Laser hair removal is a safe and effective treatment that safely reduces or removes unwanted body hair permanently. Treatment sessions typically need to take place four to six weeks apart for lasting results.
But even after several treatments, new hair growth may still occur. Why is this happening, and what can be done to stop it?
Hair Growth Cycle
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective method to permanently reduce or eradicate unwanted body hair. Using laser light, this process targets pigmentation in hair follicles to destroy them and stop future growth, eliminating shaving, waxing or plucking altogether. While results of laser treatment aren’t immediate; some may notice their hair growing back thicker and darker after receiving laser treatments; this is likely due to hair follicles being at different stages of their four to ten week growth cycles – when anagen phase hair follicles can more readily affected by laser treatments.
Once hair follicles enter the catagen phase, they begin to shed melanin pigment and detach from their base and shed. But they haven’t reached telogen yet which is considered their resting stage and where no growth or development takes place; this means laser light treatment won’t work to treat such hair.
After laser hair removal sessions, it can take several weeks for the follicles to switch into their anagen phase, meaning hair will begin shedding naturally over 7-30 days and thicker and darker regrowth occurs. When this happens, it’s important not to pull or tweeze new growth as this could trigger its bulb into entering anagen mode again and hasten hair removal processes.
Anagen stage hair is more susceptible to laser light damage due to having high concentrations of melanin pigment, while in catagen and telogen phases melanin pigment fades, making the hair less vulnerable. Therefore, many individuals require 4-6 treatments in order to experience effective results.
Appointments must also be kept to allow the laser to effectively target anagen follicles. Missed sessions could lead to hair follicles being left dormant and going dormant again, prolonging treatment.
Hormonal Imbalance
Understanding the hair growth cycle is complex, yet understanding its effects on laser treatments is vital to effective evaluations of laser procedures. There are three states of hair growth – Anagen (growing), Catagen (crystallizing) and Telogen (dead). Each stage affects laser treatments differently; when used to remove unwanted hair using laser technology, however, one goal should be focusing on targeting anagen stage hair with its energy beam in order to grab hold.
Unfortunately, hair in its Anagen stage grows quickly and often outstrips laser treatment, necessitating multiple laser hair removal sessions in order to reach all hair follicles in an area. A series of six to eight treatments should ensure all of them have been destroyed so as to never produce hair again.
Hormonal levels may also play an integral part in hair growth after laser treatment. This is especially relevant to women going through perimenopause or menopause as their hormones may become unbalanced, leading to an increase in androgen levels that in turn results in more hair growth.
Hormonal imbalances are an unavoidable part of human biology; however, for optimal health it’s essential that hormones remain balanced. To do this, eating healthily, sleeping enough and engaging in regular physical activity are all effective solutions; in addition to this it would also be wise to avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption as this will prevent imbalanced hormones from disrupting normal processes in your body.
After you have scheduled a laser hair removal treatment session, it is crucial that no form of hair removal such as shaving, waxing or plucking be undertaken prior to it – this may disrupt the hair follicles and force new growth into a cycle before laser treatment can target it effectively. Therefore, all forms of hair removal should be stopped one week before every laser hair treatment and scheduled follow up appointments as necessary – eventually you should achieve permanent results from laser hair removal!
Excessive Exfoliation
Be mindful if you enjoy exfoliation regularly with scrubs and peels; overdoing it could damage laser hair removal results. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells that block hair follicles from growing. However, exfoliating should still occur on an ongoing basis within 24 hours of receiving laser hair removal treatment; then after that period has expired it’s safe to use mild exfoliants like sugar or salt scrub and rub it onto your skin using circular motions for best results.
Laser hair removal works by targeting pigment and destroying hair follicles so they will never grow back, providing a safe and effective method for getting rid of unwanted hair on the face, armpits, bikini area, legs or any other parts of the body. While results may take several sessions to reach their full potential; you may notice faster or thicker growth as hair grows through its cycle – best targeted when in anagen phase for maximum effectiveness.
However, laser hair removal only targets hair follicles in their anagen phase – on average 15% of total number follicles – meaning multiple treatments may be necessary to effectively eliminate facial and body hair.
Once your body’s hair follicles have completed the anagen stage, they transition into the telogen or resting phase and begin producing new hair growth that may appear thicker or darker than what had been lost previously.
This is completely normal and a sure sign that the laser did its job by disrupting the hair growth cycle. Depending on your hair type and location, permanent results could take as many as six treatments before you notice tangible improvements.
If you are experiencing rapid hair regrowth after laser hair removal, don’t give up! An experienced aesthetician from Urban Company can assist in understanding why your hair is growing back so rapidly and recommend further treatments. Reach out today and schedule your initial consultation – we look forward to helping you love your skin once more.
Hair Thickness
Laser hair removal is an incredible way to permanently get rid of unwanted hair. No longer do we have to spend money on expensive razor blades, shaving creams and blades or waxing treatments – not to mention increase self-esteem by eliminating embarrassing stubble or ingrown hairs! However, many individuals experience unexpected hair growth after laser treatment has completed.
Laser treatments only destroy hair follicles during their Anagen phase, meaning some hair will shift into resting or Catagen phase following laser treatment and cannot be killed by laser. At this time, your body naturally sheds off those unwanted locks it no longer needs – another natural process!
Regrowth after laser hair removal could also be related to ineffective treatments, or paradoxical hypertrichosis – an uncommon but possible side effect of laser therapy that has been linked with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and medications like corticosteroids.
To maximize results from laser treatment, it is recommended that regular top-up sessions be scheduled. The more sessions you attend, the higher your likelihood is of eliminating hair regrowth altogether. While each individual’s number of treatments varies based on his/her natural rate of hair growth. It is advised to have at least four treatment sessions for optimal results.
