Where Is My Procedure?
Laser hair removal is offered at all three locations. However, if you have a darker skin tone, please read the note below before booking — the right laser for you depends on your skin type, and not all lasers are available at all locations.
Location 1
Tanner Clinic
Same office as your consultation. No new directions needed.
Diode laser available
Location 2
Transcend Total Body Rejuvenation
1649 Antelope Dr., Suite 200
Layton, UT 84041
Katie's Place building, across from Holy Cross Hospital on Antelope Drive. 2nd floor — Suite 200.
Diode + Nd:YAG available
Location 3
Vive Wellness & Aesthetics
836 S. Angel Street, Suite 100
Layton, UT 84041
Corner of Layton Pkwy & Angel St. Enter Central Davis Dental, tell them you're here for Vive — they'll direct you downstairs.
Diode + Nd:YAG available
Not sure which location? Text 801-776-7129 and we'll confirm. Running late or can't find us? Call or text the same number.
⚠ Darker Skin Tones — Important
Standard diode lasers are designed for lighter skin types and carry a higher risk of burns, blistering, and hyperpigmentation in patients with darker complexions (Fitzpatrick skin types IV–VI). For these patients, we use the Nd:YAG laser, which has a longer wavelength that bypasses the melanin in the skin surface and targets the follicle more safely.
Nd:YAG is available at Transcend and Vive but not at Tanner Clinic. If you have a darker skin tone and have been scheduled at Tanner Clinic, please text us at 801-776-7129 so we can move your appointment to the right location and device.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
Laser hair removal uses targeted light energy to heat and destroy hair follicles at the root, preventing future hair growth. The laser targets the pigment (melanin) in the hair shaft, which absorbs the light and converts it to heat — destroying the follicle while the surrounding skin is protected.
Why Multiple Sessions Are Required
Hair grows in cycles — active growth (anagen), transition (catagen), and resting (telogen). Laser energy only effectively destroys follicles in the active growth phase. At any given time, only about 20–30% of hairs are in this phase, which is why a single treatment can't catch everything. A series of sessions — spaced to catch each follicle during its active cycle — is required for meaningful permanent reduction. The average number of treatments needed to achieve 80%-90% reduction is 6-8. For lighter or finer hairs, there is less pigment to target and sometimes 8-12+ treatments are needed to achieve a satisfactory result.
Which Laser Is Right for Me?
Dr. Innes uses two different lasers for hair removal, selected based on your skin type and treatment area.
The diode laser is highly effective for patients with lighter skin tones and medium-to-dark hair. It delivers strong energy to the follicle with excellent hair reduction results.
Most effective on dark, coarse hair. Less effective on fine, light, gray, red, or blonde hair regardless of skin type.
✓ Available at all three locations
The Nd:YAG (1064nm) has a longer wavelength that passes through the surface melanin and targets the follicle more deeply — making it significantly safer for darker skin tones where a diode laser could cause pigment changes or burns.
Slightly less aggressive than diode but the right tool for the job when skin safety is a priority.
✓ Available at Transcend and Vive only
Before Your Appointment
Shave — Don't Wax or Pluck
🪒 Shave 24–48 Hours Before Your Appointment
Do not wax, thread, use depilatory creams, or pluck in the weeks leading up to your treatment. The laser needs the follicle to be present inside the skin to target it — waxing and plucking remove the follicle entirely, making the treatment ineffective for those hairs.
Shaving 24–48 hours before is ideal — it leaves a small amount of stubble at the surface while keeping the follicle intact below. If you forget to shave, we can do it at the appointment.
Avoid Sun Exposure and Self-Tanner
- Avoid sun exposure and self-tanner on the treatment area for at least 4 weeks before each session
- Tanned skin — whether from the sun or self-tanner — significantly increases the risk of burns, blistering, and hyperpigmentation
- If you arrive with a visible tan on the treatment area, we may need to reschedule
Arrive with Clean Skin
- No lotion, deodorant, makeup, or numbing cream on the treatment area on the day of your appointment
- Come with freshly shaved, clean skin
Medications and Photosensitivity
Some medications increase skin sensitivity to light and may make laser treatment unsafe. Please let us know if you take any of the following:
- Doxycycline, minocycline, or other photosensitizing antibiotics
- Isotretinoin (Accutane) — laser hair removal should not be performed within 6 months of completing Accutane
- St. John's Wort or any supplement known to increase photosensitivity
- Any medication that has caused sun sensitivity reactions for you in the past
What to Expect During the Appointment
- Protective eyewear will be provided — wear it throughout the entire treatment
- The laser handpiece is pressed against the skin and delivers pulses of energy
- Each pulse feels like a rubber band snap or quick pinch with heat — uncomfortable but brief
- A cooling mechanism built into the device protects the skin surface during treatment
- Smaller areas (upper lip, underarms, bikini line) take a few minutes. Larger areas (legs, back, chest) take longer — sometimes 30–60 minutes per session
After Your Appointment
Immediately After
- Redness and small raised bumps around each treated follicle (perifollicular edema) are normal — looks like a mild sunburn with goosebumps. Usually resolves within a few hours.
- Apply ice packs or cool compresses if the area feels hot or uncomfortable
- Aloe vera gel or a bland moisturizer can soothe the skin
Avoid These for 48 Hours
- Sun exposure on treated areas — apply SPF 30+ if you must go outside
- Hot baths, saunas, steam rooms, or hot yoga — heat increases irritation risk
- Tight clothing over treated areas if skin is sensitive
- Deodorant on treated underarms until redness resolves
- Exfoliating scrubs, AHAs, or retinoids for 3–5 days after
Between Sessions
- Waxing, threading, or plucking treated hairs — shaving only between sessions
- Tanning (sun or self-tanner) on treated areas at any point during your treatment series
Hair Shedding — What to Expect
Over the 1–3 weeks after each treatment, the treated hairs will shed. This can look like the hairs are still growing — they are actually being expelled from the follicle as the destroyed root pushes them out. Gently exfoliating or using a washcloth in the shower helps speed this process. This is not regrowth.
What to Expect: Results & Sessions
| Treatment Area | Typical Sessions Needed | Session Spacing |
|---|
| Face (upper lip, chin, sideburns) | 6–8 sessions | 4–6 weeks apart |
| Underarms | 6–8 sessions | 4–6 weeks apart |
| Bikini / Brazilian | 6–8 sessions | 4–6 weeks apart |
| Legs (lower or full) | 6–8 sessions | 6–8 weeks apart |
| Back / chest / shoulders | 6–8 sessions | 6–8 weeks apart |
| Hormonal areas (face, bikini) | May require maintenance sessions | Annually or as needed |
Per Session
Roughly 15–25% permanent reduction in hair density per session in the treated area.
Full Series
Most patients achieve 70–90% permanent hair reduction after a complete series of 6–8 sessions.
Maintenance
Once or twice yearly maintenance sessions may be needed in hormonally sensitive areas (face, bikini) or if hormonal conditions like PCOS are a factor.
Best Results
Dark, coarse hair on lighter skin responds best. Fine, light, gray, red, or blonde hair responds poorly to laser regardless of skin tone — laser is not the right tool for those hair types.
Things You May Notice
✓ Normal — Expected
- Redness and follicular swelling for a few hours after treatment
- Skin feeling warm or tender for 24–48 hours
- Hair shedding over 1–3 weeks after each session — not regrowth
- Skin feeling slightly rough or dry as hair sheds
- Mild temporary darkening at follicle sites — fades within weeks
- Some hairs appearing to grow back between sessions — only a fraction of follicles are destroyed per session; this is expected
! Contact Us If You Notice
- Blistering or open sores on the treated area
- Significant skin darkening or hyperpigmentation persisting beyond 4 weeks
- Signs of infection: increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or pus
- Any burn-like injury or skin texture change
- Any concern that doesn't feel right — when in doubt, text us
When to Contact Us
💬 Routine Questions & Scheduling
Text 801-776-7129 during business hours. We check this line regularly.
⚠ After-Hours Concerns
Text Dr. Innes directly: 801-414-8443