Apogee Plus Hair Removal

Apogee Plus Hair Removal in Seoul

Medically reviewed by Dr. Chae-ho Lee, Medical Director, Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae; Member, Korean Society of Laser Dermatology & Hair

Doctor profile · Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae, Seoul

Apogee Plus laser hair removal in Seoul is a course of alexandrite laser sessions that heats pigmented hair at the root so that fewer, finer hairs grow back over time. At Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae the device fires at 755 nm through a 26 mm spot while a cooling system chills the skin surface. The laser stage usually takes about 5–10 minutes, and the aim is long-term hair reduction across a planned series rather than a one-off result.

What Is Apogee Plus Hair Removal?

Apogee Plus Hair Removal is a laser treatment in which a 755 nm alexandrite beam is absorbed by melanin in dark hair, converting light into heat that weakens the follicle's ability to regrow.

• Wavelength chosen for pigment. The clinic describes the 755 nm wavelength as reacting selectively to melanin, which is why it is used mainly for thick, dark hair.
• A wide 26 mm spot. Each pulse covers a broad circle of skin, so an area needs fewer passes. The clinic pairs this with a fast irradiation speed and a wide irradiation range.
• Surface cooling built in. The cooling system lowers skin-surface temperature during firing to keep pain to a minimum.
• Adjustable intensity. Energy is selected according to hair characteristics and the area being treated, and the clinic delivers the treatment as a non-contact procedure.
• Growth-phase timing. Only follicles in an active growth phase respond well, so sessions are repeated every 4–6 weeks to catch new hairs as they enter that phase.

In practical terms, the device does one job well: it finds dark pigment in the hair and heats it. That makes the color of your hair and the color of your skin the two most important variables. Dark hair on lighter skin gives the beam a clear target. Very light hair gives it almost nothing to aim at, and darker skin competes with the hair for the same light.

How it differs from temporary methods

Shaving, trimming, depilatory creams, waxing, and threading all deal with the hair itself and leave the follicle working. Results from those methods last days or weeks before the cycle starts again. The Apogee Plus aims at the follicle, which is why regrowth slows across a course. It is also why waxing and plucking are off the table while you are in treatment: pulling the hair out takes away the pigment the beam needs to find at the next visit. Shaving is the method to use between sessions.

The clinic lists the face, arms, legs, underarms, and bikini line as areas the Apogee Plus can treat, for both men and women. It also uses the same device for some epidermal pigment concerns, which is covered in the combination section below.

Who Performs Apogee Plus Hair Removal at Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae

Dr. Chae-ho Lee
Medical Director at Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae

Apogee Plus Hair Removal is performed by Dr. Chae-ho Lee, who is the Medical Director of Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae and the only physician at the clinic. He belongs to the Korean Society of Laser Dermatology & Hair. This treatment area is offered as a clinic service led by the Medical Director rather than as one of Dr. Lee's stated core specializations. Each patient starts with a one-on-one consultation in which he reviews skin type, hair color and thickness, past hair-removal methods, tanning history, and medications, and he carries out final screening before the first pulse is delivered.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Apogee Plus Hair Removal?

The best response comes from hair that holds enough melanin for the 755 nm beam to absorb. Final candidacy is decided in person, after the doctor has looked at your skin and hair together.

Apogee Plus Hair Removal may suit:

• Men and women who want to reduce unwanted hair on the face, arms, legs, underarms, or bikini line.
• People with thick, dark hair, which the clinic describes as the hair type this wavelength handles best.
• Anyone tired of the irritation that repeated shaving or other temporary methods can cause, and who wants slower regrowth.
• Patients able to return every 4–6 weeks for a course of at least 5–10 sessions.
• People who accept that the realistic goal is substantial, long-term reduction, with possible top-up sessions later.

Apogee Plus Hair Removal may not be suitable, or may need to wait, for:

• Pregnancy.
• An active sunburn or a significant tan.
• Current use of photosensitizing medication.
• Very light blonde, white, or grey hair, which responds poorly because it carries little melanin.
• Irritated or infected skin over the planned treatment area.

A note on darker skin and the 755 nm wavelength

Because the 755 nm beam is drawn to melanin, pigment in the skin can absorb energy meant for the hair. Skin tone affects which laser is appropriate, and darker skin often calls for a different wavelength and an experienced provider, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The AAD also warns that burns, lasting color change, and scarring can follow laser hair removal done by inexperienced hands. If your skin is naturally deep in tone, or you have had dark marks after earlier laser treatment, say so at the start of the consultation so that suitability and settings can be judged with that in mind.

What to Expect: Procedure, Recovery, and Results Timeline

Getting ready

Stay out of tanning beds and strong sun before your appointment and for the whole course. Do not wax during the treatment period; the clinic notes that tanning and waxing can make the laser less effective. Bring a list of any medications you take, and mention skin conditions or recent sun exposure.

Step by step on the day

1. Assessment. Dr. Lee checks skin type, hair color and thickness, and the area you want treated.
2. Preparation. The area is cleansed and made ready for the laser.
3. Protection and cooling. Protective measures are put in place and the cooling system is set up.
4. Laser passes. The 755 nm beam is delivered across the selected area in overlapping 26 mm spots.
5. Skin check. The treated skin is examined straight afterward.
6. Aftercare and booking. You receive aftercare instructions, and the next visit is set 4–6 weeks out.

The laser stage takes roughly 5–10 minutes on average, depending on how large the area is. Anesthetic cream is not required, though those who are sensitive to pain may ask for it.

Recovery and results timeline

Time point	What to expect
During the session	Warmth or a quick snapping feeling, softened by the surface cooling.
Same day	Daily activities can usually resume at once; mild redness or slight irritation may show.
First 7 days	No sauna, steam room, alcohol, smoking, or excessive exercise.
Weeks 4–6	Next session, timed to the hair-growth cycle.
Across 5–10+ sessions	Hair thins progressively; individual results vary with skin type.
After the course	Some regrowth is possible, and maintenance may be discussed.

Caring for your skin afterward

For one week, avoid saunas, steam rooms, alcohol, smoking, and hard workouts. Keep the area away from tanning throughout the course. Continue to shave rather than wax or pluck between sessions. If redness or folliculitis appears, contact the clinic, which can prescribe medication when needed.

How results build

Hair reduction appears gradually because each session reaches only the follicles that happen to be growing at that time. The clinic describes the Apogee Plus as placing less burden on the skin from folliculitis or irritation across repeated treatments, which matters on a course that runs for several months. Expect thinner coverage after each round rather than a sudden change, and plan around the full series.

Combining Apogee Plus Hair Removal with Other Treatments

The clinic states that the Apogee Plus can also treat epidermal pigmentation disorders, including melasma, freckles, and blemishes. Whether pigment work and hair removal can share a visit, or should be booked apart, is a decision for the treating doctor.

More broadly, hair removal can be scheduled alongside other aesthetic treatments when the skin can tolerate it. When another laser, a peel, an injectable, or an energy-based device will be used on the same skin, Dr. Lee sets the order and spacing so that irritation does not stack up.

Safety, Precision, and Clinic Standards

• Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare added Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae to its roster of foreign-patient medical institutions in January 2023.
• The Medical Director sees every patient one to one before treatment.
• Final screening for each laser session rests with the treating doctor.
• Intensity is matched to hair characteristics and treatment area.
• The cooling system keeps the skin surface cool while the laser fires.
• Medication can be prescribed at the clinic if redness or folliculitis develops.

Known risks

The clinic names redness and folliculitis as possible reactions after treatment. Temporary warmth, mild swelling, tenderness, or irritation can also occur. Burns, blistering, and pigment changes are less common and become more likely with recent tanning or unsuitable settings. Paradoxical hair growth has also been reported as an uncommon complication.

According to the FDA's consumer guide to removing hair safely, side effects of laser hair removal can include blistering, discoloration, swelling, redness, and scarring, and treated skin should be kept out of sunlight while it heals. Get in touch with the clinic quickly if you notice blistering, severe pain, marked color change, or any sign of infection.

The Bottom Line

• Apogee Plus Hair Removal uses a 755 nm alexandrite laser with a 26 mm spot and surface cooling to target dark hair.
• A course of at least 5–10 sessions, 4–6 weeks apart, is recommended for long-term reduction.
• Each session averages about 5–10 minutes, depending on the area, with little downtime.
• Very light hair responds poorly, and darker skin needs careful assessment before a 755 nm laser is used.
• Dr. Chae-ho Lee screens every patient personally before treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Apogee Plus suited to thick, dark hair?
Its 755 nm wavelength is absorbed by melanin, and coarse dark hair holds plenty of it. That gives the beam a strong target at the root. Fine or pale hair absorbs much less energy and responds less.

Why does the spot size matter?
A 26 mm spot treats a wide circle with each pulse, so an area is covered in fewer passes. Together with the fast firing rate, this helps keep sessions short. It does not change how many sessions you need, which depends on the growth cycle.

Does Apogee Plus Hair Removal hurt?
Most people notice warmth or a brief snap with each pulse. The cooling system chills the skin surface to keep this tolerable. If you are sensitive to pain, anesthetic cream can be applied first.

How long until I see a difference?
Change is progressive, because each round only reaches follicles in their growth phase. Plan on at least 5–10 sessions at 4–6 week intervals. Results vary with skin type and hair characteristics.

Will the hair be gone for good?
The goal is long-term reduction, not complete removal. Some hairs can return over time, usually sparser than before. Maintenance sessions can be discussed if regrowth bothers you.

Can I fit a session into a short trip to Seoul?
Yes, a single session is a quick outpatient visit with little downtime. The full course is spread over months, so you would need to return at the planned intervals. Mild redness or sensitivity may still be visible when you fly.

Why should I shave instead of waxing between sessions?
Shaving cuts the hair at the surface but leaves the root and its pigment in place for the laser. Waxing or plucking removes that target, and the clinic notes it can reduce effectiveness. Keep to a razor until the course is finished.

Is English support available?
English consultation and interpretation are available at the clinic. You can also reach the clinic through its website or by phone if you have a question after returning home.

Book a Consultation at Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae

If you are thinking about Apogee Plus laser hair removal in Seoul, the first visit is an assessment with Dr. Chae-ho Lee of your hair color, skin tone, and target areas, followed by a session plan. Leave Hongik University Station by Exit 1 and the Wookdo Building is right there; the clinic is up on its 8th floor at 151 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu. Ask a question or request a time, and look at reviews from earlier patients as you decide.

Disclaimer

Treatment suitability, expected results, recovery time, risks, and potential side effects vary by individual. The information provided is for general informational purposes and does not replace an in-person medical consultation. Patients should discuss their medical history, treatment goals, and individual circumstances with a qualified medical professional before undergoing treatment.

Sources & Further Reading

• AAD — Laser Hair Removal: FAQs
• FDA — Removing Hair Safely