Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?

Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?
By Stephen Baxter
Most people considering laser hair removal want to know whether it is permanent. It is often advertised as a permanent hair removal method, but the FDA has not certified it as such. In fact, the only FDA-certified permanent hair removal method is electrolysis.

However, laser hair removal does offer long-lasting results. Many people find that they experience a hair-free period of several years after their treatment. Because the follicle is disabled but not completely destroyed by the laser, it is possible that these follicles may become active again at some point in the future.

The exact result of laser hair removal, and how long the results will last, depends on several factors. Usually, the procedure is most effective on areas of the body that have thin skin, such as the bikini lines and armpits.

It is less effective on areas with thick skin, like the back and chin, but can still be used effectively as long as the laser has been calibrated correctly.

This is just one of the many reasons to be sure you've chosen a reputable and experienced doctor for your laser hair removal procedure.
The hairs that re-grow after treatment are usually lighter and finer than the original hairs. If the wrong types of lasers are used or they are not calibrated correctly, especially when used on blonde or other light hairs, complete regrowth is possible.

Many laser types are completely ineffective against blonde hairs, and no currently developed laser can remove fine 'peach fuzz'.

In order to have long-term hair removal, you must undergo 6-8 sessions, usually spaced about a month apart. This allows the laser to catch the actively growing hairs; not all hairs are actively growing at any given time, and the laser is only effective against follicles in the active growth phase.
Some people respond better to the laser hair removal treatment than others, so it is not possible to predict your exact results beforehand. Some people undergo touch-up treatments, which usually occur at longer and longer intervals.

Be sure to discuss your situation with your doctor before, during, and after treatment.

This is particularly important if you undergo several sessions and the procedure does not appear to be working. There may be an underlying medical condition causing the hairs to grow excessively, in which case laser hair removal will appear to be ineffective as your body keeps producing new hairs.

Your results also depend on the doctor's skill, the type of laser used, and how the laser is calibrated. Be sure to discuss the possibilities with your doctor before agreeing to laser hair removal.
Stephen Baxter is the author of the Lazer Hair Removal Guide where you can get more information and advice on lazer hair removal and find out more about how permanent lazer hair removal is.
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