Laser Hair Removal

in Washington, DC

Smooth skin, zero hassle. Discover long-lasting hair removal with advanced laser technology designed for all skin types.

Cultura Dermatology & Plastic Surgery is one of the country’s top laser hair removal centers and has been performing safe laser hair removal treatments on all skin types, including darker skin, for over 23 years. Cultura’s founder, Dr. Eliot Battle, is considered one of the country’s top laser experts. His research at Harvard helped to pioneer the new generation of Nd:YAG hair removal lasers; the foundation for many of today’s safest and most effective treatments for all skin tones, including the technology Aerolase is based on. Dr. Battle was also involved in research for at-home laser hair removal devices. Cultura Dermatology & Plastic Surgery  performs hair removal for women and laser hair removal for men. With parent’s supervision, in appropriate situations, we will also provide laser hair removal for children. With a diverse collection of over 12 advanced hair removal lasers, Cultura tailors each treatment to patient’s specific hair removal needs, based on their unique skin tone, hair texture, and personal goals.

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.

Benefits of Laser Hair Removal

Cultura patient after receiving laser hair removal treatment on her legs in Washington DC
  • Long-Term Hair Reduction

    Laser hair removal offers lasting smoothness by targeting hair at the root, significantly reducing regrowth over time. Say goodbye to the cycle of shaving, waxing, and plucking.

  • Smoother Skin and Fewer Ingrown Hairs

    By eliminating hair and reducing irritation, laser treatments help prevent ingrown hairs and improve both skin texture and tone, especially in areas prone to dark spots or bumps.

  • Safe and Customized for All Skin Types

    Cultura offers over 12 advanced laser systems to treat all skin tones and hair types safely and effectively. From facial hair to large body areas like the back, bikini, or legs, treatments are tailored for optimal precision.

  • Quick, No-Downtime Sessions

    Most areas can be treated in under 30 minutes, with no required recovery time. It’s a convenient option for patients with busy schedules who want real results without interruption.

  • Cost-Effective Over Time

    Investing in laser hair removal reduces the long-term costs of razors, waxing, and depilatory products. It also helps correct skin concerns caused by repetitive hair removal methods, such as discoloration and irritation.

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.

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.

Common Areas for Laser Hair Removal

Face

Treats the upper lip, chin, cheeks, and jawline to reduce facial hair and improve skin texture. Popular among both men and women for its precision.

Underarms

Offers smooth, clean underarms without the irritation caused by shaving or waxing. Results are long-lasting and ideal for sensitive skin.

Bikini & Brazilian

Targets hair along the bikini line or full Brazilian area for lasting smoothness and reduced ingrown hairs. A top choice for summer prep.

Legs

Full or partial leg treatments significantly reduce shaving frequency and leave skin softer with fewer ingrown hairs or dark spots.

Back & Chest

Popular for men, these areas can be effectively treated to remove thick, unwanted hair and improve skin tone and comfort.

Neck & Scalp

Great for shaping hairlines or eliminating unwanted neck hair for cleaner grooming and easier maintenance.

Laser Hair Removal Process

At Cultura, we strive to make sure our laser hair reduction process is safe, and simple, but powerful. You’ll typically undergo a series of eight treatments, with each session spaced three to eight weeks apart depending on your individual hair growth cycle. The number of treatments you’ll need can vary due to factors such as your hormone levels and hair type. As your hair becomes finer and lighter after each treatment, we use different lasers and make appropriate adjustments to our laser parameters to ensure each treatment is ideal. This precise process allows us to consistently deliver the most effective treatment for your future hair growth, and skin type, aiming for the best possible long-term results

Personalized Treatment

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.”

Frequently Asked Questions Laser Hair Removal

  • What are the risks of laser hair removal?
    Laser hair removal doesn’t guarantee permanent hair removal, but we are very good at it, and most of our patients achieve it. However, as patients encounter hormonal changes, like pregnancy or menopause, new hair can regrow. Although side effects are very rare, possible laser hair removal side effects include, temporary irritation of the skin, mild swelling and redness of the treated area, which usually resolves in hours. Very rare side effects can result in blistering and crusting which can lead to temporary hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and scarring. One of Cultura’s true expertise is our ability to treat darker skin safely and effectively, regardless of skin color and ethnicity. Angry-tanned skin from intense sun exposure or having received a recent spray tan or recently visited a tanning booth should wait 1-2 weeks before seeking treatments. These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It’s important that you address all your questions directly with your consultant or provider. People with white hair are not candidates for laser hair removal and should seek out alternatives to laser hair removal like waxing, shaving, electrolysis, or depilatory creams.
  • What is the treatment process like?
    At Cultura, we strive to make sure our laser hair reduction process is safe, and simple, but powerful. You’ll typically undergo a series of eight treatments, with each session spaced three to eight weeks apart depending on your individual hair growth cycle. The number of treatments you’ll need can vary due to factors such as your hormone levels and hair type. As your hair becomes finer and lighter after each treatment, we use different lasers and make appropriate adjustments to our laser parameters to ensure each treatment is ideal. This precise process allows us to consistently deliver the most effective treatment for your future hair growth, and skin type, aiming for the best possible long-term results
  • Are there any side effects of laser hair removal?
    With any medical or aesthetic treatment, there is always a risk of a side effect. That's why you should choose your experts wisely. Cultura has that expertise. Risks or very rare but can include erythema (redness), edema (swelling), blistering, ulcerations, and scarring. If these rare side effects do unfortunately happen, they usually are temporary, and Cultura's expertise will be there to assist in resolving issues. Again, side effects are very rare.
  • Is laser hair removal painful?
    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.
  • What should I expect during my laser hair removal consultation?
    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.
  • How long will it take to see results?
    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.
  • What should I expect after my laser hair removal treatment?
    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.

Why Choose Cultura for Laser Hair Removal

Choose Cultura for a world-class laser hair removal experience. Our award-winning clinic, built on the innovations of Dr. Battle and his Harvard-backed research, has conducted hundreds of thousands of hair removal procedures. We provide personalized treatments in a welcoming environment where your comfort and goals are our top priorities.  Any patient, regardless of skin color or ethnicity, can be safely treated at Cultura.  Cultura has multiple lasers, including lasers that are effective for finer, thinner hair.

Cultura has been at the forefront of laser treatment for hair removal for more than two decades, performing over 100 treatments each week, over 100,000 since they started 23 years ago. Unlike many facilities that employ a “one size fits all” approach to remove hair with a single device, Cultura boasts a diverse range of hair removal systems and has the best laser for hair removal for all skin types, colors and ethnicity, including eight (8) Nd:YAG lasers, two (2) Alexandrite lasers, three (3) Diode lasers, and three (3) IPL based systems. The treatment is not only effective for those with light skin tones and dark hair like other hair removal methods, but can also remove unwanted hair for individuals with dark skin tones.

  • 20+

    YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

  • 100000+

    LASER HAIR REMOVAL TREATMENTS PERFORMED

  • 32+

    CULTURALLY AWARE DOCTORS

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Book Your Consultation Today

Schedule your laser hair removal consultation at Cultura today and let our expert team tailor a treatment plan that fits your goals, skin type, and lifestyle. Safe, effective, and no downtime required.

Dr. Eliot Battle

Dr. Eliot Battle, CEO of Cultura Dermatology, is a global leader in cosmetic dermatology and laser innovation. His Harvard research pioneered “color-blind” lasers, making treatments safe for all skin tones. A sought-after expert featured in TIME, Oprah, and The New York Times, he continues to advance inclusive, cutting-edge dermatological care.

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