When is laser hair removal most effective?

Only about 20% of hair is in the anagen phase (actively growing) at any given time. Laser treatments are only effective on hair and hair follicles in the anagen phase. Receiving multiple treatments ensures that all hair is removed while you are in this stage of active growth. The hairs don't fall out right away, but you'll fall them out over a period of days to weeks.

This may look like continuous hair growth. Repeated treatments are often necessary because hair growth and loss occur naturally in one cycle, and laser treatment works best with hair follicles in the regrowth stage. Most patients remain hairless for months or even years. When part of the hair grows back, it is likely to be less noticeable.

To keep the area free of hair, the patient may need maintenance laser treatments. All men and women are candidates for laser hair removal, but skin color and type affect the success of a laser hair removal treatment. Patients with fair skin and dark hair get the best results. Laser hair removal is less effective for hair colors that don't absorb light well, such as red, gray, and blonde.

Patients with dark skin or light hair can still undergo laser hair removal, but may need more treatments to prevent hair regrowth. As technology evolves and advances, there are safer and more effective options for patients of all skin types and hair colors. Most people report a permanent 90 percent reduction in hair growth, but fluctuating hormones can cause it to return Depending on the growth of your hair and the case of each individual client, at the end of the treatments we can recommend some refill treatments that could be done with longer periods between quarterly and twice a year, Lucy advises. Laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment (melanin) in the hair.

Melanin is present in both hair and skin, and is also responsible for determining color. Because light is more easily absorbed by darker pigments, lasers can only achieve localized damage to the hair follicle. The risk of skin damage is greatest when there is little contrast between hair and skin color, but advances in laser technology have made laser hair removal an option for people with darker skin. Laser hair removal not only helps remove unwanted hair, but it can also help with other problems, such as ingrown hairs, which are prone to causing hyperpigmentation, especially in deep skin tones.

Only once you have read the pros and cons of laser hair removal and the side effects that follow, will you be able to decide if the treatment is right for you. Laser hair removal does not guarantee permanent hair removal, but patients often see thinner and clearer hair when it grows back. So why is laser removal the best option and why do many choose it over other methods? Let's take a closer look at the other possible methods to see why laser removal is your best option. Before laser hair removal, schedule a consultation with your doctor to determine if this is a right treatment option for you.

August is Hair Loss Awareness Month, which is the perfect time to discover how dermatologists help people with hair loss. Anything that grows hair will grow very slowly, and the hair itself will be thinner and easier to remove. If you have a skin reaction immediately after laser hair removal, your doctor may apply a steroid cream to the affected area. It is a popular cosmetic treatment that eliminates the need for other high-maintenance hair removal methods, such as shaving, waxing and tweezers.

Blonde hairs are not as ideal for this treatment, as lasers struggle to target them, so the results are not as good. .

Madeline Talkington
Madeline Talkington

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