- Why "underarm hair removal" is the most popular area to treat
- Does underarm darkness go away — do underarms really look brighter once the hair is gone?
- Does it hurt — underarms are a comfortable area to treat
- How many sessions, and when do you see results
- Can darker underarm skin be treated — is it safe?
- How to prepare beforehand + aftercare
- Underarm laser hair removal in Phitsanulok — de Pry Clinic
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References
Underarm hair removal is the single most popular area, because beyond getting rid of hair so you no longer have to keep shaving, many people also find that their underarms look smoother and brighter — because part of underarm darkness comes from friction and irritation from repeated shaving/waxing. As the hair decreases, the irritation decreases too. The underarm is a comfortable area with little pain, especially with a laser that has a cooling system. At de Pry we use a 4-wavelength diode that can be adjusted to suit the darker skin of the underarms. In this article, Dr. Time explains it all.
Why "underarm hair removal" is the most popular area to treat
When patients come and ask me, "Which area should I start removing hair from?", I most often hear the same answer: "The underarms." Because the underarms are the area that needs the most upkeep — shave it and it grows back fast, and you worry about wearing sleeveless tops; waxing hurts and causes ingrown hairs. Many people are tired of this cycle.
Underarm laser hair removal answers exactly this — do it as a course and the hair gradually decreases permanently, with no need for frequent upkeep. And what many don't expect is that the underarms also look smoother and brighter (I'll explain more below). If you'd like to understand the overall picture of laser hair removal first, you can read Laser Hair Removal: Does It Hurt? How Many Sessions?
Does underarm darkness go away — do underarms really look brighter once the hair is gone?
Got questions? Dr. Time offers personalized, honest consultations — no upselling.
Consult Dr. TimeThis is a question I want to answer honestly, because a lot of advertising overclaims that "hair laser makes underarms white." Let me be clear — laser hair removal is not a direct underarm whitening treatment, but it can genuinely help indirectly in many people.
For many people, underarm darkness doesn't come from pigment alone, but mostly from accumulated friction and irritation from repeated shaving, waxing, and plucking, as well as hair stubble beneath the skin and ingrown hairs that look like dark spots. When the laser reduces the hair, the old, irritating methods of hair removal decrease too, so the underarm skin gradually looks smoother and brighter over time.
If your underarm darkness comes from irritation/ingrown hairs, the laser often helps it look better. But if the darkness comes from other causes — such as genetic pigmentation, certain medications, or friction from weight/clothing — the result may differ and may require care combined with other methods. I'll first assess what your underarm darkness comes from, then tell you honestly how much you can expect.
Does it hurt — underarms are a comfortable area to treat
The underarm is one of the areas most people say is "more comfortable than expected," especially with a machine that has a cooling system that chills the skin during each shot. The sensation is usually a cool, light snap like a gentle rubber band — not the searing, painful sting of waxing that rips out a whole clump of hair.
At de Pry I place special emphasis on comfort, because the underarms require a course of 6–8 sessions. If it hurts so much that you don't want to come back, you won't see results. So keeping it cool and comfortable isn't just about being pleasant — it helps you complete the full course and see real results.
How many sessions, and when do you see results
- Sessions 1–2 The hair that was treated gradually sheds within 1–2 weeks, and the underarms start to feel smoother
- Session 3 Many people begin to clearly notice the hair becoming thinner, growing back slower, and more sparse
- Sessions 4–8 The hair keeps decreasing, the underarm skin looks smoother, and the remaining hair is fine and light in color
- After completing the course The hair is mostly permanently reduced; some people come back occasionally for touch-ups to maintain the result
Generally, the underarms take about 6–8 sessions, spaced 4–8 weeks apart, because the laser only targets hair in its growth phase, so it must be done in rounds to catch every phase.
Can darker underarm skin be treated — is it safe?
The underarms are usually already darker than other areas, so many people worry whether the laser is safe. The answer is: yes, it can be done, if you choose a wavelength suited to the skin tone. de Pry's machine is a diode laser with 4 wavelengths; longer wavelengths (such as 1064 nm) are safer for darker skin, so I can choose one suited to your underarm skin tone.
Safety in darker skin lies in assessing the skin tone and setting parameters appropriately for each individual — not using the same settings for everyone. I always look at the underarm skin tone, sun-exposure history, and any tan first. And if the underarms are currently irritated or inflamed, I'll let the skin calm down before treating.
How to prepare beforehand + aftercare
Before treatment
- Avoid waxing/plucking (which pulls out the hair root) for about 2–4 weeks — the laser needs the hair root
- You can shave as usual before the appointment (or follow the clinic's advice)
- Avoid strong sun/tanning before treatment
After treatment
- Avoid roll-ons with alcohol/fragrance + harsh scrubbing for the first 1–2 days
- Avoid heat, saunas, intense exercise, and strong sun
- Apply a gentle moisturizer + sunscreen on sun-exposed areas
- Underarm hair removal = permanent hair reduction + often makes underarms look smoother and brighter (if the darkness is from irritation)
- Comfortable, little pain, if the machine has a cooling system — the underarms tolerate it well
- Darker underarm skin can be treated, if the right wavelength is chosen + the doctor assesses first
Underarm laser hair removal in Phitsanulok — de Pry Clinic
At de Pry Clinic Phitsanulok, Dr. Time and the team perform underarm laser hair removal with a 4-wavelength diode plus a cooling system. We start by assessing the underarm skin tone and the cause of the underarm darkness, in order to choose the wavelength and plan a treatment that is appropriate, safe, and as comfortable as possible.
Many patients travel from Phichit, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Kamphaeng Phet, and Phetchabun, because they want a place that assesses the skin first and makes the treatment comfortable. Come in and let me take a look at your underarms and plan the course for you first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does underarm laser hair removal make underarms whiter?
It can help in many cases, but it's not direct whitening. For many people, underarm darkness is caused by friction and irritation from repeated shaving or waxing, and from hair stubble beneath the skin. When the laser reduces the hair, the irritation decreases, so the underarms often look smoother and brighter over time. But if the darkness comes from other causes, the result may differ — I'll assess the cause first.
Does underarm laser hair removal hurt?
The underarm is an area most people tolerate comfortably, especially with a machine that has a cooling system that chills the skin during each shot. The sensation is usually like a gentle rubber-band snap with a cool feeling — not the agonizing pain of waxing. At de Pry we use a diode laser with a cooling system, so underarms can be treated comfortably.
How many sessions does underarm hair removal take?
The underarms generally take about 6–8 sessions, spaced 4–8 weeks apart. Some people's underarms respond well and may see results sooner. Many begin to notice the hair becoming thinner and growing back slower from the 3rd session. After completing the course, the hair is mostly permanently reduced, and the remaining hair is usually fine and lighter in color.
After underarm laser, how should I use roll-on / take care of myself?
Right after treatment, you should avoid irritating things such as roll-ons with alcohol, fragrance, and harsh scrubbing during the first 1–2 days. Avoid heat, saunas, and strong sun. Apply a gentle moisturizer, and use sunscreen on sun-exposed areas. I'll give care advice suited to your skin every time.
I've been shaving/waxing my underarms for a long time — can I get laser right away?
Yes, and many people who are tired of repeated shaving/waxing try the laser and love it, because there's no need for frequent upkeep and it reduces ingrown-hair problems. But before treatment you should avoid waxing/plucking (which pulls out the hair root) for about 2–4 weeks, because the laser needs the hair root still in place. Shaving can be done as usual before the appointment. I'll advise you on how to prepare.
Is laser safe for darker underarm skin?
It's safe if the wavelength is chosen to suit the skin tone. The underarms are usually already darker than other areas; de Pry's machine has 4 wavelengths, so it can be adjusted to suit darker skin (longer wavelengths are safer for darker skin). I'll assess the underarm skin tone first and set the parameters appropriately for safety.
References
I'd like you to be able to check the information I used to write this article for yourself:
- PubMed (32054369) — Research on diode lasers with a cooling tip: effective and safe hair reduction in darker skin tones, with reduced pain: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) — Overview of laser hair removal: aad.org
- NHS (United Kingdom) — What to know before undergoing a cosmetic procedure and how to choose a safe place: nhs.uk
