Unwanted hair can be a source of frustration and embarrassment growing everywhere from upper lips and underarms to backs and bikini lines. Shaving, waxing and plucking can only go so far before they’re needed again — which is why some people seek a more permanent solution. Compared to these, laser hair removal can save time, energy, and costs associated with shaving and waxing. Body hair grows in three phases: a growing phase, a regressing phase, and a resting phase. Both laser and light can target and heat hair follicles to remove existing hair and disable the future growth of follicles.

After a series of 5 treatments, spaced 4-6 weeks apart, most hair growth is significantly diminished or sometimes permanently removed. Call to schedule your free consultation with custom pricing

Laser Hair Removal: Permanent or Temporary Fix?

Is it really permanent? In short, no. Laser hair removal works by heating the hair follicles to stop new hairs from growing. This puts the hair follicles in a state of dormancy for a long period of time — much longer than with shaving and waxing. When the hairs do grow back, they’ll be lighter, finer, and fewer in number.

Although the procedure is often touted as a form of “permanent” hair removal, laser treatment only reduces the number of unwanted hairs in a given area. It doesn’t get rid of unwanted hairs completely.

How laser hair removal works

Laser therapy uses high-heat laser beams as a mild form of radiation. During the process, these laser beams heat up and damage your hair follicles.

Your hair follicles are located just below the skin. They’re responsible for producing new strands of hair. If the follicles are destroyed, then hair production is temporarily disabled.

By contrast, tweezing, shaving, and waxing all remove hair above the surface. These methods don’t target hair-producing follicles.

The following areas are appropriate for laser hair removal:

• full face or just chin/ lip

• neck

• underarms (axilla)

• bikini area

• legs or arms

• chest

• back

• shoulders

This form of hair removal works best with darker hair colors on light skin tones. This is because the lasers target hair melanin (color). Even if some hairs aren’t removed, the lightening of their color can reduce the appearance of hair on the skin.

Some of your hairs may also shed within a few days of your first treatment session.

Overall, laser hair removal is a relatively quick process. Smaller areas, such as the upper lip, can take just minutes. Larger areas of hair removal like the back or chest may take 30 minutes.

Despite the high success rate of laser hair removal, hair follicles eventually heal. This results in new hair production. To ensure the best results possible, you will need to undergo multiple treatment sessions.

Why follow-up sessions are needed

Follow-up treatments are necessary to get the most out of laser hair removal. The exact number of maintenance laser treatments varies by individual. Most people need between four and six laser therapy sessions.

You also need to space these out by 4-6 weeks each — this means that the full treatment cycle can take up to four to nine months.

After each session, you’ll likely notice fewer hairs. Any hair that remains or regenerates will also be lighter in both texture and color. We estimate that the number of hairs will reduce by 15- 20 percent after your initial session. The rate of reduction thereafter will improve but will also vary.

Additionally, for the best results, you’ll likely need occasional maintenance sessions. These help ensure that the hair follicles don’t regenerate. Depending on your individual needs, you may need a maintenance session once or twice a year after your full initial round of laser treatment.

The timeline for each session is the same as your initial laser hair removal treatment. Overall, the timing depends on the area of treatment. If you’re touching up just a few small areas during your maintenance sessions, then your appointment may be shorter.