What does shedding after laser hair removal looks like? | Skin Perfection (2024)

FAQs

What does shedding after laser hair removal looks like? | Skin Perfection? ›

In the days following the treatment, the hair follicles will gradually shed. This shedding process may cause your skin to look like it has stubble, but this is only temporary. It's essential not to pick or scratch at the skin, as this can cause irritation and potentially lead to scarring.

When the laser targets the hair follicle, it damages the root of the hair. This damage signals to the body that the hair is no longer needed and will eventually be shed. In most cases, this occurs 1 to 3 weeks after your LHR treatment, and it sometimes looks like blackheads or stubble.

After the procedure

You might notice redness and swelling for the first few hours after laser hair removal. To reduce any discomfort, apply ice to the treated area. If you have a skin reaction immediately after laser hair removal, the doctor might apply a steroid cream to the affected area.

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.

After your laser session, the growth of new hair will be less noticeable. However, even though laser treatments damage hair follicles, they're not destroyed completely. Over time, the treated follicles may recover from the initial damage and grow hair again.

You will likely see the results immediately after treatment. The results vary from patient to patient. The color and thickness of your hair, area treated, type of laser used, and color of your skin all affect the results. You can expect a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after the first treatment.

Tips to Encourage Faster Shedding

Moisturising the Skin: Proper hydration of the skin can ease the shedding of hair. Opt for hypoallergenic and fragrance-free moisturisers that soothe without causing irritation. Avoiding Sun Exposure: The treated areas are particularly sensitive to UV rays post-laser.

Regular Shaving – Shaving is a safe and efficient method to remove dead hair. It doesn't disturb the hair follicles treated by the laser, making it a suitable option between sessions. Avoid Sun Exposure – Protect the treated area from direct sun exposure.

Hair Shedding – After a laser hair removal treatment, it's common for the treated hair to shed. This shedding process can take 10-14 days post treatment. And during this time, it may appear as though the hair is growing back thicker and darker. However, this is simply the hair follicle shedding the treated hair.

Other potential side effects include swelling, redness, and scarring. Permanent scarring or changes in skin color are rare. Blisters are rare but are more likely in people with darker complexions. Another rare side effect is the treated hair turning gray or more hair growing around the treated areas.

What happens if you don't exfoliate after laser hair removal? ›

5-14 days after treatment

If you don't exfoliate these hairs some may become trapped so it's best to lightly exfoliate every few days to avoid this. If you continue to shave you may not notice this happening but it is nothing to worry about, it is a sign treatment has been effective.

Regret usually stems from choosing the wrong provider. While laser hair removal itself is rarely regrettable, what can lead to regret is choosing the wrong provider. A cheap, inexperienced clinic may use outdated equipment or incorrect techniques, leading to less effective treatment or even unwanted side-effects.

If you shave too quickly you may irritate the skin even more, so waiting at least three or four days after your treatment is usually ideal. A few days following your laser hair removal treatment, you may notice your hair shedding.

When does shedding start after laser hair removal? Text Hair shedding after laser hair removal begins around 7-14 days after you have treatment and will reoccur with every treatment that you have until your hair is removed at a standard that you are happy with.

Blackheads and Stubble

Up to a few weeks after treatment, your skin will develop stubble or blackheads as a part of the shedding process that happens from hairs that were partially grown at the time of the procedure. Exfoliation during this period aids the shedding and diminishes the blackhead or stubble appearance.

The goal of laser hair removal is to damage the structures that produce hair to the extent that hair stops growing. Hair removal methods such as plucking and waxing, as well as making the treatment ineffective may also result in the hair growing back more strongly.

This is a normal response and usually subsides within a few hours. 7-14 days after the procedure the hairs will begin to fall out. Now, this doesn't mean the hair won't ever return. After a single session of laser hair removal, some hair will grow back.

Thanks to the laser's focus on the follicles, you will barely notice any immediate difference other than some redness from laser following your treatment. While the hair will still be visible, it is important to understand that the follicle that is responsible for its growth is already fried and dead.