Icon™ Light-Based Hair Removal

State-of-the-art technology now makes it possible for both women and men to address areas of undesired hair with long-term results. Many people eventually get tired of the regular hassle involved with shaving, plucking, and waxing in order to rid themselves of hair in specific body areas. With Cynosure™ Palomar’s Icon™ Aesthetic System for hair reduction, our board-certified plastic surgeon, Mark Richards, MD, and his experienced team can help you remove unwanted hair with results that last for a long time to come.  

What Is the Icon™ Aesthetic System?

The Icon™ Aesthetic System is a type of IPL (intense pulsed light) technology that can achieve multiple cosmetic goals, from reduced hair growth to improved skin tone and texture. The Icon™ is a special type of IPL platform that can achieve a wide range of benefits by adjusting the treatment settings to best suit the individual characteristics and objectives of the patient. As a result, one system can perform what could otherwise take several different techniques to achieve. In addition to hair removal treatment, our practice utilizes the advanced Icon™ technology for IPL Photofacials and other skin treatments.

What Are the Benefits of the Icon™ Aesthetic System for Hair Removal?

The Icon™ Aesthetic System is a multifaceted technology that can be custom-tailored to suit your hair removal goals. Some of the many benefits of this state-of-the-art hair removal treatment include:

  • Virtually any body area can be treated, including the legs, bikini area, underarms, face, and chest
  • Treatment can be performed effectively for a comprehensive array of skin tones and types
  • The technique is designed to target precise areas of undesired hair without harming surrounding skin
  • With the Icon™ system’s Skintel® Melanin Reader, hair removal can be maximized in each treatment session and the power level can be customized for your unique skin pigment
  • After a series of treatment sessions, many patients experience long-term hair reduction results without the need for retreatment later

Additionally, the Icon™ Aesthetic System is designed to provide enhanced comfort during the procedure as a result of the incorporated cooling system. Furthermore, downtime is typically minimal, if there’s any at all. Most patients can return to normal activity shortly.

How Does the Icon™ Remove Hair?

While shaving can last days at most, and waxing a few weeks, hair reduction with the Icon™ system offers a much longer-lasting outcome that may continue for years, or even a lifetime. With IPL, the hair cells responsible for growth are targeted and disrupted, resulting in reduced hair growth in that area. This can be accomplished without negatively affecting the surrounding skin. Unlike razors that can nick and irritate, and wax that can burn and cause ingrown hairs, the Icon™ offers a gentler option that many patients report feels virtually painless and limits skin inflammation.

What Does the Icon™ Hair Removal Treatment Involve?

Your care, comfort, and results are our highest priorities, so when you arrive for your initial consultation, our office will develop a customized treatment plan based on your skin type, individual needs, and desired outcome. The Icon™ utilizes different handpieces for each type of concern. Each one works a little bit differently due to different wavelengths of light in each, but in general they will be held against the skin and moved gently across the treatment area in a smooth motion. This process can precisely and consistently deliver light energy into the skin to stop hair growth. The cooling mechanism maintains the temperature of the skin to minimize discomfort during the treatment, with most patients reporting little to no pain.

Procedure time will vary from person to person based on the size of the treated area and other factors. Treatment usually takes 30 minutes or less, although addressing larger sections of the body for hair removal can take more time. Dr. Richards or one of his skilled medical team members can give you a more specific timeframe during your initial consultation. The CynoSure™ Icon™ device can work on a wide range of skin types and tones. We will let you know if the Icon™ or other techniques can optimize your outcome. We welcome your questions. Feel free to reach out to us for more information.

How Long Does Hair Removal Last?

This hair removal treatment technique has helped many patients attain results that last extensive periods of time—even decades. With that in mind, it typically takes an initial series of treatments, spaced out over a period of weeks, to achieve maximum reduction and the longest-lasting results possible. Since every individual’s skin type and aesthetic concerns are unique, some patients may need occasional “touch-up” sessions down the road to maintain results, while others may never require another treatment again after the initial series is complete. Our team will customize the procedure for your specific needs and goals to decrease the chance that the targeted hair will ever grow back again.

What Is the Difference Between Light and Laser Hair Removal?

Both light-based and laser-based hair removal systems involve similar techniques when it comes to how they remove individual hairs; however, the technology and the way in which the energy is delivered to the hair follicles are quite distinct. The main difference between the two is the kind of light that is being utilized. Light-based hair removal therapy, such as IPL, typically harnesses numerous wavelengths and delivers the energy to the area in a single flash. Laser hair removal usually delivers one wavelength in a concentrated beam. Depending on an individual patient’s needs and goals, IPL therapy may be preferable since it can often cover a larger area in a single treatment session. With that in mind, the two types of hair removal procedures are both designed to heat the targeted hair follicles and disrupt the growth process, and both typically require a series of treatments for the best possible results.

How Much Does Hair Removal Cost?

The price of hair removal with the Icon™ Aesthetic System will depend on your unique skin care treatment plan. Factors like the size and number of areas being treated, the number of treatments needed to achieve the desired outcome, and whether you are combining other treatments with your procedure will ultimately determine the cost of the program. We believe you should have as much information as possible before making a decision about your skincare. Therefore, Dr. Richards and our medical team will review the details with you, including the estimate for each session as well as the total cost of your procedure, during your initial consultation. We also offer appealing financing options to help bring the cost of hair removal into your budget.

If you would like to learn more about the Icon™ Aesthetic System for hair removal, please contact our friendly and knowledgeable medical team. We can answer your questions and help you schedule a consultation with Dr. Richards.