By
Your Beauty Plug
Laser hair removal is a popular cosmetic procedure that uses a concentrated beam of light (laser) to remove unwanted hair. But does it really stop hair growth? Let’s dive into the details.
Laser hair removal works by heating the hair follicles to stop new hairs from growing. This puts the hair follicles in a state of dormancy for a long period of time — much longer than with shaving and waxing. The light from the laser is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair, and the light energy is converted to heat, which damages the tube-shaped sacs within the skin (hair follicles) that produce hairs. This damage inhibits or delays future hair growth.
In short, no. Although the procedure is often touted as a form of “permanent” hair removal, laser treatment only reduces the number of unwanted hairs in a given area. It doesn’t get rid of unwanted hairs completely. However, when the hairs do grow back, they’ll be lighter, finer, and fewer in number.
Laser hair removal tends to work best in people with light skin tones and darker hair. This is because the lasers target hair melanin (color). However, advances in laser technology have made laser hair removal an option for people who have darker skin.
The American Association of Dermatology (AAD) deems the following areas as appropriate for laser hair removal: chest, back, shoulders, neck, bikini line, face (except for the eye area).
During the procedure, the pigment in your hair will absorb a light beam from a laser. The light will be converted to heat and damage that hair follicle. Because of that damage, the hair will stop growing. This is done over two to six sessions.
Follow-up treatments are necessary to get the most out of laser hair removal. The exact number of maintenance laser treatments varies by individual. Most people need between four and six laser therapy sessions. You also need to space these out by six weeks each — this means that the full treatment cycle can take up to nine months.
While laser hair removal does not permanently stop hair growth, it does significantly reduce the number of unwanted hairs in a given area. It’s a promising solution for those seeking a long-term answer to unwanted hair.
Q: Does laser hair removal permanently remove hair? A: No, laser hair removal does not permanently remove hair. It reduces the number of unwanted hairs in a given area.
Q: How does laser hair removal work? A: Laser hair removal works by heating the hair follicles to stop new hairs from growing.
Q: Who can benefit from laser hair removal? A: Laser hair removal tends to work best in people with light skin tones and darker hair.
Q: How many sessions are needed for laser hair removal? A: Most people need between four and six laser therapy sessions.
Q: Is laser hair removal safe? A: Yes, when performed by a board-certified dermatologist, laser hair removal is safe.
Q: Can all hair colors be treated with laser hair removal? A: Laser hair removal is less effective for hair colors that don’t absorb light well: gray, red, blond, and white.
