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Unwanted Hair
How We Can Help You
The doctors in the Stanford Health Care Dermatologic Surgery program not only have the expertise to help improve the health and appearance of your skin, they are leading the development of new technologies and techniques not yet available at other centers.
What We Offer You For Hair Removal
- Fellowship-trained specialists who are global leaders in aesthetic dermatology and dermatologic surgery – active clinical researchers who teach and lecture around the world.
- Advanced treatment options including laser treatments, precision surgical expertise, and innovative solutions for pigmented skin. Go to Treatments
- A comfortable center that is easily accessible from Highway 101. Go to Our Clinics
The doctors in the Stanford Health Care Dermatologic Surgery program provide a complete range of treatments for unwanted hair, including:
What is Unwanted Hair?
About Unwanted Hair
Unwanted hair on the back, arms, legs, face, or bikini area can be a nuisance.
Our doctors have the experience and training to know which techniques provide the most thorough and long-lasting relief, based on your hair color and skin type.
We offer the safest and most effective hair removal treatments available, including:
- Lasers featuring the latest models now capable of treating all skin types and colors
- Pulsed Light: offering a second therapy and providing us with a complete toolkit for hair removal
How hair removal with laser and light treatment works
Hair removal with laser and light treatment works by targeting the pigment in unwanted hair, then vaporizing the shaft and root without damaging surrounding tissue. (We often test a spot beforehand to ensure the proper settings.)
Most patients only experience mild discomfort, like getting snapped with a rubber band. But for your comfort, we offer a topical anesthetic cream before treatment for larger or more sensitive areas.
What to Expect with Hair Removal
Traditional techniques for hair removal such as waxing, shaving and plucking only provide short-term relief. Electrolysis (removal of hair roots using an electric current) also comes with drawbacks:
- Potential for permanently damaged hair
- Painful, slow, and tedious
- Only small areas are treatable at one time, leading to months or years of visits
- Pitted scarring can result
While our laser and light treatments still require follow-up visits every 4 to 6 weeks to achieve the best results, they provide clear advantages, including safety, convenience, and effectiveness:
- Larger areas are treatable at one time.
- A single treatment can delay hair growing back for as long as 6 months.
- After 6 to 8 treatments, two-thirds of hair is usually permanently gone, with the rest thinner and less noticeable.
- Nearly 4 out of 5 people see their hair growth permanently reduced
- Results depend on hair and skin color (fair skin and dark hair works best), hair thickness. and hair location
Pre-treatment care for hair removal
We ask that you follow certain steps before treatment:
- Shave the targeted area the morning of your appointment
- Do not tweeze or wax for 6 weeks prior to treatment sessions
- Stay out of the sun starting 4 weeks before your appointment and throughout your treatment, and away from tanning beds for 4 weeks before your session
- Do not apply self-tanner to targeted areas for 2 weeks before treatment
- Inform your doctor before treatment if you have a history of herpes (cold sores), as you may benefit from anti-viral medications
- Do not get your hair removed if you are pregnant or think you might be
- You can take Tylenol before your treatment to help relieve discomfort
Post-treatment care for hair removal
We ask that you follow additional steps after your treatment:
- Apply ice during the first few hours after treatment if you have redness or swelling
- Don’t exercise, take hot showers or baths, or use saunas or hot tubs until redness or swelling goes away
- Avoid sun exposure and use a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunblock (SPF 30 or greater) throughout treatment
- Avoid applying Retin A, retinols, glycolic acid, and other alpha hydroxy acids to the treatment area for 3 to 5 days afterward
- Avoid picking and scratching the treated skin
- Do not use any other hair removal methods other than shaving throughout treatment
- After armpit treatments, do not use a deodorant or antiperspirant for 1 to 2 days
- Do not exfoliate for the first 3 days after treatment. After 3 days, exfoliating is recommended to help remove the dead hair beneath the surface
- Hair will start to fall out 7 to 21 days after treatment. You can clean and remove this hair by washing, wiping or shaving the treated area
Our Clinics
Stanford Health Care has one of the most experienced dermatologic surgery programs in the world. Our expert specialists deliver safe, effective treatments to help treat conditions ranging from acne to cancer.



Pavilion B 4th Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: 650-725-5272 Getting Here

Pavilion B 4th Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: 650-725-5272 Getting Here
RELATED CLINICS
To schedule an appointment, please call: 650-725-5272
Unwanted Hair