Laser Hair Removal: Permanent Elimination of Unwanted Hair
Tired of spending time and money on temporary solutions for unwanted hair? Hair removal is one of the most important and popular services at Spiliopoulos Plastic Surgery Clinic, as we use one of the most advanced and reliable Alexandrite laser medical devices, while also offering permanent hair removal through electrolysis.
How does Alexandrite Laser Hair Removal work? Why should you choose it?
Using the principle of selective photothermolysis, the Alexandrite laser emits a focused light beam with a wavelength of 755 nm, which is selectively absorbed by the melanin in the hair follicle (the pigment that gives hair its color), leaving the surrounding skin unaffected. The result is the gradual, irreversible destruction of the follicles, preventing them from producing new hair.
Although Alexandrite laser is ideal for hair removal on light skin with dark hair—offering maximum melanin absorption—it is now effectively used on a wider range of skin types.
Meeting the highest safety standards—FDA-approved—and quality requirements, combined with advanced technical features, the latest-generation Alexandrite laser at Spiliopoulos Plastic Surgery Clinic offers hair removal with unmatched benefits:
- High application speed, reducing session time even for large areas of the body
- Flexibility and precision in targeting
- Absolute safety, even in the most sensitive areas of the face and body
- Significant, visible reduction of unwanted hair from the very first sessions, as hairs become finer and grow more slowly
- Effective treatment of even the most stubborn cases of persistent hair growth
- Improvement of skin texture and overall appearance alongside hair removal
- Medical benefits: Alexandrite laser prevents folliculitis, dermatitis, allergic reactions that can result from temporary hair removal methods, and even spider veins or skin laxity caused by waxing or sugaring
Which Areas Can Alexandrite Laser Hair Removal Be Applied To?
The laser can be applied anywhere there is unwanted hair on the face—such as the upper lip, cheeks, cheekbones, chin, ears, and between the eyebrows—and on the body, particularly the underarms, arms, shoulders, chest, back, abdomen, bikini area, and legs.
From What Age Can One Start Alexandrite Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is generally recommended after puberty, as it requires hormonal stabilization and the development of the final pattern of hair growth to achieve satisfactory results. In cases of particularly dense hair growth that causes significant emotional distress in individuals under 18—since body image is a crucial aspect of self-perception during adolescence—parental consent is required for the procedure. However, due to hormonal fluctuations, additional sessions may be needed in the future.
At Spiliopoulos Plastic Surgery Clinic, we usually recommend a single session on the areas with the most significant concern—such as the upper lip for girls—to provide immediate confidence support during preadolescence and adolescence, with a follow-up session six months to a year later. The addition of new areas is introduced gradually until age and hormonal maturity allow for a comprehensive program of regular hair removal sessions.
Laser Hair Removal Procedure: Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?
Before starting laser hair removal sessions, your medical history is always reviewed, your skin is thoroughly examined, and a personalized treatment plan is created to meet your skin’s needs and the specifics of your hair growth. This allows the adjustment of laser parameters for each area, hair type, and takes into account hormonal influences, age, possible medication use, or any hereditary factors affecting hair growth.
Unlike temporary hair removal methods, the Alexandrite laser’s state-of-the-art cooling mechanism minimizes the sensation of heat, with most patients describing it as a light “tingling.” For the first session in more sensitive areas, a special anesthetic cream can be applied for an even more comfortable experience. As sessions progress, any discomfort is further reduced because hair density decreases and hair texture changes.
How Many Sessions Are Needed to Eliminate Unwanted Hair?
The number of sessions depends on skin color, hair quality and density, as well as the area of the body being treated. Medication use and hormonal factors also influence the time required for complete removal of unwanted hair, so each hair removal case is individualized.
Typically, the average number of sessions required is around 8, spaced approximately 30–40 days apart, and may be adjusted depending on the individual case. Intervals between sessions should ideally not exceed 40–45 days, as longer gaps can significantly affect results and may require additional sessions—this is because the laser is most effective during the hair’s growth (anagen) phase. In hormone-sensitive areas, such as the abdominal line and the face, the number of sessions can vary, and often more sessions are needed.
Laser Hair Removal Cost: How Much Does Alexandrite Laser Hair Removal Cost?
The cost of Alexandrite laser treatment depends on the number of areas you wish to treat and the number of sessions required to achieve complete removal of unwanted hair. However, everyone can achieve smooth, clear, healthy skin, as prices at Spiliopoulos Plastic Surgery Clinic are affordable. At our clinic, hair removal is charged per session, without the need to prepay for a package of sessions.
Although the upfront cost of multiple sessions may initially seem higher, when you consider the cumulative expense of shaving gels, depilatory creams and devices, waxing, or any other temporary hair removal method, laser hair removal proves to be the most cost-effective solution in the long run, thanks to its permanent results.
Laser Hair Removal: Before and After
For maximum effectiveness of the Alexandrite laser, hair removal with wax (or any method that affects the hair follicle) should be avoided for at least 2 weeks prior, and the area to be treated should ideally be shaved 24 hours before the session.
Additionally, laser cannot be applied to tanned skin or skin that has been exposed to the sun within the last 3 weeks. Sun or solarium exposure should be avoided for at least 3 weeks after each session. It is also essential to protect the treated areas with a high-SPF sunscreen.
Permanent Hair Removal with Electrolysis: When Unwanted Hair… “Resists”
Although laser hair removal is considered the gold standard for permanent elimination of unwanted hair, there are cases where it is ineffective or contraindicated, such as light-colored hair (white or blonde hairs) and fine vellus hair. In these situations, permanent hair removal with electrolysis provides the solution—another option available at Spiliopoulos Plastic Surgery Clinic.
Electrolysis works using an electric current—not radiation—to target the hair follicle and remove hair from the root. A very fine silver or gold needle, which serves as an excellent conductor and is personalized for each patient under strict hygiene standards, follows the path of the hair shaft. Once the needle is inside the hair follicle, a small, controlled amount of electric current is applied, causing electrolysis—the destruction of the hair—which can then be easily removed. Gradually, hair regrowth weakens until it is completely eliminated.
The advantages of electrolysis include permanent removal of all hair types (including white, blonde, and fine vellus hairs that laser cannot target due to lack of melanin) and suitability for all skin phototypes (light to dark). It is also the only FDA-approved method for permanent and completely safe hair removal. Furthermore, in areas with many moles or skin lesions, where scanning the entire area with a laser is not ideal, electrolysis is the perfect choice.
On the other hand, electrolysis is not as painless as laser hair removal, as some discomfort may occur, which can be minimized with the use of anesthetic cream. The procedure is more time-consuming than laser sessions, as each hair is treated individually, making it ideal for small areas such as the upper lip, chin, or nipples. Repeated sessions are required to achieve the desired result.
Often, especially in cases of persistent hair growth or mixed hair colors, a combination of both methods—laser hair removal and electrolysis—is performed for optimal results.
Hair Removal in Athens: Permanent Hair Removal Solutions at Spiliopoulos Plastic Surgery Clinic
Schedule your appointment at Spiliopoulos Plastic Surgery Clinic so we can assess your unwanted hair concerns and determine the most suitable hair removal method—or the ideal combination of methods—to ensure permanent results and an improved quality of life!