Permanent Laser Hair Removal in Tel Aviv: The Complete Guide

Starting a laser hair removal protocol always raises the same questions: how many sessions are really needed, which device should be used depending on your skin, and who should perform a procedure that remains, above all, a medical act. This guide goes through, session by session, what permanent laser hair removal performed by a doctor actually involves.

The principle: targeting the hair follicle, not the skin

Laser hair removal is based on a principle called selective photothermolysis. The light beam is absorbed by the melanin contained in the hair, which heats up and destroys the hair follicle at its root, without damaging the surrounding skin when the settings are correctly adjusted.

This precision is why laser hair removal must remain a medical procedure: the wavelength, energy delivered, and pulse duration must be adapted to skin color, hair thickness, and the area treated. A poor setting carries a risk of burns or marks, particularly on medium or tanned skin.

Which device, for which skin types

Dr Mergui's practice uses the Alma Harmony XL Pro platform, a system recognized for its versatility. Its main advantage: a built-in cooling system that protects the epidermis during the pulse, which allows all skin types to be treated safely, from very fair skin (skin type I) to very dark skin (skin type VI).

This is an important point, as many older or less versatile hair removal lasers remain risky on darker skin: the insufficient contrast between the melanin in the hair and that in the skin increases the risk of skin damage. The ability to adapt the wavelength to each skin type is what makes the protocol accessible to everyone. Find the full details on the permanent laser hair removal page of the site.

The Fitzpatrick scale, to understand skin types

The Fitzpatrick skin types classify skin into six categories (I to VI), from very fair skin that never tans (I) to very dark skin that never burns (VI), based on its natural reaction to the sun. This scale serves as a reference for any laser practitioner to choose the right wavelength and energy: the darker the skin, the more background melanin it contains, and the more precise the setting must be to target the hair without overheating the surrounding epidermis.

Cooling, the key to comfort and safety

The cooling system built into the handpiece is not just a comfort feature: it lowers the skin's surface temperature just before and during the pulse, which protects the epidermis from heat and allows for higher, more effective energy on the follicle, without increasing the risk of burns. This is why a device well equipped with cooling widens the range of skin types that can be treated safely.

How many sessions, and why this spacing

The reference protocol is about 10 sessions, spaced 6 weeks apart, depending on the area treated and whether or not it is hormone-dependent.

This spacing is not arbitrary: at any given moment, only some hair follicles are in the active growth phase (anagen phase), the only phase in which the laser is truly effective. The other follicles are in a resting or shedding phase. Spreading sessions over several months allows the full set of follicles to be progressively treated as they become active again.

Key takeaway: a laser hair removal protocol should be planned over several months. One or two isolated sessions slow down growth but do not produce the lasting reduction expected.

Hormone-dependent areas: a different pace

Certain areas (chin, upper lip, chest, or back in men) are described as hormone-dependent: regrowth there is influenced by hormones, which can lead to new hairs appearing over time, independent of the laser protocol itself. In these areas, the number of sessions is sometimes revised upward, and occasional maintenance sessions remain useful beyond the initial protocol.

What to do if growth slows without disappearing completely

It is normal to observe, after several sessions, finer and sparser hair rather than a total, immediate disappearance. This progressive slowdown is a sign that the treatment is acting on the still-active follicles; the remaining hairs, often finer and less pigmented, become themselves increasingly less responsive to the laser as the protocol progresses, which explains why the final sessions sometimes require a bit of patience.

The most frequently treated areas

Laser hair removal adapts to a wide variety of areas, for both women and men:

• Underarms: a common area, with quick, lasting results.
• Bikini area: classic, partial, or full, depending on preference.
• Lower legs: calves and knees.
• Shoulders and back: extensive areas, often requested by men.
• Cheekbones and beard outline: precise shaping of the face and beard.
• Intergluteal area: an intimate area, treated with discretion.

Before and after a session: precautions to know

Before the session: the area must be shaved 24 to 48 hours before the appointment (never waxed or plucked). Sun exposure or self-tanner should be avoided for the 4 weeks prior, as tanned skin increases the risk of burns.

After the session: strict SPF 50 sun protection for 4 weeks, good hydration, no exfoliation for a week, and no sauna for 48 hours allow the skin to recover under good conditions.

Who should postpone or avoid laser hair removal

Certain situations temporarily or permanently contraindicate a session:

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Recent sun exposure or currently tanned skin.
• Taking photosensitizing medications (retinoids, certain antibiotics).
• History of keloid scarring on the area to be treated.

It is precisely to identify these situations that a first medical consultation precedes any protocol: Dr Mergui assesses the skin, hair type, and history before defining a personalized session plan. The same sun-related precautions also apply to most laser treatments, for example skin rejuvenation.

In brief

• Laser hair removal targets the hair follicle via the melanin it contains, without damaging the skin if the settings are properly adjusted.
• A complete protocol involves about 10 sessions spaced 6 weeks apart, to follow the hair growth cycle.
• The Alma Harmony XL Pro platform can safely treat all skin types, thanks to its built-in cooling.
• The result is a lasting 80 to 90% reduction in hair growth, not a 100% lifetime-guaranteed removal.

Are you considering laser hair removal in Tel Aviv and would like a medical opinion before starting a protocol? Book an appointment at Dr Mergui's practice, 8A Frishman.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace a medical consultation. Only an examination of your skin and hair can define a suitable protocol.