Laser Hair Removal

Most patients achieve optimal permanent hair reduction with 6-8 treatment sessions spaced according to the hair growth cycle of each area. Facial hair typically requires treatments every 4-6 weeks due to its faster growth cycle. Body areas like underarms and bikini are treated every 6-8 weeks. Legs, arms, and back with slower growth cycles can be treated every 8-12 weeks. You will notice progressive reduction in hair growth with each session, with many patients seeing 80-95% permanent hair reduction after completing their full series. Some individuals, particularly those with hormonal influences like PCOS, may require occasional maintenance treatments to address new hair stimulated by hormones.

Yes, the Elite IQ laser is specifically designed to be safe and effective for all Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI, including very dark skin that was previously at high risk with older laser technology. The unique combination of 1064nm wavelength and 650-microsecond pulse duration allows the laser to target hair follicles effectively while minimizing thermal damage to the surrounding epidermis. This makes Elite IQ one of the safest and most effective options available for laser hair removal on darker skin tones, including African-American, Hispanic, Asian, Indian, and Middle Eastern skin. During your consultation, we will assess your skin type and customize treatment parameters to ensure safe, effective results.

Laser hair removal produces what is called "permanent hair reduction" rather than complete permanent hairlessness. Once a hair follicle is damaged by laser treatment, that follicle is permanently disabled and will not produce hair again. Most patients achieve 80-95% reduction in hair growth after completing a full series of treatments. Any remaining hair is often finer, lighter in color, and slower growing than before treatment. It is important to note that hormonal changes, aging, medications, and certain medical conditions can stimulate new hair growth from previously dormant follicles or activate vellus hair. For this reason, some patients choose to have occasional touch-up sessions every 1-2 years to maintain completely smooth results.

The Elite IQ laser is significantly more comfortable than waxing and most other hair removal methods. Most patients describe the sensation as mild warmth or a light tingling, often compared to a warm rubber band snap. The ultra-short 650-microsecond pulse duration minimizes heat transfer to the skin, reducing discomfort substantially compared to traditional millisecond lasers. No numbing cream or cooling gel is needed for most patients and treatment areas. The procedure is well-tolerated by the vast majority of patients without any anesthesia. Sensitive areas like the bikini line or upper lip may feel slightly more sensation, but still remain very tolerable. Any post-treatment sensitivity typically resolves within a few hours.

We can treat virtually any area of the body with unwanted hair. Popular treatment areas include face (upper lip, chin, sideburns, jawline, full face), neck and throat, underarms, arms (full arms, forearms, or just hands), chest and abdomen, back and shoulders, bikini area (from basic bikini to full Brazilian), legs (full legs, lower legs, thighs, or feet), and even smaller areas like fingers, toes, ears, and nose. We can customize treatment to address your specific concerns whether you want to treat just one problem area like the upper lip or achieve full-body hair removal. During your consultation, we will discuss your goals, assess the hair type and density in each area, and create a personalized treatment plan with pricing for your desired areas.

Proper preparation ensures optimal results and minimizes side effects. Shave the treatment area 12-24 hours before your appointment — short stubble is ideal. Do NOT wax, pluck, thread, or use depilatory creams for at least 4 weeks before treatment, as these methods remove the hair root that the laser needs to target. Avoid sun exposure and tanning (sun or artificial) for at least 2 weeks before treatment — tanned skin increases risk of side effects and reduces efficacy. Discontinue photosensitizing medications if possible after consulting your physician. Remove all makeup, lotions, deodorant, and products from the treatment area before arriving. Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to treatment areas.

Yes, you can and should shave as needed between laser treatments. Shaving only removes the hair shaft above the skin surface and does not affect the hair root or follicle, so it will not interfere with treatment results. In fact, keeping the area shaved makes subsequent treatments more comfortable and effective. However, you must NOT wax, pluck, thread, or use depilatory creams between sessions. These methods remove the entire hair including the root, which eliminates the target for the next laser treatment. Removing hair roots between treatments will significantly compromise your results and may require additional sessions to achieve your desired outcome. Stick to shaving only between treatments for best results.

Laser hair removal works by targeting melanin (dark pigment) in the hair follicle. Blonde, red, grey, and white hair contains little to no melanin, making laser treatment ineffective or only minimally effective on these hair colors. Some blonde and red hair with sufficient melanin may respond to treatment, but results are unpredictable and typically require more sessions than dark hair. For light-colored hair, electrolysis is the gold standard permanent hair removal method, though it is more time-consuming and expensive than laser. During your consultation, we will examine your hair color and provide an honest assessment of expected results. For those with mixed hair colors, we can treat the darker hairs with laser while discussing alternative options for light-colored hair.