What is laser hair removal? Laser hair removal is one of the most common cosmetic procedures in the United States. It involves using an intense pulsating beam of light called a laser in order to remove unwanted hair from a variety of areas on the body. During the laser hair removal process, the laser beam effectively penetrates through the surface of the skin to each individual hair follicle. As the powerful laser damages each follicle, it inhibits hair growth in the treated area for a long period of time. Although laser hair removal is usually effective at slowing the growth of hair, there is no guarantee that the removal will be long-lasting or permanent. In most cases, several treatments are necessary for the best results and routine maintenance may be needed for certain individuals to stay hair-free. At Studio Essex, we use the Icon™ Aesthetic System for all laser hair removal procedures.
How much does laser hair removal cost in Houston? The total cost for your laser hair removal procedure will depend on a variety of factors, such as the size of the treated area, number of sessions needed, and more. At Heights Plastic Surgery, we accept cash and all major credit cards. We are also happy to offer financing through CareCredit® for patients.
What does a laser hair removal appointment look like? Before your appointment, we will instruct you to avoid prolonged sun exposure and ensure you have not taken any antibiotics 2 weeks prior to treatment. The day of your laser hair removal treatment in Houston at Studio Essex, your medical aesthetician will apply a topical anesthetic to your desired treated area. This will ensure you will remain as comfortable as possible throughout the entirety of your treatment. We will then start applying bursts of laser technology using the Icon™ Aesthetic System onto your desired treated area. Each treatment session typically takes under an hour to complete.
What does recovery look like after a laser hair removal session? Because laser hair removal is a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment, there is no formal downtime or recovery period associated with the procedure. Patients often return to their normal daily activities including work immediately following their treatment. Many patients report experiencing redness, tenderness, and swelling around their treated areas; however, this typically subsides on its own within a few days of treatment. Dr. Downey, Dr. Bullocks, and their team recommend protecting treated areas from direct sunlight and applying sunscreen every day to aid in a smooth and quick recovery. It’s imperative to avoid prolonged sun exposure to the treated area for 2 weeks after each session. While many patients will see up to a 25 percent reduction in hair growth after the first treatment, Dr. Downey and Dr. Bullocks may recommend up to six laser hair removal treatments to achieve your desired results. Dr. Downey and Dr. Bullocks also recommends coming in for regular maintenance treatments once a year to ensure you remain hair-free.
Am I a candidate for laser hair removal at Studio Essex? Because we use the 1064 ND Yag wavelength for laser hair removal, we are able to treat all skin types—this wavelength is long enough to penetrate safely past melanin in the skin. Good candidates for laser hair removal are patients who are in good general health and are frustrated with their unwanted body hair. We encourage our patients to have realistic expectations of their hair removal results. Ideal candidates for laser hair reduction experience unwanted hair in any of the following areas: Back Shoulders Arms Chest Intimate area Legs Neck Upper lip Chin People who are not good candidates for laser hair removal in Houston are those who are pregnant; taking certain medications; are prone to cold sores; have genital herpes; have or have had skin cancer; or have keloid scars. Talk to your healthcare provider before having laser hair removal.
