Laser education center since 2008 · Zagreb & Daruvar
Laser Hair Removal in Croatia
Laser epilation is intended for the permanent reduction of dark hair growth on the face and body. Before the series begins, we examine your skin and hair and assess the suitability of the treatment, the expected result, and an approximate plan of visits.
Laser hair removal can reduce the need for frequent shaving and ease the problems that come with ingrown hairs and skin irritation. Before the series begins, we assess your skin type, the color and thickness of your hair, and the circumstances that may affect the result.
Is this for me?
What laser hair removal solves, and what it does not
Laser hair removal, also known as laser epilation, is a medical treatment that permanently reduces the growth of unwanted hair on the face and body. The most commonly treated areas include the legs, the bikini area, the underarms, the arms, and the face. Reasons for coming in can include cosmetic concerns, ingrown hairs, irritation after shaving, or skin changes after waxing.
The laser acts directly on the follicle the hair grows from, but it does not remove a possible hormonal or other cause of increased growth. That difference is taken into account when assessing the expected result and the need for maintenance.
Who the treatment makes sense for
The most pronounced effect is achieved on darker hairs, because the laser energy acts on the pigment in the hair and converts into heat that damages the follicle. The treatment is performed on both women and men; in men, the back, shoulders, neck, and beard line are often treated, including areas prone to ingrown hairs.
For some patients, the reason for treatment is not just the amount of hair but recurring redness, ingrown hairs, and inflammatory changes after shaving or waxing. Reducing hair growth can ease those problems as well.
When the laser is not the right solution
Gray, white, very light, and fine downy hairs do not have enough pigment for an effective response to the laser. The limitation comes from the way laser energy works, not from the power or age of the device. For such hairs, electrolysis can be considered, since it does not depend on pigment.
“Gray, white, and very light hairs do not have enough pigment for an effective laser treatment. In that case, a method that does not depend on hair color should be considered.”
The treatment is postponed for freshly tanned skin, active inflammation, or an open wound on the treated area, during pregnancy, and while taking medication that increases the skin’s sensitivity to light. The appointment is then moved until safe conditions for the procedure are in place.
How it is performed
How laser epilation works and why several treatments are needed
The laser energy passes through the skin and is absorbed by the melanin in the hair. The energy then converts into heat that damages the structures responsible for hair growth. The surface of the skin is cooled during the treatment to protect the epidermis and reduce discomfort.
- Duration
- from a few minutes for smaller areas to about an hour for larger ones
- Anesthesia
- not needed; the skin is cooled throughout the treatment
- Recovery
- back to everyday routines the same day; redness usually settles within a few hours
- Performed by
- Ines Maletić, MD
The three phases of hair growth
A hair passes through a growth phase, a regression phase, and a resting phase. The laser works effectively on hairs in the active growth phase, and in any given area not all hairs are in that phase at the same time. That is why a series of treatments is needed for a result, regardless of the device being used.
How many treatments, and how far apart
According to the professional literature, the number of hairs can drop by roughly 10–25% after the first treatment, and the effect builds gradually over the series. The interval between visits is usually four to eight weeks and is adjusted to the region, because hair on the face and body does not share the same growth cycle.
The number of treatments depends on the area, the color and thickness of the hair, and any possible hormonal cause of increased growth. An approximate plan is set at the examination and adjusted over the series according to how your skin responds.
The technology behind the results
The lasers we work with
At Polyclinic Maletić we work exclusively with lasers made by Fotona, a cooperation that dates back to 2008, when we also became one of its education centers. The device itself is only one part of the picture — the outcome of a procedure is decided by the knowledge with which it is applied.
Physicians come to our polyclinic from the United States, Canada, Australia, Dubai, Russia, Israel, Turkey, and other parts of the world to learn about laser procedures and see how we work. In Daruvar there is a training hall with live broadcasts of procedures from the operating room, so learning happens on real clinical cases.
Our physicians — Ines Maletić, Duško Maletić, MD, MSc, and Mario Bartol — regularly take part in Fotona’s international meetings, which bring together experts in laser medicine. What they learn there, we apply in our work with patients.
We perform laser hair removal with a Fotona laser.
- Education center since 2008
- Fotona Laser & Health Academy
- Live surgery broadcasts from the operating room
Why us
Why choose us for laser hair removal
Education center since 2008
In cooperation with the Fotona Laser & Health Academy, we train physicians from other countries in laser procedures.
Exclusively Fotona lasers
We perform laser hair removal with a Fotona medical laser.
An examination before the first treatment
Before the series begins, we assess your skin type and condition and the color and thickness of your hair, and adjust the laser parameters accordingly.
Performed by Ines Maletić, MD
Ines Maletić takes part in Fotona Laser & Health Academy programs as an Expert Clinical Lecturer.
Assessment before the series starts
At the examination we assess whether the laser can act on the color and thickness of your hair, and what result you can expect.
Continuity through the whole series
Ines Maletić follows how your skin responds and adjusts the parameters throughout the entire series of treatments.
A family polyclinic since 1998
Two generations of the Maletić family work at the Polyclinic today, in Zagreb and Daruvar.
Zagreb & Daruvar
At both locations, treatments follow the protocol of Polyclinic Maletić.
Realistic expectations
Permanent reduction and permanent removal are not the same
Laser epilation achieves a permanent reduction in the number of hairs, but it does not guarantee the permanent removal of every single hair. Some follicles may be only partially damaged and, over time, produce a hair again — one that is often thinner and lighter.
After the series is completed, growth in the treated area may be absent for months or years, and the hairs that do reappear are usually sparser, thinner, and less visible. Some patients need occasional maintenance treatments.
“Permanent reduction and permanent removal are not the same. The laser can significantly reduce hair growth, but it cannot guarantee that none of the hairs will ever appear again.”
When there is more behind it
When a hormonal cause lies behind increased hair growth
In some women, increased hair growth on the face, chin, neck, and abdomen can be linked to a hormonal imbalance. The most common cause is polycystic ovary syndrome, but increased hair growth can accompany other endocrine conditions as well.
Why we ask about your cycle, acne, and how quickly the hair appeared
At the examination we ask about the regularity of the menstrual cycle, the presence of acne, and how quickly the hair appeared or intensified. For women with an irregular cycle, a sudden increase in hair growth, or other accompanying signs, professional guidelines recommend assessing hormonal status before planning a laser treatment.
“If a hormonal cause lies behind the increased hair growth, the laser can reduce the growth, but it does not treat the underlying hormonal imbalance.”
If a hormonal cause is suspected, laser treatment may still be possible, but an additional workup is recommended. In such cases the result can be less predictable and the need for maintenance greater.
What the treatment feels like
Does it hurt, and what the day after looks like
The sensation during the treatment can resemble the brief snap of a rubber band and a wave of warmth. The discomfort is more pronounced on the face, the bikini area, and the underarms, and milder on the legs and arms. Cooling the skin reduces the discomfort but does not remove it entirely.
Right after the treatment the skin can be red and slightly swollen, similar to a mild reaction after sun exposure. The changes usually settle within a few hours, so you can return to your everyday routine the same day. The treated hairs do not disappear immediately — they gradually work their way out of the skin and fall out over the following weeks.
Honest about the risks
Possible risks and side effects
Alongside the expected redness and swelling, small bumps can appear around the follicles, and, more rarely, blisters, crusts, and lightening or darkening of the treated skin. Burns are also possible, while scars are rare. The risk is higher with poorly chosen parameters and when tanned skin is treated. In people prone to herpes, treating the face can trigger its reactivation.
During every treatment, eye protection with appropriate safety goggles is mandatory, regardless of the size of the treated area.
Paradoxical increase in hair growth
A rare but recognized side effect of laser epilation is a paradoxical increase in hair growth at the edges of the treated area, especially on the face, neck, shoulders, and back. It is described more often in darker skin types, and a higher risk is also reported in women of Mediterranean descent treating facial hair.
The possibility of paradoxical growth is assessed before the first treatment, and where the risk is increased, another hair removal method may be recommended.
Before you come in
Preparation and the rules between treatments
Before the treatment
- In the weeks before the treatment, the hairs may only be shaved. Tweezers, wax, and epilators are not used, because they remove the hair from the follicle the laser needs to act on.
- The area being treated is shaved the day before your visit.
- The treated area is not exposed to the sun or tanning beds before the treatment, and self-tanning products are not used.
- On the day of the treatment the skin must be clean — no makeup, creams, perfume, or other cosmetic products.
- Tell us about all the medications you take, because some increase the skin’s sensitivity to light.
After the treatment
- Mild redness is expected and usually passes within a few hours.
- Sun, tanning beds, and self-tanning products are avoided after the treatment, following the instructions you receive when you leave.
- The destroyed hairs gradually work their way out and fall off over the following weeks.
- Between treatments, the hairs are shaved only.
Who we are
Who performs the treatment at Polyclinic Maletić
Laser hair removal is performed by Ines Maletić, MD, co-founder of the Polyclinic and an Expert Clinical Lecturer with the Fotona Laser & Health Academy. Before the treatment she assesses your skin type and condition, the characteristics of your hair, and possible risk factors, and sets the laser parameters accordingly.
Since 2008 the Polyclinic has served as an education center in cooperation with the Fotona Laser & Health Academy, training physicians from other countries. Ines Maletić follows each patient throughout the entire series, so the parameters can be adjusted to how the skin responds and to changes in hair growth.
Meet the whole team
After the series
What changes once the series is over
The result is not judged immediately after the last treatment, but over the following months, when it becomes clear how much the hair growth has been permanently reduced and what the remaining hairs are like.
After a completed series, the density and frequency of hair growth decrease, so shaving is needed less often. In people who started the treatment because of ingrown hairs and irritation, the repeated aggravation of the skin can decrease as well. Studies of women with excessive hair growth record a reduction in the time and the number of days spent removing hair even after the series has ended.
From the first treatment to a stable result takes at least several months.
Price
The price of laser hair removal
Prices in the price list are given by body region and refer to a single treatment. Since a series is needed for a result, after the examination you receive an approximate estimate of the number of visits and the total cost. The full price list is available on the Prices page.
Before the series begins, the examination assesses whether the color and thickness of your hair suit a laser treatment, and what result you can expect.
Related: Laser Capillary & Spider Vein Removal · Laser Treatment for Excessive Sweating · Contact
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Laser epilation — legs
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Laser epilation — bikini area
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Laser epilation — arms
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Laser epilation — underarms
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Laser epilation — face
In the price list the treatment is listed as laser epilation, by body region. The prices shown are per treatment; the final price for your area is confirmed at the examination.
See the full price listPatient reviews
What our patients say
Reviews taken from our Google Business profiles, Zagreb and Daruvar, translated from Croatian.
★★★★★
“Since high school I watched the double chin I inherited from my father become more and more pronounced — and 15 years later, the double chin is gone. A big thank you to Dr. Maletić and the whole team for making my wish come true. The procedure was painless, as was the recovery, and the results were visible within just a few days. The entire team was exceptionally kind and cheerful, and the atmosphere very pleasant. I left the polyclinic satisfied, and when, two days after the swelling went down, I saw that the double chin was gone, my satisfaction knew no bounds. I warmly recommend Polyclinic Maletić.”
★★★★★
“My experience with breast augmentation with Dr. Maletić in Daruvar was excellent. I am extremely satisfied with the result. All the nurses are very kind and professional. I absolutely recommend them.”
★★★★★
“All praise for Polyclinic Maletić in Daruvar! I had a lip augmentation with fillers and I am very satisfied with the result. I would especially like to commend Dr. Mario Bartol, who is exceptionally kind, professional, and has a wonderful approach to patients, which made me feel comfortable and safe throughout the treatment. All the nurses are also very kind, helpful, and professional. I warmly recommend them to anyone considering aesthetic treatments!”
★★★★★
“Laser acne treatment is the only treatment that has helped me, and I would not choose any other facial treatment over it. Dr. Ines is one of the kindest people I have ever met and always has useful advice. Kind staff and top-level service — I warmly recommend her to everyone!”
★★★★★
“I had a wart on my face removed by laser. Very professional service with excellent results. The wart was quite large, but after just one treatment it was gone. All recommendations!”
★★★★★
“I recently had a varicose vein procedure. All praise to the entire team.”
★★★★★
“Blepharoplasty, 4D laser, and double chin. Perfect. All recommendations!”
★★★★★
“The best team of physicians, exceptionally professional and kind. I have been loyal to Polyclinic Maletić for more than 10 years and I am always satisfied with the results. Thank you.”
★★★★★
“Dr. Maletić’s practice, both in Daruvar and in Zagreb — and I have had several procedures — I can only recommend, because I felt very comfortable there and in expert hands!”
★★★★★
“An exceptionally professional, pleasant, and skilled team that knows and loves its work. It is a fine thing to be in the hands of some of the greatest experts in their field, who provide the kind of service I would wish for and recommend to anyone.”
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions
Does laser hair removal hurt?
During the treatment you may feel a brief snap and a wave of warmth, and the discomfort is more pronounced on sensitive areas such as the face and the bikini area. The skin is cooled throughout the procedure, and the intensity and pace of the work are adjusted to what you feel. If the discomfort becomes too strong, the treatment can be stopped.
How many treatments are needed?
A series of treatments is needed because the laser acts on hairs that are in the active growth phase, and not all of them are in the same phase at the same time. The number of visits depends on the area, the color and thickness of the hair, and hormonal status, so an approximate plan is set at the examination and adjusted over the course of the series.
Is the result permanent?
Laser epilation achieves a permanent reduction in the number of hairs, not a guaranteed removal of every single hair. After the series is completed, regrowth may be absent for months or years, and the hairs that do reappear are often thinner and lighter. Some patients need occasional maintenance treatments.
Does the laser work on gray and light hairs?
No. The laser acts on the pigment in the hair, so gray, white, very light, and fine downy hairs do not have enough melanin for an effective response. For such hairs, a method that does not depend on pigment should be considered.
Can I sunbathe, and can the treatment be done in summer?
Tanned skin increases the risk of pigmentation changes and can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. The treated area is therefore not exposed to the sun or tanning beds before and after your visit. The series is easiest to carry out outside the intense sunbathing season, and the possibility of a summer appointment is assessed according to the condition of your skin.
Can I shave between treatments?
Between treatments the hairs may be shaved, because shaving does not remove the follicle the laser needs to act on. Tweezers, wax, and epilators remove the hair from the root, so they should be avoided throughout the entire series.
Can the treatment be done during pregnancy?
We do not perform laser hair removal during pregnancy. Since there is not enough research confirming the safety of the procedure in that period, as a precaution the treatment is postponed until pregnancy and breastfeeding are over.
Book a consultation for laser hair removal
Zagreb and Daruvar, weekdays 8:00–20:00.