Laser Hair Removal (For Body)

Laser hair removal selectively concentrates light energy in the hair follicle, leaving the surrounding skin unchanged. With each session, the number of hairs growing in the treatment area declines and they can become finer and lighter. Laser hair removal can be performed on any area of the face or body in as little as 15 to 30 minutes and is faster and easier than other methods of hair removal.

Laser hair removal is great for both women and men and can target all areas of the body including the bikini line, face, neck, underarms, legs, back, and ears. Our cosmetic laser and light therapies have been designed to work safely and effectively for all skin types. At Reflections, patients of African American, Indian, Asian, Hispanic American, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and mixed race descent can feel confident that our experienced providers are utilizing specialized long wavelength lasers such as GentleYAG, the gold standard for the treatment of dark skin, to provide safe and effective laser hair removal treatments. These long wavelength lasers are absorbed less by melanin, minimizing the risk to your skin’s pigment during laser hair removal treatment.

Patients describe the sensation of laser hair removal as similar to the snap of a rubber band. Two of our most popular lasers, the GentleLase and the GentleYAG, use a cryogen spray that precedes the laser pulse, pre-cooling the skin and making the treatment extremely comfortable. The LightSheer uses a cold plate to numb the treatment area, and in Duet mode is our fastest and most comfortable laser hair removal technology. It’s perfect for treating large areas (like a man’s back or a woman’s legs) as it takes much less time to cover the same area just as effectively as other lasers.

The FDA has cleared lasers for permanent reduction of unwanted hair, and the results are excellent. Though no one can guarantee complete and permanent removal of 100% of unwanted hair, we can assure you that laser hair removal is the most advanced and effective procedure today and patients are extremely satisfied with the results. The ideal candidate is a patient with light skin and coarse, dark hair but due to recent developments and the latest technology we can achieve great results in patients with darker skin as well. For these patients, specialized lasers must be utilized, the most advanced of which is the GentleYAG Nd:YAG laser.

Laser hair removal is tolerated quite well. Patients describe the sensation to be similar to the snap of a warm rubber band. The two most popular hair removal devices at Reflections are the Gentlelase and GentleYAG lasers. Both of these lasers use a cool, cryogen spray, which precedes the laser pulse, pre-cooling the skin and making the treatment comfortable. The Lightsheer and Starlux IPL use cold plates to numb the skin for a comfortable treatment. Patients can elect to use topical anesthetic cream if they desire, although this is normally not required. One example is called Elamax. This is available in a four to five percent formulation. It is most effective when applied 30-40 minutes prior to the procedure.

Permanent complications are quite rare from laser hair removal. Temporary skin darkening (hyperpigmentation) can occur, especially in those with darker skin tones and those with tanned skin, but this side effect is uncommon if specialized lasers for darker skin are utilized. Make sure the provider is using one of these lasers if you meet these criteria. Hypopigmentation (lightening of skin color) is a rare complication of laser hair removal and would be more common if tanned skin was treated with a non-specialized laser. The risk of laser hair removal scars with laser or light source hair removal is quite rare. The more experienced the provider who is performing the procedure, the safer it is. Beware of physicians who just dabble in or provide laser hair removal in a gynecology or family practice offices, or just perform treatments on a sporadic basis. All of Reflections’ providers are specialized and highly experienced in laser hair removal.

All areas of the body, including face, neck, underarms, bikini line, chest, areola, legs, back, and ears can be treated. Eyebrows should not be shaped with the laser but the area in between the eyebrows can be treated.

Immediately after the procedure, the treated area may appear minimally red in color. This reaction generally subsides within minutes to hours. Ice compresses can hasten the resolution of the redness if necessary. It is not necessary to put antibacterial cream on after the procedure. Sun avoidance is strongly advised after laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal is not effective for individuals with light blond, grey or silver hair, but it can safely be performed on people of all skin types and tones, with very rare exceptions for this who have specific rare diseases.

It is preferable for hair to be short, no more than one to two millimeters (one to two day’s growth) at the time of the procedure. Hair should be clipped or shaved the day prior to the treatment, but waxing or plucking is avoided for one to two weeks prior to the treatment to enhance effectiveness. It is essential that back hair be shaved one to two days prior to treatment. In general, the shorter the hair length during the procedure, the less painful and more effective your treatments will be. Longer hair can increase the risk of certain complications, such as burns. For that reason, our providers require that you shave or clip hair very closely the day prior to your treatment.

There are several types of systems used for hair removal, and each varies in terms of cooling methods, treatment spot sizes and also comfort and treatment times. Be sure to ask about specifics of the laser or light system that will be utilized for your treatment. A facility should own several systems so they can tailor a treatment plan specific to your needs. Beware of practices that rent lasers, as this could indicate a lack of commitment to the field and lack of expertise.

Many men come to Reflections for laser hair removal. The back and shoulders are the most common area of treatment, though they also treat the chest, abdomen, ears and neck. Facial hair removal for men is also a popular option. It is important for men to have their back shaved either the day prior to, or the morning of the treatment. The goal of therapy for some guys is to thin the hair out, rather than to remove all the hair, and that can be effectively achieved with fewer treatments of laser hair removal.