How to Tell If Laser Hair Removal is Working

Brian Lett
By Brian Lett
10 Min Read

Men and women typically require six to eight laser treatments spaced out over four to six week intervals to see the desired results, which typically do not result in new hair growth for months or even years afterward.

Treatment sessions tend to be quick and painless; however, hormonal factors may prevent laser hair removal from working effectively.

1. You’re not seeing any hair growth

Seeing no results after laser treatment sessions doesn’t necessarily indicate they’re not working; more treatments may be required as lasers only target hair follicles in their anagen phase of growth, meaning damage can only occur while they’re growing; as a result, most people require four to six sessions before seeing results.

Prior to laser hair removal appointments, it’s essential that any other methods such as plucking and waxing be avoided, in order to maximize laser’s targeting of anagen phase hairs only. Otherwise, these other hair removal methods could disturb this phase and allow unwanted hairs to come back!

Another factor that could compromise your results includes your hair color and skin type. Lasers work best with dark hair; they do not work as effectively on lighter tones without enough pigment for them to target with laser light. Furthermore, you should refrain from engaging in activities such as sunless tanning or using creams that darken skin tone as these could reduce effectiveness of the laser light.

Attend all your laser hair removal appointments as missed appointments could delay your desired results. Missed laser appointments could force the affected hairs into their telogen phase and become invisible under your skin, potentially delaying results by weeks or even months.

Once hair reaches the telogen phase, it will naturally fall out on its own; therefore, regular treatments and maintenance appointments are key in order to achieve the best possible results. Are you ready to finally stop worrying about unwanted hair? Book an appointment at LH Spa & Rejuvenation today; our laser hair removal packages can help you look and feel your absolute best! Call or text us now and arrange your consultation! We look forward to meeting with you!

2. You’re not feeling any pain

Laser hair removal employs powerful light pulses to destroy the hair follicles responsible for growing unwanted hair. Attracted by pigment in your hair, laser light hits each individual follicle and converts into heat damage; damaged follicles no longer produce hair production and eventually fall out within three to five days after treatment session; sometimes multiple sessions may be necessary to fully eradicate all targeted areas’ hair follicles.

Laser hair removal appointments typically don’t last more than a few minutes and usually involve some minor discomfort. Your physician will press a hand-held laser instrument against your skin while using cooling devices or gels to reduce potential side effects and side-effects. Once activated, you may feel a warm pinprick sensation as light penetrates to damage hair follicles which then vaporize. A sulfurous smell might also accompany this process.

Your results may depend on your skin type and thickness of hair, but in general you should see a marked decrease in hair growth after just a few laser treatments. If no changes have occurred after trying multiple sessions it’s important to discuss with your laser hair removal specialist why results have slowed or stopped completely.

Be mindful that laser hair removal isn’t permanent; regular maintenance sessions may be needed in order to achieve your desired results. If you decide to stop treatment altogether, follow your dermatologist’s recommendations in order to maintain healthy skin in the future.

Before arriving for your laser hair removal session, make sure you shave the area that will be treated. Furthermore, do not use lotion, makeup or deodorant on the day of treatment as this could prevent light from penetrating your skin and potentially diminish its effectiveness.

3. You’re not seeing any swelling

Laser hair removal uses powerful light energy to target specific hair follicles, impacting and stopping them from growing back, which results in gradual hair reduction over time. It is possible for this method of hair removal to significantly decrease unwanted hair in an area.

There could be several reasons why laser hair removal may not be working as intended.

Your Treatment Prep Was Inadequate

In addition to using an OTC topical numbing cream prior to receiving laser treatments, it’s also crucial that you follow proper preparation protocols for each area being treated. Avoid shaving or waxing any areas you want treated, and shave 24 hours prior to your appointment (if shaving must occur at all). In addition, lotions and deodorants should not be applied directly on the skin prior to receiving laser energy absorption treatments as these may interfere with laser energy absorption and could affect how effectively laser energy absorption occurs during sessions.

As Attending Regular Appointments

Attending your laser hair removal treatments on time can have a major effect on how quickly your desired results are attained. Most people require between four and six laser sessions before reaching optimal results; missing even one treatment could force the hair follicles into resting phase before being targeted again, significantly diminishing treatment effectiveness and decreasing success rates.

If Your Results Don’t Satisfy Expectations

If the lack of results are being experienced from laser hair removal treatments, it could be that the clinic or med spa you visited didn’t use high-grade equipment for treatments. A number of factors impact the quality of a laser hair removal device such as power, speed and wavelength used to target hair follicles.

There are also medical conditions that can compromise the efficacy of laser hair removal, including hirsutism – an imbalance of hormones which leads to unwanted hair growth in both men and women. Women experiencing polycystic ovarian syndrome or postmenopausal hormonal changes are more prone to develop this condition as their bodies produce both estrogen and testosterone which promote excessive hair growth.

Though laser hair removal works on most types and colors of hair, such as brown, dark red or blonde tresses without pigment, white or blonde tresses do not respond as effectively due to lacking any pigmentation. Therefore, before commencing with treatment it is wise to discuss these details with your practitioner prior to beginning.

4. You’re not seeing any redness

Laser hair removal might not have had immediate results for you; that is perfectly normal. Results typically appear within several treatment sessions and depend on factors like hair color and skin type. Lasers emit light that attracts pigment in hair follicles that is then destroyed by heat from the laser; this process removes unwanted hair from an area, potentially eliminating shaving or waxing that area ever again!

If the laser hair removal treatment isn’t producing results as anticipated, it could be because there are too many dead follicles. Hair grows in cycles; thus laser treatment will only destroy an active-growth phase hair follicle when in its active growth phase – meaning multiple laser treatments might be required for optimal results.

Another possible cause is using the wrong products. Before going in for laser hair removal treatment, make sure the area being treated is completely hairless; avoid placing lotions, makeup or any other product directly on the area getting treated; also shave the area prior to starting treatment so as to ensure all energy from laser is being properly absorbed by hair follicles.

Before booking your initial laser hair removal appointment, it is imperative that you consult a qualified practitioner. While this may seem obvious, many have experienced burned or irritated skin due to visiting practitioners with limited training or knowledge about laser hair removal. Always ask about their credentials, read reviews online and speak with past clients to gain more insight into their experience.

Laser hair removal is an effective and safe solution to permanently reduce unwanted body hair, with most people experiencing lasting results after multiple sessions. But if something’s amiss, don’t be intimidated from seeking answers; don’t hesitate to speak up if the expected outcomes don’t happen as promised!

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