Laser hair removal is an innovative and revolutionary treatment method, effective at permanently diminishing unwanted hair growth. However, its results may take several sessions before becoming noticeable.
Laser hair removal works best on those who have dark hair and light skin, since its contrast makes it easier for the laser to target only melanin-rich hair follicles.
1. Hormones
One of the main factors preventing laser hair removal from working for some individuals is hormonal fluctuations, particularly during menopause in women. Menstrual changes have an enormous influence on this treatment’s success and should be taken into consideration before trying laser hair removal as a solution.
Menopause will cause the melanin levels in your hair to diminish, making it less effective at absorbing heat from laser treatments and thus protecting hair follicles from being destroyed by laser light, thus continuing to produce hair growth.
Hormonal fluctuations may impact how prominently your hair growth responds to laser treatments. If you take certain medications or are diagnosed with medical conditions that increase testosterone levels, this may spur on new hair growth and make laser therapy less effective than it otherwise would have been.
Hormones can impede laser treatment results for another reason: hair follicles that are actively growing need to be targeted by the laser beam. Shaving before your laser sessions is one way of making sure this happens – shaving all surfaces will ensure hair follicles can be targeted effectively by laser. Unfortunately, however, many people make the mistake of shaving only their surface skin, leaving behind some important hair follicles which could otherwise have been targeted during treatment sessions.
Avoiding tweezing or waxing hair as this will reduce its effectiveness when treated with laser treatments. Removing roots disrupts the connection between your skin and follicles and laser, potentially leading to them not being destroyed during treatments. The best way to ensure laser treatments are successful is to strictly follow preparation and post-treatment guidelines set forth by your dermatologist.
2. Genetics
Laser hair removal can be an excellent treatment to eliminate unwanted facial and body hair, with regular sessions yielding up to 90% reduction of growth, with some patients even experiencing permanent results. But it’s important to keep in mind that it doesn’t work for everyone, depending on skin type, color of hair or hormone levels – which are both determined by genetic predispositions and hormones.
Prior to beginning laser treatment, it is advisable to shave the area where you intend on having it performed for several weeks so as to leave as little hair behind as possible. Waxing or plucking will hinder its effectiveness; active and pigmented follicles must exist to absorb energy of laser treatments effectively.
Hormonal changes can alter the pigmentation of hairs, thus altering their laser destruction abilities. Examples include puberty, pregnancy, menopause and medical conditions like PCOS.
Laser hair removal treatments depend on the skill and training levels of practitioners to be successful, since not all practitioners possess equal understanding of laser technology, hair growth patterns and any relevant data. If possible, take time to find an experienced practitioner for your sessions in order to receive optimal results and reduce any unwanted side effects such as hypo- or hyperpigmentation, burns or blisters which could occur; should this occur then review and adjust accordingly with your practitioner.
3. Poor skin tone
Laser hair removal uses high-heat laser beams to target and destroy hair follicles located just beneath your skin’s surface, which are responsible for producing new strands of hair to grow on you. Laser energy heats up pigment in these follicles and damages them, thus stopping their proliferation – however some skin tone issues could render this treatment ineffective.
Avoid these issues by adhering to the preparation protocol prescribed by your dermatologist prior to laser treatments. For instance, shaving the area to be treated 1-2 days prior is often suggested; additionally it’s wise to refrain from waxing, plucking and using depilatories in these treatment areas as this ensures hair follicles have enough darkness so the laser can find and damage them effectively.
Your skin type and hair color could dictate whether more sessions are necessary than for someone with lighter skin and lighter locks; a trained dermatologist should know how to adjust laser settings according to different skin and hair colors in order to avoid hyperpigmentation or other side effects from incorrect settings.
Laser hair removal can be an effective solution to unwanted hair growth, but it’s wise to explore all available alternatives if this method doesn’t suit you. Consulting with your dermatologist and seeking their advice regarding other possible solutions could be the way forward if laser treatments don’t produce visible results within several treatments; additionally, always follow his/her post-treatment care instructions as this will ensure the most satisfactory outcome and prolong their effectiveness.
4. Poor hair growth cycle
Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular semi-permanent option for eliminating unwanted hair. The treatment’s zaps, often described as feeling like rubber bands snapping against your skin, damage melanin in hair follicles to discourage future growth of new follicles and consequently less hair will regrow over time; most people also notice significant reduction in total amount produced overall and some regions producing no hair at all.
As many factors affect how effective laser treatments are, one of the key contributors is hair growth cycle. Hair follicles progress through three distinct stages – anagen phase, catagen phase, and telogen phase – with most susceptible times for laser hair removal occurring during anagen stage; unfortunately it is impossible for practitioners to treat every single hair follicle during one session, leading to multiple sessions being necessary in order to ensure satisfactory results.
People’s hair cycles are influenced by both lifestyle and health factors, including genetics, medication or certain medical conditions. Furthermore, hair color or skin tone can impact how effective laser treatments work for someone; generally speaking, dark or blond hues tend to respond better.
Prior to commencing a laser hair removal session, it is vital that proper preparation procedures are observed. Shaving should take place 1-2 days prior to each treatment to help the laser better target hair follicles than hair above the surface of skin and avoid skin damage. Furthermore, plucking, waxing and depilatory creams may interfere with its effectiveness as they could negate its results.
5. Excessive hair growth
If you suffer from excessive hair growth, laser treatment might not be effective in permanently eliminating unwanted hair. Lasers target hair follicles at their initial stage of their cycle and require multiple sessions in order to successfully burn all of them and stop any further growth. Electrolysis offers another permanent hair removal solution; however this treatment takes longer and costs more.
Some women suffer from hormone-related issues that cause them to produce too much hair – known as hirsutism. Common symptoms include sudden increases in facial and body hair growth, acne breakouts, difficulty losing weight and irregular menstrual cycles; weight loss programs, diet changes or medications may be suggested by their physician as treatments for this condition; women who have had family histories of hirsutism may be more prone to this condition than others.
Failure to follow pre and post-session preparation guidelines can wreak havoc with laser hair removal results, particularly shaving the treatment area a day or two prior to your session, which enables the laser to target hair follicles under your skin’s surface more accurately. Furthermore, it’s wise to avoid sunless tanning as well as using tweezers, plucking, or waxing on treated areas as this could inhibit laser targeting of their follicles more efficiently.
Respect your treatment schedule and follow post-session care recommendations in order for laser hair removal to achieve its intended effects. While many patients report significant and long-lasting (even permanent) reduction in hair growth with laser, it will not work for everyone – so it’s crucial that you explore your options prior to selecting one treatment and work with a dermatologist who understands your skin type, hair color and growth cycles when making decisions about treatments.
