Laser hair removal, also a misnomer for permanent hair removal, is one of the most sought-after methods to get rid of unwanted body hair. Women save for lasers for months only to grow hair even after they are done with their treatment sessions.
Thus, they wonder why they are getting hair even after laser hair removal. Does hair grow back after laser hair removal? Is it worth the investment? And what to do to stop hair from growing for a long time without having to go to the doctor every few months?
Well, if you are also one of such women looking for authentic answers to these questions, you got yourself in the right place. We will discuss the frequently asked questions about laser hair removal today.
FAQs
1. What is the Working Mechanism of Laser Hair Removal?
Starting from the basics, let us help you know how laser hair removal works to determine its effects on unwanted hair. Laser hair removal is mainly based on the conversion of light energy from the laser rays into heat energy. This process is called selective photothermolysis.
First, light energy is absorbed into the dark color of the unwanted hair on the background of pigment-less skin leaving the skin intact. Once the light reaches the hair root, it is transformed into heat energy. The strength of this heat depends upon the power output of the laser machine.
The heat finally damages the hair follicles, especially the ones present in the active phase of growth. Note that this destruction of hair is long-lasting but never permanent because it puts the hair into a dormant phase instead of annihilating it.
Also, check Can You Shower After Laser Hair Removal? Laser might leave your skin too sensitive to undergo a shower.
2. How Many Treatments Do You Need to Remove Unwanted Hair Permanently?
You might need 6 to 12 sessions of laser hair removal spaced at intervals of 4 to 6 weeks to reduce hair growth for a long time. This is because of the hair growth cycle.
The effect of laser on hair is determined by the stage of the hair growth cycle. If the hair is in the active stage, it is prone to the direct effects of the laser because it can reach its blood supply. However, the laser has little to no effect if the hair is in the resting or exogen phase.
Not all hair strands are in the same phase when they are growing. Therefore, you need multiple sessions so that the hair strands in the active phase are killed in one session while the others are killed in the subsequent sessions. The hair was shed in between the sessions. You can find out How to Speed Up Shedding After Laser Hair Removal here.
3. Does Hair Grow Back After Laser Hair Removal on the Face and Body?
Unfortunately, hair grows back after laser hair removal on the face, body, and other treatment areas. The time duration until which you can enjoy hairless skin is variable. However, it won’t be wise to assume that you will grow no after a few months of laser hair removal treatments.
4. Why is My Hair back after Laser Hair Removal?
Although laser hair removal stops hair growth for a while, this effect is not permanent. Hair follicles still can regenerate and recover from the damage caused by laser hair removal.
Furthermore, some hair follicles do not stop giving rise to new hair strands at all. They just slow down. Consequently, hair grows back after laser hair removal sooner or later.
Also, you should know that our hair follicles are under the influence of hormones, diet, lifestyles, and genes. Any changes in these factors can also result in hair growth.
5. How Long Till Hair Grow Back After Laser Hair Removal?
The return of unwanted hair after laser hair removal takes only a few months for some women and many years for others. This diversity in the results and their durations is determined by several factors including,
- Skin tone, hair color, hair density, and hair texture
- Ethnicity and genetics
- Obesity, diet, and lifestyle
- Hormonal and endocrine diseases like PCOS and hirsutism
- Certain drugs and medications
- Physiological conditions associated with an imbalance of hormones
- Pregnancy and menopause
6. How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Last on Bikini Area?
In the case of the bikini area, the hair is often thick and dense. Thus, it might grow back sooner than other areas of the body. Furthermore, such hair will also take a greater number of treatments for the desired results.
As there is too much variation in the duration of the longevity of the results, there is no clear consensus about how long laser hair removal lasts on the bikini lines. In general, it can be anywhere between 12 months to 10 years.
7. How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Last in the Brazilian Area?
The duration of laser hair removal in the Brazilian area is similar to that of the Bikini areas. Therefore, it is safe to consider that you can enjoy hairlessness in the Brazilian area after laser hair removal for 1 year to 5 years or even more.
Also, you might need 1 or 2 yearly follow-up sessions during this time.
8. Does Hair Grow Back After Laser Hair Removal When Pregnant?
Your hair growth will likely increase when you are pregnant after laser hair removal. It does not have much to do with the effectiveness of lasers for unwanted hair. Rather it stems from the hormonal changes that occur in pregnancy.
Women undergoing menopause also face the same experience because of the fluctuations in the hormones.
9. Why Does Hair Grow on Some Areas of the Body Quicker than Others?
The hair growth on different parts of the body is not the same because of the number, strength, quality, and hormonal status of the hair follicles in that particular area. Therefore, women tend to grow more hair on their chin, upper lip, sideburns, and legs.
Your hair removal method might also be the reason why you are growing hair faster in one area of the body than the other. For example, if you are shaving the face while waxing the legs, hair growth in the face will occur sooner than that of the legs.
10. How Can I Receive Permanent Hair Removal with Laser Hair Removal?
The only way to receive permanent hair removal with laser is to go through planned follow-ups every year. The number of follow-ups depends upon the rate of hair regrowth and you might need 2 or more follow-ups every year after your initial treatment.
Other than that, there is no way to keep your unwanted hair in check even after laser hair removal.
11. Is it Possible to Get Laser Hair Removal at Home?
Yes, it is possible to get laser hair removal at home. Rather, it is more of a convenient solution to unwanted hair than the in-office laser. First, you can buy the whole IPL machine for a few hundred dollars just like Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL device.
Then, you can do your follow-ups as needed at home without having to go for consultations and booking appointments. Additionally, IPL hair removal is more gentle on the skin as compared to the in-office laser.
Lastly, if you want to know about in-office lasers, give Diode Laser Hair Removal 101: The Ultimate Guide a read.
12. Does Hair Grow Back After Laser Hair Removal at Home?
Laser hair removal at home is almost identical to laser hair removal in-office. It is a little milder as compared to the salon lasers. However the efficacy, duration of results, and need for follow-ups are comparable. Therefore, hair grows back after laser hair removal at home as well.
But that is nothing to worry about as you can do a follow-up session to keep the unwanted hair regrowth in check. This makes at-home laser hair removal a better option as compared to salon laser hair removal.
13. Does Laser Hair Removal Last Permanently?
Laser hair removal does not last permanently. No matter which type of laser you are using, which salon you go to, and how you take care of your skin. The hair is bound to regrow once the hair follicles regenerate in a few months.
However, that must not stop you from getting lasers as 1 to 2 sessions every year are much better than 12-15 yearly waxing or 30 to 50 shaving sessions.
Conclusion
Laser hair removal helps in eradicating unwanted hair from the roots giving rise to a myth that its results last forever. However, that is not the case. The results of the laser last only for a few years at maximum and you need regular follow-ups for silky, smooth, and hairless skin.
