Laser Hair Removal

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Avon and Hartford, CT

Laser hair removal is an effective way to remove unwanted body or facial hair. (1)

Traditional hair removal techniques, such as shaving, waxing, and plucking, are often time-consuming or unnecessarily painful. These methods may also result in uncomfortable side effects, such as ingrown hairs, razor bumps, or razor burn. With laser hair removal, you can achieve the lasting smoothness you desire—all without the upkeep or irritation.

At Stanislaw Facial Plastic Surgery Center, Nurse Manager Jennie Rivard, BSN performs each of our laser hair removal procedures. She has extensive training in managing complex medical conditions and provides personalized care and attention to each patient.

If you are ready to meet with Jennie and explore your laser hair removal possibilities, please schedule a consultation online. You can also reach our Avon office by calling (860) 409-1515.

About Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a minimally invasive treatment that uses laser energy to reduce unwanted hair growth around several body regions. This treatment emits light energy at a specific wavelength, pulse duration, and fluence to your hair follicles. The melanin in your hair then absorbs this as heat. This heat damages the hair follicle, causing it to shed and preventing new growth in the area. (2)

At Stanislaw Facial Plastic Surgery Center, we use the Spectrum 810 Diode laser system. This is one of the most advanced laser systems available, and many consider it the “gold standard” for laser hair removal. (3) Your laser specialist can use this system to address hair on virtually any part of your body, including, but not limited to, your:

  • Underarms
  • Arms
  • Legs
  • Chest
  • Back
  • Bikini Line
  • Cheeks
  • Chin
  • Upper Lip

Candidates

Anyone with unwanted hair growth may qualify for laser hair removal, as the Spectrum laser system is safe for all skin types and skin tones, as well as most hair colors. This treatment targets the pigment in your hair follicles, so it may be less effective on lighter hair and may take longer to achieve results on darker skin.

We do not recommend laser hair removal to anyone who is pregnant or trying to conceive. You should also wait to undergo this treatment if you have an active infection or a herpes simplex outbreak in the targeted treatment area. You will also need to wait to undergo this treatment if you have taken isotretinoin (Accutane) in the last 6 to 12 months (1) or if you are currently on minocycline or doxycycline. Our laser specialist will assess your candidacy during your consultation.

Personal Consultation

The first step to achieving smoother and clearer skin is attending a personal consultation. During this meeting, our laser specialist will meet with you individually. They will discuss several topics with you, such as what laser hair removal entails, your medical history, your areas of concern, and your ideal results. Your specialist may also perform a physical examination to assess your skin tone, hair type, hair color, and targeted treatment areas.

Using this information, they will create a treatment plan for your unique goals. They will determine the most effective laser settings for your hair type and provide you with both preparation and aftercare instructions. If you want to smooth your skin by a certain date, your laser specialist will also help you determine when you should start your treatment regimen, as they only perform laser hair removal in the fall, winter, or early spring.

If you are ready to schedule this consultation and start working with our laser specialist, please contact us online or call our office at (860) 409-1515.

Preparation

After scheduling your treatment, you will need to make certain preparations to optimize your results. Your laser specialist will give you a set of detailed instructions to help you prepare, which may direct you to:

  • Protect Your Skin: Avoid excessive, direct, or unprotected sun exposure, and wear sunblock when leaving the house, as tanner skin will make treatment more complex.
  • Augment Your Routine: If you are treating your face, avoid using any harsh or irritating skin care products for at least one week before your treatment.
  • Shave Beforehand: Shave the treatment areas in advance so your hair is around 2mm long by your treatment date. This length is long enough to be visible, but not so long that it affects the efficacy of the laser.
  • Arrive Prepared: Arrive at your appointment with clean skin that is free from any products, including deodorant, artificial tans, makeup, sunscreens, fragrances, skin products, and more.
  • Dress Comfortably: Wear loose, breathable, and easily removable clothing to your treatment sessions to streamline your experience and elevate your comfort.

Procedure

On the day of your treatment, our nurse laser specialist will lead you to a private treatment room and reconfirm each detail of your treatment plan. They will then adjust the laser settings and provide you with eye protection. They may apply a topical anesthetic if you are more sensitive to pain, but most patients find this unnecessary, as the Spectrum laser simultaneously cools your skin throughout treatment.

The nurse laser specialist will apply an ultrasound gel to the treatment area before using a handpiece to deliver the laser energy. The gel will help guide the laser throughout the treatment area and allow it to glide smoothly over the skin. As they maneuver the handpiece, it will emit laser energy to your hair follicles. The pigment cells within your hair will then convert it into thermal energy, which damages the hair follicle and inhibits new growth—all without damaging your surrounding soft tissues. After addressing the entire treatment area, you will be free to leave.

Recovery

After your laser hair removal treatment, you may return to most of your daily activities immediately, but we ask that you limit your sun exposure and avoid tweezing, plucking, or waxing the treatment area between sessions. You will also need to avoid saunas, swimming, and wearing fragranced products for 48 hours, and you must avoid placing pressure on the treated areas. As your skin heals, you may notice some swelling, tenderness, and redness around the treated areas. These effects are temporary and will subside on their own with time, but you may also manage them using a cold compress or non-blood-thinning over-the-counter medication.

Your laser specialist will give you a detailed set of aftercare instructions so you understand how to best care for yourself as you heal. By following each one, you can achieve the best possible results.

Results

The results of your treatment will vary, but you can generally expect to enjoy smoother, clearer, and brighter skin across each treatment area.

The results of laser hair removal are long-lasting, as the laser technology damages the follicle of your hair, but they are not completely permanent. You will be able to see improvements after just one appointment, but you will need to undergo a series of treatment sessions before you see your ideal results, as laser hair removal can only address hair in the active growth phase of the hair cycle. These are most effective four to eight weeks apart, giving your hair time to grow.

Cost of Laser Hair Removal in Hartford, CT

The cost of your laser hair removal will vary depending on several factors, such as the size of your targeted treatment area, whether you treat multiple regions of your body, and the total number of sessions you undergo. Once our laser specialist meets with you to discuss your treatment plan, they will give you a comprehensive cost estimate.

To receive your estimate, please schedule a consultation online or call (860) 409-1515.

FAQ

What type of laser do you use to remove hair?

We use the advanced Spectrum 810 Diode laser during each treatment. This system, and the 810nm wavelength, are considered the “gold standard” for laser hair removal. This laser is safe for all hair types and colors and for darker skin tones. (1)

What areas of the body can laser hair removal treat?

Your laser specialist can address most areas of the body, but this treatment is most effective when treating the underarms, back, body, and legs. They can also address facial hair, but it may not be as responsive.

Will my laser hair removal treatment hurt?

Laser hair removal is very comfortable, as our laser features a cooling mechanism to soothe your skin throughout your treatment session. Most of our patients are so relaxed that they do not receive anesthesia!

How many laser hair removal sessions will I need to undergo?

This will vary depending on certain factors, such as the size of the targeted area and your exact hair type. Once our laser specialist has met with you to create your treatment plan, they will let you know what to expect.

How will I know if I am a good candidate for laser hair removal?

The best way to tell if you are a candidate for this procedure is by attending a personal consultation. Here, our laser specialist will be able to discuss your concerns and desired results, assess your body hair, and help you determine the best approach for each of your needs.

References

  1. Vaidya T, Hohman MH, Dinesh Kumar D. Laser Hair Removal. Nih.gov. Published July 25, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507861/#article-24069.s4
  2. Number 5 SV 26. Hair Removal Practices: A Literature Review. https://www.skintherapyletter.com/dermatology/hair-removal-practices/
  3. Thomas MM, Houreld NN. The “in’s and outs” of laser hair removal: a mini review. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy. 2019;21(6):316-322. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/14764172.2019.1605449