During laser hair removal treatment, the laser emits an intense beam of light which is selectively absorbed by the dark pigment in the hair follicles. The ideal targets for the laser are dark, coarse hairs on background fair skin. Lighter, more fine hairs are not targeted as effectively by the laser, and as such do not respond as well to treatment. In patients with darker skin tones, the laser does not target the hair follicle as efficiently and treatment results may vary. For these patients, a test spot may be performed in order to ensure that no hyperpigmentation (skin darkening) occurs after treatment.

The cost of laser hair removal can vary depending on the area that you would like to have treated. There are 22 different treatment areas that can be targeted, with the cost depending on the size of the area being treated. Smaller treatment areas are less expensive, while larger treatment areas cost more. Patients can purchase a 5-pack of treatments upfront and receive their sixth treatment for free.

Most patients note slight discomfort with each pulse of the laser, describing a sensation akin to a hot rubber band snapped against the skin. Depending on the location, a numbing cream may be applied before the laser hair treatment to help minimize discomfort.

Depending on the size of the area being treated, the procedure can take a few minutes to upwards of an hour.

There is no downtime after laser hair removal and patients are free to resume all normal activities after the procedure. It is recommended that patients avoid direct sun exposure for at least one week after treatment, since the sun can sometimes darken theskin recently treated with a laser.

Patients often notice swelling or redness immediately after the procedure which usually resolves within a few hours to a few days. More rare side effects include bruising, blistering, or discoloration in the treated area.

After 6 laser hair removal treatments, ideal candidates typically experience ~80-90% reduction in hair growth that lasts for one to several years. After that time, patients may require occasional treatments for maintenance.

Laser hair removal is generally considered a cosmetic procedure, and as such, is not covered by most insurance companies.