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.
laser hair removal may cause thicker, darker hair to grow or regrow in an adjacent area to the one being treated. This condition is known as paradoxical hypertrichosis. Paradoxical hypertrichosis can occur anywhere on the face or body.
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.
Because laser hair removal only targets the hair follicles that are currently in their active growth phase, not every single hair is treated during any one treatment session. For that reason, it's completely normal to still see and feel hair in the targeted area even directly after treatment.
The reason behind this lies in the hair growth cycle. Hair grows in different phases, and the laser can only target hair during its active growth phase (Anagen). Since not all hair follicles are in this phase simultaneously, multiple sessions are needed to catch each follicle during its most susceptible stage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Generally, clients need about two to six laser treatments in order to completely get rid of hair. You can expect to see about a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after your first treatment. As you continue your treatments, more and more hair will fall out, and you'll notice that it continues to grow back more slowly.
Laser hair removal may not work for a number of reasons. The most common ones are: Your hair growth is due to a hormonal imbalance – although a hormonal imbalance poses an extra set of problems, with thorough treatment, it is still possible to inhibit excess hair growth.
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.
Gentle exfoliation: About a week after your session, you can gently exfoliate the treated areas to help loose hairs exit the follicle.
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.
Plucking too soon after laser can lead to a number of undesirable effects: Damage to the hair follicle – Plucking can destroy follicles before they have a chance to shed naturally. This disrupts the hair growth cycle. Scarring – Pulling out hairs from inflamed pores raises the risk of scarring and pitted skin.
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.
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.
Your treatments aren't regular enough. As a result you hair cycles will overlap and the treatment won't be as effective as it should be. Solution – For the laser to destroy the root, the follicle has to be at a specific stage of its growth. So not too early and not too late.
It might be that not enough time has passed post-treatment for the hair to shed. Or it could mean that the laser wasn't able to effectively target the hair follicles because it wasn't in the right growth phase yet, so the laser couldn't treat it.
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.
Post-treatment, you may find hairs that seem stubborn and resistant to shaving. This is perfectly normal, and an important part of the shedding process. Remember, each hair on your body is at a different stage of growth. Which means multiple sessions may be necessary to capture each hair in its growth stage.
Hairs do not fall out immediately, but you will shed them over a period of days to weeks.