Is Laser Hair Removal a Permanent Solution?

Updated on: 17th September, 2023

Laser hair removal works by targeting the hair follicles with intense pulses of light energy. The pigment in the hair absorbs this energy and converts it into heat. The heat then damages the hair follicles cells, slowing down or stopping hair growth.

Laser hair removal works by targeting and removing hair follicles with intense pulses of light. These intense beams of light are absorbed by the pigment in the hair, which in turn transforms into heat. This heat causes hair follicle damage, limiting or delaying hair growth. This technique may significantly decrease the thickness and volume of hair within the treated area over a period of time and over a number of sessions.

It’s important to remember that although laser hair removal might produce results that persist for a long time, they might not always be completely permanent, and additional maintenance sessions can be needed to prevent undesired hair growth.

Can laser treatment remove hair permanently? This is one of the most frequently asked questions at a dermatologist clinic. Shaving, waxing, and plucking can be painful and time-consuming, and the hair always comes back! Permanent removal of unwanted hair therefore seems like the ideal way.

Laser hair reduction as called by the dermatologists, work by killing the hair follicle stem cells to stop new hairs from growing, putting the hair follicles in a state of dormancy for a long period. The effective result is thinner and slow growing hair after every session. Eventually, the effects can last for months together with maintenance session, and in some cases, the hair growth can be permanently reduced.

However, it’s important to note that not all hair follicles can be completely destroyed, and some hair may grow back in the treated area over time. When the hairs do grow back, they tend to be lighter, finer, and fewer in number. In these instances, additional treatments may be necessary to maintain the results and minimise the volume of hairs that grow back.

The number of treatments required and the permanency of results varies from person to person, depending on factors such as hair colour, thickness, and growth cycle.

While the procedure is often touted as a form of “permanent” hair removal, hair can still grow back after laser treatment. This happens for several reasons.

Firstly, not all hair follicles can be destroyed with one treatment, and some hair may grow back between treatments.

Second, hair grows in cycles, and laser hair removal only affects hair that is in the active growth phase. Some hairs in the dormant phase may grow back after the treatment.

Additionally, the effectiveness of laser hair removal depends on the colour and texture of the hair, with darker and thicker hair responding better to the laser than lighter and finer hair.

While laser hair removal may not be a permanent solution for everyone, regular touch-up treatments can help to maintain the results and minimise the volume of hair that regrows.

Although laser hair removal is a permanent solution for unwanted hair growth, hair can still grow back after laser treatment. However, regular maintenance can help reduce the volume of hair that regrows. Learn more about the complete guidance of laser hair removal treatment.