Laser hair removal works by selectively targeting hair follicles that are in their growth phase and heating it to the point of thermal destruction. All hair grows in cycles and it takes 12-18 months for all hair follicles to cycle through their individual growth stage. Multiple sessions are necessary to treat the hair in the Anagen 6 (growth stage where the hair follicles are at their most active and deepest) for optimal results. Laser hair removal appointments should be approximately 8 week intervals to optimize treatment results.

Once you have decided to start laser treatments, it is best to discontinue waxing or plucking hairs prior to the first session. We understand this can be difficult, however you can shave (which is the recommended method for temporary hair removal). If you wish to not shave, then you can discuss other options with your technician. This is necessary in order to have the laser energy focus into the hair root and not be scattered on the surface of the skin. Post treatment will be, cool compresses, and cooling and soothing products to aid in the skin recovery.

After each laser session, all of the treated hairs will shed out. The shedding process can take 2 weeks. You can continue to shave during the shedding process. The next cycle of hair will begin to become visible by approximately week 6 post treatment. It is best to wait 2 additional weeks to allow for more follicles to become activated in their growth stage and to let the follicles reach the deepest stage of growth to kill the germinative cells in the dermal layers of the skin. Then repeat treatments until there are no signs of active growth post 18 months.

Lasers are attracted and absorbed into pigment/melanin. The light energy emitted from the laser turns to heat thus destroying the pigmented target through a process called selective photothermolysis. Blonde, gray, and even some red hairs lack the necessary pigment aka target for the laser rendering the treatment ineffective.

People with darker skin can receive laser treatments if the provider has a YAG laser. YAG lasers are the safest and most effective option for people with darker skin as the wavelength (1064 nanometers) bypasses the superficial melanin layer of the skin and is more highly absorbed into water.

Laser will permanently destroy the follicles that are actively growing hair during a laser session if the appropriate wavelength is used at the appropriate energy and pulse duration for the specific hair color, density, and depth. It takes multiple sessions to destroy all of the hair follicles over the course of 12-18 months. However, we all have peach fuzz. We are born with a set amount of hair follicles. We do not get more follicles as we age. It is the hormones that circulate in our bloodstream that stimulate the face and body hair growth. Both methods of energy base hair removal are only removing the thicker, stimulated hairs and peach fuzz is left behind. That peach fuzz can continue to be stimulated throughout a person’s lifetime to become coarse hair. So, periodic touch ups may be needed throughout one’s lifetime with either method of energy based hair removal.