Laser hair removal NHS AGEM Funding

Many people including some doctors and consultants may be under the impression that funding for laser hair removal falls under the category of cosmetic procedures and is therefore not accessible via the NHS AGEM. However under certain circumstances funding is provided via NHS AGEM for the removal of unwanted hair growth if a patient is on a Gender Care Pathway, referral will come from a Gender Identity Clinic GIC.

Funding for transgender patients not on a Gender Care Pathway, applications can be made available through the Exceptional Cases Criteria. Each case is looked at on its own merits. In order to access funding via this route your GP must approach the (ICB) for and Individual Funding Request (IFR). The GP has to complete a form explaining the circumstances of your case.

What results can be expected from funded facial hair removal?

Quality of treatment and care are very important to us at Cristianos and encompasses many criteria including the clinically proven equipment we use, qualifications and training of our staff and measuring what we do to ensure we are producing the results we promise for you, the client.

Cristianos have developed a method of objectively assessing the amount of hair growth on the face. By analysing this data we can calculate the average amount of hair removal achieved. In the case of facial hair removal for gender clients we have used the 8 sessions awarded by NHS AGEM as an opportunity to assess the amount of hair reduction achieved.

The assessment is carried out prior to the first session and again prior to the eighth treatment. This means the data represents the reduction achieved following seven full-face treatments and therefore we would expect further reduction following treatment number 8. Further assessment takes place for those clients who continue to undergo treatment once funding has been exhausted.

All clients were treated using the Lightsheer Diode Laser, Energist Ultra VPL or a combination of these methodologies. This analysis did not consider the effect of hair or skin colours on outcomes.

The average percentage hair reduction recorded after 7 treatment was 56% (range 22%-75%). The vast majority of clients, 25 out of 26 reported having to shave daily prior to treatment this reduced to slightly over twice per week following 7 sessions of light assisted hair removal (range 1-4).

This data gives us a benchmark against which we can assess the outcomes in terms of this client group and for individual clients. It also allows the client to set realistic expectations of treatment results.

Meeting the needs of our clients is of paramount importance and you can be assured we will continue to assess our practice and strive to produce the best results possible.

Referrals

We specialise in NHS referrals from Tavistock & Portman GIDS, Leeds GIS, Nottingham GIC, Porterbrook GIC, Daventry GIC and North Devon GIC through NHS AGEM.

Cristianos can help you negotiate this process and provide your doctor or GIC with the information they need to apply for funding on your behalf, we do not make any charge for this service. If you feel you may fit the criteria for NHS AGEM funding please ring and book an appointment for consultation to discuss this further.