How Many Laser Hair Removal Sessions Do You Need?

Getting rid of unwanted body hair can be frustrating, time-consuming, and even painful. For time better spent, laser hair removal provides a long-lasting alternative to shaving, waxing, and plucking. While it takes multiple sessions to reap the full benefits, you may start to see results soon after the first session.

How laser hair removal works

First, it is important to know how laser hair removal works. The medical spa provider will hold the skin of the problem area taut before they begin vaporizing the hair with the laser. This damages the hair follicles to slow new growth. Keep in mind the laser will not be effective on hairless skin, nor will it be able to remove long or fully grown-out body hairs. Therefore, patients are recommended to shave a few days before the session.

For safety reasons, both the patient and med spa provider will wear protective eyewear during each laser hair removal session. A numbing gel may be requested to dull the sensations of the laser against the skin. Many patients liken it to having a rubberband snapped against the skin or pinpricks.

The average timeline for laser hair removal

On average, laser hair removal will take between two to six sessions, with four to six weeks in between each session. Patients do not need to wait until the end of treatment to see results. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, the first session of laser hair removal results in a 10 to 25% reduction in hair growth for most patients. However, every patient is different.

Why it takes more than one session

Laser hair removal takes multiple sessions because the core mechanism behind it is the repetitive damaging of hair follicles with intense beams of light. Each session will also remove body hair as it attempts to grow back. This is because the hair follicles are in an active growth stage.

As for why some patients need more laser sessions than others, this usually comes down to the thickness of the body hair, as well as its color and location. Some body hair is more stubborn than others. Other factors that may influence treatment time include the patient’s gender and skin tone.

Complications

The timeline for laser hair removal may be extended if the patient experiences complications. If these occur, the medical spa provider will not be able to go over the area with the laser until it heals. This could result in a prolonged treatment time. If a lot of time passes, the patient may need to restart treatment. Examples of these potential but rare complications include:

• Scarring
• Blistering
• Infections
• Herpes simplex (cold sores)
• Hyperpigmentation (skin darkening)
• Hypopigmentation (skin lightening)

A quick recovery and easy aftercare

There are some common, normal side effects of laser hair removal to be aware of — discomfort, redness, and inflammation. These will not slow down treatment. For most patients, they clear up in just one to three days. Cold compresses may help them clear up faster.

Regardless of whether or not the patient experiences side effects or complications, they should follow aftercare guidelines to protect the skin from further damage. For instance, they should refrain from tanning and using skin-lightening products. Protecting the treated area from being exposed to direct sunlight is also crucial. Depending on the location of the treated area, the medical spa provider may provide personalized tips for the patient as well.

Overall, recovery and aftercare for laser hair removal are minimal. Patients can return to their normal activities immediately after leaving the med spa. That said, some patients opt to stay the night of the session because of the potential for redness and inflammation.

How long will results last?

Many patients enjoy smooth and silky skin for months after laser hair removal. Sometimes, results last for years. Additionally, when hair eventually does grow back, many find that their new growth is thinner, finer, and lighter than before.

If the patient wishes to remove regrowth, maintenance laser treatments are an effective option. Medical spa technicians can discuss when maintenance treatments may be beneficial on a patient-by-patient basis.

Learn more in a consultation

Laser removal is a trusted way to get smoother, silkier skin without the inconvenience of at-home hair removal. And while it may take a few sessions, it does not really compare to having to spend time and money shaving or plucking every few days. To learn more about laser hair removal, its benefits, and its treatment outlook, call our Celebration medical spa.

Request an appointment here: https://floridacosmeticcenter.com or call Florida Cosmetic Center at (321) 415-9826 for an appointment in our Celebration office.

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