Hair grows from follicles located within the dermis, where specialized cells surrounding the hair bulb divide rapidly to produce the hair shaft. This process is regulated by the hair growth cycle, which includes active (anagen), transitional (catagen), and resting (telogen) phases. Because only actively growing follicles respond to lasers, treatment is performed over multiple sessions.
Unwanted hair may develop on the face, upper lip, chin, underarms, arms, legs, chest, back, abdomen, bikini area, or other body regions. At LaVida Medspa, we create a personalized treatment plan based on your skin type, hair characteristics, medical history, goals, and timeline. Using advanced laser technology, we target hair follicles while protecting the surrounding tissue, gradually reducing future hair growth with comfortable, pain-free treatments.
Laser hair removal can safely reduce unwanted hair on many areas, including:
Laser hair removal works through selective photothermolysis, a process in which laser energy is absorbed by melanin within the hair shaft and follicle. The absorbed light is converted into heat that damages the follicle’s growth structures, reducing its ability to produce new hair. Because follicles cycle through active, transitional, and resting phases, only hairs in the active stage respond during each session. Multiple treatments are therefore necessary to target follicles as they naturally enter the growth cycle.
At LaVida Medspa, we use the Alma Soprano laser with advanced SHR™ technology and the IN Motion™ protocol. Rather than delivering a single, intense burst of heat, its SHR technology gradually warms the follicles using repeated low-energy pulses while the IN Motion technique continuously glides across the skin. Meanwhile, an integrated cooling system keeps the skin’s surface comfortable. Although everyone’s pain tolerance is different, many patients liken the sensation to a hot stone massage.
Your treatment begins with a consultation, during which we evaluate your medical history, skin tone, hair color, treatment areas, previous hair removal, and aesthetic goals. We explain what results you can realistically expect, answer your questions, and create a personalized treatment plan. Before each session, you’ll shave the treatment area, and your skin should be clean and free of lotions, deodorant, makeup, perfume, or other topical products.
During treatment, the Alma Soprano handpiece is continuously moved across your skin while delivering controlled laser energy to the follicles. The integrated cooling system keeps the skin comfortable as the follicles reach the therapeutic temperature needed for long-term reduction. Sessions typically last from several minutes to about an hour, depending on the treatment area, and you’ll return at scheduled intervals to target follicles as they enter their growth phase.
Most patients experience only mild, temporary effects, which may include:
Most redness and sensitivity resolve within a few hours to 48 hours, allowing you to return to normal activities immediately. Protect the treated area from direct sun exposure, wear broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, avoid hot showers, saunas, hot tubs, and vigorous exercise until any redness subsides, and keep the skin moisturized with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer. Avoid scratching, waxing, or plucking between sessions, as the treated hairs will naturally shed over the following several weeks.
You may notice treated hairs beginning to shed anywhere from 5 to 30 days after each session. This is a normal part of the process and does not represent new growth. As additional follicles enter the growth phase and are treated during future visits, hair becomes progressively finer, lighter, and less dense.
Because laser energy is most effective during the active (anagen) phase of the hair growth cycle, multiple sessions are necessary to treat hair follicles as they become active. Most patients require a series of treatments spaced about 4 weeks apart, although the exact number varies depending on the treatment area, hair density, hormone levels, and individual response.
Whether you’re tired of shaving, waxing, or plucking, laser hair removal can help you achieve long-lasting, smoother skin. At LaVida Medspa, we use advanced Alma Soprano technology to personalize each treatment to your skin type, hair characteristics, and goals. Schedule a consultation at our Chandler or Mesa location to find out if laser hair removal is right for you.
