![Laser Hair Removal](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/facial-laser-hair-removal.jpg?output-quality=75)
Although laser hair removal may keep unwanted hair away for months or even years, it does not ensure permanent hair removal.
Laser hair removal is a procedure in which unwanted hair is removed using a laser. The laser destroys the hair follicles and prevents hair growth. It is considered the best treatment for unwanted hair removal, but laser hair removal is not permanent.
The destroyed hair follicles inhibit hair growth for longer periods; however, the hair regrows after certain periods. The hair that grows after the laser treatment is usually finer and lighter in color.
Important things to know about laser hair removal
- Stay away from the sun
- Painless procedure
- Few and temporary side effects
- Quick procedure
- More than one session is often required
How does laser hair removal work?
During the hair removal procedure, the laser emits light, which is absorbed by the hair follicles. This light is converted to heat and destroys hair follicles in the skin from where the hair grows. This damage in the hair follicles may stop or delay hair growth. In most people, the hair grows back in a few months. Follow-up sessions of laser treatment may delay hair growth.
Common areas where laser hair removal is frequently performed include:
- Chest
- Back
- Shoulders
- Neck
- Bikini line
- Legs
Facial hair removal should be avoided around the eyes to avoid eye injuries.
Usually, six to eight sessions of laser treatments are required for maximum hair removal. In these eight sessions, maximum hair follicles are damaged but not all. The follicles are damaged and shrunk in size, which results in finer and lighter color hair, and the growth occurs very slowly.
As mentioned, 100 percent of hair removal is not expected; 75 to 90 percent of hair removal is seen.
Results may vary from person to person depending on the following:
- Area of the treatment (hair removal done on the face may require several sessions for satisfactory results)
- Settings used during the procedure
- The number of follow-up sessions taken
- An individual-specific hair growth cycle
Studies have reported that laser hair removal is effective in people with lighter complexions and darker hair because the color contrast makes the light travel easily and destroys the follicles. However, in people with darker skin, more sessions are required.
![](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/quiz/skin/skin-s1.jpg)
QUESTION
An average adult has about ________ square feet of skin. See AnswerWho can have laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is indicated in the following people:
- Hirsutism (women grow dark and thick hair in the areas where generally men have hair)
- Hypertrichosis (excess hair growth can be seen either in men or women)
- Using medications such as anabolic steroids and birth control pills, which results in excess hair growth
- Increased androgen levels
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
Laser hair removal is contraindicated in people with the following conditions:
What are the risks and side effects of laser hair removal?
Side effects of laser hair removal are very low, but may include:
- Burning, stinging, or discomfort
- Allergic reactions due to anesthetic gel or creams used to numb the area during the procedure
- Redness
- Burns
- Temporary color changes in the skin (people with darker skin tones)
- Blistering and crusting of the skin
What happens during laser hair removal?
Several steps are involved in laser hair removal, such as:
- Your doctor cleans the area to be operated on.
- You will be provided with protective glasses, and your healthcare provider may also wear protective glasses.
- Anesthetic gel or cream is applied to the area, and the skin is treated with a laser.
- You may feel a series of mild stings.
- The procedure takes little time, from a few minutes to hours, depending on the area to be treated.
- Smokey and hair-burning smells can be noticed as the procedure involves burning the hair follicles with the heat produced by a laser.
What are the benefits of laser hair removal?
Benefits of laser hair removal include:
- Long-term procedure compared with other methods of hair removal, such as shaving, waxing, tweezing, and plucking
- Very low side effects
- Fewer sessions
- Less pain during the procedure
- Decreased risk of ingrown hair
Health News
- One Death, 10 Hospitalizations in Listeria Outbreak Tied to Peaches, Plums
- Charity Scams Get Active Over the Holidays: Expert Tips to Avoid Them
- Too Few Seniors Get Follow-up Care After a Serious Fall
- AI Could Predict a Nonsmoker's Risk for Lung Cancer
- Breast Cancer Rates Higher in Urban vs. Rural Areas
More Health News »
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/10-things-to-know-about-permanent-hair-removal
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21757-laser-hair-removal
https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/hair-removal/laser-hair-removal-overview
Top Can Hair Be Permanently Removed by Laser Related Articles
Do Hair Transplants Really Work?
A hair transplant is a procedure in which there is the removal of small pieces (punch grafts) of tissue from the hair-bearing scalp. This is called a donor area, and it is cut into smaller pieces to place these on a bald or thinning area of the scalp.Women’s Hair Loss: Causes, Treatments, and Solutions
Hair loss in women has many causes. Menopause is one cause of hair loss in women over 50. Hormones, medications, and stress are other potential causes. Hair loss treatments may include minoxidil (Rogaine), low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and steroids or anti-inflammatory medications.Your Hair & Your Health
Is your hair or scalp trying to tell you something about your health? Learn more about dandruff, scalp psoriasis, ringworm on the scalp, folliculitis, scalp pimples, and medications and conditions that affect your hair and body.Hair Care Slideshow
Looking for the best kept hair secrets? See this hair care guide and get tips about hair that is thin, gray, curly, colored, overprocessed, dandruff-prone, and much more.Hair Removal
There are many different types of hair removal: shaving, plucking, waxing, depilation, laser hair removal, oral medications, and electrolysis. Laser hair removal is one of the longest-lasting methods of hair removal. Unfortunately, no hair-removal technique is permanent when it comes to getting rid of unwanted hair.Hair Transplant Picture
Surgical approaches include various versions of hair transplantation (taking hair from the back and putting it near the front) or scalp reduction (cutting away bald areas and stitching the rest together). See a picture of Hair Transplant and learn more about the health topic.How Can I Remove Body Hair Permanently at Home?
Having body hair is normal. Some may want to get rid of face and body hair permanently for cosmetic reasons, while others may want to get rid of excess hair growth, especially on the face due to hormonal disorders. There are ways to get rid of hair for a long period of time and possibly permanently.How Can I Remove Facial Hair Permanently at Home?
The only advanced technique for hair removal that can permanently remove unwanted facial hair is electrolysis. Methods you can try for hair removal at home include shaving, waxing, depilatory creams, prescription medications, and homemade masks.How Long Can Drugs Be Detected in Hair Follicle Test?
A hair follicle drug test can detect drug use over the past 90 days.Ingrown Hair
Ingrown hairs may be caused by improper shaving, waxing, or blockage of the hair follicle. Symptoms and signs of ingrown hairs include itching, tenderness, and small red pus bumps. Ingrown hairs usually heal on their own, but topical antibiotics, chemical depilatories, and hair-removal lasers may be used in the treatment of ingrown hairs.Foods for Healthy Hair
Top foods for healthy hair include salmon, green vegetables, beans, nuts, poultry, eggs, whole grains, oysters, low-fat dairy products, and carrots. Foods for healthy hair supply protein, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals.What Are the Best Ways to Get Thicker Hair?
Hair loss and damage can occur due to genetic tendency for baldness, hormones (pregnancy), medications (cancer medication) and other medical illnesses (stress, thyroid disease or autoimmune diseases). Home remedies for thicker hair include massaging the scalp with oil, using minoxidil, applying hair masks or aloe vera, eating a balanced diet or taking hair growth supplements and nutrients.What Are the Four Types of Hair?
Hair type and texture are determined by several factors including genetics. There are four main types of hair texture: Type 1 - straight, Type 2 - wavy, Type 3 - curly and Type 4 - tightly curled.What Causes Greasy Hair?
While there are many causes of greasy hair, from scalp conditions to poor hair care habits, in most cases the problem can be fixed with a few lifestyle changes.What Health Problems Affect Your Hair?
Health problems that affect your hair include medication effects, scalp infections, alopecia, telogen effluvium, lupus, psoriasis, thyroid disorders, malnutrition, syphilis, and hormone imbalances.