Laser hair removal is a popular and effective method for reducing unwanted hair on various body parts. Why shave every few days or wax every few weeks when you can permanently remove unwanted hair? If you are certain you will never want hair in an area of your body in the future, then laser is the way to go. Laser hair removal is possible on most hair as long as it has some pigment in it. However, white or gray hairs don’t respond. So, if you’re interested, best to sign up before you go gray! Lots of people ask how many treatments and how long they need to wait in between treatments. One important factor that determines the number of treatments and the time in between them is the hair growth cycle.
What is the hair cycle?
Once you’ve decided to have laser hair removal, how many sessions will you need and how often do you need to treat? That depends on the area being treated. We time the treatments with the hair cycle. There are three phases of hair growth:
- Anagen: growth phase
- Catagen: transition phase
- Telogen: resting phase
After the resting phase, the hair falls out and the anagen phase begins again.
How does the hair cycle affect laser hair removal?
The hairs respond to the laser when they are in the anagen phase (when the hair is growing). At any given time, only about 20% of the hairs are in the anagen phase. That’s the main reason multiple sessions are needed. The hair cycle varies around the body. If you wait long enough, more hairs will enter the anagen phase and be susceptible to the laser. If you treat too soon, it will be much less effective. We know it is hard to wait, but if you time the treatments well, you’ll need fewer of them.
What is optimal timing for laser hair removal?
Face and Neck: 4-6 weeks
For the face and neck, most patients see significant hair reduction after just 2-4 treatments, with 4-6 weeks in between sessions. This is because the hair on the face and neck is typically in the Anagen phase more frequently than other areas of the body.
Hair follicles on the face and neck are responsive to hormones. The hair cycle is quickest on the face. For this reason, you may need more sessions to treat the face than other areas of the body. Between 6-10 treatments may be necessary.
Underarms: 8-10 weeks
For the underarms, 4-6 treatments are typically recommended, with 8-10 weeks in between.
Bikini Area: 8-10 weeks
For the bikini area, 4-6 treatments are generally recommended, with 8-10 weeks in between.
Chest/Back: 8-10 weeks
The chest and back may require 6-8 treatments, with 8-10 weeks in between as the hair growth in these areas is slower than other areas.
Legs: 10-12 weeks
And for the legs, it may take 6-8 treatments with 10-12 weeks in between.
We realize that our recommendations are for a little bit longer interval than other places espouse. We get better results with a longer interval, and you will benefit by needing fewer treatments overall. It's important to note that everyone's hair growth patterns are unique, and these recommendations may vary based on individual factors such as skin type, hair color, and thickness, and the rate of hair growth. Additionally, some people may require additional touch-up treatments to maintain results.
How to prepare for laser hair removal:
Before starting laser hair removal, it's important to avoid sun exposure and any other hair removal methods such as waxing or plucking, as they can affect the results. Also, during the treatment, it's important to protect the skin from sun exposure and avoid heat exposure such as saunas, hot baths, and sweating a lot, to ensure best results.
Summary:
In conclusion, laser hair removal is an effective way to reduce unwanted hair on various body parts, but the number of treatments and time in between them will vary based on the area being treated and the hair growth cycle. It's important to work with a qualified and trained medical professional to determine the best treatment plan for your individual needs. Remember that results may vary based on individual factors and some maintenance may be required.
