Laser Hair Removal
Smooth, low-maintenance skin with the MDElite Trilogy Pro — three laser wavelengths that safely and effectively reduce unwanted hair on all skin types, in sessions as short as 15 minutes.
Laser hair removal uses focused light to heat and disable the hair follicle, reducing unwanted hair for the long term. At Levesque Plastic Surgery in Austin, we use the MDElite Trilogy Pro, which blends three laser wavelengths so we can treat a wide range of hair and skin types — including darker skin that older lasers couldn’t safely treat. Most patients need a series of four to six sessions and enjoy skin that stays smoother with far less shaving and waxing.
It suits anyone tired of the endless cycle of shaving, waxing, plucking, and ingrown hairs, who wants a lasting reduction rather than a temporary fix. Below, Dr. Levesque’s team explains exactly how the laser affects the hair follicle, why the treatment is done in a series, and how the Trilogy Pro’s three wavelengths keep it safe and effective across skin types.
Laser Hair Removal with the Trilogy Pro
Laser hair removal has become one of the most requested aesthetic treatments for a reason: done well, it delivers smooth skin with a fraction of the upkeep of shaving or waxing. Rather than cutting hair at the surface or pulling it from the root, the laser targets the structure that grows the hair — the follicle itself.
At Levesque Plastic Surgery we use the MDElite Trilogy Pro, a system that combines three distinct laser wavelengths in a single platform. That matters because no single wavelength is ideal for every patient. By selecting and blending wavelengths, we can tailor each treatment to your hair color, hair depth, and skin tone — safely and comfortably.
Because it is a medical laser treatment, it is supervised within a board-certified plastic surgeon’s practice, with settings adjusted at every visit as your hair responds — not left on a one-size-fits-all program.
- Face: upper lip, chin, sideburns, cheeks
- Underarms and bikini or Brazilian
- Legs and arms
- Back, chest, and shoulders
- Neck and beard-line shaping
Little to none. Mild redness or slight swelling around the follicles is common and usually settles within a few hours. Most people return to normal activities the same day, avoiding sun and heat for a short period afterward.
How the Laser Affects the Hair Follicle
The principle behind laser hair removal is called selective photothermolysis — a precise way of using light to heat one target while sparing the tissue around it. In this case, the target is melanin, the pigment that gives hair its color.
Here is what happens in a fraction of a second: the laser emits a pulse of light at a wavelength that melanin absorbs well. The pigment inside the hair shaft and follicle soaks up that light energy and converts it to heat. That heat travels down the hair into the bulb and the surrounding stem cells and dermal papilla — the structures responsible for producing new hair. When they are heated enough, their ability to grow hair is disabled or significantly weakened.
Because the treatment relies on pigment as its target, laser hair removal works best when the hair is darker than the surrounding skin. That contrast lets the energy concentrate in the hair rather than the skin. It also explains two practical points we discuss at your consultation: very light hair (gray, white, blonde, or red) has too little melanin to respond well, and darker skin tones require a wavelength that can reach the follicle without overheating the pigment in the skin’s surface — which is exactly where the Trilogy Pro’s multiple wavelengths come in.
The Hair Growth Cycle — and Why You Need Several Sessions
If the laser is so effective, why can’t one treatment do it all? The answer is in how hair grows. Every follicle moves through a repeating three-phase cycle, and the laser can only meaningfully affect a follicle during one of those phases.
Anagen is the active growth phase. The follicle is deep, firmly attached, and rich in melanin — the ideal target. Catagen is a brief transition, when the follicle begins to shrink and detach. Telogen is the resting phase, after which the hair sheds and the cycle begins again.
At any given moment, only a portion of the hairs in a treatment area are in anagen; the rest are in catagen or telogen and are far less responsive. By spacing your sessions roughly four to six weeks apart, we catch new waves of follicles as they cycle into the active phase. This is why a course of four to six sessions is typically needed to treat an area thoroughly — each session reduces the hairs that happen to be in anagen at that time.
Three Wavelengths, One Platform
Different wavelengths of laser light penetrate to different depths and interact differently with pigment. The Trilogy Pro combines three of them, so we can match the light to the patient rather than forcing every patient onto the same laser.
The shortest of the three wavelengths. Strongly absorbed by melanin, it efficiently targets fine and medium hair and is ideal for lighter skin tones.
A versatile, workhorse wavelength that balances effectiveness and safety across a broad range of skin tones and hair types.
The deepest-penetrating wavelength. It largely bypasses pigment at the skin’s surface, making it the safest choice for darker skin tones and coarse, deep hair while minimizing the risk of pigment change.
What It Actually Feels Like
Modern laser hair removal is far more comfortable than its reputation suggests. The Trilogy Pro handpiece uses a chilled sapphire cooling tip that stays very cold against the skin. In practice, the cold is most of what you feel — it numbs the surface and draws heat away from the skin while the laser energy stays concentrated on the follicle beneath.
Most patients describe each pulse as a quick, warm snap, similar to a rubber band. Sessions are short — a small area like the upper lip can take just a few minutes, and larger areas are still measured in minutes rather than hours. Afterward the skin may look slightly pink or feel like a mild sunburn for a few hours.
The sapphire tip protects the surrounding skin, which improves comfort and safety — it’s a key reason the Trilogy Pro can be used effectively across more skin types than older single-wavelength systems.
We tailor each treatment to how you responded to the last one, rather than staying on the lowest setting the whole way through. That helps you reach your goal more efficiently over the series.
What to Expect
✓ Medically reviewed by Dr. Andre Y. Levesque, MD · Board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS) · Last reviewed February 13, 2026
Consultation & Patch Test
We review your hair color, skin type, medical history, and goals, then select the appropriate wavelengths and settings. Come with the area clean-shaven and avoid plucking or waxing beforehand, since the laser needs the root in place.
Your Treatment
Protective eyewear on, the cooled handpiece is moved across the area, delivering pulses of light. Sessions run from a few minutes for small areas to longer for the back or legs — often as little as 15 minutes.
Aftercare
Expect mild redness for a few hours. Treated hairs shed over the following days to weeks. Protect the area from sun, skip hot tubs and intense workouts for a day, and return in about 4–6 weeks for your next session.
Am I a Candidate?
Thanks to its three wavelengths, the Trilogy Pro treats a wider range of patients than traditional lasers. You’re likely a good candidate if you:
- Have unwanted hair that is darker than your surrounding skin
- Are tired of shaving, waxing, or dealing with ingrown hairs
- Want long-lasting reduction and can commit to a series of sessions
- Have a skin tone from fair to deep — we match the wavelength to you
- Understand results build gradually across the treatment course
Gray, white, and very light hair has too little pigment for the laser to target — electrolysis is the better option there. We also do not offer laser hair removal to minors, since the hormonal changes of adolescence make hair growth unpredictable. And if you’re pregnant or have certain skin conditions or take particular medications, we’ll discuss timing at your visit.
Hair Reduction, Not Total Removal
It’s important to be straight about results. Laser hair removal produces dramatic, long-lasting reduction — not a guarantee that every hair is gone forever. After a full series, most patients see the large majority of treated hair gone, and whatever remains tends to grow back finer, lighter, and slower, so it’s far less noticeable.
Over months or years, hormonal shifts — puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or conditions like PCOS — can reactivate some follicles. That’s normal, and it’s why many patients come back for an occasional maintenance session once or twice a year to keep the area smooth. Compared with a lifetime of shaving and waxing, it’s a substantial, lasting improvement.
Sessions & Results
- Session 1: Treated hairs begin to shed over the next 1–3 weeks; the area feels smoother temporarily.
- Sessions 2–4 (weeks 4–24): As new follicles cycle into the active phase, each visit thins the area further. Regrowth comes in finer and sparser.
- Sessions 5–6: Most patients reach their goal of substantial, lasting reduction. Coarse hair is dramatically diminished.
- Maintenance: Optional touch-ups once or twice a year address any follicles reactivated by hormonal changes.
Cost & Financing
Pricing depends on the size of the treatment area and whether you choose single sessions or a package for your full course. Because a complete result comes from a series, most patients find a package the better value. We quote it clearly after your consultation.
Levesque Plastic Surgery offers financing through CareCredit, Alphaeon, Cherry, and PatientFi, with monthly-payment plans that can be pre-qualified in minutes without affecting your credit. See our financing options or the full menu of services & pricing.
Frequently asked questions
How does laser hair removal work?
The laser emits light that is absorbed by melanin — the pigment in your hair. That energy turns to heat, which damages the follicle and the cells that grow new hair, reducing regrowth. Because it targets pigment, it works best on hair darker than the surrounding skin.
How many sessions will I need?
Most patients need four to six sessions spaced about four to six weeks apart. Hair grows in cycles and the laser only affects follicles in the active growth phase, so several sessions are needed to catch them all.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
It produces long-lasting hair reduction rather than permanent removal of every hair. Treated hair becomes finer and sparser; occasional maintenance keeps the area smooth since hormones can reactivate some follicles over time.
Is it safe for darker skin?
Yes. The Trilogy Pro’s Nd:YAG 1064nm wavelength penetrates deeply while bypassing surface pigment, making treatment safer for darker skin tones than older single-wavelength lasers. We match the wavelength and settings to your skin type.
Does it hurt?
Most patients tolerate it easily. The chilled sapphire tip means you mostly feel cold rather than heat, and it protects the surrounding skin. Many describe each pulse as a quick snap.
Does it work on gray or blonde hair?
Not reliably. Because the laser targets pigment, gray, white, and very light hairs have too little melanin to respond. Electrolysis is the better option for those hairs.
How should I prepare?
Shave the area the day before or the day of your appointment, and avoid waxing, plucking, or electrolysis for a few weeks beforehand — the laser needs the root in place. Avoid sun and self-tanner before treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
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