Laser Hair Removal in Mt. Vernon, Bellingham & Everett, WA

Laser hair removal is an extremely effective way to decrease the density of hair growth, leaving your skin with a smoother, sleeker appearance. To achieve this, we use the state-of-the-art Elite+ system from Cynosure.

Frequently Treated Areas

The Elite+ laser can remove unwanted hair from virtually any area of the body and face, including sensitive areas. We frequently treat the following areas:

• Face: Upper lip, chin, and sideburns.
• Arms: Full arms or just the forearms.
• Underarms: A popular choice for smooth, clean skin.
• Legs: From the thighs to the ankles.
• Bikini Area: Customized to your preferences.
• Back and Chest: Ideal for men seeking less maintenance.

Whether targeting a small or large area, laser hair removal offers a customized approach to suit your goals.

Benefits of Laser Hair Reduction

Laser hair removal offers a range of benefits that make hair reduction easier than ever:

• Precise: Targets hair follicles without damaging the surrounding skin.
• Effective on Various Skin Types: The Elite+ laser has two unique wavelengths, allowing us to treat all skin types effectively. 
• Effective For Most Hair Colors: The Elite+ laser’s flexibility allows us to treat dark hair effectively. The laser can also treat most other hair colors, including brown and red. However, very pale hair, including gray shades, lacks melanin and thus isn’t treatable. 
• Long-Lasting Results: While not permanent, most people experience hair growth in the treated areas for months or years. 
• Comfortable Treatments: The Elite + has a built-in cooling system that helps prevent discomfort, and we can tailor your treatment to ensure a comfortable experience.

This state-of-the-art laser ensures a safe and effective treatment every time.

Preparing for Laser Hair Removal

To prepare for laser hair removal, avoid tweezing, waxing, sugaring, or electrolysis for at least two weeks before treatment. Discontinue Retin-A and any skincare products containing glycolic acid for at least a week before treatment. 

Laser hair removal works best on healthy, undamaged skin. If you have any irritation or skin lesions, we might recommend delaying the treatment for a short time so your skin can heal.

Limit sun exposure and do not use tanning booths in the days leading up to treatment — the laser needs to discern the difference in the color of the skin and hair follicle to target the hair.

On the day of your treatment session, shave the treatment area and avoid applying any creams, oils, cosmetics, or other products.

How Laser Hair Removal Treatment Works

The Elite+ laser targets the pigment in your hair follicles to reduce hair growth effectively. Light energy disrupts hair follicle growth, slowing hair production for actively growing follicles. This damage hinders or suspense future hair growth as well. 

The Elite+ laser combines two wavelengths: 755nm (Alexandrite) and 1064nm (Nd: YAG). These numbers represent the length of the laser light waves measured in nanometers. Each has unique advantages.

• 755nm wavelength: Highly effective for lighter skin tones. It focuses on the pigment (melanin) in the hair follicles. This wavelength heats and damages the follicles, stopping them from producing more hair. Its precision makes it ideal for areas like the face, arms, and legs where the skin is lighter.
• 1064nm wavelength: The Nd: YAG wavelength is better suited for darker skin tones. It uses longer laser pulses to penetrate deeper into the skin without being absorbed by the surrounding pigment. This ensures that it targets the hair follicles safely without causing damage to the skin. It’s a great option for underarms, bikini areas, or other spots where the skin might be more pigmented.

By combining these wavelengths, the Elite+ laser effectively treats a wide range of skin tones and hair types, ensuring safe and effective results for nearly everyone. During your session, we can switch between wavelengths to provide the most efficient hair removal.

What to Expect at Your Laser Hair Removal Sessions

When you arrive for your Elite+ laser hair removal session, your provider will guide you to a comfortable treatment room. Depending on the treatment area, you’ll lie or sit on a padded table. We may need to slightly adjust your positioning to allow easy access to the treatment area while maintaining your comfort. 

If you’re sensitive to pain, you may request the application of a topical numbing cream before your treatment. We provide protective glasses to shield your eyes from the laser light.  

As the treatment begins, we gently move the Elite+ laser device over your skin. It’s normal to feel warmth as the laser light targets the hair follicles. Some describe the feeling as a quick popping or a rubber band gently flicking the skin. The Elite + has a built-in cooling system, which helps keep your skin comfortable throughout the session.

Afterward, you can resume your normal activities, often feeling like you’ve had a mild sunburn that fades within a day or two.

Your Laser Hair Removal Treatment Plan

Because this process focuses on active hair growth cycles, you need multiple sessions for the best results. Most people need 6-8 sessions a few weeks apart for the best results. Our team creates a customized laser hair removal plan for you, and we can assess progress after each session. 

After Laser Hair Removal: Maintaining Your Results

Many patients experience impressive results that can last for many months, or even years. But it’s important to remember that laser hair removal is actually laser hair reduction. 

The results don’t last forever; however, you can maintain your smooth skin with maintenance treatments every 6-12 months.

Laser Hair Removal FAQ

Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?

Most patients say it feels like a rubber band snap when the laser hits the skin, but there is minimal discomfort afterwards.

How many hair removal treatments are needed?

We recommend 4-6 treatments, however more may be needed depending on the area being treated and the density of the hair.

How often are the treatments performed?

Treatments are done 4-6 weeks apart.

How long does a laser hair removal treatment take?

It can vary depending on the area being treated, but typically anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour.

What is laser hair removal recovery like?

You may notice some redness and/or inflammation for the first few hours, and possibly milia or pimples for a day or two after, but these typically resolve quickly.

Why should I consider laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal can save you time and effort you would otherwise spend on shaving, tweezing or waxing unwanted body or facial hair. With our advanced technology, we can effectively treat large and small areas on many different skin types.

Will I need maintenance treatments?

Yes, we usually recommend undergoing a maintenance treatment approximately every six to 12 months, although some patients don’t need to start maintenance treatments for two or three years. Maintenance regimens vary quite a bit and we tailor every individual’s treatment and maintenance care plan based on his or her unique needs.

What are the possible side effects?

Serious side effects are very rare. Some patients notice redness and mild swelling in the treated skin after a session. These side effects are temporary and usually resolve within a few hours.

Blistering can occur in some patients with extremely sensitive skin. If this occurs, contact our office so we can make a note to lower the laser power settings for your next appointments; also, we may need to allow more time for recovery in between sessions.

Discoloration of treated skin can also occur, though this is very rare and typically occurs only in patients with a history of irregular skin pigmentation and/or sun exposure to the treatment area as the laser-treated skin reacts more erratically to UV damage for several weeks to a few months after treatment.

How does laser hair removal differ from electrolysis?

Electrolysis works by sending an electrical current through each individual hair follicle to damage the follicle and prevent new hairs from growing. Laser hair removal is a much faster method of hair removal and it is more focused on regrowth suppression.

Is laser hair removal safe?

When performed by a qualified, experienced provider, laser hair removal is safe and very well tolerated.

Can I have tan skin at the time of treatment?

No, we recommend avoiding the sun, tanning beds and sunless tanning products prior to your treatment. Tanned skin is more difficult to treat, since the laser has a harder time delineating the pigment in the skin from the pigment in the hair follicles. Tanned skin has a risk of getting lighter or splotchy with laser hair removal treatment as well.

Where can I find information about laser hair removal pricing?

Our staff would be happy to speak with you about the cost of laser hair removal. We can provide accurate pricing information once we have an idea of the area or areas you want to treat. We can also discuss buying a bundle of sessions to save money on your overall costs.