Laser Hair Removal Elmhurst IL
Laser Hair Removal
Say hello to smooth skin and reduce unwanted body hair with our laser hair removal treatments.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
A Gentlemax Pro laser emits a concentrated wavelength of infrared light that penetrates deep into the skin to target melanin in the hair follicle without harming surrounding tissue. The laser light is absorbed and converted to heat, which damages the hair follicles to inhibit or delay future hair growth. The Gentlemax Pro laser has one of the largest treatment spot sizes to simultaneously target numerous hair follicles, allowing for faster and more uniform treatment.
What areas can laser hair removal treat?
How many laser hair removal treatments are needed?
In a Gentlemax Pro laser hair removal treatment, the laser light only affects actively growing hair follicles. Since hair grows in different phases over time, multiple treatments are required for desired results.
Each treatment course typically ranges from 4-8 sessions, but may vary by individual, as well as type and density of hair. Most notice a significant reduction in hair growth after just a few sessions. For best results, treatments for the face are usually booked 4 weeks apart while body is 6 weeks.
How long do treatments take?
Each treatment time depends on the specific area being treated. Most Treatments range from 5-30 minutes!
Is there any discomfort or downtime with laser hair removal?
The Gentlemax Pro incorporates a Sub-Zero cooling tip system. This provides cooling before, during and after each pulse, assuring a comfortable and pain-free experience.
The technology freezes and numbs pain receptors to allow treatments to performed at higher energy levels, ensuring optimal treatment. Immediately after treatment slight redness or swelling is likely and will quickly dissipate.
How to prep for laser hair removal treatments
- Shave the area as close as possible 1-2 days before treatment
- No tanning in the area 5-6 weeks prior to treatment
- No waxing or plucking 6 weeks prior to treatment
- No spray tan on the treatment site for treatment day
Laser hair removal for dark skin and melanin-rich skin tones in Elmhurst
Yes, laser hair removal is safe for dark skin when it is done with the right laser and the right settings. Our GentleMax Pro has two lasers in one machine: a 755 nm Alexandrite for lighter skin tones and a 1064 nm Nd:YAG for medium, olive, brown and deep skin tones. The 1064 nm wavelength passes through the melanin in the skin and targets the melanin in the hair follicle, which is what makes it the standard choice for Fitzpatrick skin types IV, V and VI.
Every new client starts with a consultation and a small test patch so our licensed providers can see how your skin responds before treating a full area. The built in cooling tip protects the surface of the skin during each pulse. If you have had a bad experience with an IPL device or a clinic that only uses an Alexandrite or diode laser, that is a different tool, not a reason to give up on laser hair removal.
What to expect: most clients with deeper skin tones see steady reduction over 6 to 8 sessions, spaced 4 weeks apart for the face and 6 weeks apart for the body. Skip tanning and self tanner for a few weeks before each visit, shave the area a day or two before, and tell us about any lightening creams or retinoids you use so we can plan around them. Ingrown hairs and razor bumps often improve within the first few sessions, which is one of the most common reasons our clients with coarse or curly hair come in.
Is laser hair removal safe for dark skin?
Yes. With a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser, conservative starting settings and a test patch, laser hair removal is safe and effective for dark skin. The risks people worry about, such as burns or dark spots, come from using the wrong wavelength or treating tanned skin, not from laser hair removal itself. Book a consultation at Accelerated Aesthetics in Elmhurst and we will walk you through it in person.
Laser hair removal pricing in Elmhurst
Prices below are per session starting points. Packages of 6 lower the per session price, new client specials change monthly, and Glow Getter members save 10 to 20 percent. Your exact quote is confirmed at your complimentary consultation. Full details are on our pricing page.
| Area | Starting at, per session | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Upper lip or chin | $50 to $150, depending on specials | About 10 minutes. Often paired together. New patients: 5 sessions on one area for $199. |
| Underarms | $50 to $150, depending on specials | Our fastest full area. Most people see a big change by session 3. New patients: 5 sessions for $199. |
| Bikini line | Quoted at consult | The edges only. Upgrade to a Brazilian any time. |
| Brazilian | $100 to $299+, depending on specials | Our most requested area. 15 to 20 minutes. New patients: 5 sessions for $499. |
| Half legs | Quoted at consult | Lower legs are the usual choice for shorts and skirts. |
| Full legs | $500 | Package pricing brings this down meaningfully. |
| Full body | Quoted at consult | Ask about the full body package, often featured in our specials. |
Compared with a lifetime of waxing: a Brazilian wax every 5 weeks runs roughly $700 to $900 a year, every year. A 6 session laser package is a one time cost with the occasional touch up after.
Full body laser hair removal in Elmhurst
Full body laser hair removal is the option for clients who are done shaving everywhere and would rather handle it in one plan. At Accelerated Aesthetics a full body package covers underarms, full arms, full legs, bikini or Brazilian, and abdomen and lower back, with the face, chest, back and shoulders added or swapped in depending on what you actually want treated. You and your licensed provider decide the map at your consultation, and it is written down so every session treats the same areas.
A full body session takes about 60 to 90 minutes with the GentleMax Pro, which has one of the largest spot sizes available, so large areas such as legs and back go quickly. Sessions are spaced 6 weeks apart, and most clients finish a series in 6 to 8 visits, which means a package started in the fall is done by late spring. Full body is priced as a package rather than per area, which brings the cost well below adding the areas up separately. We quote it at your complimentary consultation and it is often featured in our monthly specials. Cherry and CareCredit financing can split a package into monthly payments.
Full body works for every skin tone, since the GentleMax Pro switches between its 755 nm Alexandrite and 1064 nm Nd:YAG lasers as needed, and it is a popular choice for men who want back, shoulders and chest handled in the same plan as everything else. Prep is the same as any area: shave a day or two before, no tanning or self tanner for several weeks, and no waxing between sessions.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
The honest answer is permanent hair reduction, not permanent removal. The laser disables follicles that are in their active growth phase, and each session catches a new batch, which is why it takes 6 to 8 sessions to treat an area fully. Most clients end up with 80 to 90 percent less hair, and what grows back is finer and lighter. Hormonal changes such as pregnancy, PCOS or menopause can wake up a few dormant follicles over the years, so many clients book a single touch up once a year or so. Anyone promising 100 percent permanent removal in a set number of sessions is overselling it.
Aftercare: what to do after laser hair removal
- Expect mild redness or small bumps around the follicles for a few hours, sometimes a day. A cool compress or plain aloe helps.
- Skip hot showers, saunas, hot tubs and hard workouts for 24 hours. Heat plus freshly treated skin is what causes irritation.
- No sun on the treated area for 2 weeks, and use SPF 30 or higher on any exposed area. Tanning between sessions is the most common reason we have to delay a treatment.
- Do not wax, pluck, thread or use depilatory creams between sessions. Shaving is fine and encouraged.
- Treated hairs shed on their own over 1 to 3 weeks. It can look like regrowth at first. Gentle exfoliation after day 3 helps it along.
- Hold off on retinoids, acids and exfoliating scrubs on the area for 3 to 5 days, and avoid deodorant on underarms for the rest of the day.
- Call or text us at (630) 439-7540 if anything feels off. Blistering or lasting discomfort is rare and we want to hear about it the same day.
The full step by step list is on our aftercare page, and the prep list is on the pre-care page.
Results from our Elmhurst clients
See what a laser hair removal series looks like in real life on our client success page, including a short video from a laser client in our Elmhurst studio. Before and after photos are shared with each client’s permission, and your provider can show you more examples for your specific area and skin tone at your consultation.
Laser hair removal FAQs
Does laser hair removal hurt?
Most people describe it as a quick warm snap, like a rubber band, that fades right away. The GentleMax Pro cools the skin before, during and after every pulse, which is why it is more comfortable than older lasers and most at home devices. Bikini and upper lip are the most sensitive spots; underarms and legs are easy for almost everyone. If you are nervous about a sensitive area, tell us when you book and we will plan around it.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
It is permanent hair reduction. After a full series most clients have 80 to 90 percent less hair for good, with finer regrowth. Hormonal shifts can bring back a few hairs over time, so an occasional touch up keeps the area clear.
Is laser hair removal safe for dark skin?
Yes. Our GentleMax Pro includes a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser designed for medium, brown and deep skin tones. We start with a test patch and conservative settings. Problems with dark skin come from the wrong wavelength or treating tanned skin, not from laser hair removal itself.
What does full body laser hair removal include and how long does it take?
A full body package typically covers underarms, full arms, full legs, bikini or Brazilian, abdomen and lower back, with face, chest, back and shoulders added as needed. Each session takes about 60 to 90 minutes, spaced 6 weeks apart, over 6 to 8 sessions. It is priced as a package and quoted at your complimentary consultation.
Does it work on blonde, red, gray or very fine hair?
The laser targets pigment in the hair, so dark hair responds best. Light blonde, red, gray and white hair have little pigment and respond poorly. We will tell you at your consultation if your hair is a good match, and suggest electrolysis for the areas that are not.
How many sessions will I need?
Most areas take 6 to 8 sessions, spaced 4 weeks apart on the face and 6 weeks apart on the body. Hormonal areas such as the chin and bikini line sometimes need a session or two more. You will usually see a real difference after the second or third visit.
How much does laser hair removal cost?
Small areas such as the upper lip, chin or underarms start at $50 to $150 per session depending on specials, a Brazilian starts at $100 to $299, and full legs are $500 per session. Packages lower the per session price and full body is quoted at your consultation. New patients can start with 5 sessions on the upper lip, chin or underarms for $199, or 5 Brazilian sessions for $499.
Does insurance cover laser hair removal?
No. Laser hair removal is considered cosmetic, so insurance does not cover it. Some clients use HSA or FSA funds when a doctor documents a medical reason such as folliculitis or hidradenitis; check with your plan.
Do you offer financing or payment plans?
Yes. Cherry payment plans split a package into monthly payments with a quick application and no hard credit check to see your options, and we also accept CareCredit. Details are on our financing page.
Should I shave before my appointment?
Yes, shave the area 1 to 2 days before. The laser needs the root, not the hair above the skin, and surface hair just absorbs energy and causes irritation. Do not wax, pluck or thread for 6 weeks before, since that removes the root the laser is looking for.
Can I get laser hair removal if I am tan or just got back from vacation?
We ask for no sun exposure, tanning beds or self tanner on the area for 4 to 6 weeks before a session. Tanned skin raises the risk of burns and dark spots. If you come in tan, we will reschedule rather than risk it.
Is there any downtime?
No. You can go back to work right after. Expect mild redness for a few hours and avoid heat, sweat and sun for 24 hours. Many clients come in on a lunch break.
What are the side effects?
Temporary redness, slight swelling around the follicles and mild tenderness are normal and fade within a day. Rare side effects such as blistering or pigment changes almost always trace back to tanned skin or the wrong settings, which is exactly what the test patch and our licensed providers are there to prevent.
Can I do laser hair removal while pregnant or breastfeeding?
We pause treatment during pregnancy as a precaution and resume once you are cleared after delivery. Hormones during pregnancy also change hair growth, so waiting gives better results anyway. If you are breastfeeding, let us know at booking and we will advise.
Does laser hair removal help with ingrown hairs and razor bumps?
Yes, and it is one of the most common reasons people come in. Once the follicle stops producing coarse hair, there is nothing to curl back into the skin. Most clients notice fewer ingrowns within the first 2 or 3 sessions, especially on the bikini line, neck and underarms.
Do you treat men?
Yes. Back, shoulders, chest, neck line and beard shaping are the most requested areas for men. Coarse dark hair responds especially well.
Can you treat over a tattoo?
No. The laser is drawn to pigment, so treating directly over a tattoo can burn the skin and distort the ink. We treat right up to the edge and cover the tattoo during your session.
How is a med spa different from a laser chain?
You see the same licensed provider at every visit, your settings are tracked and adjusted session to session, and we can combine laser with skin treatments such as IPL for discoloration or microneedling for texture on the same visit. Pricing is per session or per package with no long contracts, and consultations are complimentary.
When is the best time of year to start?
Fall and winter. Your skin is at its lightest, there is no tanning to work around, and a series started in October or November is finished by late spring, right when you want it.
Where are you located and who do you serve?
Accelerated Aesthetics is at 112 S. York Street in downtown Elmhurst, IL, with street parking and a lot behind the building. We see laser clients from Villa Park, Oak Brook, Addison, Lombard, Hinsdale, Glen Ellyn and across the western suburbs.
Book your Laser Hair Removal in Elmhurst IL today!
Say hello to smooth skin and reduce unwanted body hair with our laser hair removal treatments in Chicagoland.
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