Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal using the GentleMax Pro at Elysium Aesthetics + Longevity in Chicago's River North. Effective for all skin types. Common areas include face, underarms, legs, bikini, back, and chest. Sessions run 15–60 minutes depending on area. A course of three to six treatments spaced four to six weeks apart is required for optimal results as hair grows in cycles.

Elysium Aesthetics + Longevity performs laser hair removal using the GentleMax Pro, a dual-wavelength laser platform by Syneron-Candela that combines 755 nm Alexandrite and 1064 nm Nd:YAG wavelengths in a single device. The 755 nm Alexandrite is the gold standard for hair reduction in lighter skin types (Fitzpatrick I–III), offering superior melanin absorption for efficient follicle destruction. The 1064 nm Nd:YAG wavelength penetrates deeper into the dermis and has lower melanin affinity, making it safer for darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick IV–VI) where the risk of epidermal pigment damage from shorter wavelengths is higher. The GentleMax Pro's Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD) sprays a cryogen burst immediately before each laser pulse, cooling the epidermal surface to protect it while the laser energy propagates to the deeper follicle target — improving comfort and safety across all treatment areas. Hair removal requires a course of three to six sessions because laser energy only disrupts follicles in the active growth (anagen) phase; at any given time, approximately 20–30% of follicles in a treatment area are in anagen, meaning multiple sessions spaced four to six weeks apart are required to catch successive cohorts of follicles. Common treatment areas at Elysium include the face (upper lip, chin, sideburns), underarms, bikini and Brazilian, legs (lower and full leg), back, chest, and arms. Session times range from 15 minutes for a small area (upper lip) to 60 minutes for a large area such as the full back or full legs. After a complete course, most patients achieve 70–90% long-term hair reduction, with maintenance sessions available as needed.