Laser Hair Removal

What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser Hair Removal is a noninvasive treatment that uses light to destroy hair follicles.  Laser light is absorbed by the pigmented hair, and the light is converted to heat, which destroys the unwanted hair itself.  To achieve permanent hair reduction, you need a minimum of 8 treatments spaced 3-6 weeks apart. To achieve permanency, most patients also require to be treated with multiple types of lasers because the hair becomes thinner and lighter with each consecutive treatment. You can’t change the parameters of lasers to treat both coarse and fine hair.  That requires to be treated by different layers. Cultura’s 12 state-of-the-art lasers provide our expert nurse practitioners, doctors, and Physician Associates the ability to change lasers as the hair characteristics change. This is why Cultura is renowned for its ability to consistently achieve permanent laser hair removal results.

Cultura Dermatology & Plastic Surgery is one of the country’s top laser hair removal centers and has been performing safe laser hair removal treatments for over 23 years, treating over 100,000 patients. Cultura’s founder, Dr. Eliot Battle is considered one of the country’s top laser experts and his research at Harvard helped to pioneer the new generation of hair removal lasers that are safe for all patients, regardless of skin color. 

Considering Aerolase for Skin of Color? Here’s What You Should Know

Aerolase, officially known as the 650-microsecond Nd:YAG laser, has become a popular search term among patients seeking laser hair removal for skin of color. Marketed as a safe and versatile option for treating acne, skin rejuvenation, psoriasis and hair removal, Aerolase is often promoted as an all-in-one device that works across all skin tones.

Benefits of Aerolase for Skin of Color

One of the main advantages of Aerolase hair removal is its safety profile for richly pigmented skin. Because it uses short bursts of energy that penetrate the skin quickly, it minimizes the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, making it a starting point for many providers treating patients with deeper skin tones.

At Cultura, we acknowledge that Aerolase can be a reasonable entry-level option, particularly for clinics that treat a wide variety of skin concerns with a single device and with practitioner with limited expertise in treating patients with darker skin.

Limitations of Aerolase for Long-Term Hair Removal

While Aerolase is safe, our experience shows that it is not as effective as other technologies for long-term laser hair removal, particularly when treating coarser or hormonally driven hair. Many patients come to Cultura after receiving Aerolase treatments elsewhere, disappointed with their results because they find that their results have plateaued or that hair regrowth occurs more quickly than expected.

Additionally, Aerolase’s “one-size-fits-all” positioning can be misleading. At Cultura Dermatology and Plastic surgery, under the guidance of Dr. Battle, customization based on skin, hair texture, and treatment area consistently leads to better and more permanent results.

Why Cultura Prefers Other Laser Hair Removal Technologies

Cultura’s founder and medical director, Dr. Eliot Battle, is a recognized leader in laser dermatology and a pioneer in developing Nd:YAG technology, including the original microsecond YAG laser, the foundation on which Aerolase is built.

With over 23 years of experience and a diverse collection of more than a dozen advanced laser systems, we are able to tailor treatment precisely to your skin and hair type. This allows us to achieve superior, longer-lasting results while maintaining safety, especially for patients with darker skin tones.

While Aerolase hair removal for skin of color may be trending, we encourage patients to look beyond marketing and explore options with proven efficacy and clinical depth.

Explore Your Best Laser Hair Removal Options

If you’ve been researching Aerolase in Washington, DC, or searching for the best YAG laser for darker skin, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Battle. We’re happy to educate you on the pros and cons of each technology and recommend the safest, most effective path to smooth, hair-free skin.

What should I expect during a consultation for laser hair removal? 

During the consultation, we will provide you with a thorough understanding of how laser hair removal works, how it feels, and the expectations you should expect.  We will discuss the cost of individual laser-assisted hair removal treatments and the discounted prices we offer for packages and multiple treatment areas. Laser hair removal is not painful, but is classified more as irritating, like a multiple prick.  Some of our lasers are considered pain-free lasers for hair removal. Hairs usually fall out 2 weeks after treatment and for most patients, they won’t see hair in between treatments. The hair bulb down deep requires a minimum of 8 treatments, but it doesn’t usually have enough energy to keep growing hair during your treatments with us.  Post-treatment, there is usually no redness, and most patients can return to work or be seen immediately after treatment.  Additionally, the heat from the laser shatters dark spots and makes more collagen, so your complexion and texture will dramatically improve.

Our laser hair removal treatment plans are meticulously customized to meet the distinct needs of each patient, considering various critical factors such as skin color, ethnicity, tan level, skin sensitivity, hair color, and hair diameter.

As Dr. Battle continues to educate physicians both nationally and internationally on the use of lasers for various hair removal methods and epilation, he ensures that the Cultura team remains at the forefront of the latest hair removal tools, techniques, and procedures. As he aptly puts it, “Permanent hair removal results can be achieved with most patients by combining skin expertise with the right laser and the right hair.”