Laser Hair Removal in Austin, TX

Snyder Dermatology in Austin, TX creates smooth results for men and women desiring to remove unwanted hair. Most of our patients turn to laser hair removal after spending years shaving, waxing, plucking, and using depilatories. Laser hair removal is performed right inside our dermatology office using the Icon Laser System by Palomar. The pulsed light that emits from this laser targets the hair, heats the follicle, which loosens and disables the cells from regrowing. This laser is considered the "gold standard" where laser hair removal is concerned and it allows patients to see results faster, with less treatment sessions, and minimal discomfort. Some of the most common hair removal areas that we treat with laser technology include the face, upper lip and chin, the underarms, bikini line, and legs. In addition, for men in particular, the back and chest are common treatment areas. The StarLux is safe and effective to use almost anywhere on the body where hair grows.

Historically, laser hair removal has been more effective on light-skinned individuals with dark hair. New generation lasers have allowed darker-skinned individuals with dark hair to be better candidates for the treatment. However, since lasers can’t essentially "see" light-colored hair, such as blond, white, gray or red hair, these individuals aren’t the best candidates for laser hair removal. There are new options being developed to address these individuals.

The principle behind laser hair removal uses intense, pulsating beams of light, which are applied to the skin to target the hair follicle. When specific wavelengths of light are matched with pulse duration, this allows the best opportunity of effectively targeting the hair. The laser’s intense heat damages the hair follicle, which prevents the future growth of hair, while at the same time, protects surrounding tissue from the heat of the laser. The process must be completed a number of times since hair goes through phases such as rest and growth and laser treatment isn’t effective on hair in the rest phase. Our dermatology office will schedule the appointments as recommended by the dermatologist so that the area of hair being removed is maximized during treatment.

Before treatment, hair needs to be shaved since laser removal isn’t as effective on longer hair. A patient may be given protective eyewear to protect the eyes. A cold gel or similar product will be applied to the skin to allow the laser to better penetrate. The medical professional will test a patch on the treatment area to determine the best settings for the individual as well as to check for any adverse effects. With controlled movements, the handheld device will be placed on the skin where short spurts of laser beams will work to damage the follicles. Sessions are relatively quick, sometimes a few minutes, depending on the size and location of the treatment area. There is no downtime and most patients can return to normal activities immediately after treatment.

If you are tired of consistently shaving, waxing and dealing with unwanted hair, laser hair removal may be a terrific option for you, offering lasting results. We invite you to call our dermatology office today and schedule your appointment for a free skin and hair consultation.