Laser hair removal has grown in popularity for its ability to treat excessive hair growth on both the face and body. It provides a solution to reducing the hair growth, but can get you wondering, how effective is this method of hair removal and how long will the results from this treatment last? Let’s explore the ins and outs of laser hair removal to get a better understanding of how this method works and if it’s the right treatment option for you.
How does laser hair removal work?
A light emitting device is typically used when performing laser hair removal. The light is used to target melanin (color) in the hair, which when there is more melanin present, the better the results will be. It is important that the hair not be removed from the follicle prior to treatment but rather trimmed or shaved as the hair needs to present but not visible in order for the treatment to work. Once the light is delivered, the hair absorbs the light and converts it into heat to travel down the hair shaft, causing thermal damage to the base of the follicle.
It is important that the hair is directly attached to the base of the follicle in order to try to inhibit new hair growth. The treated hair will typically fall out of the follicle 1-2 weeks following treatment. There should be a small but noticeable reduction of hair growth at your next session and as one continues with treatment, the amount of hair, as well as the hair thickness with lessen. The exact number of treatments will vary person to person; however, it is important to treat regularly until your desired amount of hair reduction is achieved before moving onto maintenance.
Why is laser hair removal not permanent?
To say that laser hair removal is permanent means to last for a very long time or forever, which is difficult to guarantee when dealing with a very biological mechanism within the body. Although laser may damage the base of the follicle, it doesn’t destroy it, meaning that re-growth can be expected at a later stage, either after a few months or years and the hair can also be much finer/lighter than what it once was. Results from laser will vary depending if the hair color was dark enough or if treatment was performed at the correct stage of hair growth. Other factors such as hormonal changes experienced in pregnancy, PCOS and genetic contributions can cause hair growth to spike or to continue to grow, sometimes even after multiple treatments have been performed.
What do you mean hair doesn’t all grow together at the exact same time?
Hair growth is typically cyclical which means that it grows in four distinctive stages as part of its life cycle.
- Anagen – The Growing Phase.
- Catagen – The Transition Phase.
- Telogen- The Resting Phase.
- Exogen – The Shedding Phase.
Laser hair treatment works best when the hair is at the growing phase of its cycle as the hair is still attached at the base of the follicle. It would be ideal if all hairs were at this stage, at the exact same time and could be treated in a single session, but sadly that is not the case and is why multiple treatments are typically required at regular intervals for best results.
