Laser Hair Removal
Consultations offered at our four convenient locations in La Jolla, San Diego, Newport Beach and Beverly Hills
Laser hair removal is a treatment designed to reduce excessive hair growth in unwanted areas. This treatment is one of the most effective ways to reduce unwanted body hair in both men and women, offering long-lasting results and a smoother appearance without the need for shaving or waxing. Laser treatments have been growing in popularity over the last few years, with more than 3.1 million laser skin treatments performed around the country in the year 2023, a 6% increase compared to 2022. (1)
La Jolla Plastic Surgery & Dermatology is one of the only practices in the country under the co-direction of both a triple board-certified plastic surgeon and a board-certified dermatologist. Richard Chaffoo, MD, is a triple board-certified plastic surgeon and hair restoration superspecialist with more than 30 years of experience. As America’s first triple board-certified hair transplant plastic surgeon, Dr. Chaffoo constantly pushes the boundaries of the cosmetic field alongside his co-director, Dr. Susan Stuart.
Susan Stuart, MD, FAAD, is a double board-certified dermatologist and nationally renowned expert with more than 20 years of experience. She is frequently involved in the testing of new and exciting technology, pioneering innovative advancements in hair restoration and dermatology. Dr. Stuart has been the recipient of numerous accolades and recognitions throughout her professional career, including recognition as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor and being listed in Modern Luxury San Diego as one of the Top Doctors in San Diego 2023. She remains dedicated to helping each patient feel more confident in their skin, delivering remarkable results with a focus on patient safety and satisfaction.
To schedule a consultation for your laser treatment, please fill out our contact form or call the location most convenient for you.
Contents
About Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is a popular minimally invasive treatment designed to help permanently reduce the amount of hair on one’s body. This treatment uses laser technology to target the hair follicles, using heat and light to slow and stop the hair growth cycle at the source. This treatment uses a scanning-like motion, allowing the heat to be delivered uniformly.
Laser hair removal relies on a process called selective photothermolysis. In this process, lasers target very specific structures found in the skin, such as blood vessels or hair follicles. The laser used in the procedure is adjusted to help target pigment molecules called chromophores. (2) The hair pigment attracts and absorbs the laser energy, disturbing the follicular growth cycle, and leading to smoother skin.
To speak to a member of our team about scheduling a laser hair removal treatment, please contact us online or call the location nearest to you.
Benefits
Numerous benefits come with the decision to undergo a laser hair removal treatment. This procedure is minimally invasive with long-lasting results, offering patients a way to permanently reduce and thin body hair without requiring incisions or extensive downtime. Each treatment can be customized by Dr. Stuart to help maximize the benefits of each treatment across different patients, improving each individual’s confidence and overall quality of life.
Candidates
Candidates interested in laser hair removal are those experiencing an excess amount of unwanted hair and wish to achieve smoother-looking skin. Individuals should ideally have well-cared-for skin and are seeking a long-term, minimally invasive solution for their concerns. Anyone considering laser hair removal treatment should be in good overall health. Laser hair removal is effective for a wide range of skin and hair types, however, some patients benefit from more than one laser session.
To find out if you are an ideal candidate for laser hair removal, please submit our contact form or call one of our convenient Southern California locations directly.
Personal Consultation
At La Jolla Plastic Surgery & Dermatology, we ask that each patient schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Susan Stuart before their laser treatment. At the consultation, the patient will sit down with Dr. Stuart to discuss their concerns and goals for their treatment. Following the discussion, we will perform a medical evaluation on the treatment site to determine the patient’s candidacy and the best laser treatment for them. After establishing a treatment plan, we will guide each patient through each step of the chosen treatment while preparing any specialized preparation or recovery information. We are dedicated to making sure each patient feels completely comfortable and informed before any treatment.
Preparation
We will compose a list of personalized preparation instructions for each patient at their personal consultation. Patients are expected to stop using hair removal products that target the hair follicle, such as waxing or plucking, for at least 4-6 weeks before their appointment. (2) We may also ask patients to shave a few days before the treatment to make sure the treatment area has a specific length of hair stubble.
Procedure
The laser hair removal procedure begins with our team cleaning the treatment area before applying a topical anesthetic to the treatment area for patient comfort, if necessary. Eye protection will then be provided for the patient while we customize the settings of the laser, adjusting them to account for the size of the treatment area, as well as each patient’s hair and skin tone.
We will use a handheld device to control the laser, delivering concentrated pulses of light. The light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair and spreads through the targeted area. After being converted to heat, this thermal energy then destroys the hair follicles, leading to obstructed hair growth. Some patients may benefit from multiple treatments to achieve their ideal results.
Recovery and Results
After each laser hair removal treatment, patients may experience mild swelling, tenderness, and redness at the treatment site. Patients must take proper care of their skin to ensure optimal results and a smooth recovery. Sunscreen should be applied daily throughout healing, but lotions, perfumes, makeup, and any heavily scented products should be avoided to allow the skin to heal without irritation. (2)
Patients will be able to see noticeable results after just one treatment, but it may take multiple treatments to achieve the desired results of their procedure. The hair follicles are most sensitive to laser technology during the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle when they are the most active. Different hair follicles may be in different stages of growth, meaning patients may need to return for another session or treatment series to effectively address each follicle. (2) Please note that this treatment permanently reduces hair growth by targeting the follicle, as opposed to permanently removing the hair itself. Most patients experience a 60-80% reduction after just 6 months. (3)
To schedule a consultation and learn more about the recovery procedure, please contact us online or call the location nearest to you:
Cost of Laser Hair Removal in La Jolla
At La Jolla Plastic Surgery & Dermatology, we are proud to partner with multiple reputable companies to help each patient finance their procedure. Patients can apply for financing in person during their visit or directly with one of our partners.
The cost of each procedure can vary, as each treatment is personalized to help each patient reach their own unique goals. During the personal consultation, our team will provide each patient with an estimate of their cost after establishing a treatment plan.
Schedule your consultation today to begin exploring your treatment and the costs involved in it. If you have any questions, please call your closest office directly.
FAQ
Is laser hair removal painful?
Laser hair removal is a well-tolerated treatment, and we can prevent any discomfort with the use of topical or local anesthetics.
Will laser hair removal affect my tattoos?
Tattoos may be affected by laser hair removal procedures, but we can consider this when planning your treatment if you wish to leave them unaffected.
Can hair regrow after laser hair removal?
Once the follicle is destroyed, hair will not regrow in the treated site. However, it may take a few sessions to eliminate all hair in a chosen area. Laser hair removal is a long-term solution to unwanted hair growth.
Why do I need to shave before laser hair removal?
Shaving before your laser hair removal procedure allows the laser to better penetrate the skin and reach the follicular structures without being blocked or absorbed by excess hair. Your professional will let you know how far in advance you should shave the targeted area.
References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
- Tanvi Vaidya, Dinesh Kumar D. Laser Hair Removal. Nih.gov. Published June 2, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507861/
- Ghnnam W, Hafez D. Laser hair removal as adjunct to surgery for pilonidal sinus: Our initial experience. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2011;4(3):192. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2077.91251