Laser hair removal is a cosmetic treatment that uses concentrated light from a powerful laser to remove hair. When the light targets certain pigments of color, they damage the hair follicle deep within the dermis. Diode lasers like the Clear + Brilliant pélo laser are some of the most effective at removing hair on many different skin tones. ⁽¹⁾ If you are tired of waxing, tweezing, and shaving, this procedure can eliminate hair so you can reclaim part of your mornings and shave a few precious minutes off of your routine.

At Alluring Aesthetics, Dr. Wendie Grunberg performs laser hair removal using the Clear + Brilliant pélo laser. She and her talented staff of medical professionals take great pride in performing safe and effective cosmetic treatments and procedures in San Antonio. She offers many popular cosmetic services including liposuction, dermal fillers, and laser hair removal.

Schedule a private consultation with Dr. Grunberg today by filling out this convenient contact form. You may also call our office at (210) 714-5390 to speak with us directly about laser hair removal.

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

Laser hair removal is a popular and effective treatment for permanent hair reduction. This non-invasive procedure utilizes laser technology to target and inhibit the growth of unwanted hair follicles. With targeted laser energy and precise techniques, patients can experience long-lasting results and smooth, hair-free skin. When using laser treatments, providers like Dr. Grunberg can target the hair follicle with a focused beam of light as the laser passes through the skin. The heat emitted from the light damages the follicle at the source. These beams target the pigment within the hair to slow and stop the growth cycle. This leads to a decline in hair health and total hair quantity in the treatment area. ⁽¹⁾

There are three main types of hair on the body: vellus (thin, colorless), terminal (coarse, long, pigmented), and intermediate (middle-ground hair length and size). For terminal and intermediate hair, this treatment focuses on damaging the endogenous chromophore melanin that is found in the hair shaft. The pigmented element of the hair shaft absorbs the light and heats up, effectively damaging the follicle itself and delaying or completely stopping further growth. ⁽²⁾

Advanced Laser Technology

The Clear + Brilliant pélo is a diode laser that uses a light wavelength of 808nm, which allows providers to treat patients of all skin tones and types. This laser utilizes a linear scanning approach that includes integrated cooling to keep the epidermis from being damaged during treatment. The scanning system allows the laser to uniformly deliver heat to the treatment surface quickly without causing significant outward damage to the epidermis, while the cooling crystal regulates temperature and minimizes the patient’s discomfort. When the light passes through the skin’s surface, it targets the pigment in the hair follicle and heats it internally. This damages the follicle itself and prevents regrowth, effectively reducing the amount of unwanted hair in the treatment area. ⁽²⁾

Benefits of Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal makes routine hair removal a thing of the past by permanently eliminating unwanted hair. This treatment allows patients to reclaim part of their mornings and shave a few precious minutes off of their daily routine. It is a quick and simple procedure that can save patients measurable time by shortening their routine and improving their self-confidence. It is suitable for most patients, customizable, and effective on all skin types, hair thickness, and hair color. Dr. Grunberg is able to program the pélo laser system to cater to each patient’s skin and circumstances.

Dr. Grunberg can treat the following areas:

Ideal Candidates

This treatment is suitable for healthy patients who have a desire to reduce unwanted hair around certain areas. To qualify, they must have reasonable expectations and cosmetic desires. They must also understand that they will need multiple sessions to achieve optimal results. Dr. Grunberg utilizes this laser on patients with all skin types who wish to remove stubborn hair for good. Candidates should be non-smokers or willing to quit tobacco and nicotine use before their treatments to receive ideal results.

If you are curious about laser hair removal, schedule a private consultation with Dr. Grunberg today!

Personal Consultation with Dr. Grunberg

During your private consultation at Alluring Aesthetics, we will inquire about your medical history, past cosmetic treatments, and your preferred treatment areas. Dr. Grunberg will perform a physical examination before explaining the procedure in its entirety. She will then create a customized treatment plan that follows a suggested schedule of laser hair removal procedures. Multiple visits will produce unparalleled results, so Dr. Grunberg will take into account your safety and desired results when scheduling your visits.

Preparation

Before laser hair removal treatments, patients should avoid:

Although you should not remove the hair follicle completely before laser hair removal, you are free to shave the treatment area prior to your appointment. It is also important to make sure the hair remains its natural color so the laser can target the pigment and destroy the follicle. Dr. Grunberg provides all other preparation instructions during your private consultation.

Laser Hair Removal Procedure

To start your laser hair removal treatment, Dr. Grunberg cleanses the treatment area and applies a cooling gel to the surface of the skin. She then takes the Clear + Brilliant pélo laser and makes slow and controlled passes over the hair follicles. This heats the targeted hair follicles to prevent them from growing back.

Each patient has a personalized treatment plan, leading to a wide range of procedure lengths. If Dr. Grunberg is treating your upper lip, this visit may only take around 10 minutes to complete. If you want to remove hair from your entire leg, laser treatment could take one hour or more to finish.

Recovery & Results

Because the laser is larger than average and includes built-in cooling technology, treatments are quick and virtually painless, with very little downtime. For the most part, you can expect to come in, get your treatment, and be on your way again.

Because of the cycle of hair growth, laser hair removal usually takes multiple treatments. The exact number depends on which area is being treated and how thick and what color the hair in that area is. Usually, 4-8 treatments are required. During your consultation, we give you the most accurate estimate of how many treatments you will need to get the desired results, as well as a cost estimate.

Complementary Treatment

Microneedling

Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment that uses tiny needles to cause controlled injury to the skin. This stimulates the body’s natural healing response, prompting the development of collagen. Dr. Grunberg can treat many signs of aging with this treatment by puncturing the top layer of skin, creating micro-injuries that speed up the production of elastin and collagen fibers. As we age, these two substances start to decrease, leading to fine lines and wrinkles. This treatment requires minimal downtime but induces great change in the skin to smooth its texture and add radiance back into your complexion. Additionally, Dr. Grunberg often combines microneedling with other treatments like adding platelet-rich plasma to further enhance your results.

Cost of Laser Hair Removal in San Antonio

Dr. Grunberg creates a customized treatment plan for each of her patients, resulting in varied total costs. She offers a cost estimate during your private consultation. To schedule a meeting with her today, call our San Antonio office at (210) 714-5390. We hope to hear from you soon!

If you are interested in other aesthetic treatments or cosmetic surgeries by Dr. Grunberg, please read our blog for more information.

FAQ

References

1. Mustafa FH, Jaafar MS, Ismail AH, Mutter KN. Comparison of Alexandrite and Diode Lasers for Hair Removal in Dark and Medium Skin: Which is Better? Journal of lasers in medical sciences. 2014;5(4):188-193. Accessed May 31, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4281988/
2. Puri N. Comparative study of diode laser versus neodymium-yttrium aluminum: garnet laser versus intense pulsed light for the treatment of hirsutism. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2015;8(2):97. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2077.158445