With Groupons and med spas all over the city, it can be difficult to decide where to get laser hair removal in Chicago. I’ve tried several places in the city and I am here to help you find the right place to achieve silky smooth, hair-free skin! The truth is, I’ve fallen for laser hair removal marketing schemes and wasted my time and money at the wrong laser hair removal places. I don’t want that to happen to you!
In this post, I am sharing why I highly recommend Lapiel Laser Center in Lakeview. I am also answering all of your questions about the procedure and showing you a video of my laser treatment so you can see exactly what goes down in a laser hair removal session!
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a popular solution to get rid of unwanted body hair. It works by using a laser which emits a light energy to destroy the hair follicles. The pulse of light energy converts to heat, zaps the follicle, and prevents future hair growth. Laser hair removal is incredibly popular because it is highly effective, quick, and requires no downtime.
There are tons of benefits to laser hair removal including:
- It’s cost-effective. Once you’re done, you really don't need to wax or buy razors and shaving cream.
- It’s a time-saver: showers are super quick when you don’t have to shave!
- Your pores shrink which creates smoother, beautiful skin.
- No more embarrassing, hairy situations! Spontaneous hot tub sessions? No problem!
- No more razor burn. Bumps on the bikini line from razor burn are the worst, and laser hair removal eliminates it.
- Smooth, silky skin all of the time!
Which parts of the Body is Laser Hair Removal an Option?
You can get laser hair removal just about anywhere there is hair! Face, back, privates — even toes —are all fair game. Laser hair removal on parts of the face are extremely common, according to Catalina Ruiz NP of Lapiel Laser Center. She sees many women coming in to remove unwanted hair on their cheeks, neck and above the lip. Underarms, bikini line, and legs are also popular areas. Both men and women can be treated.
Best Laser Hair Removal in Chicago: Lapiel Laser Center
Lapiel Laser Center is the ultimate place for laser hair removal in Chicago because of it’s highly-trained staff, top-of-the line lasers, and friendly team. The company has been in business for more than 15 years, which is a testament to their excellent service. Every time I go there, the staff makes me feel like family and I know I am in good hands.
I’ve tried Groupons and other laser hair removal centers in Chicago and I’ve had mixed results. (I’ll share my disaster Groupon experience later in this post). When Lapiel Laser Center asked me to partner so I could share my laser hair removal experience, I was delighted!
Keep reading for the reasons why I believe Lapiel Laser Center is the best place for Laser Hair Removal in Chicago.
Nurses Do the Procedures
At Lapiel Laser Center, only nurses and doctors are allowed to do laser hair removal services. This isn’t always the case at other places. The level of education and experience sets Lapiel Laser Center apart. For example, Catalina Ruiz is a nurse practitioner with more than 15 years of experience. She did laser hair removal treatments on my legs, and I have always had excellent results!
Top-of-the-Line Lasers
Lapiel Laser Center has three different types of lasers! The staff will use different lasers based on your individual needs. It’s not uncommon for a nurse at Lapiel to use one laser during your first treatment and a different one at your next appointment. This goes back to having a knowledgeable technician who knows the best tools to use for your specific needs.
Lapiel uses state-of-the-art, FDA approved laser hair removal machines including Candela Gentle MAX and Lumenis LightSheer Desire Lasers. These two machines offer three types of lasers that allow the staff to treat any skin type safely and effectively.
All Skin Types
Many companies decline to treat people with dark skin because it is more challenging, but the staff at Lapiel Laser Center treats all skin types. The easiest clients to treat have fair skin and dark-colored hair, so if you find a place that cannot treat African American skin/hair, it may be because their staff is not highly-trained or lacks the proper technology. Lapiel Laser Center technicians have experience treating all types of skin effectively, which is a big reason why they are amazing!
“Brazilian Bikini” Laser Hair Removal for Men and Women
Lapiel Laser Center has experience doing Brazilian-style treatments on both men and women. This is actually quite rare. The team at LaPiel says they recognize how important permanent hair reduction can be for transgender women, and they are happy to help clients achieve their goals. Men and women can contact Lapiel Laser Center for a consultation to see if you are a good candidate.
Lapiel is a Full-Service Med Spa
Laser hair removal is Lapiel's bread and butter, but they also offer a variety of skincare services and Eminence Organic products. This makes it convenient to take care of your skin in one place! Some popular services include chemical peels, botox, and facials. I've had fantastic SilkPeel Dermal infusion facials and body treatments which left my skin soft and glowing! (By the way, my esthetician for facials at Lapiel is Olivia and she is awesome!)
Conveniently Located in Lakeview
Lapiel Laser Center is a super-cute space and easy to get to. It's located at 3454 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. It's a block or two away from the Brown Line: Paulina stop. Be sure to stop at Loba Coffee for a Wolf Spice Latte on your way! 🙂
Super Friendly Staff
The staff at Lapiel Laser Center is wonderful! Everyone I've interacted with at Lapiel is helpful, knowledgable, and friendly. They all take the time to answer any questions and do everything they can to make you feel comfortable during your visit.
FAQ About Laser Hair Removal
Nobody likes surprises, especially when it comes to your skincare! Next, I am going to answer the top questions you've sent me on Instagram (find me at @heylizzyfay). This should set expectations for you before your treatment, but many professional med spas like Lapiel will do a free consultation with you before you get started so you are fully prepared.
VIDEO: What exactly happens during a session?
If you want to see how the lasers work to remove hair and exactly what happens behind closed doors of a laser hair removal session -- I got you covered. Check out this video that takes you along for one of my treatments at Lapiel Laser Center.
Does it hurt?
Many people describe the feeling as a rubber band snapping against your skin. That snap could be light if you have thin hair, and it could feel more intense if you have coarse hair. Most people find the feeling tolerable and well worth a few minutes of discomfort.
For me, the treatments on my legs have been pain-free. However, the bikini line is another story. That is pretty much grin and bear it for me. I mean, it’s tolerable but it’s definitely not fun. Fortunately, the treatments are over quickly and it’s totally worth it in the end. Also, as you get more treatments, you hair thins out and the procedures don't hurt as much.
How can you make the treatment hurt less?
Numbing cream is a game-changer! A tub of numbing cream cost me $15 and it drastically reduces the pain for me. Honestly, I don’t feel any pain whatsoever when I get laser hair removal on my legs, and the cream makes getting more sensitive areas like the bikini line so much more tolerable.
I actually had laser hair removal at other places and no one ever mentioned numbing cream to me until I came to LaPiel Laser Center. Thank God for LaPiel! This is the numbing cream I bought onAmazon and it worked well. (LaPiel sells some in store too.) To use it, you simply apply it to the treatment area an hour before the procedure. Some places will also numb you with ice packs prior to zapping the area, but I prefer the numbing cream.
How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost?
Each sessions typically costs $50-$500, depending on the body part. You can often get discounts when you buy a package for multiple treatments. To give you an idea of costs at Lapiel, if you buy a package of three laser hair removal treatments on your legs, it costs $250 per session. However, you can use my discount code "lizzy10" for 10% off any service or package for first-time clients! You can also see detailed pricing for laser hair removal on Lapiel's website: feelinggoodmaters.com.
Use my discount code "Lizzy10" for 10% off any service or package for first-time clients at Lapiel Laser Center!
Should I trust a Groupon for Laser Hair removal?
Based on my experience, Groupons for laser hair removal are hit or miss. There are crazy-cheap offers out there like $100 for three treatments, but you might not have the best experience. For example, once I bought a six-pack Groupon for laser hair removal at a place in Old Town and it didn’t end well. After three treatments, I noticed little to no hair reduction, and I started to think I was getting ripped off. Then the company abruptly shutdown! Groupon and the company refused to refund my money -- despite the fact I only used half of my package.
I’m not saying all Groupons for laser hair removal are bad. I'm sure some are reputable! I'm just saying, I would hate for my terrible experience to happen to you. I’d recommend going to a place with the right education, experience, technology, and customer reviews. I can confidently say Lapiel Laser Center is an excellent place if you're looking for laser hair removal in Chicago.
How long does each session last?
Depending on the size of the treatment area, laser hair removal sessions typically last between 10-25 minutes. For example, when I get my lower legs done, I’m usually out of there in 20 minutes. Laser hair removal for Brazilian bikini is often done in under 15 minutes. Obviously, laser hair removal on your upper lip would be quicker, and full legs would take more time.
How many sessions do I need?
6-8 session are generally enough, but it varies by person. Scheduling your appointments at the appropriate time (typically every six weeks) can help lower the likelihood of additional treatments. It took nine treatments to complete my bikini line, probably in part because I took a long break between some of my treatments.
What should I expect after a treatment?
You may have some redness, swelling, or discomfort, on the area for a few hours after the session. For me, this is mild and goes away within the hour. Within 10-14 days you will may notice your hair falling out. This is a sign the laser successfully killed some of your hair follicles.
How soon will I see results?
Even after the first treatment, I noticed my hair was growing back thinner and sparser. You can notice the hair reduction a couple weeks after your treatment. I notice about 10%-15% hair reduction after each session, which aligns with the recommended 6-8 treatments total. Given the time it takes between sessions, it can take around a year to complete your treatments and go into maintenance mode where you come in every year or so if some hair pops up.
Who is a good candidate?
Thanks to new technology, people of all skin types can get laser hair removal. However, hair color is a factor. Darker, coarse hair responds well to laser hair removal. On the other hand, people with light hair color such as blonde or grey will not have good results.
This is because the laser works best when there is a contrast. The laser targets the melanin in the hair, which is what gives hair color. The laser has trouble targeting light-colored hairs, so the procedure is simply not worthwhile for those with light hair.
How do I know if the company is legit?
Do your homework before booking an appointment. Take the time to read reviews online or even ask a trusted friend for a recommendation. Also, find out how long the company has been in business. If they’ve been around a while, chances are they are doing something right! La Piel Laser Center has been in business for more than 15 years, which is a testament to their excellent service.
Here are some questions to ask:
- How long have you been in business?
- What are the credentials of the person doing the procedure?
- Which type of lasers do you use? (Nd:YAG lasers are best if you have dark skin)
- Do you offer consultations?
- How many treatments do you anticipate I'll need?
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I hope this answers all of your questions about laser hair removal! Feel free to reach out to me with any questions, or give Lapiel Laser Center a call to set up a consultation.
Big thanks to Lapiel Laser Center for treating me with laser hair removal on my legs!
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