Laser Hair Removal

With today's advanced technologies for permanent hair reduction, there is no reason to endure the hassles of shaving, waxing, depilatories, or electrolysis to get rid of unwanted hair. Patients of all skin colors, including darker complexions, can achieve lasting freedom from unwanted hair by visiting SBA Dermatology & Plastic Surgery for laser hair removal in Houston, Texas.

The advantages of choosing us for laser hair removal include our specialized knowledge and experience. Our registered nurses have over 20 years of combined experience, successfully performing over 11,000 treatments since we began providing permanent hair reduction treatments in 1997. When using laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) devices for hair removal, our experienced dermatology nurses know the skin and can seek an opinion from one of our dermatologists if they see any suspicious spots (including those that might be related to skin cancers) that need medical attention before hair removal treatment.

Although just about any area of the body can be treated with laser hair removal, the more popular areas are the upper lip, bikini line, and underarms. Our state-of-the-art LightSheer® DUET™ laser delivers outstanding results and is faster and more comfortable than our previous devices. The length of each treatment session depends on the size of the areas being treated, but most are over before you even realize it. As a result, most of our patients do not require any anesthetic cream. However, to reduce any discomfort and help you relax, you have the option to have anesthetic cream applied before treatment to the targeted areas.

To further enhance your comfort, we also offer pain management with Zimmer Coolers. These devices have revolutionized a range of laser treatments by delivering continuously chilled air to the skin, making procedures that use laser and thermal energy much more comfortable. We use Zimmer's Cryo 5 and Cryo 6 models depending on each patient's unique needs.

After your laser hair removal treatment, the hair falls out over the next 1 to 2 weeks. Because hair grows in phases, it takes an average of 6 to 8 treatments, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart, to achieve complete results.

You can also "1-stop shop" – combining laser hair removal with any other cosmetic treatment, such as one of our relaxing spa services or BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments when you visit SBA Dermatology & Plastic Surgery.

Yes. Although certain laser treatments may be inappropriate for individuals with dark skin, our devices may be safely used on men and women from all ethnic backgrounds. When it comes to laser hair removal, it's hair color, not skin color, that matters. Because laser hair removal works by applying laser energy to the hair's pigment, or melanin, dark hair is much more responsive to the treatment than blonde, silver, or white hair. During your consultation, a member of our team will help you understand whether laser hair removal is the right treatment for you.

Yes! It's perfectly acceptable to shave your unwanted hair in between treatments while you wait for your full results to take effect. However, you should avoid any sort of hair removal techniques that remove the hair below the skin, including plucking, waxing, threading, and depilatories. It's important that the hair be present within the follicle in order to administer the laser.

The duration of a treatment session depends on which areas of your body you choose to treat. Larger areas, such as the legs, may take up to 1 hour, while more focused areas, such as the underarms, can take as little as 15 minutes. The total duration of time spent at our office is very dependent on whether you choose to have the area numbed before treatment, which is an option that will be discussed during your consultation. We will help you understand exactly what you can expect at your appointment so you can plan your day accordingly.