The phenomenon is thought to occur when the laser energy used is insufficient to destroy the hair follicle entirely. Instead of damaging the follicle, the laser might stimulate it, causing the hair to grow back thicker and darker.
It's possible for your hair to feel more coarse after a laser hair removal session. This is because laser hair removal works by targeting and damaging the hair follicle, which can make the hair that grows back appear thicker and coarser than before.
If you notice any hair regrowth, patchy or uneven hair growth, and lack of hair reduction after undergoing laser hair removal, it means the method is not working for you.
While it may be tempting to pull out loose hairs after your laser treatment, resisting the urge will yield better results and prevent skin irritation.
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.
To counter paradoxical regrowth after a laser hair removal session, the first step is to carefully follow the recommendations provided by the laser hair removal professional! This means respecting the recommended number of sessions and the intervals between them.
What Does Shedding Look Like After Laser Hair Removal? Shedding is exactly what it sounds like—you'll see small hair fragments or stubble falling out from the treated area. It might look like tiny, scattered hairs popping up on your skin's surface. Don't worry, this is temporary and will fade as your skin heals.
Gentle exfoliation: About a week after your session, you can gently exfoliate the treated areas to help loose hairs exit the follicle.
Up to a few weeks after treatment, your skin will develop stubble or blackheads as a part of the shedding process that happens from hairs that were partially grown at the time of the procedure. Exfoliation during this period aids the shedding and diminishes the blackhead or stubble appearance.
Hair must be treated in the anagen (growth) phase of the cycle in order for it to be effective, which is why multiple sessions are required at four to six-week intervals. The shedding process can take up to two weeks post-treatment, which is why you'll still see hair after laser sessions.
Hormonal imbalances may also trigger regrowth in the years after getting laser hair removal. It's especially common to see regrowth after major hormonal changes like pregnancy or menopause.
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.
After finishing the treatments, most patients do not see any hair on the treated skin for several months or even years. When the hair regrows, there tends to be less of it. The hairs also tend to be finer and lighter in color.
Severe Complications
These complications may include burns, scars, and permanent changes in skin color. Burns can occur if the laser is too powerful or if it is used on skin that is too dark or too tanned. Scars can occur if the skin is not properly prepared before treatment or if the laser is used incorrectly.
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.
Massaging your scalp may seem too simple, but it can help stimulate the hair follicles and encourage growth. It works because it increases blood flow to the follicles, which can activate the dormant ones. Try performing a scalp massage for five minutes on yourself every day.
Shedding after a laser hair removal treatment typically occurs around one to three weeks after your treatment, and may look like stubble or blackheads.
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.
You may start to see weeks of hair reduction after a single treatment. Some people suffer from skin irritation, bumps, and ingrown hairs when hair starts to grow back after shaving or waxing. If these issues decrease significantly between laser sessions, it means there is less hair regrowth to cause problems.
People typically lose 50 to 100 hairs a day. This usually isn't noticeable because new hair is growing in at the same time. Hair loss occurs when new hair doesn't replace the hair that has fallen out.
Why Doesn't Hair Fall Out After a Laser Removal Procedure? It's possible that the hair hasn't had sufficient time to shed after treatment. Alternatively, the laser may not have effectively targeted the hair follicles if they weren't in the right growth phase at the time of treatment.
Hair loss can also result from genetic factors, nutrient deficiencies, stress, and several health conditions. Treatment for thinning hair will depend on its cause, but may include medications, dietary changes, and more.
After the shedding process, you should notice a significant reduction in hair growth. The treated area will be smoother and free of unwanted hair. You may still have a few stray hairs that were missed during the treatment, but these will get treated during your next session.