Laser hair removal is a long lasting form of hair removal that damages or destroys the hair follicle. It is not necessarily permanent. However, the hair may regrow, particularly if the follicle is damaged and not destroyed during the laser hair removal procedure.
While laser hair removal offers a long-term reduction in hair growth, it doesn't always provide permanent removal. The FDA classifies it as a method of ``permanent hair reduction,'' meaning it can reduce the number of hairs re-growing but doesn't necessarily remove all hair forever.
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.
Although the results of laser hair removal are long-lasting, they're not always permanent due to changes in the body such as hormones, which can cause hair to grow back.
Hair Growth Cycles – Hair growth occurs in cycles, and not all of the hair in a given area is in the same growth phase at the same time. This means that some hairs may not be affected by the laser during the initial treatment, and may continue to grow as normal.
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.
You can shave after laser hair removal, just not immediately. Laser hair removal is permanent but requires a few sessions to fully zap all the hair follicles in the treatment area. While some hairs may regrow between sessions, your skin will be sensitive for a few days afterward, so don't reach for the razor yet.
Let's Address the Elephant in the Room – Embarrassment
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.
The procedure makes use of strong light from the laser device to focus on the pigmentation in dark hair and lets the skin absorb the heat to kill hair follicles. However, it's not permanent, and a new hair follicle will eventually grow.
Variable success rates ranging from 65% to 75% hair reduction at 3 months after 1 to 2 treatments with fluences of 10–40 J/cm2, to 75% hair reduction in 91% of individuals 8 months after 3 to 4 treatments at 40 J/cm2 have been reported with the diode laser system.
You can reduce unwanted hair growth with the application of hair removal creams. However, in case of excessive hair growth, you may need to undergo laser treatments, electrolysis, or prescription creams that best suit your condition. Sometimes, you may also need hormonal treatment for any underlying health issues.
Laser hair removal isn't permanent. It's unlikely that treatments will target all the hairs in their growth phase. Some hair will grow back, but it's usually lighter and thinner than before.
Stubble. It's critical to shave within 24 hours prior to undergoing laser hair removal. Even a small amount of stubble can damage the laser and cause unnecessary pain, hyperpigmentation, and burns.
If you want too long between treatments, your hair follicles won't be damaged enough to stop growing hair. You'll see an initial thinning, but your results will fade, and it won't be long before you're back to normal hair growth.
Gentle exfoliation: About a week after your session, you can gently exfoliate the treated areas to help loose hairs exit the follicle.
The laser targets the hair follicle without impacting the surrounding skin, and it's FDA-approved as safe and effective for all skin tones. Studies show that laser hair removal is extremely effective for the bikini area, only outperformed by treatments on legs, arms, and underarms.
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.
I wax my upper lip but it's annoying to have to keep doing it. The only way to permanently eliminate unwanted hair is a process called electrolysis. Electrolysis is performed by inserting a tiny needle into the hair follicle and using an electric current to kill the hair root.
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.
When the laser targets the hair follicle, it damages the root of the hair. This damage signals to the body that the hair is no longer needed and will eventually be shed. In most cases, this occurs 1 to 3 weeks after your LHR treatment, and it sometimes looks like blackheads or stubble.
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.