Laser hair removal has become increasingly popular in recent years. Unlike other common hair removal methods, such as waxing or shaving, laser hair removal works to decrease hair growth permanently, which can be a huge relief for those who struggle with constantly needing to remove their unwanted hair. But many people wonder: how permanent is laser hair removal? Do the effects of laser hair removal last forever? In this post, we’ll talk about how laser hair removal works and what you can expect from a laser hair removal treatment.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
To understand the results of laser hair removal, first you’ll need to understand how it works. Laser hair removal is a treatment that stops hair growth through damaging hair follicles, which are what produce new strands of hair. During a laser hair treatment, a high heat laser beam is applied to hair follicles. This heat damages hair follicles, which can then no longer produce new hairs.
For hair follicles to be damaged, they need to be in what’s called the growth phase (scientifically known as the anagen phase). Our hair follicles are in this stage at different times, so it takes multiple sessions of laser hair removal to effectively damage all the hair follicles in any particular area.
How Permanent is Laser Hair Removal?
While laser hair removal is much more effective at long-term hair removal than most hair removal techniques (such as waxing or shaving), it’s not technically permanent. It does permanently reduce hair growth but doesn’t necessarily permanently stop all hair growth. Let’s talk about why.
Laser hair treatment damages hair follicles, which stops new hair growth. However, at times our hair follicles can repair themselves, allowing them to grow hair again. Hair growth can also sometimes be influenced by our hormones or certain medications.
While laser hair treatment doesn’t permanently stop all hair growth, it’s still incredibly effective at reducing hair growth long-term. Our patients experience up to a 90% reduction in hair growth long-term, and the hair that does grow back is usually much lighter, softer, and less dense, making it less noticeable. Additionally, the results of laser hair removal can be maintained with maintenance appointments once or twice a year after your initial treatments.
The Importance of Getting Laser Hair Removal From a Licensed Professional
Laser hair removal is incredibly popular. It reduces hair growth in a way most hair removal treatments simply can’t. However, it’s very important to make sure you get your laser hair removal from a trained, licensed professional. Laser hair removal can sometimes be dangerous when done by an inexperienced provider.
At the Z Center for Cosmetic Health, all of our laser hair removal treatments are performed by our fully trained registered nurses. As members of the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, our providers are knowledgable, experienced, and fully-up-to-date on all the latest research about laser hair removal technology.