Laser hair removal is safe and effective. Waxing, shaving and other epilation methods are temporary, time-consuming and can cause irritation, bumps, ingrown hairs and pain. Laser hair removal offers a permanent reduction of hair growth and is significantly more cost-effective over the course of an individual’s lifetime.

Laser hair removal is a medical procedure utilizing a specific device, which delivers a beam of high-intensity light through the skin to target individual hair follicles. The intense heat of the laser damages the hair follicle, which inhibits future hair growth while mostly sparing the overlying skin. Because normal hair cycles through active and dormant states, generally a series of treatments are required for effective laser hair reduction since laser treatments can only work on hair that is in the active or growth phase.

Patients should avoid plucking, electrolysis or waxing the treatment area for at least 2 weeks prior to each hair removal session. If you have a history of recurrent herpes simplex virus involving the treatment area, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be needed for preventative purposes. Do not expose the intended treatment area to sunlight or tanning-booth light for at least 2 weeks before each laser treatment. The involved skin should be shaved within 1-2 days of treatment and thoroughly cleansed on the morning of treatment. Makeup, creams, oils, topical anesthetics and/or self-tanning products should be completely removed from the treatment area beforehand. Patients should avoid using ibuprofen, naproxen, aleve, motrin, or advil 5 days prior to each treatment.

In general, laser procedures have a low risk of causing significant adverse reactions. Cool compresses, cold aloe vera, or topical 1% hydrocortisone cream may be applied to soothe the treated skin following your treatment session if desired. Any redness or swelling of the treated skin typically resolves within a few hours. Additional information will be provided during the detailed informed consent process and before the treatment is commenced.

After each laser treatment, avoid sun exposure and avoid tanning of the treated area(s) for 7-14 days afterwards. Apply appropriate sunblock, which should protect against UVA and UVB and provide an SPF of 30 or higher, to the skin when going outside. In the first few days after treatment, do not shave or scrub/rinse the treated areas with abrasive skin cleansers. Your practitioner may advise additional care instructions.

Laser light energy targets pigment in the hair. However, it is possible that if freckles are present in the treatment area, they may also be affected by the laser light. As a result, freckles may initially turn darker, but subsequently fade away after a few days.

Cost will vary depending on the area of the body being treated and the condition of the overlying skin. Discounts are available when purchasing a package of laser hair treatments.

Generally, 6-8 treatment sessions are sufficient to provide permanent hair reduction in the majority of patients. However, the number of treatments can vary depending on individual factors, hormonal fluctuations, medications, and the growth cycle of the hair. Hair growth occurs in 3 main stages: Anagen (active hair growth), Catagen (regression), and Telogen (resting and not growing). Laser hair removal affects only the Anagen stage of hair growth. As a result, approximately 20% of residual hair is removed with each laser treatment and 85-90% hair reduction is achieved after 6-8 treatments. Some individuals may need more treatments depending on their specific skin, genetics, underlying medical conditions, etc. In any event, after the series of treatments has been completed, an annual maintenance laser treatment is usually required to maintain the effect.