How permanent is laser hair removal? Can you ever get rid of your unwanted hair? When are the best times to treat different areas of your body? Here’s an overview of laser hair removal and how permanent it really is.

The truth about hair growth cycles

Most people don’t know this, but hair growth cycles have a lot to do with how effective laser hair removal is. Here’s how it works: each follicle goes through three phases of growth, known as the anagen, catagen, and telogen phases. The anagen phase is when the hair is actively growing. The catagen phase is when the hair stops growing and starts to fall out. The telogen phase is when the hair follicle rests. An active anagen stage means that the hairs are easier to remove because they’re still in the growth phase. When hairs go into catagen or telogen stages, they’re much harder to remove because they’re not in their active growth stage anymore. So how does that affect laser hair removal? It all depends on which type of laser treatment you receive — read more for details!

How Does it Work?

Laser hair removal works by “heating” the hair follicles with a laser to stop new hairs from growing. This puts the hair follicles in a state of dormancy for a long period of time. There are different types of lasers commonly used in laser hair removal treatments. A diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) uses pulses at different wavelengths that destroy the hair follicles by damaging its DNA, stopping them from producing new hairs; while Alexandrite lasers target specific pigments found only in dark skin cells (so these treatments won’t work as well on lighter skin tones). Both types of lasers work similarly; after going through the anagen phase and being treated by either DPSS or Alexandrite lasers, there should be no new hairs coming back to replace what was removed after around six months post-treatment. Permanent hair removal can take up to 12 months to achieve if one were using another type of laser, such as a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. CO2 is known for destroying both melanin in darker skin types and the hair follicle, leaving it unable to grow any new hairs. The downside is that CO2 takes longer than DPSS or Alexandrite lasers when it comes to permanent hair removal because it takes multiple treatments over time. It’s important to consult with your doctor about which laser is best for you, based on your individual skin tone and hair color.

What happens after treatment?

After laser hair removal treatment, the hair follicles are in a state of dormancy for a long period of time. This means that new hairs will not grow back in the treated area for a while. Eventually, the hair follicles will wake up and start growing new hairs. The length of time this takes depends on a few factors, including the type of laser used, the color of your skin, and the thickness of your hair as well as from person to person. It can be anywhere from a few months to a few years, but it can reduce hair growth significantly and make it much thinner and lighter over time. We recommend doing four or five treatments for the best results.

But what if you’re worried about permanent hair removal? Don’t worry — we have you covered with touch-ups! We recommend getting one touch-up per year if you live in an area where your skin tends to stay tan or dark during wintertime (like Florida) or every six months if you live in an area where there is little change in season (like Alaska).

What if I have darker skin or coarser hair?

Darker skin and coarser hair can be more difficult to treat with laser hair removal. The darker your skin, the more likely you are to experience side effects like blistering and burns. Coarser hair is also more difficult to treat because the laser energy is spread out over a larger area. If you have either of these concerns, it’s important to talk to a professional before undergoing treatment. They will be able to help you decide whether or not laser hair removal is right for you. In most cases, having an initial consultation first will allow you to find out if there are any other options that would work better for your needs. It’s important to consult with a specialist about which laser is best for you, based on your individual skin tone and hair color. For example, Alexandrite lasers which are recommended for darker skin tones and coarse hair types.

Can I still see results?

Even though laser hair removal is not permanent, you can still see results for a long time after your treatment. The hair follicles are put into a state of dormancy, which means they can’t produce new hairs. This can last for months or even years, depending on the person. So, if you’re looking for a way to reduce hair growth, laser hair removal is a great option. It might not be permanent, but it’ll keep your body hair under control for years. You can always look into follow-up appointments more hair than you’re comfortable with comes back. And, since it’s so effective and painless, there’s no reason not to try it out!