There are so many different ways of getting rid of unwanted hair, as well as fallacies and misinformation around what works, how it works and how long the results last. Few things in life are truly permanent or long-lasting, and so it is with laser hair removal.

With laser treatments, we cannot claim to permanently remove hair, but it comes very close. Let’s expand on why we cannot say permanent, but long-term hair removal.

So How Long is Long Term?

Let’s start by explaining how the laser works on your hair. The hair follicle is ‘zapped’ by the laser at a certain growth stage. Your hair should be short, so the laser targets the follicle below the skin, not the hair you can see. The laser then targets the follicle forcing hair growth into dormancy for an extended time. No device can completely destroy a hair, but it can make it dormant for a long time before re-emerging.

Once the hairs have been targeted at the right stage in the hair growth cycle (we recommend about six sessions), you will see the hair grows back thinly–almost unnoticeably, often described more as fluff than hair over time. Hair has three stages: resting, shedding, and growing, and depending on where it is in the cycle when lazered, you will see different results.

What Does It Mean in Terms of Maintenance?

Our bodies are all different, and thicker hair may just be reduced or less obvious, while thin hair may stay dormant for a good few months or years.

Besides the obvious cycles of hair growth, you must also consider where you’ll go for laser therapy and also how your hormones can influence hair growth. We recommend once or twice a year maintenance sessions after your initial phase where we have targeted all the hair.

What Can Influence The Effect of the Laser?

• Hormonal medication. Hormones regulate many processes in the body, including hair growth. For instance, if you’re menopausal, take birth control pills or testosterone, you may see hair returning faster, especially to areas such as your face and bikini line.
• Type of laser used. Professional centers will know what frequency of laser to use depending on your skin tone and type. The laser works by targeting the melanin during the anagen phase of hair growth. The same melanin is in darker skin types, making it vital to visit a professional as they know which lasers are safe for use on darker skin tones, so it doesn’t target your skin, but the hair.
• Skin color and hair type. Melanin in darker skin tones also mean that melanin in the hair may not be targeted successfully and will thus grow back faster. Thicker hair may also be more stubborn, and regrowth may be less prominent but it could take some time. It may require more sessions than lighter skin tones or fair hair.
• Growth stage of the hair. The anagen phase is the ideal setting for the laser to do its job. Hair grows at different rates so it might take a few sessions to target all the hair at each stage to make it dormant.

What Can I do to Make it Last Longer?

• The first phase This is the intense phase where you will come for about six sessions to target all the hair at the correct stage. It is vital to follow our advice and to stick to your appointments as time is vital to target the hair at the right time/phase. The hair needs to grow to at least a quarter of an inch.

• It is best to avoid scrubs or any chemicals on your skin a week before your appointment so there is no risk of the laser damaging your skin and missing the hair.

• Shave the night before so the hair is as the ideal length for successful lazering. Do not put any lotions or products on the area before your appointment.

• Avoid tweezing or epilation. The laser needs the hair follicle intact to fully ‘zap’ it. You can always shave when needed during  the initial session as it leaves the follicle in place.

Enjoy Long-Lasting, Smooth Skin

Laser hair removal remains one of the most effective, safest ways to have smooth skin for a long time. It will save you time, money and effort in keeping your skin hair-free and looking great.

Book your appointment with us today, and you will see the effects of the laser for yourself, with visible, lasting effects for months to come.