Armpit hair removal is an FUE-based treatment that removes hair from the dense-growth area. When successful, the results might offer patients peace of mind as an effective solution to hair removal.
Many patients use methods like shaving or waxing to get rid of armpit hair, but they might struggle with recurrent ingrown hairs or razor bumps. Not only can these methods leave the skin irritated, but they also require regular, tedious maintenance for patients who want to keep the area smooth.
If you are ready to remove your armpit hair, look no further than Premier Hair Restoration. Dr. Colin O’Dea is a hair restoration surgeon in San Antonio. He remains certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and was previously a Hair Restoration Surgeon at Physicians’ Hair Restoration Center in Houston, TX, beginning in early 2021.
To start working with Dr. O’Dea, please schedule a consultation online or call (210) 642-2291.
Dr. O’Dea performs all surgical procedures with assistance from trained technicians.
Contents
About Armpit Hair Removal
Armpit hair removal might enhance aesthetic appearance, confidence, and potentially reduce odors because there are fewer hairs for armpit sweat to cling to; it can also remove sweat glands along with hair follicles. (1) At Premier Hair Restoration, Dr. O’Dea, with assistance from trained technicians, offers Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) as our approach to armpit hair removal.
About FUE
Follicular unit extraction (FUE) individually removes hair follicles with a circular punch tool. (2) This allows for the precise, targeted removal of the entire hair structure. FUE is most commonly known for its use in hair transplants, as it allows hair specialists to move hair from one area of the body—typically the back of the head—to balding areas on the scalp. This procedure generally only requires local anesthesia and is considered minimally invasive.
Benefits
FUE armpit hair removal offers numerous potential benefits for those seeking long-term armpit hair reduction, including:
- Eliminated Hair Growth: This procedure provides a long-term solution for removing unwanted hair in your armpits, eliminating the need for constant shaving, waxing, or lasering.
- Alleviated Irritation: FUE does not leave any ingrown hairs or razor bumps, leaving cleaner and smoother results compared to other methods of hair removal.
- Reduced Body Odor: FUE armpit hair removal can also reduce armpit odors, as having less hair makes it so that there is less for the sweat to cling to. The procedure also actually removes sweat glands with the hair.
- Elevated Confidence: Many patients feel more confident with smooth underarms.
- Targeted Removal: This procedure individually extracts hair follicles from the treatment area, allowing for precise and controlled removal.
- Personalized Procedure Plans: Dr. O’Dea will design your treatment plan around your goals.
- Minimal Scarring: Because FUE uses a circular punch tool to individually extract hairs, you will not have to worry about any linear scarring.
Benefits are not guaranteed.
Candidates
Candidates for armpit hair removal include anyone interested in long-term armpit hairlessness or potentially improving underarm odors. Patients who have failed to achieve adequate results with other methods of hair removal, such as waxing, shaving, or laser hair removal, may find armpit hair removal with FUE very helpful.
Anyone interested in armpit hair removal should:
- Be in good general health
- Maintain realistic expectations
- Ideally be a nonsmoker or willing to quit for an extended period of time
Dr. O’Dea will finalize each patient’s candidacy during their consultation.
Personal Consultation
The first step to achieving smoother underarms is attending a personal consultation. During this consultation, Dr. O’Dea will meet with you one-on-one to determine your candidacy and create your treatment plan. He will ask you about your medical history, listen to your concerns, and discuss your goals. He will also take a look at the armpits to evaluate if FUE is the right approach for you.
To schedule your consultation with Dr. O’Dea, please contact us online. If you have any questions or would prefer scheduling your consultation over the phone, please call our San Antonio office directly at (210) 642-2291.
Preparation
Once you schedule your procedure, Dr. O’Dea will give you a set of detailed pre-operative instructions. These may vary, but often include:
- Refrain from shaving your armpits for at least 7 days before your treatment
- Avoid irritating skin products
- Discontinue blood-thinning medications and supplements
- Cease nicotine and alcohol use
Procedure
Our armpit hair removal procedure utilizes FUE techniques, which are usually for hair restoration, but they can effectively remove hair as well. Before beginning your treatment, Dr. O’Dea, with assistance from trained technicians, will cleanse and sanitize your skin, then administer local anesthesia to your armpits.
Dr. O’Dea, with assistance from trained technicians, will administer a specialized fluid to the armpit to make the follicles easier to remove. The FUE machine will then remove your underarm hair with the small, cylindrical punch tool. The punches are typically smaller than 1mm.
Recovery
Your recovery timeline will vary depending on the amount of hair removed and your body’s individual healing rate. Most patients see near-complete healing after one to two weeks. Dr. O’Dea will provide post-operative instructions to help you navigate any activity restrictions and care for your skin. He will also be available to address any questions or concerns that arise as you heal.
You may experience some discomfort and tenderness around your underarms as your skin heals. Dr. O’Dea advises avoiding wearing deodorant for at least 1 week after surgery to allow for the skin to heal.
You may return to your career and other responsibilities as soon as you feel ready; however, you will need to avoid any activities that may cause you to excessively sweat, as well as any clothing that may create friction. Sweating can irritate your skin and make recovery less comfortable.
By following all of the instructions provided by Dr. O’Dea, you will optimize both your recovery time and your results.
Results
After healing from your procedure, your underarms might feel smoother with less unwanted hair. You might worry less about razor bumps, ingrown hairs, or frequent touch-ups or maintenance. Some patients also notice improvements in their body odor and overall hygiene, as the procedure makes it so there are less hairs for the sweat to cling to, as well as removes sweat glands with the hair. The results of our armpit hair removal procedure are designed to be long-lasting!
Results may vary and are not guaranteed.
Cost of Armpit Hair Removal in San Antonio, TX
Depending on the number of hair follicles removed, the cost of the procedure may vary. Dr. O’Dea and his team consider several factors, including the size of the treatment area, the targeted amount of hair, and more. During your consultation, Dr. O’Dea will provide a cost estimate for your procedure. Premier Hair Restoration also offers financing for those who qualify.
To learn more about the cost of your personalized procedure, please schedule a consultation online or call (210) 642-2291.
FAQ
What armpit hair removal treatments do you offer?
Dr. O’Dea, with assistance from trained technicians, can perform Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) to remove your armpit hair. This consists of using a circular punch tool to extract the hair follicles individually, minimizing any scarring and tissue damage. This method is usually associated with traditional hair transplants, but it can be adapted to the armpits for hair removal, while also removing sweat glands for odor reduction.
Is FUE armpit hair removal painful?
FUE is generally considered to be well-tolerated; Dr. O’Dea, with assistance from trained technicians, will administer local anesthesia to enhance your comfort during the procedure itself. It is normal to experience some tenderness after the procedure, but this subsides rather quickly.
What happens if I change my mind later on about armpit hair removal?
Once you undergo armpit hair removal with FUE, it likely will not grow back. You should be fully confident in your decision to remove your hair before undergoing armpit hair removal with FUE, as it is a procedure.
Are there any risks of undergoing armpit hair removal?
As with any procedure, there are certain risks. For armpit hair removal with FUE, this may include poor scarring, dissatisfaction with results, irreversible results, bleeding, and more. Dr. O’Dea will discuss the risks during your consultation, so you thoroughly understand each aspect of this treatment. Working with an extensively experienced specialist like Dr. O’Dea, with assistance from trained technicians, might minimize certain risks.
References
- Zhang J, Han P, Yang F, Jiang B. Advances in the treatment of axillary bromhidrosis. Skin research and technology: official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI). 2024;30(8):e13895. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/srt.13895
- Garg A, Garg S. Overview of Follicular Extraction. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2021;54(04):456-462. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1739244