You can expect a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after the first treatment. To remove the hair, most patients need 2 to 6 laser treatments. After finishing the treatments, most patients do not see any hair on the treated skin for several months or even years. When the hair regrows, there tends to be less of it.
Raed on for more information on how long does laser hair removal actually last and does laser hair removal permanently remove hair
Unwanted body hair is a hassle that no one wants to deal with. In today’s society where looks and grooming have become so important, people want to flaunt their smooth, hairless skin. Waxing and shaving are one way to eliminate body hair, but the results are often unsatisfactory. This is why many people nowadays opt for laser hair removal treatments. During this procedure, the high intensity of the laser destroys the hair follicle underneath skin. It is a safe and painless procedure that ensures permanent hair removal results.
How Good Is Laser Hair Removal
Below, we look at the top benefits of laser hair removal which makes it a popular procedure.
1. Saves Time
Other alternatives, like waxing and shaving, require a lot of time and effort. Both processes need to be repeated every 3-4 weeks to maintain completely hairless skin. One ends up spending lot of their hours in the salon due to this.
With laser treatments, each session doesn’t take more than 30 minutes. Since the laser machine targets multiple hair follicles simultaneously, it becomes a quick procedure. The results are precise and effective, thus, saving time.
2. Cost-Effective
In India, a salon appointment for hands and legs waxing charges between Rs. 800 – Rs. 2000 based on the kind of parlour you visit. Imagine spending this much amount every month! And if you prefer the shaving method, then calculate the estimated cost of razors, shaving creams, and lotions that you spend monthly.
Now compare the waxing and shaving cost to the one-time price of a laser hair removal procedure. Once you finish the treatment, results are permanent. So, even if the price is a little on higher side, think of it as a lifetime investment. Hence, laser treatments are cost-effective in the long run.
3. Painless
In waxing, the hair follicles are forcefully uprooted from its root. It is an uncomfortable and often painful experience for most people. With shaving, there are chances of small cuts or nicks which may cause minor bleeding.
Using laser treatment for unwanted hair removal involves zero pain. At the most, patients may feel a similar sensation of a small pinprick. There is no other discomfort or side-effect. The procedure is completely safe, painless, and comfortable.
4. Personalised treatment
The settings in the laser machine can be customised as per individual skin colour and skin tone of the patient. Always choose a reputable clinic where certified experts perform the procedure.
5. Precise results
Thanks to the advancement in technology, the laser machine targets only a specific part of the body. Hence, laser procedures are the best way to remove unwanted hair from selected areas such as upper lips, chin, or bikini line. The procedure gives you precise results.
6. Stops hair ingrowth
In a laser procedure, the microbeams destroy the hair follicle from underneath the skin. The hair root is completely destroyed from within, which eliminates any chances of ingrown hair on the skin.
7. No waiting for regrowth
One big problem of hair removal via waxing is that people have to allow the body hair to grow up to a certain point. If there is not enough hair to pull, waxing cannot be done properly. With laser hair removal, there is no need of waiting for this hair regrowth to happen. The procedure can be performed at anytime if the hair is in active (anagen) phase.
How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Actually Last
One session of laser hair removal will typically cost anywhere between $200 and $400, and you’ll likely need at least 4 to 6 sessions, spaced about a month apart.
Because laser hair removal is an elective cosmetic procedure, it will not be covered by insurance, but you should be able to return to work immediately.
How does laser hair removal on the face work?
Laser hair removal works by sending a light into the hair follicle via laser, which is absorbed by the pigment, or melanin, in the hair — this is why it originally worked best on people with darker hair.
When the light is absorbed by the pigment, it’s converted to heat, which is what actually damages the follicle.
After the laser damages the hair follicle, the hair vaporizes, and a full round of treatments later the hair will stop growing back.
Laser hair removal may help prevent ingrown hairs and will save time typically spent waxing or shaving.
Procedure for laser hair removal on the face
Before the laser hair removal procedure begins, your face will be thoroughly cleaned and a numbing gel may be applied to the treatment area. You’ll be given goggles to wear, and your hair will likely be covered.
The practitioner will aim the laser at the specified area. Most patients say the sensation feels like a rubber band snapping against the skin, or a sunburn. You may smell the scent of burnt hair.
Because the face area is smaller than other parts of the body, like the chest or legs, laser hair removal on the face will generally be pretty quick, sometimes done in as little as 15–20 minutes.
Targeted areas for treatment
You can get laser hair removal anywhere on the body, and it’s safe for most people. However, it’s advised the pregnant people don’t get laser treatments of any kind, including laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal can be done anywhere on the face including the:
chin
upper lip
forehead
temples
cheeks
Are there any risks or side effects?
Severe side effects or complications related to laser hair removal on the face are rare. Side effects will typically resolve on their own and may include:
redness
swelling
skin irritation
In rare cases, more serious side effects of laser hair removal include:
infection
permanent changes in skin tone or color
blisters
burns
scarring
What to expect after laser hair removal on the face?
In the days following laser hair removal, you can expect to resume most of your normal activities, though you should refrain from exercise and direct sun exposure.
Expect to be a bit patient — it may take up to 2 to 3 weeks for you to see a noticeable difference in hair growth, and it may take several sessions to see full results.
Results should be permanent, though you will likely need one yearly maintenance appointment.
Before and after pictures
It can be helpful to see before and after photos from real people who’ve had laser hair removal on their face when deciding if it’s right for you and your body.
Does Laser Hair Removal Permanently Remove Hair
But are there any disadvantages to a Brazilian laser hair removal procedure? Compared to other hair removal methods, the disadvantages of this procedure are very minimal while the advantages are significantly better than the others. Brazilian laser hair removal offers a non-invasive, painless, and effective way to get rid of unwanted body hair.
Are there Any Disadvantages to a Brazilian Laser Hair Removal?
Aesthetic treatments and procedures are available to help you maintain your hygiene and overall appearance. But like any other procedures, this method still has its own disadvantages such as the following:
- Multiple sessions. The treatment requires a patient to complete multiple sessions to achieve the best results, similar to other alternatives. Depending on how much pubic hair you have, your sessions may be less frequent with Brazilian laser hair removal than Brazilian wax.
- Permanent hair removal results aren’t guaranteed. The possibility of your pubic hair growing back depends on how your hair follicle responds to the lasers, so it may not result in permanent hair reduction. In most cases, this treatment doesn’t result in permanent hair removal but they last longer than other alternatives.
- Expensive treatment sessions. Each session of Brazilian laser hair removal is expensive compared to other alternative Brazilian hair removals. However, the alternatives require more frequent sessions to maintain your hairless intimate area so those methods are actually more expensive in the long run.
- Risky for patients with a darker skin tone. The heat from lasers targets pigments to remove hair effectively. Since patients with darker skin tones have dark pigments, their skin may also absorb more laser heat compared to lighter-skinned patients, which can result in discoloration. However, the risk of this incident is low if high-quality equipment is used for your Brazilian laser hair removal treatment.
- Patients with light-colored hair may experience different results. Because laser hair removal works by targeting pigment, laser hair removal may be less effective on a patient with light-colored hair. Fortunately, using advanced and powerful laser machines may contribute to enhancing the treatment’s effectiveness on light-colored hair.
- Risk of skin damage. Like Brazilian hair removal alternatives, laser hair removal may cause skin damage. Because it heats hair to remove each hair follicle, the risk of skin damage is included in this treatment. The risk of skin drying out is also possible with laser hair removal. However, skin damage caused by this method isn’t permanent and proper aftercare remedies may quickly resolve these temporary damages.
In the long run, Brazilian laser hair removal is still more effective and less invasive compared to other treatments. Summarized in the table below are the disadvantages of Brazilian laser hair removal and how these compare with the alternative Brazilian hair removal treatments.
| Brazilian Laser Hair Removal | Alternative Methods |
| Requires multiple sessions | Requires more frequent sessions to remove unwanted hair |
| Permanent hair removal results aren’t guaranteed but this laser treatment requires less maintenance sessions | Permanent results aren’t guaranteed and these treatments require monthly or twice a month sessions, which are more frequent than laser hair removal |
| Expensive treatment sessions | Affordable treatment sessions, but expensive in the long run due to the frequency of maintenance sessions |
| Risky for patients with a dark skin-tone, and may be less effective for patients with light-colored hair. But using the right equipment, the safety and effectiveness of the laser treatment may be secured | Skin tone and hair color is irrelevant when it comes to the effectiveness of alternative methods |
| Risk of temporary, minimal skin damage which may be remediated by proper aftercare habits | Risk of greater skin damage and discoloration that may last longer than laser hair removal. These treatments may also result in some residue of unwanted hair that may cause ingrown hair growth |