Laser Hair Removal

Laser Hair Removal

Many people find that constantly removing hair can be problematic and expensive. Shaving and waxing can often leave ingrown hairs and razor bumps, and the hair typically grows back within a matter of hours or days. At NorCal Plastic Surgery, we offer laser hair removal for a more permanent solution.

Laser hair removal is a treatment that can permanently reduce body and facial hair.  Using light energy, laser hair removal will damage the hair follicles found under the skin. Patients most often target the hair under their arms, on the back, face, and legs. 

How many laser hair removal treatments you will need will depend on how thick your hair is and how it grows back. Generally, you will need six to eight sessions spaced approximately six to eight weeks apart. Larger areas tend to need more sessions than smaller areas. 

You should stop waxing or plucking at least two weeks before your session. Shaving is fine and even encouraged, as it can help the laser hair removal process. A day before the session, you must shave to help the laser’s light technology find the hair follicles. Avoid tanning and sunbeds while receiving laser hair removal because these practices can lead to hyperpigmentation and possible blistering.

Laser hair removal works by targeting the hair follicles with light energy. The light energy damages the body hair. When it grows back, it is significantly less coarse and thinner. 

At around an hour per session for larger areas, laser hair removal can save more time than waxing, shaving, or plucking. Smaller areas take even less time per session and we can target areas like the chin and upper lip in just a few minutes.

During laser hair removal, you may feel some discomfort as the laser passes over the skin. However, it is not painful and more of a tingling or snapping sensation. At NorCal Plastic Surgery, we can use numbing cream to help lessen discomfort from laser hair removal. 

We will adjust the laser to your particular hair thickness and skin tone. There are several different laser hair removal treatments available, which you can ask about during your scheduled consultation.

After laser hair removal, the hair will slowly fall out over time. Some areas can be immediate, while others may take some time to reduce hair growth gradually. To maintain results, you will need to have occasional follow-up sessions. Overall, laser hair removal is a permanent way to reduce hair growth but will not stop hair growth altogether. 

After your treatment, your skin may be red similar to a sunburn. We recommend using a cold compress on the area or a moisturizer to help minimize discomfort from the laser. We also recommend using a high SPF sunscreen when out in direct sunlight. 

As you wait in between appointments, you should shave to maintain results but should not wax or pluck. Waxing or plucking removes the whole hair attached to the follicle and can hinder your results.

Many people can be good candidates for laser hair removal. However, ideal candidates should be people with lighter skin and coarse, dark hair. Lighter hair can be difficult to remove with laser hair removal technology, as the treatment targets pigmentation. For this same reason, laser hair removal may also damage darker skin if the wrong laser is used.

How much laser hair removal costs will depend on your provider’s experience, your location, and the type of laser technology that is used. This number can also vary with how many sessions you will need and how large of an area you are treating. The average cost of laser hair removal is $875. We will determine a final price during your consultation.

Discover Our
Before & After Gallery

You can view NorCal Plastic Surgery’s before and after photo gallery to see the remarkable results achieved by Dr. Rankin and our team of skin care experts and aestheticians. Click to see more real patient photos.

Enter the Gallery
Before and After
*Individual results may vary

Take the Next Step

Want to learn more about how Laser Hair Removal can help you gain more confidence in your appearance? Schedule your consultation with a NorCal Plastic Surgery provider by calling (925) 856-4800 or filling out the consultation request form below. We look forward to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals.

REQUEST A CONSULTATION