Laser hair removal is considered the most permanent method of getting rid of unwanted facial and body hair worldwide. People assume that once they have laser hair removal, they are done and will never have to touch a hair removal device again. Unfortunately, that is not the case. If you meet someone who has laser hair removal, you know that they will need to have follow-up treatments and that the hair will grow back even after treatment.
Therefore, there are limitations to the durability of laser hair removal results. We will discuss these limitations in this article. We will also find out the answer to the question of how long laser hair removal lasts, what you can expect from it, and how you can improve its results.
- Part 1: What is laser hair removal? How does it work?
- Part 2: What does this have to do with the hair growth cycle?
- Part 3: How many sessions do I need?
- Part 4: Am I the right candidate for laser hair removal?
- Part 5: How long does laser hair removal last?
- Part 6: What factors influence the results of laser hair removal?
- Part 7: FAQs
- Part 8: Conclusion
What is laser hair removal? How does it work?
Laser hair removal is a non-invasive medical procedure based on the use of low wavelength, high energy rays to destroy the hair follicle. The wavelength of the light used is between 600 nm and 1,200 nm. It targets unwanted hair by destroying the follicle through heat. This phenomenon is explained in a chapter published in Science Direct [1] .
Different types of lasers such as ruby, alexandrite, Nd:Yag and diodes are used to emit the light. In some modern lasers, the wavelength is adjustable and is set according to hair color and skin tone.
Therefore, laser hair removal is both safe and effective for reducing hair growth on the body and face, and it works on most skin and hair colors. It also leaves the skin smooth and reduces the risk of ingrown hairs and strawberry legs.
What does this have to do with the hair growth cycle?
Laser hair removal sessions can be defined with the phases of the hair growth cycle. It consists of 4 stages or phases: anagen, catagen, telogen and exogen. During the anagen phase, laser hair removal is most efficient. Here, it blocks hair growth from the follicles by cutting off the blood supply to the roots and ultimately killing the follicle, as has been found in several studies [2] .
In addition, the laser works best just below the surface of the skin as it vaporizes the hair. The best effect of this vaporization is visible during the active growth phase of the hair. However, during the other 3 phases of the hair growth cycle, the laser is only minimally effective as the hair is not vaporized below the surface of the skin.
If we look more closely at the relationship between the cycle and the laser sessions, it is worth noting that a portion of the hair is in each of the 4 phases at a given time. For this reason, laser hair removal is performed in several sessions to catch all the hair in the anagen phase.
How many sessions do I need?
There is no set rule as to how many laser sessions you need. Typically, you will need at least 3 sessions of laser hair removal to achieve a 20-33% reduction in unwanted hair growth. In the following 3 sessions, you will see about 60-80% of unwanted hair disappear. Also, you will need 3 to 6 sessions to achieve a 90-100% result.
This was found in a two-center study [3] . A total of 9 to 12 laser sessions are required to achieve the best results, but the number of sessions for optimal results is subjective and may not be in this range.
Am I the right candidate for laser hair removal?
Whether you are a candidate for laser hair removal depends mainly on your skin tone, hair color, hair density and the presence of contraindications. If you have fair skin and your hair is dark and thick, you are the perfect candidate for a laser. But thanks to scientific advances, people with dark skin and red or blonde hair can also have laser treatment. However, laser treatment does not work well on gray or white hair.
Contraindications to laser hair removal also include active herpes infections, pregnancy, skin cancer and keloid scars, so you should wait to undergo laser treatment until your condition has subsided.
How long does laser hair removal last?
The longevity of laser hair removal varies from person to person and from one body part to another. On average, people have reported that hairlessness lasted from a few months to a few years after treatment, according to an article from the American Academy of Dermatology Association [4] .
Even during this period, some people noticed the growth of fine and sparse hair in places such as the chin, neck, legs and arms. To maintain the result, they had to go for follow-up treatments every year.
Additionally, other patients' facial, abdominal and armpit hair did not grow back even after 10 years, which shows that it is not possible to say with certainty how long a laser can last. Finally, in rare cases, there has been a spurt in hair growth in the area of the body near the actively treated area. This condition is called paradoxical hypertrichosis.
What factors influence the results of laser hair removal?
The duration of laser hair removal results is influenced by the following factors.
- Natural regrowth: Over time, new hair follicles can develop. And this leads to natural hair growth.
- Hormonal status: Women with PCOS, obesity, and other hormonal changes such as pregnancy may need to have laser hair removal more frequently because estrogen strongly stimulates the follicles.
- Skin tone and hair color: The laser is most effective when there is a clear contrast between the skin and the hair pigment. If this contrast is less, hair may grow back sooner because the follicles are not completely killed.
- Damage to the hair follicle: The laser either completely destroys the follicle or just damages it. The destroyed follicle does not produce hair, while the damaged follicle can produce fine hair.
FAQs
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Is laser hair removal uncomfortable or painful?
Unfortunately, laser hair removal can be both painful and uncomfortable. Laser hair removal involves applying an anesthetic gel to the area to be treated to numb your skin. Regardless of the numbing of the skin to reduce pain, you will feel a stinging sensation on your skin each time the laser flashes.
Depending on your pain tolerance, this feeling may not seem so bad or it may make you scream in pain. In addition, your pain threshold increases with each session and you gradually feel less and less pain.
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Can I have a laser hair removal session every week for faster results?
Unfortunately, you can repeat laser hair removal after a week to get better results. This is neither recommended nor practical. This is because your skin becomes sensitive after each laser treatment and needs at least 2 weeks to heal. Laser treatment too often can damage the skin.
So you can’t lie under the laser too often. Also check how often you can perform a laser hair removal treatment . In addition, the results of lasering depend on how many hairs are hit in their active phase.
To get the best results, you need to time your hair removal sessions with your hair growth cycle, so trying laser hair removal every other week can be both harmful and useless.
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How long is the downtime for laser hair removal?
There is little to no downtime with laser hair removal as long as you follow the laser preparation and aftercare protocol as outlined in the Guide to laser hair removal . The most important thing during this time is to avoid sun, harsh chemicals, artificial tanning and anything that could compromise the skin barrier and to only shave.
Therefore, you can return to your normal activities after a day or two and need to be careful with your skin for about two weeks. If you experience pain, skin redness, swelling and irritation, you can use painkillers, over-the-counter laser treatment gels and cold compresses or consult a doctor.
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How does laser hair removal work in the clinic?
Before you go to the clinic, you should note that your laser hair removal at home begins by shaving the area to be treated and cleaning it well. Then you go to the clinic wearing comfortable, loose clothing to protect your skin. At the clinic, your doctor will apply an anesthetic gel to the skin and wait 30 minutes before starting the laser treatment.
You will also be given UV goggles to protect your eyes. Once your skin is numbed, the doctor will mark the area to be treated and start working with the laser. Each flash will capture several strands of hair at once. The entire treatment takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the area. In total, you will spend about 2 hours in the clinic.
An alternative to laser hair removal: Ulike Air 10 IPL
Now that you know that the results of laser hair removal do not last as long as you thought and that follow-up sessions are required even if you paid a hefty amount for them, it's time to consider some easy-to-use yet somewhat permanent methods of hair removal.
The good news is that IPL hair removal can be the answer to your self-care needs. Moreover, the Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL hair removal device is a device with top-notch features and exceptional results.
The differences between laser and IPL are explained in IPL vs. Laser explained. Here we want to focus on what IPL hair removal devices do better than laser.
- While you pay over €300 for a single laser session on one body part, the whole IPL kit costs only €299 (with discount code), and you can use it anywhere you want
- You don't have to go to a clinic every month for hair removal when you can achieve salon-ready, smooth skin at home with IPL.
- Unlike the unpleasant pain of laser hair removal, Ulike is almost painless and you will only feel slight discomfort during the treatment.
- Although IPL hair removal lasts for fewer months compared to laser, it is easier to maintain and you can do your session whenever you see new hair sprouting.
- Finally, downtime, preparation and aftercare are less with IPL than with laser.
Conclusion
Laser hair removal is a procedure that consists of several sessions. In the successive sessions, hair regrowth is significantly reduced. The sessions are repeated until no hair remains. Once you have completed the treatment, you can enjoy complete hairlessness for a period of time, which can be a year or more.
The results are not permanent, as the hair grows back only in patches due to the reactivation of the follicles. These sparse hairs are treated with regular follow-up sessions every year. The results depend on several factors that we have already discussed in this article.
Therefore, after thorough research, you should decide whether you want to invest in this expensive procedure or try a similar method at an affordable cost.
