Laser hair removal uses highly focused beams of light to penetrate deeply into hair follicles and destroy their pigment. This stops new hair growth while decreasing existing density.
Because it is impossible to completely destroy every hair follicle, some will eventually come back. When they do so, their growth usually is lighter than before.
It’s a chemical reaction
Laser hair removal works by targeting your hair follicles, located beneath your skin. In their anagen phase, these follicles contain extra melanin that attracts heat energy from lasers; when exposed to this energy, this melanin vaporizes, damaging and stopping its ability to grow new hair follicles from growing again – though this process does not impact hair follicles that have moved into other stages of their growth cycle – hence multiple treatments are usually necessary for maximum effectiveness and best results.
Your body has four cycles of hair growth: anagen, catagen, telogen and resting phase. Of these four stages, anagen is the visible hair-bearing period on your skin and accounts for around 85% of hairs in an area; other phases require multiple treatment sessions in order to be removed effectively.
Though laser hair removal can be frustrating, its effects won’t last permanently. Each session aims to decrease hair growth and density before lightening any remaining strands – and you must schedule regular sessions in order to make progress noticeable.
Avoid shaving, waxing or plucking to help limit hair regrowth. Additionally, it is best to forgo sunless tanning and any other skin treatments; skin bleaching cream use should be discontinued at least three days prior to receiving laser treatments; alpha-hydroxy acids (like alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids), hydroquinone and retinols should also be avoided as these could hasten their return.
Low levels of laser light stimulate blood flow to hair follicles, encouraging their regeneration. This makes LLLT (low level laser therapy) so successful at reversing pattern hair loss; although not an absolute cure for baldness itself. LLLT does however aid your scalp’s production of new hairs on its surface.
Low level laser therapy can also be used to address hormonal imbalances that lead to increased hair growth, such as PCOS or elevated testosterone levels. By rebalancing your hormones and stimulating hair follicle production again, this laser will restore balance while encouraging you to grow new, healthy locks. If any questions arise or you require advice regarding this issue, always seek medical advice first.
It’s a hormonal response
Lasers used for hair removal can effectively eradicate unwanted hair by targeting pigments within follicles, however they only target anagen phase hairs – leading many people to experience regrowth after treatment is complete.
Regrowth following laser treatments isn’t caused by laser treatment itself; rather, it results from hormonal responses. An imbalance can prompt hair follicles to grow back as an attempt at replacing lost pigments; although generally harmless side effects, this recurrence may become irritating if treatment has already taken place.
Before beginning laser treatments, it is vital to shave first in order to maximize their efficacy. Tweezing and waxing can impede its effectiveness as the laser won’t reach all of the pigmented hair follicles effectively.
Shaved hair will be more susceptible to damage from laser treatment, making shaved areas vulnerable to the heat of the laser beams. Though not necessary daily, it should be performed before each laser session session for maximum benefit. Furthermore, tanning should also be avoided prior to and post laser sessions, as its UV rays can damage skin cells and irritate hair follicles.
Low levels of laser light can activate vasodilation in your scalp blood vessels, widening them so hair follicles can regenerate and reverse pattern baldness and thinning hair. Unfortunately, you must receive regular laser treatments in order to sustain these results and continue receiving laser treatments to achieve results.
Regrowth of facial and body hair is caused by hormones, so it’s essential that you balance them regularly by eating well and sleeping soundly. Hormonal imbalances may contribute to excess facial and body hair growth so it is crucial that any imbalances be treated quickly; visiting your doctor regularly for blood tests can also help detect problems early. Furthermore, tanning beds should be avoided and broad-spectrum sunscreen used on an everyday basis to safeguard yourself against further growth.
It’s a genetic response
If you are considering laser hair removal, it’s essential to understand how the procedure works. A highly concentrated beam of light penetrates hair follicles and absorbs melanin, creating heat which damages them permanently and stops future hair growth in that area. Unfortunately, however, the light doesn’t damage nearby tissue or other follicles; thus resulting in some degree of regrowth after your treatment has finished.
Laser hair removal typically causes redness, irritation and folliculitis perifollicularis as temporary side effects that should subside within 24 to 48 hours of treatment. If severe side effects arise after laser treatment, be sure to speak to your dermatologist as medication might help relieve them.
Hormonal fluctuations affect hair growth, and those with hormonal imbalances can experience regrowth even after treatment has taken effect. To combat this regrowth effectively, regular touchup treatments such as laser treatments or electrolysis – which targets individual hairs rather than entire areas – should be undertaken. Furthermore, making lifestyle and diet changes may help balance out hormone levels to further minimize hair regrowth.
Laser hair removal does not work equally for all hair colors and skin types; its efficacy tends to be highest on individuals with darker hair and lighter skin as the contrast makes it easier for their follicles to absorb heat produced by laser. Unfortunately, it may also not be appropriate for individuals suffering from genital herpes or taking certain medicines such as acne treatments.
Permanent results with laser hair removal may take multiple treatment sessions to achieve. For optimal results, receive four to six sessions spaced several weeks apart; it is important to remember that individual needs may differ as each hair follicle goes through its growth cycle at different rates. Also keep in mind that you may still experience some regrowth post treatment; however it will likely be thinner and lighter colored than before treatment began.
It’s a hormonal imbalance
If you have been receiving laser hair removal for some time and have recently noticed regrowth, it may be disheartening. But don’t panic; this is completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about; just consider it part of the process!
To achieve permanent results, multiple treatment sessions will likely be necessary. The laser can only target hairs in their anagen phase of growth where there’s extra melanin present – and thus laser light focuses in on it and burns it away with great precision. It is therefore advised to refrain from shaving or waxing before your treatment session begins for optimal results.
Attentiveness to tanning may impede results of treatments; your physician might even suggest using a sunless skin cream that lightens your complexion before starting treatment. Furthermore, blood-thinning medications should be avoided prior to commencing treatments as this could interfere with them too.
At your laser hair removal session, you’ll feel multiple stings as the laser vaporizes unwanted hair follicles. This could take anywhere from several minutes to an hour depending on the size and location of the area being treated; afterward, your skin may become red and swollen while you might detect smoke or burning hair as evidence that all unwanted follicles have been eliminated from their roots.
If you are seeing hair regrowth following treatments, this could be because hair follicles have entered their catagen phase of their cycle – this stage occurs naturally as hair goes through its lifecycle before falling out naturally. Laser treatments cannot target these catagen stage hairs so they will continue to grow until reaching anagen stage again.
Avoid products that can interfere with your results, like retinols and chemical peels, which could hinder their effectiveness. Also try to refrain from waxing and plucking prior to any treatment session as these can aggravate hyperpigmentation issues. Finally, avoid tanning prior to treatments as tanning increases hyperpigmentation risks.
