Loading…
Laser hair removal built for every skin tone
If you have ever been told laser is not an option for your skin tone, this page is for you. At The Body Bar MD in Ellicott City, our Candela GentleMax Pro Plus pairs two gold-standard wavelengths designed to treat all skin tones, with settings chosen by clinical assessment, not guesswork.
Complimentary, no-pressure consultation · Your exact pricing in writing before anything begins.
- Treatment time
- 10–45 min per area
- Downtime
- None, brief redness
- Typical course
- 6–8 sessions, lasting reduction
- Skin tones
- All, Fitzpatrick I–VI
Medically reviewed by Dr. Mohamad Zanbrakji, MD, Board-Certified in General Surgery & Surgical Critical Care
The Essentials
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal uses concentrated light energy to target the pigment in hair follicles, disabling their ability to regrow hair. Performed over a series of sessions, it delivers long-term hair reduction on the face, underarms, arms, legs, back, chest, and bikini area: a lasting alternative to shaving and waxing.
6–8
Sessions in a typical treatment course
80%+
Long-term hair reduction reported in clinical studies after a full course
~10 min
Typical underarm session time
Sources: Laser hair removal overview, American Academy of Dermatology
Why Patients Choose It
The benefits, honestly stated
01
Safe for darker skin tones
The GentleMax Pro Plus includes a 1064nm Nd:YAG wavelength designed for deeper skin tones (Fitzpatrick IV–VI). Patients who were told laser wasn't for them can be treated safely here.
02
Dual-wavelength precision
A 755nm Alexandrite laser for lighter skin and a 1064nm Nd:YAG for darker skin, on one platform. We match the wavelength to your skin, never the other way around.
03
Long-term hair reduction
Clinical studies report lasting reduction of 80% or more after a completed course, though individual results vary. What regrows is usually finer, lighter, and slower.
04
Built-in cooling comfort
A cryogen cooling burst protects and soothes the skin milliseconds before each laser pulse, keeping sessions comfortable without numbing cream in most areas.
05
Fast, efficient sessions
Underarms take about 10 minutes; even larger areas like the back or legs fit into a lunch hour. No downtime means you return straight to your day.
06
Goodbye ingrown hairs
Because the laser disables the follicle itself, it dramatically reduces the razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and post-shave irritation that waxing and shaving perpetuate.
See the Difference
See the transformation
Skin that stays smooth: no razor, no wax, no ingrown hairs.
- Typical course
- 6–8 sessions, lasting reduction
Drag the slider to compare. Images are illustrative examples of a typical result. Individual results vary, and real patient before-and-afters are shared privately at your consultation.
Smooth, hair-free skin after a full treatment courseIllustrative example of a typical result. Individual results vary. Real patient photos shared at consultation.
What to Expect
Your treatment, step by step
No surprises. Here is exactly how your visit unfolds, from first consultation to final result.
Our Technology
Candela GentleMax Pro Plus
The GentleMax Pro Plus is Candela's flagship dual-wavelength laser, combining a 755nm Alexandrite laser for lighter skin tones with a 1064nm Nd:YAG laser that treats darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick IV–VI) safely and effectively. Its integrated cryogen cooling system protects the skin surface before every pulse, improving both comfort and safety. This is the platform difference between a clinic that can treat some patients and one that can treat every skin tone.
- 01
Consultation & skin assessment
We review your health history, assess your skin type and hair characteristics, and select the wavelength and settings that fit you. You'll know your full course plan and exact pricing before anything begins.
- 02
Preparation
Shave the treatment area 24 hours before your session, avoid sun exposure and tanning for two weeks prior, and skip waxing or plucking for four weeks: the laser needs the follicle intact to work.
- 03
Treatment session
The handpiece delivers rapid laser pulses with a cryogen cooling burst before each one. Most patients describe it as a quick warm snap; underarms take about 10 minutes.
- 04
Aftercare
Mild redness or warmth typically settles within a few hours. Apply sunscreen daily, avoid direct sun and heat (saunas, hot yoga) for 24 to 48 hours, and let treated hairs shed on their own.
- 05
Series & maintenance
Sessions are spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart for the face and 6 to 8 weeks for the body to catch each hair growth cycle. After your course, occasional touch-up sessions maintain the result.
Is It Right for You
Laser Hair Removal may be a fit if…
You're tired of the endless cycle of shaving, waxing, and the irritation that follows.
You have a darker skin tone and have been told, or worried, that laser hair removal isn't safe for you.
You struggle with ingrown hairs or razor bumps on the face, neck, underarms, or bikini line.
You want lasting smoothness on a specific area: face, underarms, arms, legs, back, chest, or bikini.
You're willing to commit to a full series of sessions for a result that actually lasts.
The honest answer requires a conversation. Every plan at The Body Bar MDbegins with a physician-led assessment, and if this treatment isn't the right tool for your goal, we'll tell you what is. Not sure this matches what you see in the mirror? Browse every concern we treat.
“I had a wonderful laser hair removal experience here! The spa is beautiful and has a true luxury feel. The RN was very friendly and experienced. I felt very comfortable throughout the treatment. I can't wait for my next session. Highly recommend!”
Navreet K.Google Review
Compare Your Options
Laser hair removal vs. waxing and shaving
| Laser Hair Removal | Waxing / Shaving | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Light energy targets follicle pigment, disabling regrowth over a series of sessions | Shaving cuts hair at the surface; waxing pulls it from the root (the follicle stays intact) |
| Results & longevity | Long-term reduction of 80%+ after a full course; what regrows is finer and sparser | Temporary: shaving lasts days, waxing 2–6 weeks, then hair returns fully |
| Downtime | None; brief redness that usually settles within a few hours | None; waxing can leave short-lived redness or irritation |
| Upkeep | 6–8 sessions, then occasional maintenance touch-ups | Ongoing indefinitely, on a days-to-weeks cycle |
| Ingrown hairs & irritation | Reduces razor bumps and ingrowns by disabling the follicle | Can cause ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and recurring irritation |
| Best for | Lasting reduction on dark hair, any skin tone with the right wavelength | Immediate results, any hair color, low upfront cost, no commitment |
Different tools for different needs: laser is an investment in lasting reduction, while waxing and shaving stay useful for one-off needs and low upfront cost, and remain the option for very light blonde, gray, or white hair, which laser treats poorly.
Transparent Pricing
What it costs
No hidden fees, no pressure. Your consultation confirms the exact plan and price before anything begins.
- Per-area session & package pricingPricing depends on the size and number of areas treated. Exact plan and full-course total in writing at your complimentary consultation.
- Quoted at your consultation
Pricing may vary with treatment area and plan. View current specials or the full price list.
Questions, Answered
Laser Hair Removal FAQs
Is laser hair removal safe for dark skin?
Yes, with the right laser. Our GentleMax Pro Plus includes a 1064nm Nd:YAG wavelength that bypasses surface pigment and targets the follicle directly, making it safe and effective for darker skin tones, including Fitzpatrick types IV through VI. If another clinic turned you away because of your skin tone, this is the technology that changes the answer.
Why does a dual-wavelength laser matter?
Single-wavelength devices force every patient onto the same laser, which can be ineffective for some and risky for others. Dual wavelengths let us choose 755nm Alexandrite for lighter skin or 1064nm Nd:YAG for darker skin. The setting is matched to your skin, not a machine's limitation. That choice is made by clinical assessment at your consultation.
How many sessions will I need, and how long do results last?
Most patients need 6 to 8 sessions, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart for the face and 6 to 8 weeks for the body, because the laser only disables follicles in their active growth phase. After a full course, clinical studies report long-term reduction of 80% or more, and occasional maintenance sessions address hormonally driven regrowth.
Does laser hair removal hurt?
Most patients describe each pulse as a quick warm snap, similar to a rubber band flick. The GentleMax Pro Plus fires a cryogen cooling burst onto the skin milliseconds before every pulse, which significantly softens the sensation. Sensitive areas can be discussed at consultation.
How much does laser hair removal cost, and does insurance cover it?
Laser hair removal is considered cosmetic, so insurance does not cover it. Pricing depends on the size and number of areas treated, and we quote your exact per-session and full-course cost transparently in writing at your complimentary consultation, no surprises mid-series. Package pricing for a complete course is typically more economical than paying per session.
How should I prepare, and can I shave between sessions?
Shave the area 24 hours before each session: shaving is encouraged because it leaves the follicle intact below the skin. Avoid waxing, plucking, and threading for four weeks before and throughout your course, since those remove the follicle the laser needs to target. Also avoid sun exposure and tanning for two weeks before each visit.
Are there reasons I shouldn't get laser hair removal?
Treatment isn't recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, over active skin infections or recent intense tanning, or while taking certain photosensitizing medications. We'll also tell you honestly what others may not: because the laser targets pigment, very light blonde, gray, or white hair responds poorly, and we'll say so at your consultation rather than sell you a course that won't work.
Areas We Serve
Laser Hair Removal near you
Patients travel to our Ellicott City suite from across Howard County and the Baltimore corridor. Find directions and the treatments requested most in your community.
Med spa near ColumbiaMed spa near CatonsvilleMed spa near ElkridgeMed spa near ClarksvilleMed spa near FultonMed spa near MarriottsvilleMed spa near WoodstockMed spa near JessupMed spa near SavageMed spa near LaurelMed spa near SykesvilleMed spa near EldersburgMed spa near PikesvilleMed spa near Owings Mills
See every community we serve on the locations page.
be infinite.
Ready to explore Laser Hair Removal?
Every treatment plan begins with a physician-led assessment. Tell us what you want to achieve, and we'll tell you honestly what will get you there.
No-pressure consultations · Exact pricing in writing before anything begins