Laser Hair Removal

If you’re a woman or man who’s tired of waxing or shaving and looking for something more permanent, then consider looking for a medical spa that offers high-quality laser hair removal service in your area like RenewMD Beauty & Wellness founded and medically directed by Dr. Simran Sethi, MD, MBA in Fremont, California.

Your Questions Answered

Understanding how the procedure works gives you a better understanding of the best outcomes. The laser light is directed in the treatment area and gets absorbed by the pigment in the hair itself creating heat. The laser generates heat that goes down to the follicle level destroying the hair growth center in the follicle.

Because everybody, both women and men go through growth cycles a series of treatments are required. When hair is in the active growth cycle period that is the most effective outcome for the procedure.

If treatment is completed during a resting cycle, it may not be able to absorb enough laser light to generate enough heat to destroy the hair growth center. Having multiple sessions at our medical spa and clinic completed is essential to get the best success.

MYTH: People of color can’t do laser hair removal.
The laser will work on all skin tones. It is more about the color of the hair rather than texture or complexion.

FACT: The darker your body hair is, the better.
The more contrast there is between your skin tone and hair color, the better. Actually, the lighter the hair color the least beneficial is.

MYTH: You won’t experience any pain.

FACT: You could experience discomfort while getting laser treatments.
Most methods of hair removal, like other skin care treatments, have some level of discomfort for patients. Your medical practitioner can recommend over the counter pain reliever.

MYTH: Laser hair removal causes more hair to grow.

FACT: Laser hair removal will not cause more hair to grow.
Although it may appear that there is more growth after a laser hair removal session, it depends on if your hair was in growth or resting cycle. Everyone’s hair growth has different patterns and hair cycles.

MYTH: Laser hair removal treatments cause burns.

FACT: In rare situations there may be a temporary burn.
Consult with the dermatologist prior to the treatment to determine if that is a possibility with your skin tone.

MYTH: My skin will discolor from the treatments.

FACT: Depending on your skin tone, most people do not have discoloration.
With any laser treatment, like electrolysis*, or creams, skin can experience some discoloration. Having darker skin and tanning increases your risk of skin color changes. It is important to talk to your expert in dermatology to determine any side effects and treatment options with lasers; especially since the risk of side effects can vary with hair color, skin type, etc.

*Electrolysis is approved by the FDA as a permanent hair removal method that’s safe for all skin types and areas.

MYTH: Anyone can perform this procedure.

FACT: Not everyone should be performing this procedure.
The procedure should only be performed by an experienced medical practitioner in dermatology. At the time of your consultation, ask about qualifications and experience. Having this procedure done by the wrong person can lead to infections.

It is critical to remember that only a licensed and board-certified medical professional should ever perform the procedure on a patient. It takes significant training and medical knowledge to safely use the laser on unwanted hair.

When the laser is in the hands of a licensed medical professional, the treatment is safe and effective.

  • Back
  • Shoulders
  • Arms
  • Chest
  • Bikini area
  • Legs
  • Neck
  • Upper lip
  • Chin

Meeting with your doctor and understanding how to prep for your laser hair removal sessions is critical to the success of lasting effects for your hair removal treatments. Some items that will be helpful to know before your laser hair removal session.

  • Provide a full medical history at your appointment. It’s important to tell your doctor about your allergies, medications, or other health problems prior to the procedure. Answer questions about your tendency to scar, or ever had keloid scars, prone to herpes or cold sore outbreaks, ingrown hairs, or if you have taken isotretinoin.
  • Avoid tanning or self -tanning products. You want your skin to be as light as possible to have the best possible results and lasting effects.
  • Ask how many treatments will be needed to obtain permanent hair removal. Treatments will vary depending on areas being treated. For example, in facial areas like your upper lip or chin may only take a few minutes and a couple of treatments versus back or legs make take an hour and multiple treatments.
  • Wear loose and comfortable clothing that will leave the area being treated exposed.

  • While laser hair removal doesn’t get rid of hair forever it does drastically reduce hair growth to the point that you can stop shaving altogether. Unlike home laser hair removal products that are not very effective and can be dangerous, we are professionals that guarantee an overall successful hair removal (or reduction) treatment.
  • Another one in the list of benefits of laser hair removal is that you can get it done anywhere on the body, and the machine can cover large places fast where shaving or waxing used to be the only solution, such as legs, back, underarms, bikini line, stomach, and facial areas like the upper lip and chin.
  • When it comes to pain level, laser hair removal is minimal pain. The technicians use ice to help numb the area and enhance comfort before and after the laser treatment. It also gets progressively less painful as treatments continue and the hair becomes finer.

  • Although a session of laser hair removal on the underarms takes less than a minute it takes multiple sessions to see real results, especially for thick and long hair.
  • Since the contrast between the color of the skin and the color of the pigment in the hair follicle is what allows the laser to easily pick out what to target, laser hair removal works best on fair skin with dark hair and worse on darker hair follicles.
  • The cost is higher than other methods such as waxing. Although in the long term, it’s less expensive than others, such as electrolysis.