Hair Growth After Laser Hair Removal: What to Expect and How to Manage It?

Updated on: 30th December, 2022

Unwanted hair growth can be a frustrating problem for many people, especially you are a busy professional and do not have time for repeated hair removal treatments. Whether on your face, arms, legs, or anywhere else, it can leave you feeling self-conscious and uncomfortable in your own skin while you go through multiple professional meetings. 

Fortunately, several methods of hair removal are available on the market, including shaving, waxing, and depilatory creams. But one method that has become increasingly popular in recent years is laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure that uses a concentrated beam of light to destroy the hair forming cells in hair follicles and prevent hair growth. It’s a more permanent solution than other hair removal methods. It’s no wonder why more and more people are choosing this method over others.

In most cases, hair treated with laser hair removal will not grow back. However, it’s important to note that laser hair removal is not a permanent solution, and some hair can grow back over time.

The first reason for hair still growing after laser hair removal is that laser hair removal targets the hair follicles responsible for hair growth. The pigment absorbs the laser energy in the hair, which damages the hair follicle and inhibits future hair growth. However, some hair follicles may be missed or may not be destroyed in one session, allowing for hair regrowth between the sessions.

Another reason is that hair grows in cycles, and laser hair removal only targets hair that is in the active growth phase. This means that some hair may still be in the dormant phase during the treatment and may grow back later.

Laser hair removal works best on people with fair skin and dark, coarse hair because the laser targets the pigment in the hair. People with lighter hair, such as blond or red hair, may not see as much of a reduction in hair growth.

Some areas of the body may be more difficult to treat than others, such as the face or bikini area, which may require more sessions for optimal results.

Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause, can stimulate hair growth and may affect the effectiveness of laser hair removal.

Certain medications, such as antibiotics or hormonal treatments, may interfere with the effectiveness of laser hair removal.

Older people require fewer treatments to achieve the desired outcome than younger people; this is because, with age, hair growth naturally slows down, and the hair follicles become smaller and weaker.

Regular follow-up treatments can help reduce the risk of hair regrowth after completing a laser hair removal course. Typically, one or two maintenance treatments per year may be necessary to maintain the results, and the frequency of these sessions can vary depending on the area targeted for treatment. 

By scheduling regular follow-up treatments, you can ensure that any new hair growth after laser removal is treated early and that the initial treatment results are maintained over time. Also, follow your dermatologist’s instructions to maintain the results.