Laser Treatments
Shaving, plucking, tweezing, waxing—all are familiar (but temporary) fixes for unwanted hair. At Austin Skin and Wellness, you can quickly and easily reduce unwanted hair on your face or body with laser hair removal, achieving long-lasting and low-maintenance results that let you spend less time shaving and more time enjoying smooth, carefree skin.
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Laser hair removal is a noninvasive treatment that reduces unwanted hair by directing concentrated light energy into the hair follicle. This is done with a medical-grade laser platform that is able to treat the hair without harming the skin. Results build with each treatment, and unlike with waxing or depilatory creams, the hair is permanently reduced after a full series.
Laser hair removal works through a process called photothermolysis. The laser emits a specific wavelength of light that is absorbed by melanin, the dark pigment inside the hair shaft and follicle. As the melanin absorbs the light, it converts rapidly into heat and travels down the shaft into the follicle bulb. The heat disables the cells responsible for generating new hairs.
Timing is important with laser hair removal because hair grows in three phases: active, transition and resting. Only follicles in the active phase have enough pigment to attract the laser energy and treat the follicle. A series of treatments is needed to catch each follicle in its active window.
Our advanced laser hair removal treatments use customized, virtually painless light-based technology to deliver fast, long-lasting hair reduction. Suitable for a wide range of skin types, these treatments are quick and nearly pain-free, with an efficient handpiece that allows for safe, rapid removal of large areas like the legs and back—perfect for busy lifestyles.
Nearly any area of the body with unwanted hair can be treated. Common treatment areas include:
Every patient at Austin Skin and Wellness begins with a one-on-one consultation with one of our providers. We review your medical history, medications, sun exposure habits and any hormonal factors that may influence results. We then assess your skin tone and hair color to calibrate laser settings specifically for you.
Preparation begins about four weeks before your first session. Starting at this time, avoid waxing, tweezing, threading and electrolysis because these methods pull the follicle out of the skin, removing the target that the laser needs. You can still shave during this time period, and we will have you shave either the night before or the morning of, so that the energy travels down the shaft into the follicle rather than being focused at the surface.
Stay out of the direct sunlight and skin self-tanner for at least two weeks before your session. Make sure your skin is free from lotions, deodorant, makeup or other products on the day of your treatment.
Traditionally, laser hair removal was a little uncomfortable, with a feeling like a snap against the skin with every pulse. However, we offer a device called Motus AZ that is designed with comfort in mind. This treatment is virtually painless. Instead of pulses, this device uses moveo technology that allows us to continually move the device across the skin, gradually heating up the follicle while keeping the surface cool. Treatments are also faster because of this continuous motion and take up less of your day.
Check out an honest Motus AZ hair removal review from one of our satisfied patients!
Treated hairs do not fall out right away. Over the next one to three weeks, they shed as the follicle pushes them out. This may look like regrowth at first because the hairs will get longer, but eventually they will fall out. During this time, apply a gentle moisturizer and use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher on any exposed skin. Avoid irritating the skin with hot showers, saunas, heavy workouts or exfoliation. Shaving is fine between sessions, but do not wax or pluck if you plan to have additional laser treatments.
Most patients need six to eight sessions to target the majority of hair follicles in their active growth phase. We space these four to six weeks apart, planning the timing around your hair growth cycle to maximize the effects of our treatment. Some areas may require more treatments, especially if there are additional factors, such as hormones, that are contributing to hair growth in the area.
After your first two or three appointments, you may start to notice reduced density of hair in the area. Hair that does grow back is often finer and slower-growing than it was before. By the final session, most patients are down to a small percentage of their original density. Maintenance treatments can be helpful for catching any regrowth or areas that were missed.
We can treat all skin tones with laser hair removal. The Motus AZ laser pairs two wavelengths, an alexandrite (755nm) and Nd:YAG (1064nm), in order to be able to treat the full range of skin types, from very light to deeply pigmented. Older alexandrite-only systems struggled with darker skin because surface melanin could absorb energy meant for the follicle, and the surface of the skin could burn. The Nd:YAG wavelength reaches deeper and bypasses surface pigment.
Light blonde, white and red hairs are still the hardest to treat, regardless of the device used, because they lack the pigment the laser needs to target. The best results are seen in patients with dark, coarse hair. We perform honest assessments during our consultation and will let you know whether this treatment would be beneficial for you and your hair type.
We do not recommend this treatment during pregnancy. More research is needed on the safety of laser treatments during pregnancy, and hormonal shifts can make results unpredictable.
With professional laser hair removal, all treatments are performed or directly supervised by licensed medical professionals who can adjust settings in real time and manage any complications. Medical-grade lasers also deliver more energy with better cooling than intense pulsed light (IPL) devices that are marketed for at-home use. You will get better results in a professional setting.
Patients usually enjoy a long-term reduction of 80 to 90 percent in the treated areas after a series of laser treatments. Some follicles may survive and stay dormant, and can reactivate because of hormone changes from pregnancy, menopause, andropause or thyroid conditions. If this happens, you can schedule touch-up sessions to catch the additional growth.
We’re here to help you nurture both your skin and soul, and answer any questions you may have.
At Austin Skin and Wellness, every detail of our practice is centered around our patients. We offer dermatologic and wellness care under the direction of experienced medical providers, including our medical director, Dr. Eleanor Womack. Dr. Womack is a Harvard-trained physician who is board-certified in Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. Our owner, Brandi McMurry, also brings 30 years of experience in the medical aesthetic field to the practice. Our focus is on providing the best results through individualized care, and our patients are treated as whole people.
Daily shaving, ingrown hairs, and the cost of monthly waxing add up in both time and money. Our laser hair removal treatments offer a long-term alternative without the routine irritation. Call Austin Skin and Wellness at 512-551-8551 to schedule your consultation and receive a personalized quote.
