Can laser hair removal give you more hair?

Author: Dessie Schimmel  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Unfortunately a possible side effect of laser hair removal is that the laser treatment actually makes the hair growth worse. This is called paradoxical hypertrichosis.

Can laser hair removal cause more hair to grow?

However, while most people enjoy excellent results, some experience an unexpected and surprising side effect: increased hair growth. This phenomenon is known as paradoxical hypertrichosis.

Is more hair a side effect of laser hair removal?

Rarely, laser hair removal can cause blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include graying of treated hair or excessive hair growth around treated areas, particularly on darker skin.

Why do I have stubble after laser hair removal?

It is absolutely normal. The laser does not destroy the hair underneath the skin, it only detaches the hair from the follicle and destroys the follicle. The hair underneath the skin will start pushing out of the skin and will eventually fall out. You can start to shave on the 3rd day after your session and on.

What happens if you do laser hair removal too often?

Overdoing laser hair removal can result in skin irritation, redness, and swelling. This can happen if the skin is exposed to too much laser energy, causing damage to the surrounding skin tissue. The skin can become sensitive, making it more prone to burns and hyperpigmentation.

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Why is my hair growing back 2 days after laser?

This is a sign that the laser successfully treated the follicle, and it's clearing out the dead hair shaft. This shedding process, also called “peppering,” can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. In some cases, it may feel like the hair is growing back because it's breaking through the skin.

Will I regret laser hair removal?

While laser hair removal significantly reduces hair growth, it doesn't always eliminate it completely, and some may still require occasional touch-ups. Skin reactions can also play a role in feelings of regret, although this is rare when the procedure is done correctly.

Why do I look hairier after laser?

Patients may notice more hair 1 – 3 weeks after laser hair removal sessions as follicles in the growing cycle begin to shed. During this process, exfoliating the skin, once swelling and redness have dissipated, can help hairs shed faster, leaving skin feeling smoother.

Can you pull out loose hairs after laser?

Pulling out loose hair after a laser hair removal session is not recommended. It disrupts the hair growth cycle; when hairs are loose it means the hair is in its cycle of removal. If it's removed before it dies on its own, it could stimulate hair to grow again.

How to speed up shedding after laser?

The best way to help speed up shedding after your laser hair removal treatment is by gentle exfoliation once or twice a week once you start to see signs of your hair starting to shed.

What are the cons of laser hair removal?

Side effects of the laser hair removal process may include:
  • pain.
  • bruising and swelling.
  • redness and inflammation.
  • blistering.
  • herpes simplex outbreaks and bacterial infections.
  • temporary skin lightening or darkening.
  • darkening/lightening of tattoos.
  • freckle loss or lightening of moles.

How to remove upper lip hair?

Cold wax, honey wax, and waxing strips can also be used to remove upper lip hair at home. This method ensures the hair is plucked from the root and does not grow back quickly. However, the result is temporary. The removal is quick in this method, although the pulling action tends to stretch the skin.

Does laser hair removal remove strawberry legs?

Laser treatments are an excellent option for removing the appearance of strawberry legs. When you get rid of leg hair for good with targeted and precise treatments, you can prevent dead skin, oil, and bacteria from getting trapped in those pores, which causes the appearance of strawberry legs.

What happens if I stop laser hair removal after 4 sessions?

Potential Regrowth

Stopping often means you're more likely to experience regrowth sooner. The hair might be finer than before or grow back at a slower rate, but the permanence promised by continuing treatment is unlikely.

What is paradoxical hair growth in laser hair removal?

In very dense areas with thick hair such as the armpits or bikini area, it is only noticeable at the periphery or in the more advanced stages of treatment. Therefore, paradoxical hair growth by definition is the thickening of thinner hair present in laser hair removal areas.

Why are my legs getting hairier as I get older?

There's one main hormone responsible: testosterone. Why it happens: The hair that seems to appear suddenly as we get older has really been there all along, we just didn't notice it. We have fine, downy hair called vellus that covers the majority of our skin.

Can you squeeze out hair follicles after laser?

The skin is usually sensitive after laser hair removal, and squeezing can cause further irritation and redness. Instead of squeezing, it's best to allow the hair follicles to shed naturally over time. This can take up to 10-14 days.

What is the smell during laser hair removal?

A laser removes hair by vaporizing it. This causes small plumes of smoke that have a sulfur-like smell. How long your treatment lasts depends on the size of the area being treated.

How to tell if laser hair removal worked?

Laser focuses heat energy on the follicle structure. This can destroy hair that will start to shed 1-3 weeks after treatment. Seeing an increase of dead hairs falling out indicates the laser has hit its target.

What happens after 3 sessions of laser hair removal?

After two sessions, a reduction of 10% to 39.16% of hair can be expected. After three sessions spaced 6 weeks apart, three different studies showed a reduction of 46.4%, 50% and 74.53% of the hair on the treated areas.

Is it normal to still have stubble after laser?

After laser hair removal treatment, the treated area may look and feel like it has stubble. This is a typical response to laser treatment. The hair follicles are still present, but the hair is damaged and falls out over time.

What are the negatives of laser hair removal?

Most people need multiple treatments. Only an experienced healthcare provider should perform this procedure. Potential side effects include burning, scarring and permanent skin discoloration.

Can I laser my pubic hair?

Yes! A “manzilian” is what we typically call a male Brazilian laser hair removal. A manzilian thus removes hair in the genital area from the front to the back, which includes everything including, shaft, scrotum, intergluteal cleft, and everywhere else in between.

Is it awkward getting a Brazilian laser?

Thinking about laser hair removal on such an intimate area can definitely feel awkward at first. Many people worry about exposing this area or feel self-conscious about their bodies. But here's the truth – you're not alone, and this is entirely normal.

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