Hair Removal

Laser 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

Laser hair removal in Seoul is an energy-based treatment that reduces unwanted facial and body hair by heating the pigment inside each hair until the follicle loses much of its ability to regrow. At Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae, hair removal is performed with the Apogee Plus, a 755 nm alexandrite laser with a 26 mm spot and non-contact cooling, for both men and women. The result is gradual, long-term reduction built over a series of sessions rather than a one-visit change.

What Is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is a series of laser treatments that target melanin in the hair shaft and bulb so that heat damages the follicle and slows or reduces future hair growth.

• Light energy is absorbed by the pigment in the hair, turning into heat that injures the follicle while the surrounding skin is spared as much as possible.
• Follicles that are actively growing respond best, and at any moment only part of the hair in an area is in that phase, so several sessions are needed to reach most follicles.
• The Apogee Plus emits a 755 nm alexandrite wavelength that the clinic describes as reacting selectively to melanin and working well on thick, dark hair.
• The device has a 26 mm spot size, fast irradiation speed, and a wide irradiation range, which lets larger areas be covered quickly.
• A non-contact cooling system chills the skin surface during treatment to reduce discomfort.

Hair-reduction lasers in this wavelength range are chosen because they penetrate deeply enough to reach the hair root, and the alexandrite laser has very good melanin absorption (Balkan Medical Journal comparison trial, PMC). The same study notes that the usual outcome of laser treatment is lasting reduction rather than total removal, which is how this page describes the expected result.

Shaving, depilatory creams, waxing, and threading cut or pull the hair but leave the follicle intact. A laser acts on the follicle itself, which is why waxing and plucking are discouraged during a course: they remove the target the light needs to find.

Who Performs Laser Hair Removal at Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae

Dr. Chae-ho Lee, Medical Director

Dr. Chae-ho Lee is the Medical Director of Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae and the clinic's only physician, so the consultation, skin and hair assessment, and final screening for every hair-removal patient sit with him. He is a member of 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. Before taking charge of the Hongdae clinic, he served as a director at Lienjang Clinic Hongdae and at Doctorpetit Clinic Gangnam. His profile is published on the clinic's doctor page.

Laser Hair Removal Options Available

The clinic lists three hair-removal services. All three use the same Apogee Plus platform; they differ in the areas and concerns each one is organized around.

Service	Device and wavelength	Typical areas	Session time (average)	Recommended course
Apogee Plus Hair Removal	Apogee Plus, 755 nm, 26 mm spot, surface cooling	Face, arms, legs, underarms, bikini line	About 5–10 minutes, depending on area	Repeated every 4–6 weeks
Men's Hair Removal	Apogee Plus, 755 nm alexandrite, non-contact cooling	Face, arms, legs, underarms, bikini line	About 5–10 minutes, depending on area	At least 5–10 treatments, every 4–6 weeks
Women's Hair Removal	Apogee Plus, 755 nm alexandrite, non-contact cooling	Underarms, arms, legs, bikini area, face	About 5–10 minutes, depending on area	At least 5–10 treatments, every 4–6 weeks

Apogee Plus Hair Removal

This is the device-focused service. The 755 nm wavelength targets pigment in the hair, and the clinic states that it is especially suited to thick, dark hair. The wide 26 mm spot and fast firing rate mean an area is covered in fewer passes, and the clinic recommends the Apogee Plus for patients who want precise treatment or treatment of sensitive areas. Cooling of the skin surface is built into the system to keep the procedure comfortable. The clinic also describes it as placing less burden on the skin from folliculitis or irritation across repeated sessions.

Men's Hair Removal

Men's treatment uses the same Apogee Plus laser with non-contact cooling. Men may have thicker hair roots than women, and thicker roots can make treatment feel more intense. For that reason the clinic may use anesthetic cream for men who are sensitive to pain, although it is not mandatory. Because the device covers large areas quickly, broader zones such as the arms or legs are practical to treat. If the hair is long, the clinic asks patients to shave the day before or on the day of treatment, since long hair can raise the risk of burns. The clinic recommends at least 5–10 treatments, because meaningful change is difficult to see after one session.

Women's Hair Removal

Women's treatment is organized around the areas female patients most often ask about: underarms, arms, legs, and the bikini area, along with facial areas. The device, wavelength, and cooling are the same as in the men's service. Topical anesthetic is optional and can be applied for patients who are sensitive to pain. The same shaving rule applies to long hair, and the same course of at least 5–10 treatments at intervals of roughly 4–6 weeks is recommended.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Laser Hair Removal?

Candidacy is decided in a consultation that looks at skin type, hair color and thickness, the treatment area, earlier hair-removal methods, medications, tanning history, and what the patient expects.

People who may be suitable include:

• Adults seeking reduction of unwanted facial or body hair.
• Men and women with thick, dark hair, which the 755 nm wavelength targets well.
• Patients who want to treat areas such as the face, arms, legs, underarms, or bikini line.
• Patients who can follow a course of several sessions spaced weeks apart.
• People who understand that the goal is gradual, long-term reduction and that maintenance may be needed later.

Treatment may need to be postponed, modified, or replaced with another approach for:

• Pregnancy.
• Active sunburn or a significant recent tan.
• Irritated, inflamed, or infected skin in the treatment area.
• Use of photosensitizing medications.
• Very light blonde, white, or grey hair, which responds poorly because it contains little melanin.

Skin tone is part of this assessment. Because a 755 nm laser is absorbed strongly by melanin, pigment in the skin competes with pigment in the hair. Darker skin is more prone to burns and dark marks after laser treatment, and the person performing the procedure should have experience treating that skin tone, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Longer-wavelength Nd:YAG (1064 nm) lasers absorb less melanin and are described as safely used in dark-skinned patients (Balkan Medical Journal comparison trial, PMC). The Apogee Plus is the hair-removal device the clinic names, so patients with darker skin should raise this point directly during the consultation.

What to Expect: Procedure, Recovery, and Results Timeline

Before treatment

Avoid tanning before and throughout the course. Do not wax or pluck between sessions. Shave instead, and if the hair has grown long, shave the day before or on the day of the appointment. Tell the doctor about medications, skin conditions, recent sun exposure, and how you have removed hair until now. Medication-specific instructions should be confirmed with the treating doctor rather than changed on your own.

The procedure, step by step

1. Consultation: Dr. Lee assesses skin type, hair color and thickness, and the area to be treated.
2. Preparation: the skin is cleansed, and hair is shaved or trimmed if needed.
3. Comfort: the cooling system is readied; anesthetic cream is applied first for patients who request it.
4. Treatment: laser energy is delivered across the area, with intensity selected according to hair characteristics and treatment area.
5. Skin check: the treated skin is examined immediately afterward.
6. Aftercare: post-treatment instructions are given and the next session is scheduled.

The treatment itself takes about 5–10 minutes on average, and larger or multiple areas take longer.

Timeline

When	What usually happens
Treatment day	Most patients return to daily activities straight away; temporary redness, warmth, or mild swelling around the follicles can appear.
First few days	Mild redness or irritation usually settles quickly.
First week	Avoid saunas, steam rooms, alcohol, smoking, and excessive exercise.
Every 4–6 weeks	The next session is timed to the hair-growth cycle.
Over the full course	Reduction builds gradually across at least 5–10 treatments; maintenance sessions may be needed if hair regrows.

Aftercare

Keep treated skin out of strong sun and do not tan during the course. Apply a moisturizing or soothing gel if the skin feels dry. Skip aggressive scrubs and peeling products on the treated area. If redness or folliculitis develops, the clinic can prescribe medication.

What results look like

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a 10% to 25% reduction in hair can be expected after the first treatment, results vary with hair color, thickness, area, laser type, and skin color, and most patients can be treated once every 4 to 6 weeks. When hair does regrow, it tends to be finer, lighter, and less noticeable, and maintenance treatments may be used to keep the area smooth.

Combining Laser Hair Removal with Other Treatments

Hair removal can sit alongside other aesthetic treatments when the skin, the areas involved, and the recovery needs are compatible. The order and spacing are set by the doctor after examining the skin, not by a fixed package.

• Laser & Skin Rejuvenation — pigment-focused or other laser treatments can be planned on a different area or at a separate visit; the Apogee Plus itself is also described for epidermal pigmentation such as melasma, freckles, and blemishes.
• Skin Care & Facial Treatments — peels and other procedures that raise skin sensitivity may need to be spaced apart from a hair-removal session on the same area.
• Botox Treatments and Dermal Fillers — injectable treatments on the same skin area should be sequenced by the treating doctor.

Safety, Precision, and Clinic Standards

• Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae has been registered with the Ministry of Health and Welfare as a medical institution for attracting foreign patients since January 2023.
• The legal basis for that status is the Medical Overseas Expansion and Foreign Patients Attraction Act.
• Business registration No. 250-54-00398 identifies the clinic.
• Every patient is assessed in a 1:1 consultation with the Medical Director.
• The treating doctor performs final screening before any laser session.
• The Apogee Plus uses a non-contact cooling system on the skin surface.
• Treatment intensity is selected according to hair characteristics and treatment area.
• Long hair is shaved before treatment because it can increase the risk of burns.
• Medication can be prescribed at the clinic if redness or folliculitis develops.

Known risks

Temporary redness, warmth, mild swelling, tenderness, and irritation are the reactions most often seen. Folliculitis can occur after treatment. Less common complications include burns, blistering, changes in skin pigmentation, and paradoxical hair growth. Risk rises with inappropriate settings or recent tanning.

Laser hair removal can cause burns, lasting changes to skin color, and scars in inexperienced hands, which is why the American Academy of Dermatology stresses treatment by a doctor skilled in lasers. Rarer effects listed by the AAD include cold-sore outbreaks and infection. Contact the clinic promptly if you notice severe pain, blistering, marked skin changes, or signs of infection.

The Bottom Line

• Laser hair removal gradually reduces hair by heating the pigment inside the follicle; it is a course of treatments, not a single visit.
• Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae uses the Apogee Plus, a 755 nm alexandrite laser with a 26 mm spot and non-contact cooling, for Apogee Plus, Men's, and Women's Hair Removal.
• The clinic recommends at least 5–10 treatments spaced roughly 4–6 weeks apart, with maintenance possible later.
• Sessions average about 5–10 minutes and usually involve little downtime.
• Skin tone, hair color, tanning, and medications are reviewed with Dr. Chae-ho Lee before treatment begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many laser hair removal sessions will I need?
The clinic recommends at least 5–10 treatments, because significant change is hard to see after one session. Sessions are spaced about 4–6 weeks apart to follow the hair-growth cycle. The exact number depends on the area, your hair, and how your skin responds.

Can I complete laser hair removal during one trip to Seoul?
A single session is a short outpatient visit, so one treatment fits easily into a trip. A full course does not, since sessions are repeated every 4–6 weeks over several months. Discuss with the clinic how to plan return visits before you start.

Does the Apogee Plus hurt?
Most patients feel warmth or a brief snapping sensation, and the non-contact cooling system chills the skin surface to keep this manageable. Anesthetic cream is optional and can be applied for anyone who is sensitive to pain. Areas with thicker roots tend to feel more intense.

Is the 755 nm laser suitable for darker skin?
Darker skin carries a higher risk of burns and dark marks with laser hair removal, and alexandrite light is strongly absorbed by melanin. Suitability is decided by the doctor after examining your skin type and hair. Raise your skin tone and any history of pigment changes at the consultation.

Why can't I wax between sessions?
Waxing and plucking pull the hair out of the follicle, leaving nothing for the laser to target at the next session. The clinic notes that tanning and waxing during the course may reduce effectiveness. Shaving is the recommended method between appointments.

Can I fly home right after treatment?
Routine laser hair removal involves little downtime, so many patients travel soon after a session. Temporary redness or sensitivity may still be visible. Protect the treated skin from strong sun during the trip.

Book a Consultation at Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae

Planning laser hair removal in Seoul starts with a skin and hair assessment by Dr. Chae-ho Lee, who will look at your skin tone, hair type, and the areas you want treated before suggesting a schedule. English consultation and interpretation are available. You will find the clinic on the 8th floor of the Wookdo Building, 151 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, right by Exit 1 of Hongik University Station. Send an inquiry or request an appointment, and browse patient reviews or before and after photos while you plan.

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
• PMC — Comparison of SHR Mode IPL with Alexandrite and Nd:YAG Lasers for Leg Hair Reduction