How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Last?
By Aaliyah Albo
There is almost nothing like the feeling of soft, freshly shaved legs. Snuggling up with your partner under the cozy covers on a crisp morning or rocking your shortest short-shorts with confidence on a hot summer day all boils down to having smooth, flawless skin. However, for most of us, maintaining this look and feel means investing a significant amount of time and money each week into shaving, waxing, plucking, and other hair removal methods.
Over the year, all this time can really add up. Think about it: if you spend roughly 20 minutes two times per week on shaving, that boils down to over 2,000 minutes or 35 hours each year battling body hair -- good grief!
Sure, that may not seem like a whole lot for some, but life is short, and rather than spending all that time trying to make your skin silky smooth with a dull razor, why not invest in laser hair removal? You could spend your new-found free time at the beach rocking smooth legs in your favorite itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny bikini rather than at home, fussing with shaving products.
So, what exactly is laser hair removal anyway, and how long does it last? Great question.
If you are interested in learning more about one of the most efficient ways to get rid of stubborn body hair to keep your skin soft, flawless, and hair-free all year round, then keep reading as we dive into everything there is to know about laser hair removal.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a popular process designed to permanently reduce hair growth by destroying hair follicles with targeted heat energy that comes from a laser. When the follicle is damaged or destroyed, the hair growth cycle is disrupted, and hair will no longer be able to grow out of the individual hair follicles in the same way it did before.
What areas can be treated with laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal uses advanced laser technology that can target and annihilate hair follicles without damaging the surrounding skin. This makes it extremely safe to use on many different areas of the body. Some of the most popular and common treatment areas for laser hair removal include:
- Legs
- Underarms
- Face (especially the upper lip area)
- Back
- Chest
- Bikini line
When do you start seeing results after laser hair removal?
After countless years of shaving, it's only natural to question how soon you'll be able to enjoy the results of your laser hair removal treatment! The number of sessions and amount of time will vary from person to person, but on average, men and women need roughly 4-6 treatments per area, spaced around 4 to 6 weeks apart, over the course of six months to achieve a 90% reduction in hair growth.
Why do results vary from person to person?
As we mentioned, laser hair removal permanently destroys hair by focusing powerful laser energy into the hair follicle, impairing its ability for regrowth. Since the laser is attracted to melanin - or pigment - those with dark hair color tend to notice results faster and easier because it receives more of the effect from the laser.
However, just as it's drawn to pigment in body hair, the laser is equally drawn to pigment in the skin as well. This means that patients with darker skin tones can sometimes experience a little bit of skin color lightening, mainly if the laser is used on the wrong wavelength of light energy. Nonetheless, this change in pigmentation can be turned into a good thing when used correctly. For example, laser hair removal treatment can often be a way for those looking to achieve a freckle-free complexion or a more even skin tone.
How long do results last?
Many people think that laser hair removal is a one-and-done sort of deal, but this isn't necessarily the case.
After you complete all your laser hair removal sessions, results should last up to two years; however, maintenance sessions are typically needed to keep the area hair-free on a continuing basis.
What are the benefits of laser hair removal?
As a non-surgical, non-invasive procedure to remove hair, laser hair removal treatment has many benefits:
Precision - it uses an intense laser, which accurately targets the hair you want to be destroyed, all the way down to the follicle, even in small areas.
Speed - although the length of individual treatment can vary depending on how large of an area you are treating, most people see results within the first few weeks of their treatment.
Price - laser hair removal does cost more upfront than traditional hair removal methods, but the initial investment is totally worth it. After treatment, you will no longer have to spend as much on waxing, razors, or shaving cream, so you'll actually save money in the long run.
No painful irritation - with laser hair removal, you can kiss razor bumps goodbye! Once your treatments start taking effect, you'll no longer have to deal with unsightly and painful ingrown hairs like you often do with waxing and shaving. The procedure itself can cause a little bit of discomfort at first, but that goes away with each treatment - unlike waxing.
It works anywhere - as we mentioned earlier, you can get laser hair removal done anywhere on your body: legs, back, underarms, face, bikini line - if you have unwanted body hair anywhere on your body, laser hair removal can help.
Who's a good candidate for laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is an excellent option for those looking to get rid of unwanted hair and can work with almost anyone, but the ideal candidate will have:
- Dark, coarse hair
- Pale to light skin
As we mentioned earlier, laser hair removal is attracted to pigment, so for those with the following hair types listed below, it's less likely that laser hair removal will be totally effective, and it may take a few extra maintenance treatments to see more permanent hair removal:
- Red hair
- Blonde hair
- White hair
- Gray hair
- Strawberry-blonde hair
- Fine or thin hair
What do treatments feel like?
If you are able to handle painful razor bumps and burns, then laser hair removal treatment will be a breeze. Though there may be slight discomfort, treatments are not by any means painful. The discomfort of the intense heat from the powerful laser feels similar to a warm pinprick, but the feeling is alleviated immediately by cooling gel.
If you don't do too well with pain and are a little nervous, follow our tips below to make your treatment more comfortable.
- Take a pain reliever 30 minutes before your treatment.
- Avoid alcohol 24 hours before treatment.
- Shave the area to be treated the night before.
- Avoid taking antibiotics because they are photosensitive, meaning they may make your skin sensitive to light and can lead to the laser treatment burning your skin.
- Avoid sun exposure before treatment.
What is the recovery time?
There are very minimal side effects of laser hair removal, but you must take certain precautions after treatment to ensure maximum comfort. You may notice some redness or even a little bit of swelling for the first few hours, but don't fret! This usually goes away very quickly.
You can also apply ice to the treated area to ease discomfort. In some cases, if you have a stronger reaction, your doctor can administer a steroid cream to lessen the swelling.
It is also imperative that you:
- Use sunscreen daily.
- Avoid tanning beds and extended sun exposure for six weeks after treatment.
- Avoid going to the gym, using a sauna, or taking a hot shower for 24 hours minimum after treatment.
What is an IPL laser hair removal handset?
We are so glad you asked! Picture being able to get the salon-grade laser hair removal results that you have always dreamed of, from the comfort of your own home.
The KENZZI IPL Hair Removal Handset is a revolutionary breakthrough in the beauty industry that can produce visible results in just a few treatments. It is extremely easy to use, and gentle on your skin, making it the perfect alley for kicking unwanted body hair to the curb!
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. The difference between IPL and laser is based on the model and strength of light that is emitted. Professional salon laser treatment utilizes a concentrated and powerful beam of light that penetrates the skin's targeted areas, providing a more immediate result. IPL, on the other hand, produces multiple wavelengths of light that can cover a larger surface area of the skin. The larger surface area targeted by the IPL creates a faster treatment, but the immediate results aren't as strong as a laser.
Which one is better, you might ask? At the end of the day, it all boils down to preference. With The KENZZI IPL Hair Removal Handset, you can zap unwanted hair at any time, anywhere, which will make your long-term hair removal journey so much easier.
Professional laser hair removal treatment is definitely better than the traditional hair removal methods like waxing and shaving, but there is a little bit of upkeep involved. Be prepared to schedule an occasional touch-up at your local salon every once in a while when going the laser route.
If you want soft, silky-smooth, hairless skin, look no further because laser hair removal can truly help!
Sources:
https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/te7545spec
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