Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal for permanent hair reduction on the face, legs, underarms, bikini line, back, and other body areas, offered through Northwestern Plastic Surgery's aesthetics service in Streeterville, Chicago. The laser targets melanin in the hair follicle to disable the growth centre. Multiple sessions are required to treat hair across all growth cycle phases. Treatment is performed by the practice's licensed aesthetics team under physician supervision.

Laser hair removal at Northwestern Plastic Surgery is offered as part of the practice's physician-supervised aesthetics service, using laser technology that targets melanin (the pigment responsible for hair colour) within the hair follicle to thermally disable the hair matrix cells responsible for growth. The laser emits a specific wavelength of light — commonly diode (810 nm), alexandrite (755 nm), or Nd:YAG (1064 nm) depending on the patient's skin type and hair colour — that is preferentially absorbed by the melanin in the follicle, converting light energy to heat that destroys the follicular bulge and dermal papilla. Hair that is actively growing (anagen phase) responds to treatment most effectively, as melanin concentration is highest and the follicle is most closely connected to the dermal papilla. Because only a fraction of follicles are in anagen at any one time (varying by body site from approximately 20% to 85%), a minimum of six to eight treatment sessions spaced four to eight weeks apart is required to achieve treatment of the majority of follicles through multiple hair cycle rotations. Darker, coarser hair on lighter skin produces the most reliable response, as the melanin contrast between follicle and surrounding skin maximises energy selectivity. The Nd:YAG 1064 nm wavelength is used for patients with darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick IV–VI), as its longer wavelength penetrates past the epidermal melanin that would otherwise absorb energy and cause epidermal injury. Body areas treated include the face (upper lip, chin, sideburns), underarms, arms, legs (full or partial), bikini line or Brazilian, back, chest, and abdomen.