Underarm Laser Hair Removal
Underarm Laser Hair Removal
Additional Benefits
Underarm laser hair removal can help reduce recurring ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and irritation associated with frequent shaving or waxing.
Many clients also notice less visible underarm shadow as coarse, pigmented hair is progressively reduced.
For clients whose skin has become irritated by years of shaving, waxing, friction, or recurring ingrown hairs, reducing the need for frequent hair removal may also help support a smoother, more even-looking appearance over time.
Our clients also appreciate the convenience of reduced shaving and smoother underarms year-round.
Treatment Scope
Underarm laser hair removal treats the hair-bearing area of both underarms and is available for women and men.
Treatment is customized to your natural hair-growth pattern and goals.
Some clients prefer maximum hair reduction, while others- particularly men- may choose to reduce overall hair density and coarseness while maintaining a more natural appearance.
How Many Underarm Laser Hair Removal Sessions Are Needed?
Most clients require a series of 6 to 12 treatments to achieve significant long-term hair reduction.
Because laser hair removal is most effective on hairs during the active growth phase, multiple sessions are necessary to progressively target follicles as they cycle into treatable stages.
At Beam, we typically recommend spacing underarm treatments approximately 8 weeks apart. Body treatments may sometimes be performed as early as 6 weeks when appropriate, but allowing sufficient time for new hair growth to emerge helps ensure that each session is treating a meaningful new growth cycle.
The total number of sessions needed varies depending on factors including hair color and density, genetics, hormonal influences, treatment consistency, and individual response.
During your complimentary consultation with test patches, we will evaluate your skin type and hair characteristics and discuss a treatment plan based on your individual needs and goals.
Does Underarm Laser Hair Removal Hurt?
Most clients describe underarm laser hair removal as a brief snapping or warm sensation against the skin.
Because the treatment area is small, sessions are typically completed within just a few minutes.
Sensitivity varies from person to person and may also depend on hair density and treatment settings.
At Beam Laser Spa, treatments are performed using Candela GentleMax Pro Plus technology with Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD) technology, which delivers a brief burst of cryogen to help cool and protect the skin during treatment.
The more treatments you undergo, the sensation diminishes over time, as the number and texture of the follicles decreases.
For many clients, the short treatment time and long-term reduction in shaving, waxing, irritation, and ingrown hairs make underarm laser hair removal a very manageable treatment.
Underarm Laser Hair Removal for Different Skin Tones
Underarm laser hair removal can be safely and effectively performed across all Fitzpatrick skin tones when the appropriate wavelength and treatment settings are selected.
At Beam Laser Spa in New York City, we use Candela GentleMax Pro Plus technology, which uses two gold-standard wavelengths for laser hair removal: the 755 nm Alexandrite and 1064 nm Nd:YAG.
This allows our specialists to customize treatment based on skin tone, hair color and density, treatment area, and individual response.
Underarm skin may also be more pigmented than surrounding skin due to natural pigmentation, friction, shaving, or previous irritation. For this reason, we assess the skin of the treatment area itself rather than relying only on a client's overall complexion when selecting treatment parameters.
Clients with deeper skin tones, tanned skin, or increased pigmentation in the underarm area require particular attention to wavelength selection and settings to effectively target the hair while minimizing unnecessary heat absorption by pigment in the skin.
With nearly two decades dedicated exclusively to laser hair removal, Beam Laser Spa's specialists prioritize careful skin assessment, individualized settings, and appropriate test patches before treatment.
Underarm Laser Hair Removal for Men
Underarm laser hair removal is also increasingly popular with men who want less hair, easier grooming, or relief from irritation caused by shaving and trimming.
Treatment does not have to mean removing every underarm hair.
For men who prefer a more natural appearance, treatments can be customized with the goal of reducing overall density and coarseness rather than achieving complete hair removal.
As hair becomes finer and less dense, many clients find the area easier to maintain while still retaining a natural-looking result.
Does Underarm Laser Hair Removal Reduce Sweating?
Laser hair removal is designed to target hair follicles, not the sweat glands, so reducing perspiration is not a treatment goal of underarm laser hair removal.
Some clients tell us they feel that their underarms sweat less after a series of treatments.
However, research examining the effect of laser hair removal on sweat production has produced mixed results, so we do not promise reduced sweating as a treatment benefit.
The primary goal of treatment is long-term hair reduction, along with benefits such as less shaving, fewer ingrown hairs, and reduced irritation associated with repeated hair removal.
How to Prepare for Underarm Laser Hair Removal
Shave the underarm area before your appointment, ideally the morning of the appointment or at the earliest, the evening before.
Avoid root removal methods for at least 6 weeks before your laser session, including waxing, tweezing, threading or epilating, as the hair follicle needs to remain intact for the laser to effectively target it.
Arrive with clean skin free of deodorant, antiperspirant, lotions, oils, or other topical products.
Avoid sun exposure and tanning at least two weeks before and after treatment, and let your specialist know about any changes to medications, skincare products, or recent sun exposure.
Before your first treatment, Beam provides a complimentary consultation with test patches so we can assess your skin and hair and select appropriate treatment settings.
For complete instructions, read our How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal guide.
What to Expect After Underarm Laser Hair Removal
Temporary redness, warmth, or mild swelling around the hair follicles can occur immediately after underarm laser hair removal and typically resolves on its own.
For at least 24 hours after treatment, avoid applying deodorant, antiperspirant, fragrance, lotions, or other products directly to the treated underarms.
Freshly treated skin can be temporarily more sensitive, and keeping the area clean and free of potentially irritating products helps minimize unnecessary irritation.
For 48 hours after treatment, keep the treated area cool and avoid heat sources, including hot showers, saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, and exercise. If the underarms will be exposed to the sun, use appropriate broad-spectrum sun protection.
Over the following days and weeks, treated hairs will gradually shed.
This can sometimes look like continued hair growth, but the hairs are being released from the treated follicles.
Avoid root removal methods such as waxing, tweezing, threading between sessions; shaving may be resumed once the skin feels completely calm.
Your Beam Laser Spa specialist will provide aftercare guidance based on your skin and treatment response and is always available if you have questions following your appointment.
Ready To Take The Next Step?
View Pricing & Packages
See our pricing, package options, and current promotions.
Read Our Laser Hair Removal FAQs
Find answers to common questions about preparation, treatment, results, safety, and aftercare.
Schedule a Consultation
Meet with our experienced team to determine whether this treatment is right for you and receive a personalized treatment plan. Complimentary consultations include test patches on your areas of interest.
Helpful Resources
Why Underarm Laser Hair Removal Is About More Than Just Hair
Learn why underarms often respond especially well to laser hair removal and how treatment may help reduce shaving irritation, ingrown hairs, and visible hair shadow.
How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal
Learn what to do—and what to avoid—before your appointment for safer, more effective treatment.
Alexandrite vs. Nd:YAG Laser Hair Removal
Understand how these two wavelengths are used to customize laser hair removal across different skin tones.
Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?
Learn what treatment actually feels like and what factors influence comfort.
Normal vs. Not Normal After Laser Hair Removal
Understand what's expected after treatment, what's temporary, and when to contact your provider.
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Aftercare
Explore Other Laser Hair Removal Solutions
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Finger and knuckle laser hair removal at Beam Laser Spa in Midtown Manhattan targets unwanted coarse hair on the fingers and knuckles. It is a smaller alternative to full hand treatment for clients whose growth is concentrated in these areas.
Full face laser hair removal at Beam Laser Spa in Midtown Manhattan provides long-term reduction of unwanted facial hair across multiple treatment areas in one appointment. The service includes the upper lip, chin, sideburns, cheeks, and jawline; the neck is treated separately. Treatment is customized according to skin tone, hair characteristics, growth pattern, and individual goals.
Laser hair removal uses light absorbed by pigment in the hair to heat and damage the follicle, reducing its ability to produce new hair. At Beam, we use Candela GentleMax Pro Plus technology and select settings for your skin tone, hair characteristics, and treatment area. The goal is long-term hair reduction. A series is needed because hairs grow in different cycles, and results vary. Your complimentary consultation and test patch help us assess whether the hair you want to treat is a suitable target.
You may feel a brief hot snap with each pulse. Sensitivity varies by area, hair density, and the individual; laser hair removal is not completely painless. Candela’s Dynamic Cooling Device sprays cooling cryogen to help protect the skin and reduce discomfort. At Beam, we allow time for careful coverage, pauses, and adjustments to your comfort. Tell your specialist how the treatment feels so we can respond appropriately.
Many Beam clients need approximately 6–12 sessions per area, but that is an estimate rather than a guarantee. Hair thickness and color, the treatment area, hormones, medications, and individual response all affect your plan. Some areas need more sessions or ongoing maintenance. We assess your progress throughout the series. A six-session package is a purchasing option, not a promise that six visits will finish treatment.
Hair follicles are not all in the same growth phase at once. Laser treatment is most effective when suitable hairs are in active growth, so one appointment cannot target every follicle equally. Spacing sessions allows us to treat additional hairs as they become suitable targets. We plan the interval around the area, your regrowth, and your response rather than treating every body part on the same schedule.
Appointment length depends on the area and whether you are treating several areas together. Smaller areas may be scheduled for around 15–30 minutes, while larger areas can take up to an hour or longer for combined services. Check the relevant treatment page for the scheduled duration. At Beam, appointment time includes careful coverage and attention to your comfort. We will confirm the time needed when you book.
Temporary redness, warmth, and small raised bumps around follicles can occur after treatment. Reactions vary and may last longer on sensitive skin. Redness is not required for a treatment to work, and severe pain, blistering, or worsening irritation should not be dismissed as normal. Possible risks include burns, changes in skin color, scarring, and increased hair growth in some treated areas. Our consultation, test patch, protective eyewear, and individualized settings help us assess and manage risk. Contact Beam promptly about unexpected or persistent symptoms.
