Laser Hair Reduction
Your Go-To Laser Hair Reduction Expert in the Charleston Area
Is unwanted hair giving you nightmares?
Unwanted body hair can be a hassle for many men, especially in noticeable areas that make you feel insecure about your looks. While shaving, electrolysis, and hair-removal creams can help, all these are short-term, and not to mention painful, solutions. That’s where our GentleMax Pro® procedure comes in.
Totality Men has developed GentleMax Pro® to safely and effectively remove unwanted and stubborn hair from different areas of your body using lasers. Whether you want silkier arms and legs or a smoother chest and back, we have got you covered.
Our GentleMax Pro® uses two lasers – Alexandrite and NDYag. It’s the most advanced technology, making hair removal for men safer, faster, and highly effective.
GentleMax Pro®
Laser hair removal at Totality Men is a quick, safe, and non-surgical procedure performed as an outpatient treatment. It’s suitable for all parts of your body.
How It Works
Our laser treatment doesn’t remove your hair. GentleMax Pro® targets melanin in your hair and damages the follicles, preventing them from further growth and leaving the surrounding skin unharmed.
It uses two lasers with a built-in Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD) that releases cold bursts of air on the skin, keeping you comfortable and virtually pain-free during the procedure. With the largest spot size in the industry (2.4 cm), it’s perfect for treating larger areas like your back, chest, or legs.
Zero Recovery Time
The biggest advantage of our treatment is zero recovery time. Since laser hair removal is non-invasive, you can go back to your routine right after your session. You might experience temporary skin irritation or redness, but this typically subsides within a few days.
However, keep the treated area protected from sun exposure. We recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF30 daily and avoiding tanning for at least six weeks.
Quick and Effective Results
After just one session, your skin will look smoother. But you will need at least six sessions for optimal results. Some patients may need additional touch-up sessions, depending on the density of hair in the treated area.
Who Can Get GentleMax Pro®
You are an ideal candidate for this treatment if you are in good health, have no cuts or damaged skin in the treatment area, and have realistic expectations. Men dealing with stubborn, ingrown hairs can also benefit greatly from this treatment.
The treatment can effectively remove hair in areas like:
- Face
- Neck
- Chest
- Arms
- Underarms
- Legs
- Back
Typically, you will need six sessions to see the desired results, but some individuals may require additional sessions due to thicker hair or darker skin tones.
Everything You Need to Know About Laser Hair Removal
As the name suggests, this treatment uses laser technology to eliminate unwanted hair. During the process, a laser emits light that gets absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. This light energy gets converted into heat, which travels down to the follicle, damaging it and slowing or inhibiting future hair growth.
A Closer Look
The core principle of laser hair removal is that the hair, not the skin, absorbs the laser’s light. The treatment is most effective when there is a contrast between your skin and hair color. A few years ago, this method was challenging for people without light skin and dark hair. With recent advancements, like the NDYag laser, the treatment is equally effective for people with darker skin tones.
Getting Ready
Your first step is to book a consultation with our men’s health experts, who will discuss your goals, medical history, and any medications or supplements you are taking. Photos of the treatment area will be taken for a before and after comparison. You will also receive personalized pre-treatment instructions.
Stay Out of the Sun
We recommend avoiding sun exposure as much as possible before your treatment. When outside, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect your skin.
Lighten Your Skin
Laser hair removal works best when your skin is lighter than your hair. Avoid using sunless tanning products before the treatment. In some cases, we may prescribe a skin-lightening cream if your skin has tanned recently.
Shave the Treatment Area
Shave the area being treated the day before your session. This helps remove hair above the surface while keeping the follicles intact, preventing skin burns during the procedure.
No Plucking and Waxing
Plucking or waxing removes/damages hair follicles, so avoid plucking or waxing for at least four weeks before the treatment.
Avoid Blood-Thinning Medications
Our experts will advise you which medications are safe or unsafe before the treatment begins. But typically, avoid taking blood thinners like aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs, as they can affect the procedure.
The Treatment
During the procedure, you will be required to wear goggles to protect your eyes from the laser. If necessary, the treatment area will be shaved again. If necessary, a topical anesthetic may be applied to ensure comfort, and the laser will be used to target the hair follicles beneath your skin. Smaller areas take less time, while larger areas may require longer sessions.
Aftercare
Post-treatment, limit your exposure to the sun and avoid tanning beds for at least six weeks. Always apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) daily to protect the treated area.
Our Treatment?
Step 1
Consultation
Step 2
Personalized Treatment
Step 3
Support and Aftercare
Frequently
Asked Questions
HOW MANY SESSIONS DO I NEED?
Typically, you need at least six sessions. However, every individual is different, and factors like hair type and skin tone can affect how many sessions you will need. After the first session, you can usually expect a 10% to 25% reduction in hair. With each session, your hair grows back slower and thinner.
HOW SOON DO I NEED THE NEXT SESSION?
Generally, you require six sessions, scheduled every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the area to be treated. Faster growing areas require more frequent sessions, while areas like your back could mean 10 to 15 weeks between sessions.
IS LASER HAIR REMOVAL PERMANENT?
After completing your sessions, you’ll enjoy being hair-free for months or even years. If hair does grow back, it will be finer and less noticeable. Occasional touch-up treatments can help you maintain smooth, hair-free skin.
CAN LASER REMOVAL HELP WITH INGROWN HAIRS?
Laser hair removal can significantly reduce or eliminate ingrown hairs—a huge relief for men prone to irritation from shaving.
WHAT ABOUT THE DOWNTIME?
There’s no downtime after laser hair removal. You can go about your day without discomfort.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR MY HAIR TO FALL OUT?
Hair doesn’t fall out immediately after treatment. It sheds gradually over days or weeks. Multiple sessions keep the target hair in its new-growth stage for the best results.
WHICH BODY PARTS CAN BE TREATED?
You can get laser hair removal almost anywhere on your body except for the eyelids. Popular areas include the legs, back, chest, arms, underarms, and face.
CAN I USE HOME LASERS?
Home laser devices are typically ineffective, especially long-term. They are considered cosmetic, not medical, and don’t undergo rigorous inspections. If you are serious about laser hair removal, see a professional to avoid risks or side effects.
ARE THERE ALTERNATIVES TO LASER HAIR REMOVAL?
Yes, but they aren’t as effective. Whether shaving, waxing, hair removal creams, or electrolysis, all these treatments are either short-term solutions, painful, or limited to smaller areas like the face. Laser hair removal remains the most effective and long-lasting solution.
Dr. Silbiger, MD is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. He has been practicing as an Internal Medicine Hospitalist in the Charleston area since completing his Residency at the University of South Carolina in 2009. He has led physicians as a Medical Director and Chief of staff and advocates for healthy lifestyle modification and prevention throughout his many roles.
Stanley moved to Charleston from New York City with his wife, Dr. Nadel and their two kids. Prior to opening Totality Medispa with his wife, he worked in various financial roles at JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Barclays, and Sequence Financial Specialists.
Dr. Nicole Nadel, DO, is a distinguished and board-certified FACEP (Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians). She holds the position of co-founder and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Totality Medispa, an esteemed medical spa with two locations in Charleston, SC. Dr. Nadel’s expertise lies in non-surgical aesthetic medicine, and she is renowned for her exceptional skills as a master injector and educator, excelling in achieving remarkably natural results without resorting to surgery.