Hair typically returns, though much thinner and finer. Most individuals will require several laser treatments for lasting results.
At a laser treatment session, your physician will press a handheld laser instrument against your skin to create the effect of a razor burn or itching sensation.
How long will it take?
Laser hair removal requires multiple sessions to effectively damage hair follicles and stop them from producing more hair follicles. Once heated by a laser beam, these follicles are destroyed completely – any new growth that does appear will be much lighter and finer compared to what existed prior to treatment.
Average laser hair removal treatments will depend on an individual, with six to eight sessions usually necessary. This is because hair follicles must reach an ideal stage of development before being damaged by laser. Between sessions it is wise to avoid waxing, plucking or shaving as these practices can disturb hair follicles causing unattractive regrowth of unwanted hair growth.
If it becomes necessary to shave, only do so on the top layer of skin and don’t touch hair follicles directly. A loofah may also help remove excess hair in your treatment area without pulling at it or forcefully forcing it out. You will likely experience hair shedding shortly after having laser treatment; be careful not to pluck or shave this shedding as this hair could have been in an anagen phase prior to receiving its laser shot and therefore is only falling out naturally as anagen hairs move into its anagen phase at that time of receiving your laser shot and this process happens naturally – not due to being pulled at or forcefully forcing its way out. You will likely notice this happen within 7-10 days post laser treatment; do not pluck or shave as this shedding occurs due to being in an anagen phase at that time of treatment itself and allow the natural shed cycle take place before going back into its anagen phase prior to receiving laser treatment, just let natural shed. This process takes place and not due to forced forcefully forced out due to laser treatment taking place, making this step necessary in its anagen phase at that moment of its anagen phase before and not forcing out due to being in its anagen phase when treated. This hair may start shedding once again within a week post treatment, however; please refrain from plucking or shaving as this phase when your treatment took place (anagen stage of its anagen phase when it sheds is is it in its anagen phase before!). It should occur.
Over a seven to 30-day period, your body will transition out of anagen phase into the telogen phase and begin losing hair, possibly prompting bumps and redness on your body. At this time it is recommended that you take a cool shower/bath and apply aloe vera gel to soothe skin irritations.
Failing to make appointments between laser treatments could result in insufficient destruction of hair follicles, leading them to restart shedding at their old rate and start growing back again. Therefore, it is imperative that you maintain an ongoing schedule of laser treatments and attend touch-up sessions at least every few months.
Will the hair grow back?
After receiving their initial laser treatments, most of the hair in an area will begin to fall out. What remains will become thinner over time; making this an effective way of eliminating unwanted hair without resorting to razors, waxing or other methods which could leave lasting discolorations or scarring.
This process can take up to 14 days. During this period, it’s essential not to pluck or wax the area as this could interfere with hair follicles that were targeted in your session and delay results. You can shave during or after this process has concluded for optimal results.
Keep in mind that even if your hair does regrow, it will usually be lighter and less noticeable than before due to laser targeting only hair follicles in their anagen phase (i.e. growing and most susceptible to laser heat), while other parts are in catagen and telogen phases – which means not growing, which makes them harder for laser targeting.
Your body experiences increased hair growth during the anagen phase because hair follicles contain extra melanin due to being in their growth stage. Laser treatment targets and destroys this excess melanin; once out of anagen phase again, hair follicles will become less vulnerable to laser destruction.
Prior to receiving laser treatments, it is vital that any area on the body which requires treatment be free from plucking and waxing for at least six weeks prior to receiving laser treatment. Waxing and plucking remove hair shafts which inhibit laser’s ability to target and destroy hair follicles; hence the necessity of waiting at least 24 hours prior to your appointment for waxing/plucking treatments or shaving (but at least 24 hours beforehand if you plan on shaving as well). Shaving is acceptable.
Will I have to shave after the treatment?
After receiving laser treatments, hairs in an active growth phase are temporarily disabled by heat energy, forcing them into a deep sleep state and slowing their growth rate. Over time these hairs fall out naturally or they may also be removed by rubbing, scrubbing or plucking (without pain after five days), though doing so will only accelerate the process. As exfoliation can help ensure the most successful laser hair removal results possible, we advise exfoliation following laser sessions; exfoliating will remove dead skin cells which might cling onto newly killed hairs thus increasing their likelihood of falling out faster.
Before your laser session, it is crucial that you avoid shaving or other forms of hair removal methods on the area where you will be receiving laser therapy. Waxing and plucking remove hair shafts that make it impossible for laser to target its follicle. Furthermore, waiting until a natural tan fades will give your laser best contrast for targeting its target follicle.
Shaving before laser treatment will make your experience more comfortable, as it ensures that only healthy hair follicles are targeted by the laser beam. We do recommend waiting a week between shaving sessions as everyone’s skin sensitivity varies and shaving too soon could irritate it further.
Many people often make the mistaken assumption that one laser treatment will provide permanent results and end their need to shave altogether, however this is simply not the case; multiple sessions over 6-9 treatments must be completed for maximum impact; these details will be fully discussed during your assessment and initial consultation session.
After these sessions, it is unlikely that any new hair will appear unless it was stimulated to grow back by another method like waxing or tweezing. Even if some regrowth occurs after laser treatments have taken place, remember that any newly emerging strands will likely be much lighter and finer than before being destroyed by laser light.
What should I expect?
Following your treatment with laser hair removal, the hair that was disabled will fall out over 7 to 30 days, looking similar to sunburn and feeling uncomfortable. Applying a cold compress may help alleviate this discomfort; direct sunlight should also be avoided to avoid damaged follicles from regrowing again; those which weren’t in anagen will still produce hair but at lighter and finer thickness than before; for optimal results it is wise to protect skin with sun screen whenever possible and limit exposure as much as possible.
To maximize their effectiveness, it is advisable to apply skin bleaching cream on any areas which will be treated. Plucking or waxing could disturb targeted follicles; if necessary, remove unwanted hair using loofahs or washcloths as this will make shedding after laser therapy much simpler.
Your first treatment session should cause most of your hair follicles to be disabled in their anagen cycle, giving you some initial results after the session has concluded. However, multiple sessions will likely be necessary in order to reach desired outcomes; the number will depend on factors like skin tone, hair color and treatment area.
Before coming in for treatment at LH Spa & Rejuvenation, it’s a good idea to shave the area beforehand; this will enable the laser to more efficiently target hair on the top layer of skin and improve effectiveness. Also avoid wearing any makeup or lotion on the area to be treated prior to scheduling your session.
Professional laser hair removal clinics will administer numbing gel prior to beginning their treatments, which will significantly decrease any discomfort during them.
