There are many methods for removing unwanted hair, and some are more effective than others. If you’re looking for a hair removal method with long-lasting results, laser hair removal is one of the most sought-after cosmetic treatments worldwide.
Its growing popularity is driven by the consistent results, the increase in accessibility and the advancements in the technology to make treatments more efficient and comfortable than ever.
How Laser Hair Removal Targets The Hair At The Root
Laser hair removal works by sending a focused beam of light into your skin. This light is then absorbed by “melanin”, which is the pigment in dark hair, and the absorption converts the light into heat.
This heat travels down into your hair’s follicle, which is the small sac that makes the hair. When the hair follicle heats enough, it becomes damaged, and cannot grow hair normally for a long time.
You will usually need several laser hair removal treatments, because your hair grows in cycles. The treatments hit follicles only when hairs in the active growth phase, so repeat sessions catch more follicles over time.
Why Hair Grows Back Thinner And Slower Over Time
The laser energy damages hair follicles, so they can’t grow thick, fast-growing hairs like they did before. Over multiple treatment sessions, this damage reduces the hair follicle’s ability to regrow full and coarse hairs.
Your hair grows in cycles, and lasers only hit your hairs that are in the active growth phase. This is why you typically need several laser hair removal sessions, to catch more follicles, when they’re vulnerable. Each treatment sessions lowers the number of active follicles, leading to long-term hair reduction.
Regrown hairs tend to be finer and lighter in color, because the damaged hair follicles produce weaker shafts. You’ll notice a slower regrowth and fewer hairs to shave or wax.
Most people reach a point where they have mostly hair-free skin, though some maintenance treatments may still be needed.
What Makes Laser Treatments More Effective Than Shaving And Waxing
As the laser is targeting the hair follicle itself, and not just the hair above your skin, this means each pulse goes to the root of the hair, and slows its regrowth. Over several sessions, the hairs grow back finer, lighter and less dense.
When you save, you’re only cutting hairs off at the skin’s surface, so the regrowth appears quickly and feels coarse. Waxing rips hairs from the follicles, delaying the regrowth, but it can cause skin irritation and ingrown hairs.
You might worry about the pain of having laser hair removal, but most people describe laser as mild soreness, or a snapping sensation, which is usually less painful than waxing.
I personally use an at home IPL for hair removal, and it feels very warm and does feel like someone is snapping an elastic band on your skin, especially in your more sensitive areas.
The color of your hairs makes a difference in how effective the treatments are. Laser works by targeting the pigment in the hair, so darker hair on lighter skin usually responds the best.
Before you have a laser hair removal treatment, shave the treatment area a day or two before, and avoid any tanning. On the day of the appointment, turn up with clean and product-free skin.