How Permanent Is Laser Hair Removal?

Getting laser hair removal means never having to worry about shaving or waxing unwanted hairs again, which is appealing to many women. However, shelling out thousands of dollars to get the required treatments doesn’t necessarily guarantee body hair will be gone forever. 

Laser hair removal is a long-lasting type of hair removal that damages or destroys the hair follicle. Unlike shaving or trimming, laser hair removal provides long-lasting results because it works by killing hair follicles or the hair’s source. This treatment is usually done for several sessions to ensure that the hair follicle will no longer have the capacity to grow hair again. However, if during laser hair removal the hair follicle only gets damaged and not killed, the hair will eventually grow back. 

For this reason, many doctors now refer to laser hair removal as long-term hair removal as opposed to permanent hair removal. As mentioned, laser hair removal Miami or those offered in your locality provides longer results than shaving or trimming hair. However, take note that this treatment doesn’t guarantee that your hair will never grow back again. 

So, exactly how long does laser hair removal last and just how permanent is it? Read on to find out. 

How long laser hair removal lasts

A person’s hair growth cycle determines the amount of time it takes for the hair to regrow when a hair follicle is damaged after a laser hair removal treatment. When the hair follicle is destroyed, laser hair removal is permanent. 

However, completely destroying hair follicles can be challenging because the human body contains around five million of these. If the laser hair removal treatment fails to destroy all of the hair follicles in the armpits, for example, there are still chances that the hair will grow again after a few months. 

Some people have hair that grows slower, and some have hair that grows faster than others. How fast (or slow) someone grows hair in their bodies depends on their genes. In general, though, most people can expect some hair regrowth within a few months. 

How permanent treatments are

Most people can expect some hair to grow back after getting laser hair removal because destroying every hair follicle can be difficult. This is especially true for people who are naturally hairy. When this happens, it’s possible to treat the area again to reduce the number of hairs that grow back. In some cases, it’s possible to eliminate hair entirely with laser hair removal. This is the reason why people who want their hairs to be permanently removed undergo several laser hair removal treatments. 

Whether or not hair grows back depends on several factors, including the type of hair that regrows and the skill level of the technician removing the hair. Typically, when the hair does grow back, it’s lighter and less noticeable than it was before, because of the laser damaging the hair follicle. 

How laser hair removal works

The process of laser hair removal works by using light to target the pigment in individual hairs. The light moves down the shaft of the hair and into the hair follicle, which then gets destroyed by the heat from the laser light. 

A hair-growth cycle involves three main stages, which are resting, shedding, and growing periods. Removed hair that is in a resting stage may not be visible to a technician or the laser, so a person may have to wait until it regrows before removing it. This means that if you plan to undergo several laser hair removal treatments, you need to wait for weeks or months for your next session. This will allow hairs to grow again, making it easy for the technician to determine which areas still have hair growth.

For many people, laser hair removal requires a few treatments spread out over two to three months. 

What are the side effects?

Some people experience burning, stinging, or discomfort during laser hair removal treatment. These sensations are usually very tolerable and go away after the session. These sensations are normal and aren’t cause for concern because this is the body’s reaction to the laser. 

Often, though, technicians will apply a numbing cream to the area that is being treated. But allergic reactions or skin irritations can sometimes occur from the numbing cream. If you’re sensitive to pain and would need to use a numbing cream for the treatment, make sure to do a patch test before your laser hair removal. This is one of the easiest ways to determine whether you’re allergic to the numbing cream or not. 

Minor side effects such as skin redness, blistering, or changes in skin color are common after laser hair removal treatments, but they’re typically temporary. Sometimes, laser hair removal can cause scarring if irritation occurs. Also, though quite rare, there is the risk of skin infections that can spread and become serious. 

To reduce the risk of serious side effects, a person should inform the technician of their medical history. Also, to reduce the risk of blistering and scarring, a person should avoid sun exposure after laser hair removal. 

Choosing the right provider is key

The best thing a person can do to ensure laser hair removal is effective is to find the right provider, with the right qualifications. Otherwise, you could end up spending thousands of dollars for multiple treatments that don’t work or end up causing harm in the end.