Underarm laser hair removal
A few minutes per session · less hair, less friction
Underarms usually respond well to laser hair removal: the hair is dark and coarse, and a Splendor X session takes just a few minutes. The reduction is progressive, session by session. If there is also darkening from shaving or friction, we look at it in the same consultation.
Underarm laser hair removal weakens the follicle with light absorbed by the pigment in the hair, so less hair grows back and it grows back finer. At iki it is done with Splendor X, which combines Alexandrite and Nd:YAG according to your skin type. A session takes a few minutes and the plan usually starts at 6 sessions. The reduction is progressive, and results vary from patient to patient.
- Session length
- A few minutes · usually under 15
- Sessions
- Initial package of 6 · touch-ups if needed
- Interval
- Usually 45 to 60 days
- Recovery
- None · no deodorant that day
- Technology
- Splendor X · Alexandrite + Nd:YAG
- Pairs with
- Bikini, legs or underarm dark spots
Who it’s for · and who it isn’t
Indicated when
- Dark underarm hair, in women or men
- Irritation, nicks or ingrown hairs from frequent shaving
- A dark shadow under the skin from hair that grows back quickly after shaving
- Anyone who wants to add underarms to a bikini or leg plan
Not the right time if
- White, gray, very light blond or red hair · the laser has no pigment to act on
- Pregnancy · we prefer to wait
- Active irritation, wounds or infection in the underarm · the skin is treated first
- Anyone looking for a guarantee of never seeing a hair again · the laser reduces, it doesn’t guarantee
The physician makes the final indication at the consultation. Results vary from patient to patient.
What underarm laser hair removal at iki looks like
The consultation sets the settings and number of sessions. If the skin is darkened, we separate what is hair under the skin from what is pigment, because they are treated differently.
Consultation
We review your skin type, the color and thickness of your hair, medications, recent sun and hormonal history. We also check whether the underarm has dark spots or irritation from shaving, deodorant or friction.
Preparation
You shave the area the day before and arrive without deodorant, creams or powder. Clean, dry skin lets the energy reach the follicle instead of staying on the surface.
Session with Splendor X
The handpiece moves across each underarm with settings adjusted to your skin, while Z-Cryo cooling protects the surface. Each pulse feels like brief heat. Because the area is small, the session takes just a few minutes.
Between sessions
Over the following days, the treated hair sheds on its own. Between appointments, shaving only. The next session is usually 45 to 60 days later, and progress is reviewed at every visit.
What it offers
Underarm laser hair removal in minutes
It’s a small area. The session fits into a break in your day and requires no downtime.
Less shaving, less irritation
With less shaving, nicks, burning and ingrown hairs usually decrease.
Less shadow under the skin
Finer, sparser hair reduces the dark shadow that coarse hair leaves as it starts to grow back.
Suitable for many skin types
The Nd:YAG in Splendor X lets us treat darker skin with a wider safety margin by adjusting the energy.
Technology with an indication
Splendor X (Lumenis)
Splendor X emits two lasers simultaneously: Alexandrite (755 nm), highly effective on dark hair over fair skin, and Nd:YAG (1064 nm), which penetrates deeper and is gentler on darker skin. In the underarm, where the hair is coarse and the skin is thin and sensitive, that adjustable mix and Z-Cryo cooling make the session more tolerable. At iki, the same device also has a protocol for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation of the underarms and bikini area.
Results and aftercare
After each session, less hair grows back, and it grows back finer. By the end of the initial plan, the usual outcome is a significant reduction, not the complete absence of hair, and some people need touch-ups over time. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), other hormonal changes and some medications can stimulate new hair growth and change the result. Laser hair removal does not lighten underarm dark spots on its own: if there is hyperpigmentation, it is treated with its own protocol.
Aftercare after the session
- No deodorant or antiperspirant on the day of the session
- Avoid direct sun on the area for at least one week
- Moisturize with a gentle, fragrance-free cream in the following days
- No waxing, tweezing or depilatory creams between sessions · shaving only
- Avoid intense exercise, sauna and pool the following day
Results vary from patient to patient. Laser hair removal reduces hair progressively; there is no guarantee that it won’t grow back.
Pairs well with
Laser hair removalLaser hair removal
At iki, laser hair removal is done with Splendor X, which combines two wavelengths to adapt to different skin and hair types. The…
See treatment
Laser hair removalBikini laser hair removal
At iki, bikini laser hair removal is done with Splendor X, in a private room, with clear explanations before we begin. You choose…
See treatment
Dark spots and pigmentationDark underarms and intimate area
Dark spots on the underarms, groin and intimate area almost always have a cause that’s still active: friction, shaving with a…
See treatmentFrequently asked questions
How long does an underarm laser hair removal session take?
A few minutes. The area is small and the Splendor X handpiece covers each underarm quickly; the session usually takes under 15 minutes, including skin prep. That makes it easy to schedule during a break in your day or to add to another area in the same appointment.
Does underarm laser hair removal hurt?
It’s a sensitive area and the hair is coarse, so the first sessions are felt more: a brief, prickling heat with each pulse. Z-Cryo cooling protects the skin before, during and after each pulse. As the hair decreases, the sensation usually eases. If the discomfort is high, we adjust the energy.
How many sessions will I need for my underarms?
The plan usually starts with a package of 6 sessions, every 45 to 60 days. The real number depends on the thickness and color of the hair, your skin type and the hormonal component. At the end, we review the result; some people need nothing more and others need touch-ups over time.
Does laser hair removal lighten dark underarms?
Not directly. With less shaving, the skin is less irritated and the hair shadow decreases, which can improve the appearance. But underarm hyperpigmentation, from friction, shaving or deodorant, is a different condition. iki has specific protocols for those dark spots, and they can be planned alongside hair removal.
Can I use deodorant after the session?
Wait until the next day. Deodorant and antiperspirant can irritate freshly treated skin, especially if they contain alcohol or fragrance. Don’t apply them before the session either: residue on the skin interferes with the laser. Afterward, choose gentle, fragrance-free formulas.
Will underarm hair stop growing forever?
No laser can honestly promise that. Laser hair removal achieves progressive hair reduction, session by session: less hair, and finer. Over time, new hairs can appear because of hormonal changes, age or medications, and some people need touch-ups. Results vary from patient to patient.
How much does underarm laser hair removal cost?
It depends on the area and the number of sessions: underarms alone, underarms with bikini, or underarms within a plan that includes legs all change the price. There are 6-session packages and touch-ups. You receive written prices at the free consultation, along with your plan. Your consultation at iki is free · 45 minutes.
Read before your appointment
Is Underarm laser hair removal right for you? · we’ll see at the consultation
Forty-five minutes with a physician, a skin analysis and a written, phased plan with complete prices. You decide afterwards, with no pressure. Living abroad? Start with a virtual consultation.