Laser Hair Removal in Naperville

Laser hair removal works by emitting a specific wavelength of light that targets the melanin in the hair. This light energy is absorbed by the hair and converted into heat, damaging the hair follicles to slow future hair growth. With repeat treatment, the follicle is eventually destroyed, reducing unwanted hair by 90-95% in treated areas. Unlike other hair removal methods like waxing or shaving, laser hair removal is a permanent and effective solution for hair reduction.

The number of treatment sessions will vary for all individuals. Typically, the lighter the skin tone, the quicker the results and fewer sessions required (about 6-8). This is purely due to laser physics and how it works to target the chromophore saturation within the dermal layers. Darker-skinned individuals will see great results as well but may need an additional 2-3 treatments. We promise a 90-95% reduction if you adhere to the guidelines and keep your appointments spaced at regular intervals. This is to ensure we are able to treat a majority of the hair in a given cycle, in the early anagen phase of growth, for maximum efficacy.

No, we do not recommend epilating the hair between sessions as this removes the hair from the follicular tissue, thereby removing the pigment, which would have been the focus of the laser beam. It is best to only shave or trim new hair growth between your treatments.

Correctly administered laser hair removal treatments performed by licensed professionals do not hurt. The mild pain can be compared to a rubber band snapping against the skin when the pulse is felt in the area. The GentleMax Pro includes built-in cooling technology that delivers a burst of a liquid cryogen coolant before each laser pulse, protecting the skin and increasing your comfort. This system provides 50% more cooling than contact or air cooling.

Hair growth on the face and body follows a mosaic pattern that is not synchronized, meaning that the hair follicles are constantly in different stages of growth. Because unwanted hair can only be eliminated while it’s in the growth phase, multiple laser hair removal sessions are needed to achieve a permanent reduction in unwanted hair. Typically, 6 to 8 treatments are recommended to achieve optimal results, but this may vary from person to person. After completing your sessions, you should experience little to no regrowth in treated areas. If you notice any rogue hairs, they can be eliminated with touch-ups or targeted electrolysis.

In the past, laser hair removal required a high contrast between skin and hair color to effectively target the pigment in the hair follicle. However, with advancements in technology, there are now safer treatment options for those with dark skin. At SMooth Solutions Medspa, we use the GentleMax Pro laser by Candela, a state-of-the-art device that offers two wavelengths for all skin types: a 755 nm (Alexandrite) wavelength for lighter skin tones, and a 1064 nm (Nd:YAG) wavelength for darker skin tones. The 1064 nm wavelength is selectively absorbed in the deeper layers of the dermis, targeting melanin at the level of the hair follicle.

IPL and laser hair removal both use light to eliminate unwanted hair, but the similarities end there. Lasers emit a single wavelength of light that’s highly selective and penetrates deeply to permanently destroy unwanted hair, while IPL is weaker and only stops the growth of new hair temporarily. Click here to learn more about the differences between lasers and IPL.

It’s a common misconception that laser hair removal causes hair to grow back thicker and darker. This may stem from a similar myth that shaving increases hair thickness due to the razor giving it a blunt tip, which feels coarser as it grows out. Laser hair removal eliminates hair at the root and causes the hair follicle to shed the entire hair. Once the hair follicle is damaged, new hairs come back slower, thinner and wispier than before. Once the hair follicle is destroyed over a series of treatments, no new hair growth will occur at all.