Click here for our Current Specials!
(732) 255-7155

Laser Hair Removal

Conveniently located to serve Ocean County and Toms River

Regular removal of excess hair can be a painful, expensive, and time-consuming process. Whether you wax, shave, or pluck, you no doubt experience regular discomfort and skin irritation. Even electrolysis requires many treatments, and each hair must be removed one by one. Laser Hair Removal allows for permanent reduction of large areas of hair in just a few treatments.

For women, the most commonly treated areas are the upper lip, chin, bikini line/Brazilian, legs, arms, and underarms.

Dr. Small frequently treats men as well who wish to rid their backs and shoulders. Men who suffer regular facial irritation from shaving also often opt for laser hair removal of their beards and upper lips. Athletes, particularly bicyclists, have laser hair removal on their legs to make racing more comfortable.

The Laser Hair Removal Procedure

Laser hair removal does not work on all shades of hair. It is best suited to treat dark hair. If you have light blonde, white, gray, or light red hair, the laser will not work properly. The pigment in the hair absorbs more of the laser light so that the laser can destroy the hair follicle.

All hairs grow in cycles, but not all hairs are in the same cycle at the same time. The laser only works on the hair when it is in a particular cycle. For this reason, several treatments are required – usually 6-10 with a period of 4-6 weeks in between.

You can expect a reduction of about 20% of the hair from each session. The results take 2-3 weeks to begin to show after the first treatment.

While there may be regrowth after laser hair removal, the hair that grows will be much lighter and softer. If any darker hair begins to come in, you may wish to have a “touch-up” procedure now and then. Some people have a treatment annually to maintain the results.

Recovering from Laser Hair Removal

No downtime is required after laser hair removal treatments. You will feel and look like you have a mild sunburn, but this usually lasts for less than a day.

After-care instructions between your treatments will include careful cleaning of the area, avoiding sun exposure, wearing sunscreen when outdoors, and applying an ointment that Dr. Small will provide or recommend.

Candidates for Laser Hair Removal

There are a few factors that go into making someone a good fit for laser hair removal treatment. The laser light used to target the hair follicles targets the melanin that gives the hair its color. Because of this, the ideal type of hair for laser hair removal is dark and coarse. It is also highly effective on larger areas of skin such as the legs, arms, and back.

During a consultation, we’ll talk to you about the areas you want to treat and assess the hair in those areas to determine if this treatment is a good fit for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Darker skin types can be treated with Laser Hair Removal, but require lasers with longer wavelengths to minimize skin damage. If the wavelengths are not fixed, the skin may be more vulnerable to burns.
The cost of a Laser Hair Removal treatment varies from patient to patient depending on the areas treated and the amount of hair that needs to be removed. After analyzing your body hair in a specific area, we’ll develop a customized treatment plan that’s tailored to your specific needs. Once a plan of action is decided upon, we’ll discuss the cost of your Laser Hair Removal session.
On average, 6 to 8 sessions are typically needed to achieve significant hair reduction, with some individuals requiring more sessions.
The interval of Laser Hair Removal is typically 4 to 6 weeks for facial areas and 6 to 8 weeks for body areas. The exact timing can be different and depends on individual hair growth cycles and the area being treated.
Yes, Laser Hair Removal can be an effective solution for ingrown hairs. By targeting and destroying the hair follicle, it does not only reduces hair growth but also minimizes the chances of hair curling back into the skin.
Laser Hair Removal can be suitable for individuals with hormonal imbalances, but it's important to have realistic expectations. Hormonal imbalances can stimulate hair growth, which may lead to ongoing maintenance sessions.
Due to the proximity to the eyes, eyebrow shaping with laser treatment must be performed with extreme caution and protective measures. For beards, Laser Hair Removal can offer shaping or thinning but understanding the results timeline is important.
While Laser Hair Removal works the same for both men and women, the application can vary based on differences in hair density, thickness, and the area being treated.

Schedule Your Consultation

Do you have unwanted hair on your face or body? Contact Ocean Plastic Surgery P.A. and Laser Center today to find out more about how laser hair removal can rid you of unwanted hair in even large areas. Dr. Stephen Small is a board-certified plastic surgeon who is dedicated to helping you achieve stunning results with customized cosmetic procedures. At our Toms River and Manahawkin locations, we serve patients from all over the New Jersey Shore and beyond, including Stafford Township, Barnegat, Lacey, Berkeley, Dover Township, Brick, Little Egg Harbor, Manchester, Jackson, Howell, Wall, Freehold, Manalapan, and Point Pleasant.

Related Content