How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

Brian Lett
By Brian Lett
10 Min Read

permanent laser hair removal works for how long

Laser hair removal results tend to last, although they may require touch-ups after some time has passed.

This life-altering treatment will free you from shaving, waxing and depilation for good. Ideal candidates include those with dark hair and light skin as this contrast helps the laser target and destroy only those follicles it needs without harming any nearby cells.

How Many Treatments Are Needed?

How many laser hair removal treatments you will require in order to achieve lasting results will depend on a number of factors, including your skin color, hair color, and where on your body you want hair removed. As darker hair and lighter skin results in less treatment sessions; though this also depends on the size and location of the area being treated as hair grows faster in certain places than others.

Reason being, hair follicles can be in various stages of their hair cycle at any one time; only those follicles that are actively growing at any given moment can be targeted with laser therapy; those in resting or shedding phases won’t be affected and may regrow when their growth cycle restarts again. Therefore, in order to successfully treat all target area follicles you will require multiple laser sessions in order to destroy all your target hair follicles.

As your treatment continues, each session should become less and less painful. Your hair will also return more slowly and may even have finer and lighter textures compared to its prior growth rate. Touchup treatments may need to be repeated semiannually at first; but after multiple initial sessions have passed you should find that hair regrowth has significantly decreased while results remain long lasting.

At laser hair removal appointments, it’s crucial that you follow all instructions and preparations properly. For instance, it is advisable to refrain from using products which could harm the skin barrier for at least a week prior to treatment; and you will also need to discontinue all medications (oral and topical) at least a couple weeks in advance as these could interfere with how effectively the laser can work. Furthermore, having your period on the day of your appointment could increase sensitivity to light and increase the chance of burns.

An experienced cosmetic dermatologist should also perform your laser hair removal treatment, according to the American Academy of Dermatology’s recommendations. Avoid MedSpas or non-doctorate cosmetic treatments like Michele Green in NYC who offer non-invasive cosmetic solutions if possible in order to prevent potentially dangerous side effects like burns and discolorations from this procedure.

How Long After Treatment Will Hair Grow Back?

Regrown hair generally appears lighter or thinner due to laser treatment’s effective destruction of hair follicles; therefore, their thickening or speed is limited compared to prior. If some follicles still regrow and produce some hair growth after treatment has ended, you’ll likely require follow-up appointments in order to stop its progression.

Your type of hair also plays an integral part in how long its results will be apparent. Gray, blonde or white locks don’t contain pigment that attracts laser light, meaning that treatment won’t work effectively. On the contrary, darker locks respond more favorably as laser light targets their pigment directly, making it harder for their follicles to produce hair outside its active growing stage.

Other factors affecting how long results last include which area of your body you are treating and the frequency and length of treatment sessions you attend. Many clients must undergo several initial sessions before seeing an improvement in thickness or darkness of unwanted hair growth; certain areas, like arms, chest and stomach may produce more hair than other places such as faces, bikini areas or buttocks.

Prep your skin for laser therapy by avoiding products that darken it. Shaving or waxing should also be avoided six to eight weeks prior to your appointment in order to provide the laser with a clear target and help it distinguish between hair and skin tones. Furthermore, food and drink consumed within seven days of an appointment could impact how sensitive your skin will be to laser light.

Once you’ve completed all necessary laser hair removal sessions, your results should last several years or longer. Touch-up sessions once or twice annually may be necessary to maintain desired levels of smoothness; however, regular maintenance appointments may be required if hair begins growing back after some years have passed since being laser treated.

How Long Will the Results Last?

Unwanted hair growth can be an annoying issue for many people. Maintaining regular shaving and waxing routines can be time-consuming and frustrating, leaving stubborn strands that refuse to disappear behind. Laser hair removal offers a more permanent solution that can provide smoother skin without regular upkeep hassles.

The number and frequency of treatments needed may differ depending on your personal circumstances, as does how long results take to become permanent. On average, though, usually four sessions should suffice before results become irreversible. It’s wise to avoid other methods of hair removal such as waxing for at least the duration of treatment as these can disturb hair follicles and cause unwanted hair regrowth.

After your treatment, it is natural and nothing to worry about if some damaged hairs fall out over time; this is completely normal and shouldn’t cause alarm. Certain parts of your body, like arms and upper thighs, tend to grow hair more easily due to having finer and lighter locks.

At your appointment, a specialist will carefully choose the appropriate wavelength to target the pigment and destroy follicles. Therefore, it’s essential that the practitioner you choose has extensive experience and specializes in laser hair removal.

If the laser light is mistargeted, it could damage other areas of your skin and produce burns or scars depending on your skin type – with some effects being mild while others more severe, altering tone, color and texture of your complexion.

At the time of treatment, it is also essential to avoid tanning or sun-damage to the area being treated. Even minor tans could prevent laser light from targeting effectively, jeopardizing results.

How Long Will Touch-Ups Be Needed?

Unwanted hair growth can be both costly and time consuming for many individuals, taking away both your free time and resources with shaving, waxing, and plucking chores. One solution for eliminating unwanted hair is laser hair removal treatment – whether on your face, body, or bikini area this treatment can reduce stray strands to make them less obvious and reduce their presence altogether.

Once the initial treatment sessions are over, you should experience a significant decline in unwanted hair growth. Touch-up treatments may still be needed occasionally depending on various factors and can vary from person to person; your dermatologist can help create an individualized schedule just for you.

Before scheduling a treatment session, it’s essential that any activities that could impede its results are avoided. Tanning can cause dark pigment in your hair to be attracted to laser light. Also avoid skincare products which might damage the barrier such as exfoliants and lotions with mineral particles that intensify heat from laser treatments – and wait at least two weeks after using such products until attending your appointment if they contain such ingredients.

Before scheduling laser hair removal appointments, it is a good idea to shave or trim the area where you wish to treat. This removes excess hair above the surface, making it easier to identify dark pigment that the laser is targeting. Furthermore, waxing or shaving are best avoided between treatments as these methods may disturb hair follicles and cause more hair regrowth.

Avoid taking medications that alter hormone levels as these could potentially increase hair growth rate and compromise the effectiveness of laser hair removal treatments.

Once your series of laser treatments is over, your results should last for years. But it is worth keeping in mind that it is impossible to eradicate every hair follicle worldwide; therefore it’s normal to experience some hair regrowth; though fortunately any that does return tends to be lighter and less noticeable than before your treatments were completed.

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