Why do men's hair removal results differ from clinic to clinic?

I'm Wi Young-jin from Beautystone Clinic.

💡 Please check this before reading


Q. Aren't laser hair removal devices all the same?

A. If the wavelength is different, the depth it reaches is different. In cases like men's skin, which is thicker and has more pigment, wavelength selection determines the effectiveness.


Q. Men have thicker skin, so hair removal is harder, right?

A. That's correct. That's why energy settings and wavelength selection are even more important, and that's what makes the device choice matter.

📌 Key point of this article

Beautystone Dermatology Clinic operates a men-only hair removal program near Hongdae and provides customized men's hair removal tailored to skin type with the GentleMax Pro Plus device.

What is GentleMax Pro Plus?

GentleMax Pro Plus is

a dual-wavelength laser device

that can switch between

755nm Alexandrite and 1064nm Nd:YAG

It approaches follicles close to the skin surface with 755nm,

and follicles located deeper

or cases with a darker skin tone with 1064nm.

This wavelength switching is the key.

Especially when it comes to men's skin,

where the hair is thicker and the follicles are rooted deeper,

single-wavelength devices often cannot deliver enough energy.

Unlike single-wavelength diode lasers,

GentleMax Pro Plus can

select the wavelength as needed based on the skin condition,

which allows for customized treatment.

If it's the same laser, why do results differ by clinic?

To be honest,

the result isn't the same just because the device name is the same.

The principle of laser hair removal is simple.

Light energy is absorbed by the melanin pigment in the follicle,

and the heat destroys the follicle itself.

This is called selective photothermolysis.

But there's one important thing here.

For this principle to work properly,

the laser must reach the follicle depth accurately.

On average, men's hair is thicker than women's hair,

and the follicles are located deeper.

In particular, facial hair, chest hair, and limb hair

grow deeper within the skin layers.

The 755nm wavelength has a strong response to melanin,

so it works well for the combination of light skin and dark hair,

while the 1064nm wavelength penetrates deeper into the skin

and is advantageous for darker skin tones or deeper follicles.

What makes this a bit tricky is that

many clinics use single-wavelength diode laser devices,

which are optimized only for specific skin types.

By contrast, GentleMax Pro Plus

can choose between two wavelengths depending on the case,

so its range of response is broader regardless of skin type.

'I got it done a few times elsewhere, but it didn't work'

When I hear that from people,

there were quite a few cases where the device wavelength

didn't match that person's skin type.

After adjusting the wavelength in our clinic, many people

noticed a change within just 2 to 3 sessions.

Let me summarize it in the table below.

By comparing which skin types each hair removal device is suitable for,

it will be easier to choose.

👨‍⚕️ Director Wi Young-jin's key summary:


If you feel that men's hair removal isn't working well,


first check whether the wavelength matches your skin, rather than the device itself.


For the effect to appear, the wavelength must reach the follicle depth properly.


Whether the clinic can adjust the wavelength according to skin type and treatment area


is the practical standard for choosing a clinic.

Men's hair removal requires a different approach for each area

It varies by case, but this is usually how I approach it.

The most common request is beard line shaping,

followed by back and chest, then arms and legs.

The thickness of the hair and the depth of the follicles are different in each area.

Beard follicles are very deep and dense,

so the 1064nm wavelength is often more advantageous.

That is because the energy needs to penetrate deeply regardless of skin tone.

On the other hand, areas like the arms or legs,

where the hair is relatively finer and shallower,

can be sufficiently covered with 755nm as well.

This is a part many people misunderstand,

but 'doing several areas at once doesn't improve efficiency.'

Taking time to set parameters separately for each area

is what actually creates differences in results.

At Beautystone Clinic, during the first consultation

we first organize the skin type check and the wavelength plan for each area

before starting.

That's one of the reasons the results differ.

But this isn't always a good thing.

It takes a bit more time during the first consultation.

For people who want to start right away,

it may feel a little frustrating.

However, without that setup process,

we've more often seen the number of sessions increase in the end.

Frequently asked questions

Q1. Is laser hair removal okay if I have dark skin?

A. The darker the skin tone, the more the 755nm wavelength can also

react with the skin itself, so caution is needed.

In that case, switching to the 1064nm wavelength

can allow access to the follicle while reducing irritation to the skin surface.

The more important question is not simply whether it is possible,

but which wavelength is used to approach it.

Q2. How many sessions does men's hair removal usually take, and how much does it cost?

A. Usually, 6 to 8 sessions are the baseline,

but it varies depending on the area and hair condition.

For areas like the beard, where the follicles are deep and dense,

more than 10 sessions may be needed.

The cost varies depending on the area and range,

so the exact amount should be confirmed during a consultation.

There are also package options, so please ask about them during your first consultation.

Q3. Can folliculitis or pigmentation occur after hair removal?

A. Yes, they can. To be honest,

no laser hair removal has a zero risk of side effects.

Folliculitis can usually be prevented

if you manage hygiene properly after the procedure, and

pigmentation may occasionally appear in people with darker skin tones.

If the wavelength is selected appropriately and cooling is sufficient,

the risk can be significantly reduced,

which is also why checking the skin condition before treatment is important.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us by KakaoTalk or phone. This was Wi Young-jin.

▶ Read more

• ▶Men's leg hair removal: why is it faster than beard hair removal?

• ▶Is GentleMax different from a dermatology clinic and a hair removal shop?

• ▶Pre-wedding dermatology packages are not all good just because they're famous

• ▶The 'real' reason a doctor never recommends nasolabial fold Botox

• ▶Gangnam lip filler cost and duration, organized by a Seoul National University specialist.