the surrounding skin remains unaffected thanks to contact cooling or cryogenic cooling that protects the surface during each laser pulse.
We have 9 medical lasers covering three wavelengths (755 nm Alexandrite, 810 nm Diode, and 1064 nm Nd:YAG), allowing us to select the right laser for your skin and hair type and safely treat all skin types (Fitzpatrick I–VI). In February 2026, we became the first clinic in Norway to adopt the Candela GentleMax Pro Plus—the gold standard in permanent hair reduction.
Light, melanin, and the hair follicle — the biological mechanism
Each hair follicle contains a layer of pigment (melanin) that absorbs the laser light. When the light hits the hair follicle, the light energy is converted into heat. The heat destroys the cells at the base of the hair follicle that are responsible for hair production—without damaging the surrounding skin.
Hair grows in three phases: anagen (active growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting). Only hair in the anagen phase has a fully developed pigment anchor that the laser can target effectively. At any given time, typically only 20–30% of the hairs in a treatment area are in the anagen phase—which is why permanent hair removal requires multiple treatments spaced 4–6 weeks apart. We target each growth cycle as new hairs enter the active phase.
What skin types and hair colors can be treated?
The laser targets pigment, not hair. This means that the skin-to-hair contrast determines how effective the treatment will be and which laser we choose for you:
- Dark hair on light skin is the easiest combination—the contrast is greatest, and the laser targets the hair precisely.
- Dark hair on dark skin requires a longer wavelength (1064 nm Nd:YAG) that penetrates deeper without being absorbed by the skin. We treat this using the Candela GentleMax Pro Plus and Fotona SP Dynamis.
- Light, blonde, and red hair—as well as white or gray hair—contain little or no melanin and cannot be effectively treated with laser, regardless of the clinic or equipment used.
In practice, we safely treat all skin types on the Fitzpatrick scale (I–VI), ranging from fair Nordic skin to dark-skinned individuals, thanks to three wavelengths distributed across nine lasers. The laser we choose for you is determined after a brief assessment of your skin and hair type during a free consultation at Marken 32 in downtown Bergen.
Three wavelengths, nine lasers — that’s why the treatment is suitable for all skin types
One laser does not fit all. Your skin type, the amount of pigment in your hair, and the depth of the hair follicle determine which wavelength delivers the best results with the lowest risk. That is why TBL Medical has developed nine medical lasers across three wavelengths—so that we can always select the precise laser based on the Fitzpatrick scale, hair thickness, and treatment area, rather than forcing all patients into the same one-size-fits-all approach.
First in Norway with Candela GentleMax Pro Plus
TBL Medical was the first clinic in Norway to receive and begin using the Candela GentleMax Pro Plus—the gold standard for permanent hair reduction. The device combines two wavelengths in a single unit: 755 nm Alexandrite for light skin with dark hair, and 1064 nm Nd:YAG for darker skin types and deep-rooted hair.
Why it matters: The GentleMax Pro Plus delivers higher energy levels (up to 400 J/cm²), adjustable pulse widths from 2 to 100 ms, and spot sizes ranging from 1.5 to 26 mm. In practice, this means faster treatment—a full back or legs in under 20 minutes—and better results on finer residual hair that previous lasers have struggled with.
The device uses the Dynamic Cooling Device™, a cryogenic cooling system that sprays a micro-layer of liquid gas onto the skin immediately before and after each laser pulse. This reduces discomfort and lowers the risk of side effects—and is one of the reasons why the FDA approval covers all skin types (Fitzpatrick I–VI).
Three wavelengths distributed across nine lasers — why bandwidth matters
The wavelengths target hair follicles at different depths and with varying amounts of pigment. No single laser is equally effective for all combinations—which is why we have all three, distributed across nine medical lasers:
| Laser | Wavelength | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Candela GentleMax Pro Plus | 755 nm Alexandrite + 1064 nm Nd:YAG | The gold standard. High flow rate, large spot size, cryogenic cooling. |
| Alma Soprano Titanium | 755 + 810 + 1064 nm (triple) | SHR technology, large heads, high comfort. |
| Alma Soprano ICE | 755 + 810 nm | Alexandrite + diode with contact cooling. |
| Alma Soprano XLI | 810 nm | Classic SHR diode. |
| LightSheer Desire XT | 805 nm | Diode with high flux and ChillTip™ contact cooling. |
| LightSheer Desire ET | 805 nm | Diode with smaller spots for high precision. |
| LightSheer ET | 805 nm | LED, ideal for small areas. |
| Fotona SP Dynamis | 1064 nm Nd:YAG | Long pulse, effective on deep-set hair and dark skin. |
For you as a patient, this means that we tailor the laser to your skin, hair, and treatment area—not the other way around. Many people who haven’t seen results with IPL or a single-wavelength laser in the past can still achieve safe and effective results with us when we select the right laser.
That is why IPL is not the same as a real laser
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is not a laser. It is broad, unfiltered light that emits multiple wavelengths simultaneously—broad-spectrum and non-specific. IPL machines are affordable (typically one-tenth the cost of a medical laser) and are therefore often used in clinics that want to offer multiple types of treatments with the same equipment.
The results are not the same. IPL often partially damages the hair follicle instead of destroying it, requires multiple treatments, and provides less permanent hair reduction. In the worst case, an incorrect energy level can stimulate the hair follicle instead of deactivating it—a side effect known as paradoxical hypertrichosis, in which hair growth increases after treatment. We regularly see clients who have experienced worsened hair growth after treatments with cheap lasers, IPL machines, or home lasers elsewhere.
At TBL Medical, we use only medical-grade lasers—equipment that costs well over one million kroner per machine and is certified for clinical use. That is why we can guarantee that the hair follicle is actually destroyed, not just irritated.
Here’s how the treatment works — from consultation to smooth, hair-free skin
Permanent hair removal isn’t a single treatment, but a series of 4–6 sessions spread out over a few months. Here’s what the process looks like—from the first time you walked through our door at Marken 32 to the final result.
Free consultation (10–15 minutes)
You’ll meet with one of our licensed nurses, who will assess your skin and hair type, review your medical history (medications, hormonal conditions, any skin conditions), and recommend the lasers and settings best suited for your specific area. You’ll receive a clear price per treatment and a package price before you commit, and you can book your first treatment the same day—but you’re never obligated to start.
Preparation — 4 weeks without sun exposure or waxing
The preparation is simple but important:
- No sun exposure, tanning beds, or self-tanning products for 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after treatment. Tanned skin reduces the effectiveness of the treatment and increases the risk of hypopigmentation (temporary loss of pigment).
- Stop waxing, plucking, and threading 4 weeks before your first treatment—the laser needs the hair root to be in place to work.
- Shave the area 1–2 days before treatment. We want the hair roots to be in the skin, but not any visible hair on the surface that "scatters" the energy.
- Avoid using skin creams containing fruit acids or retinoic acid in the days leading up to your treatment.
- If you're taking medication that makes your skin sensitive to light, please let us know—we'll adjust the settings.
We do not treat pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding. The laser itself is safe, but hormonal changes affect hair growth patterns and may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
The treatment itself (20–60 minutes)
On the day of the procedure:
- You will be provided with safety goggles to protect against the laser light.
- The nurse applies a cooling gel to the area and moves the laser handpiece over the skin in smooth, overlapping strokes.
- You feel a slight warmth and a tingling sensation with each pulse. Thanks to contact cooling and cryogenic cooling, most areas feel pain-free or only mildly uncomfortable.
Treatment time varies greatly depending on the area—the upper lip and chin take 5 minutes, while a full back or legs can be treated in under 45 minutes with the Candela GentleMax Pro Plus.
Immediately after treatment
The most common reaction immediately after treatment is mild redness and slight swelling around the hair follicles—known as perifollicular edema. This is a positive clinical sign that the laser has targeted the hair follicle. The reaction typically subsides within a few hours to a day.
Side effects beyond these are rare, and are usually mild and temporary. Most people return to their normal activities right away. Avoid strong sunlight, hot baths, and strenuous physical activity for the first 24 hours, and avoid sunbathing for the next 4 weeks.
Between treatments (4–6 weeks)
The hairs that were in the hair follicles targeted by the laser will loosen and fall out within 2–3 weeks after treatment. The rest will wait until the next growth cycle. Even after the first treatment, you’ll notice that fewer and finer hairs are growing back—and that it takes longer for them to return.
The interval between treatments varies by area: 4–6 weeks for the face and chin (short growth cycle), and 6–8 weeks for body areas with a longer growth cycle, such as the back and legs. We will determine the interval based on the results of the first treatment.
When will you be done? (4–6 sessions for most people)
For most people, permanent hair removal involves 4–6 treatments spread out over 6–12 months. The number of treatments you need depends on:
- Skin and hair type
- The area under consideration
- Hormonal pattern — if you have PCOS, hirsutism, or another hormonal imbalance, you should expect 6–8 treatments or more.
Even after you’ve finished the treatment, life changes (pregnancy, menopause, hormone therapy) can cause some hair to grow back. Many people therefore return for one maintenance treatment per year—we offer a 30% maintenance discount starting with treatment number 5 if you’ve purchased a package.
This video explains how lasers destroy hair follicles, ensuring that your hair is gone for good.
Treatment Areas and Prices
Permanent hair removal can be performed on most areas of the body. We list the price per treatment and the package price for a minimum of four treatments—since the number of treatments varies from person to person, we do not provide a fixed total price for the entire course of treatment, but all discount terms are clearly stated before you commit.
How the discounts work
How the discounts work
- Package discount: 25% off the unit price when purchasing a package of at least four treatments.
- Student discount: 20% off for anyone who presents a valid student ID. Can be combined with the package discount.
- Maintenance discount: 30% off the unit price starting with the fifth treatment. Calculated based on the unit price (including any student discount), regardless of the package discount.
All discounts will be calculated and explained in writing before you commit, so there is never any doubt about what you are paying per treatment or for the entire course of treatment.
Price example — student purchasing a package of 4 treatments (underarms)
Here is the price for a student who chooses a package of four underarm treatments:
- Price per treatment for underarms: 1,750 NOK before discount
- Package price (25% off packages of 4 or more): 1,312 NOK per treatment
- Top student discount (20% off): 1,050 NOK per treatment
- Total for a package of 4 treatments: 4,200 NOK
- Maintenance price starting with treatment 5 (30% off the unit price with a student discount): 980 NOK per treatment
By comparison, four individual treatments without a discount would cost 7,000 kr — so the student package saves you 2,800 kr (40%) on the first four treatments. If you need additional treatments or maintenance later on, you’ll pay 980 kr per treatment instead of 1,750 kr.
Why choose TBL Medical in Bergen
Safe permanent hair removal isn't just about the laser—it's about the combination of the right equipment, clinical experience, and medical safety. Here's what sets us apart.
Visit our laser clinics in Bergen and ask our practitioners for advice on unwanted hair growth and laser hair removal.
15 years of experience in Bergen — since 2011
TBL Medical opened its first clinic in Marken, Bergen, in 2011, and permanent hair removal has been one of its core treatments from day one. Over the past 15 years, the clinic has treated clients using several generations of laser technology—from the early diode lasers to today’s generation of Candela GentleMax Pro Plus. Our extensive experience is particularly evident in two areas: we know which lasers actually deliver results over time, and we recognize rare skin reactions and hormonal growth patterns early on.
9 medical lasers — the first in Norway to feature the Candela GentleMax Pro Plus
We have built one of Norway’s most comprehensive laser fleets for hair removal, featuring 9 medical lasers covering three wavelengths: 755 nm Alexandrite, 810 nm Diode, and 1064 nm Nd:YAG. In February 2026, TBL Medical became the first clinic in Norway to adopt the Candela GentleMax Pro Plus—an investment that delivers higher fluence, faster treatment times, and better targeting of finer residual hair. This breadth allows us to tailor the treatment precisely to the patient’s skin, hair, and treatment area, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach to every patient.
Treatment in a fully equipped medical setting
The TBL Medical team consists exclusively of licensed nurses, doctors, and plastic surgeons—all of whom are state-certified healthcare professionals. We maintain medical records in accordance with the Health Personnel Act, and a physician in charge of medical care is always available at the clinic. For you as a patient, this means that skin reactions, hormonal issues, or medical complications can be assessed on-site by a doctor—without having to visit your primary care physician or another clinic afterward.
Why choosing laser treatment is a medical decision, not a cosmetic one
We regularly see clients who have experienced poorer results—or even negative effects—following treatments with inexpensive lasers, IPL devices, or at-home lasers at other clinics. The most common serious side effect is paradoxical hypertrichosis, in which hair growth actually increases after treatment because the laser stimulates the hair follicle instead of destroying it.
This typically happens when the energy level is too low, when the wrong wavelength is used for the skin type, or when the equipment is simply not medically classified. Home lasers and IPL machines often fall into this risk category. At TBL Medical, we use only medical-grade lasers—and the choice of laser is a medical decision we make based on professional assessment, not a standard package we sell off an assembly line.
Read more in our article on how to avoid substandard equipment and inexperienced practitioners.
Book a free consultation in Bergen
Ready to get rid of unwanted hair? Book a free consultation at TBL Medical in Bergen—no obligation, and you’ll receive a price quote and an estimate of the number of treatments in writing before you make your decision.
✓ Free consultation · ✓ Prices starting at 900 kr · ⭐ 4.9 out of 5 (188 reviews)
📍 TBL Medical AS
Marken 32, 5017 Bergen
📞 46426421
✉️ info@tblmedical.no
How to get here
🚊 Light Rail: Get off at Bergen City Center (Byparken) — 3-minute walk
🚌 Bus: All routes at Torget or Bryggen — within a 5-minute walk
🚗 Parking: Bygarasjen and Klostergarasjen — 5–7-minute walk
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
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1. Is permanent hair removal really permanent?
Yes — once a hair follicle is destroyed by the laser, it cannot produce new hair again. In technical terms, the result is called permanent hair reduction: lasers typically deactivate 80–95% of the treated hair follicles over a full course of 4–8 treatments. The remaining hair is often thinner, lighter in color, and grows more slowly. Hormonal changes later in life (pregnancy, menopause, hormone therapy) can reactivate dormant hair follicles, so many people return for one maintenance treatment per year. The difference from waxing, tweezing, and IPL is that the treated hair follicles are actually deactivated, not just temporarily stunned.
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2. How many treatments will I need?
Most people are satisfied with 4–6 treatments spread out over 6–12 months. The number of treatments depends on your skin and hair type, the area being treated, and the percentage of hairs in the active growth phase at any given time. If you have PCOS, hirsutism, or another hormonal imbalance, you should expect 6–8 treatments or more. During your consultation, we’ll provide a realistic assessment based on your skin, hair, and goals.
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3. Is the treatment painful?
Most people find the treatment mildly uncomfortable, not painful. The lasers’ built-in contact cooling and the cryogen-based Dynamic Cooling Device™ on the Candela GentleMax Pro Plus significantly reduce discomfort—you’ll mainly feel a slight warmth and a quick “tingle” with each pulse. Sensitive areas such as the upper lip and bikini line may feel slightly more uncomfortable than the back or legs, but no treatment requires anesthesia.
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4. What do I need to do before my first treatment?
The preparation is simple but important:
- No sunbathing, tanning beds, or self-tanning products for 4 weeks before (and 4 weeks after) treatment.
- Stop waxing, plucking, and threading 4 weeks beforehand—the laser needs the hair root to be intact.
- Shave the area 1–2 days before treatment.
- Avoid skin creams containing fruit acids or retinoic acid in the days leading up to the procedure.
- Please let us know if you are taking any medications that make your skin sensitive to light, and we will adjust the settings accordingly.
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5. Can you treat all skin types and hair colors?
We treat all skin types on the Fitzpatrick scale (I–VI)—from fair Nordic skin to dark, pigmented skin—thanks to three wavelengths distributed across nine medical lasers. For darker skin types, we typically use 1064 nm Nd:YAG (Candela GentleMax Pro Plus or Fotona SP Dynamis), which penetrates deeply without being absorbed by the skin. Hair colors that contain little or no melanin—light blonde, red, white, and gray hair—unfortunately cannot be effectively treated with laser, regardless of the clinic or equipment.
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6. What are the side effects, and how rare are they?
Complications are rare when medical lasers are used with the correct settings. The most common reaction immediately after treatment is mild redness and slight swelling around the hair follicles (perifollicular edema)—a positive clinical sign that the laser has targeted the hair follicle, which disappears within 24 hours. Rarer side effects may include temporary pigment changes (especially if you’ve been in the sun), blisters, or paradoxical hypertrichosis, where hair growth increases instead of decreasing. The latter is seen almost exclusively with low-cost lasers, IPL machines, or home lasers with insufficient energy—which is why we use only medical-grade lasers and strictly follow safety protocols.
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7. Who is not eligible for treatment?
We do not treat pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding. The laser itself is safe, but hormonal changes affect hair growth patterns and reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. Patients under the age of 18 can be treated, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the initial consultation and first treatment. Certain medications—particularly isotretinoin (Roaccutane)—require a 6-month break before we can begin treatment. Active skin infections, open wounds, or sunburned skin in the treatment area must be fully healed before treatment.
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8. What discounts do you offer on permanent hair removal?
We have three discounts that can be combined:
- 25% package discount when purchasing a package of at least four treatments.
- 20% student discount with a valid student ID. Can be combined with the package discount.
- 30% maintenance discount starting with the fifth treatment. Calculated based on the unit price (including any student discount); cannot be combined with package discounts.
Example: A student who purchases a package of four underarm treatments pays 1,050 kr per treatment instead of the individual price of 1,750 kr — a total of 4,200 kr instead of 7,000 kr.
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9. How do I get to the clinic in Marken?
Our clinic is located at Marken 32, 5017 Bergen—in downtown Bergen, just a few minutes’ walk from the “Bystasjonen” Bybanen stop and from Bryggen. There are several parking garages nearby, with Bygarasjen and Klostergarasjen being the closest. The main entrance faces the pedestrian street Marken, and we have a step-free entrance. The Bybanen is the easiest way to reach us from both Flesland Airport and all parts of Bergen.
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10. Do you serve customers from all over Western Norway and the Bergen region?
Yes — we have clients from all over Western Norway and the surrounding areas, including downtown Bergen, Åsane, Fyllingsdalen, Fana, Os, Askøy, Sotra, Knarvik, Nordhordland, Voss, Stord, and Sogn og Fjordane. Many people choose to combine two treatments on the same day (e.g., legs and bikini line) when they have to travel a long way. Let us know during your consultation, and we’ll coordinate your appointments and treatment plan so you can minimize the number of trips.
