Will My Hair Grow After Laser Hair Removal?

Dealing with unwanted body hair is frustrating, which is why many of us are looking for solutions that can deliver permanent results. Conventional methods like shaving and waxing are out of the equation, since they can only last for several days to a few weeks. The same is also true for plucking and the use of depilatory creams.

Laser hair removal stands out from traditional methods, as it promises long-term results. Is it true? Is laser hair removal a permanent solution to unwanted body hair? Continue reading to find out. 

Getting to know laser hair removal

Laser hair removal works by delivering concentrated pulses of laser light, which is absorbed by the melanin or hair pigment. Then, the light is converted into heat, damaging and destroying follicles. It disables future hair growth, as it targets the hair-producing follicles located below the skin, instead of just cutting or pulling the hair. 

Here at Cutis Laser Clinics, we use the Cutera CoolGlide Laser. This US FDA-cleared device provides lasting hair reduction results with its longer wavelength and innovative cooling design. This also enables a safe and effective treatment that works on all skin types and tones, including those with darker and tanned skin.

The CoolGlide laser delivers light energy to hundreds of hair follicles, effectively treating a large area in a short amount of time. Laser hair removal is one of the few treatments that provides long-lasting and permanent hair reduction results. It works best on coarse hair, but can also treat body areas with fine hair. 

Common treatment areas include:

• Face
• Back
• Chest
• Arms 
• Legs
• Bikini area

Will my hair grow after laser hair removal?

It is normal to see some hair growth after the treatment, but this does not necessarily mean that laser hair removal is ineffective. It can target about 80 to 90% of your hair and any left behind should be fine and light. It is effective at reducing the number of hairs in the treated area by damaging the hair follicles.

Do take note that while the damaged hair follicles stop hair growth, some of them eventually heal. Thinsthen causes regrowth, but the hairs are much finer because of the pigment or melanin removed during the procedure. This is also the reason why multiple sessions (6 or more) are recommended to see optimal results.

New hair growth after laser hair removal can also be due to other factors, including:

• Pregnancy
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Hormonal changes

Here’s what you can expect with laser hair removal. 

Why do you need to attend follow-up sessions?

You may be glad to know that hair removal is FDA-cleared for permanent hair reduction. Several sessions, however, are required to achieve stable hair reduction or to be almost hair-free. The number of treatments varies and can depend on your skin tone and the amount and density of your hairs. 

Multiple sessions are also required because the laser technology only targets hair in the Anagen or active growth stage. Those on the catagen or dormant stage are unaffected and will grow in the future. Also, only a certain percentage of hair (about 10 to 15 %) is treated in one session. 

Touch-up treatments can help maintain long-term results or address new hair regrowth brought on by hormonal changes and other factors.

Why does laser hair removal beat other methods?

While laser hair removal cannot permanently get rid of your unwanted hair, it can permanently reduce its number. Plus, this method is also good for the environment, as it does not produce unnecessary waste. Laser hair removal is also cost-effective for the long-term, as it lets you save on continuous cost of razors, wax, and waxing strips. 

Just be sure to only get your laser hair removal session from certified medical or aesthetic doctors. This is to have a safe and effective treatment, as well as avoid unwanted side effects like burns or scars. Your aesthetic doctor will also recommend the number of sessions you need, based on your skin type and amount of hairs.  

Looking for laser hair removal treatment in Singapore? Contact Cutis Laser Clinics today and schedule a consultation with our Harvard-trained aesthetic doctor, Dr. Sylvia Ramirez, to find out if this method is right for you.