Hair Reduction
At Renovaré Medical Aesthetics and Wellness, we believe that smooth, hair-free skin should be accessible to everyone — regardless of skin color, tone, or Fitzpatrick classification. Our Hair Reduction program pairs two of the most clinically advanced technologies available: the Cutera Xeo 1064 Nd:YAG laser and the IPL-based Xeo Prowave. Together, these systems allow our providers to customize treatment for virtually every patient, delivering safe, effective, and long-lasting results across the full spectrum of skin types.
What Is Hair Reduction?
Hair Reduction is a series of light- or laser-based treatments that target the melanin in each hair follicle, delivering energy that disrupts the follicle's growth cycle. Over a series of sessions, treated hairs become progressively finer and sparser, resulting in long-term — and often permanent — reduction. At Renovaré, we go beyond standard laser hair removal by using two complementary platforms that together cover every skin type on the Fitzpatrick scale.
The Cutera Xeo 1064 Nd:YAG Laser
The Cutera Xeo 1064 Nd:YAG is a long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser that emits energy at a 1064 nm wavelength — a deeper penetrating wavelength that bypasses epidermal melanin and targets the follicle directly. This makes it uniquely safe and effective for patients with darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick IV, V, and VI) who are at higher risk of pigmentation changes with shorter-wavelength devices. The 1064 Nd:YAG's longer pulse duration allows energy to heat the follicle gradually while protecting the surrounding skin, minimizing the risk of burns, hyperpigmentation, or hypopigmentation.
The IPL-Based Xeo Prowave
The Cutera Xeo Prowave uses Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology with precise filtering to select wavelengths optimized for hair reduction. IPL systems emit broad-spectrum light that is readily absorbed by the melanin in lighter, finer hair follicles — making the Prowave an excellent choice for patients with lighter skin tones and darker hair (Fitzpatrick I, II, and III). The Prowave's adjustable parameters let our providers fine-tune the treatment to match each patient's unique combination of skin color and hair color, maximizing efficacy and comfort.
Treating Every Fitzpatrick Skin Type
The Fitzpatrick Scale classifies human skin into six phototypes based on its response to ultraviolet light:
- Type I: Very fair skin, always burns, never tans
- Type II: Fair skin, usually burns, sometimes tans
- Type III: Medium skin, sometimes burns, always tans
- Type IV: Olive skin, rarely burns, always tans
- Type V: Brown skin, very rarely burns, tans easily
- Type VI: Deeply pigmented skin, never burns, always tans
By combining the Xeo Prowave (ideal for Fitzpatrick I–III) with the 1064 Nd:YAG (ideal for Fitzpatrick III–VI), Renovaré can safely provide effective hair reduction across all six Fitzpatrick skin types — including deeply pigmented skin that many practices cannot treat.
Treatment Areas
Both systems can be used to treat virtually any area of the face or body, including:
- Upper lip, chin, and sideburns
- Underarms
- Arms and legs
- Bikini line and Brazilian areas
- Back, chest, and shoulders
- Neck and jawline
What to Expect
Most patients require 6–8 sessions spaced 4–8 weeks apart to coincide with the hair growth cycle. Each session is quick — typically 15 to 45 minutes depending on the area — and requires no downtime. A personalized consultation determines the best device, settings, and treatment plan for your specific skin type, hair color, and goals.
Our dual-platform approach — combining the Cutera Xeo 1064 Nd:YAG laser and IPL Xeo Prowave — means no patient is turned away due to skin color. Safe, effective hair reduction for Fitzpatrick types I through VI.
FAQ
FAQs
Answers to your frequently asked questions.
Hair Reduction and Hair Removal refer to the same category of laser and light-based treatments. The term 'reduction' is used because results vary — most patients achieve a dramatic, long-term decrease in hair density, and many experience permanent results, but individual outcomes depend on factors like hair color, thickness, and growth cycle.
Yes. The Cutera Xeo 1064 Nd:YAG laser is specifically designed for darker skin tones, including Fitzpatrick IV, V, and VI. Its 1064 nm wavelength penetrates past epidermal melanin to target the follicle directly, making it one of the safest options available for patients who would otherwise be at risk with standard IPL or shorter-wavelength lasers.
Your provider will assess your Fitzpatrick skin type and hair characteristics during a consultation and select the most appropriate device — the Xeo Prowave for lighter skin types or the 1064 Nd:YAG for darker skin types. In some cases, both devices may be used across different areas.
Most patients see optimal results after 6–8 sessions spaced 4–8 weeks apart. Because hair grows in cycles, multiple treatments are needed to target follicles during the active growth phase. Maintenance sessions may be recommended to address any hormonal regrowth over time.