Laser Hair Removal: What to do when you miss a treatment? (2024)

FAQs

Laser Hair Removal: What to do when you miss a treatment? ›

Get in touch with your treatment provider and let them know of your concerns about missing a session so they can adjust your treatment plan accordingly.

When you have multiple breaks it means your growth cycles will catch up and will leave you with the illusion that more hair is growing back. However, the occasional missed appointment won't negate previous progress or significantly hinder your overall results.

However, if you wait too long between treatments, hair follicles can be too long and won't sustain enough damage with light energy to stop growing hair. You may still experience an initial thinning, but those results will fade, and it won't be long before your normal hair growth is back.

And irregular treatment can potentially prolong the overall process, meaning you may not get the results you would expect form your course. If too much time passes between treatments, some follicles might recover and start to produce hair again.

If treatment is stopped before all of the hair follicles have been destroyed, some may continue to grow. It is important to complete the recommended treatment plan to achieve the best results.

Don't panic, and don't give up on your hair removal journey. If you miss a laser hair removal session, it's important to get back on schedule right away. The reason for this is because the hair that hasn't been treated during its growth cycle will return when it is in its growth phase.

If you forget to shave, the effectiveness of your treatment may diminish. The laser, instead of focusing on the follicles, might target surface hair. This can lead to heightened discomfort, potential stinging, and a risk of burns. Surface impurities like dirt and oil can also reduce efficacy.

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.

Yes, you can shave in between each laser hair removal treatment. During your course of treatment, you can shave any unwanted hair that may regrow. After your first laser hair removal session you will notice that you won't need to shave as much as before.

If you stop laser hair removal too early, you'll likely be left with something around the percentage that is there now. Once the particular follicle is dead it won't regrow, but new ones can be triggered by hormonal changes.

Why am I still hairy after laser hair removal? ›

Patients may notice more hair 1 – 3 weeks after laser hair removal sessions as follicles in the growing cycle begin to shed. During this process, exfoliating the skin, once swelling and redness have dissipated, can help hairs shed faster, leaving skin feeling smoother.

Depending on the hair, skin type, and body area being treated, you will require treatments at 4-6 weeks intervals. For the facial area, treatments can be done at 2-4 week intervals.

If you don't notice the hair shedding within a few days of treatment, don't worry. The rate of hair loss and regrowth is unique to each individual, and factors such as skin type and colour, hair colour, and hormones can affect the process. The best thing to do is be patient and wait for the hair to shed.

If you want too long between treatments, your hair follicles won't be damaged enough to stop growing hair. You'll see an initial thinning, but your results will fade, and it won't be long before you're back to normal hair growth.

Pulling out loose hair after a laser hair removal session is not recommended. It disrupts the hair growth cycle; when hairs are loose it means the hair is in its cycle of removal. If it's removed before it dies on its own, it could stimulate hair to grow again.

6-8 Treatments Every 4-6 Weeks

The face and neck are hormonal areas of the body and, therefore, grow more hair than non-hormonal parts, like legs or arms. It usually takes six to eight treatments for optimal results with treatments spaced four to six weeks apart.

After just one session of laser hair removal, many clients report a noticeable reduction in hair growth. The procedure works by directing concentrated light into hair follicles. When the pigment in the follicles absorbs this light, the hair is destroyed.

Depending on the hair, skin type, and body area being treated, you will require treatments at 4-6 weeks intervals. For the facial area, treatments can be done at 2-4 week intervals.

You can expect a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after the first treatment. To remove the hair, most patients need 2 to 6 laser treatments. After finishing the treatments, most patients do not see any hair on the treated skin for several months or even years. When the hair regrows, there tends to be less of it.