Why is my laser hair removal not permanent?

Author: Nickolas Upton  |  Last update: Monday, July 21, 2025

Q: Why can't laser hair removal guarantee permanent results? A: “The reality is that no one can guarantee 100% permanent hair removal. Hair grows in cycles, and while laser treatments effectively kill many hair follicles, some survive. Hormones can also trigger regrowth.

Why is my laser hair removal not lasting?

Most people experience hair removal that lasts several months, and it might last for years. But laser hair removal doesn't guarantee permanent hair removal. When hair regrows, it's usually finer and lighter in color. You might need maintenance laser treatments for long-term hair reduction.

Why is my hair not going away with laser?

Answer: Not all hair falls out after laser treatment. Not all hair falls out after laser treatment. The hair may need to be pushed out by new growing hairs in the follicle after the energy is absorbed. Don't think that the hairs that do fall out are permanently gone either.

How long does it take for laser hair removal to be permanent?

Most people will need between four and eight treatments to see the best results, and the biggest factor in whether your results are completely permanent will be your own hormones. Our hormones control our hair growth, and if you experience a significant change, your hair may come back.

Why do my hairs still exist after laser?

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.

Dr. Clevens | How long does laser hair removal last?

Why laser hair removal isn t permanent?

This is because the laser may damage the hair follicle even when it fails to destroy it. If a hair follicle is damaged but not destroyed, the hair will eventually regrow. It can be difficult to destroy every single hair follicle, so most people will see some hair regrowth.

Why do I still have hair after 8 laser sessions?

The growth cycle is the reason why it could take between 6 and 8 sessions before the hair follicles have been destroyed. Each treatment area has its own unique growth cycle, and hair growth in the upper lip can be four weeks, and the cycle for the legs can take between 8 and 10 weeks.

How to tell if laser hair removal is working?

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.

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.

Is it normal for laser hair removal not to work?

If hair regrows after initial success with laser removal, causes can include hormonal conditions stimulating growth, natural hair cycling, inadequate device settings, or poor practitioner technique. Consulting a dermatologist experienced in hair removal can help determine the cause.

Why is my laser not working?

If your laser engraver won't turn on or does not emit light, there are a few potential causes. It could be that the high voltage line is loose or there's poor motor wire contact. If the machine is still not turning on, it may be due to a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker.

How can I maximize my laser hair removal results?

Here are some suggestions on how to get the most out of laser hair removal.
  1. Avoid Sun Exposure and Tanning: ...
  2. Shave before each treatment: ...
  3. Avoid Plucking and Waxing: ...
  4. Exfoliating: ...
  5. Follow the recommended treatment schedule: ...
  6. Communicate openly with your technician: ...
  7. Take care of your skin post-treatment:

Why is my hair not going away after laser hair removal?

It could indicate that the follicles were not sufficiently damaged during the procedure, which may necessitate further sessions or even alternative treatments, conducted with the same precision you'd expect from plastic surgery procedures.

What I wish I knew before laser hair removal?

I wish I knew this before laser hair removal
  • Preparation is crucial.
  • It's also important to skip plucking, waxing, or electrolysis.
  • Laser hair removal isn't a one-and-done solution.
  • Another often overlooked aspect is the potential for maintenance treatments.

Can you overdo laser hair removal?

Not only by having too many session in a short period of time, but even by overlapping the same area during a single session. 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.

Why am I not seeing results from laser hair removal?

You may be suffering from underlaying medical conditions. In some cases underlaying medical conditions, such as hormonal imbalance, PCOS may slow down the results of the treatment. As a result you may need more treatments compared to patients without these conditions.

Should you pull out dead hair after laser?

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.

Can I shave in between laser sessions?

Yes, shaving is perfectly fine between Laser Hair Removal sessions. However, avoid any hair removal method that removes hair follicles from the root (waxing or plucking). These methods can interfere with the laser's ability to target the hair follicle and reduce its growth.

Why is laser hair removal not permanent?

Q: Why can't laser hair removal guarantee permanent results? A: “The reality is that no one can guarantee 100% permanent hair removal. Hair grows in cycles, and while laser treatments effectively kill many hair follicles, some survive. Hormones can also trigger regrowth.

Why do I still have stubble after laser hair removal?

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.

How to speed up shedding after laser hair removal?

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.

How to remove dead hair follicles after laser?

Gentle exfoliation: About a week after your session, you can gently exfoliate the treated areas to help loose hairs exit the follicle.

How many times does it take for laser hair removal to be permanent?

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.

Why am I more hairy after laser hair removal?

Hair Shedding – After a laser hair removal treatment, it's common for the treated hair to shed. This shedding process can take 10-14 days post treatment. And during this time, it may appear as though the hair is growing back thicker and darker. However, this is simply the hair follicle shedding the treated hair.

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