Laser Hair Removal

Tired of the unending cycle of shaving, plucking or waxing away unwanted hair? Laser hair removal can provide a longer-term solution for excess or unwanted hair on your face or body by destroying hair follicles for lasting results.*

A recognized expert, Dr. David Dellinger maintains board certifications in both plastic/reconstructive and general surgery, and has more than two decades of experience performing surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments. At Elysian Plastic Surgery, Dr. Dellinger works with men and women in the Austin area and beyond who are interested in improving their appearance with laser treatments.

Contact us online or call our Austin office at 512-229-1978 to learn more your options for non-surgical cosmetic treatments.

• At Elysian Plastic Surgery, we invest in state-of-the-art equipment to offer the latest laser-based treatments, including the IPL photofacial.
• We offer a range of non-surgical medical spa treatments that can further complement your laser hair removal results.
• Dr. Dellinger and his staff are experienced, educated providers who are committed to ongoing training. Dr. Dellinger is a frequent lecturer and regularly attends local and national medical education conferences to keep up with the latest innovations.

Laser hair removal can be an effective treatment for many people, though the best candidates tend to have lighter skin with darker hair. People who have blonde, gray or red hair may not be good candidates because the hair follicle doesn’t have enough melanin to absorb the laser energy. Laser hair removal may not be as effective if your hair and skin are close to the same color.*

Laser hair removal can be performed all over your body and face, except for the area closest to your eyes. You can have treatments to shape your beard, fix a “unibrow” and remove hair on your upper lip, along your bikini line, under the arms, legs, back, chest and other areas.*

You may be asked to stop shaving before your consultation to allow Dr. Dellinger to best assess the density of hair in your treatment area. Dr. Dellinger recommends multiple treatments over several months because the laser can only target hair follicles in the active growth phase. Typically, this consists of 6 to 9 sessions performed 4 to 6 weeks apart for treatments on the face and 8 to 12 weeks apart for treatment areas on the body.*

Your laser hair removal treatment may take a few minutes or more than an hour depending on the treatment area or if you’re having more than one area treated. You may feel a slight tingling or stinging sensation during laser hair removal but most people are fairly comfortable. A topical anesthetic can be applied for your comfort or when treating a more sensitive area.*

You should be able to resume your daily routine right after your laser hair removal treatment. Just remember to protect your treatment area from the sun and avoid indoor tanning. Any swelling or redness in the treatment area should go away within a few hours. You can continue shaving during your treatments, though you shouldn’t tweeze or wax because removing the hair follicle interrupts the growth cycle and may affect your results.*

You should begin seeing results after your first treatment. Most people see about a 10 to 20 percent reduction in hair after each treatment. Because laser hair removal destroys the follicle, results are typically long-lasting.*

How do I find the best laser hair removal provider near me?

Laser hair removal is a very common cosmetic treatment, and as such, you will find many providers near you. To find the best provider, look for those that offer the latest forms of laser hair removal treatment in a clinical, rather than spa, setting. A plastic surgeon’s office is an excellent place to seek treatment as they tend to have the latest equipment and the highest level of training.

Is there downtime after laser hair removal?

Generally speaking, no. You may notice your skin is a bit red and swollen, and you’ll need to avoid direct sun exposure for at least a few weeks after treatment. However, most people will not require any downtime after laser hair treatment.

How soon will I see results after laser hair removal?

Within days of your first session, you should notice that your hair is falling out. However, not all hair that falls out is hair that is permanently gone. Only the follicles that are in the active phase of growth will be destroyed during the session. You can expect that each treatment will reduce your hair by anywhere from 10% to 25%.

What factors determine how well I respond to treatment?

The color and thickness of your hair have the biggest impact. The darker and thicker the hair, the more likely it is to respond to the laser. The color of your skin can also impact your results. However, this will depend on the type of laser used.

How many laser hair removal treatments will I need?

Most people need anywhere from 2 to 6 treatments before they achieve the results they want. Once these sessions are complete, the hair in the treated area may not return for many years. At this point, you may need a touchup session or two to get the results back to where you want them to be.

Are there side effects after laser hair removal?

Yes, there may be some side effects after laser hair removal. In most cases, they are minor to nonexistent. However, the most common side effects people experience include:

• Redness
• Mild discomfort
• Swelling

More rare side effects include:

• Blistering
• Cold sore outbreaks
• Infection
• Scarring
• Changes in skin tone

How far apart should laser hair removal treatments be?

This will depend on your natural hair growth cycle as well as how your hair and body respond to the initial treatment. Most people need around 4 to 6 weeks between sessions. However, some people need 8 to 10 weeks to be safe.

Is laser hair removal considered safe?

Yes, laser hair removal is considered safe. In fact, it is considered safer than ever before thanks to technological developments that allow lasers to be used on more skin types without causing damage.

Does laser hair removal hurt?

Every person experiences pain differently and has their own threshold for discomfort. Most people describe the sensation of laser hair removal as irritating more than it is painful. For some, there is no pain at all, just the sensation of heat. Others will experience a stinging sensation. Generally speaking, those with thicker and darker hair tend to experience more discomfort than those with fine, light hair.

To schedule your laser hair removal consultation, please call our Austin plastic surgery practice at 512-229-1978 or request a consultation online.

*This information is for education only, and is not meant as a guarantee of results. Your results may vary.