Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?

Say goodbye to undesirable facial and body hair. Laser Hair Removal is a viable hair removal technique that provides permanent results to hair reduction, making your skin smooth. Laser hair removal is a superior solution for men and women of all skin colors and types. In addition, it’s suitable for all skin types.

Today, let us learn more about this treatment, including the Candela GentleMax Pro series, the gold standard laser treatment for hair removal. We’ll also know if laser hair removal is permanent or not.

What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal uses a high-tech device that targets the hair follicles’ pigments to destroy the hair permanently. Experts recommend consultations for maximum customization, depending on one’s hair type and skin tone. As a personalized treatment, all patients’ concerns are unique.

The state-of-the-art lasers grasp melanin concentration in the hair and skin. These light beams heat the blood supply down to the hair’s roots. The epidermal hair is removed and will subside from the inactive follicle seven to twenty-one days after the procedure. The following hair cycle begins, and follow-up treatments will be scheduled and performed on time. With each treatment, the amount of hair lessens by thirty percent.

The advantages of this treatment include:

• Combats ingrown hairs
• Permanent hair reduction
• Produces no scarring
• Softens the skin

Candela GentleMax Pro

The Candela GentleMax Pro is a single consolidated system that delivers several treatments. It’s a dual laser platform that combines the GentleLASE with the GentleYAG for optimal performance. The laser consists of dual-wavelength technology and provides permanent hair reduction on all skin types, including tanned skin.

How It Works

Laser hair removal therapy uses high-heat laser beams as a mild form of radiation. These laser beams heat up during the process and damage your hair follicles. Our hair follicles are located directly beneath our skin. Since they are responsible for producing new strands of hair, when the bristles are destroyed, hair production is temporarily disabled.

By contrast, tweezing, shaving, and waxing removes hair above the surface. These methods don’t target hair-producing follicles. Overall, laser hair removals are relatively quick procedures. Smaller places in the body, like the upper lip, may only take a few minutes. Larger sizes of hair removal, like those on the back or chest, may take an hour or even longer.

When dermatologists apply topical pain-relieving gels or anesthetics first, you may expect to be at the office for up to another hour. Amidst high success rates of laser hair removal, hair follicles eventually heal. This healing ultimately results in new hair production. You may be required to receive and undergo multiple treatment sessions to ensure the best results possible.

Why It’s Done

Laser hair removals are used to reduce unwanted hair. Common treatment locations may include the chin, upper lips, legs, armpits, and the bikini line. However, it’s still possible to treat unwanted hair in nearly any body area except the eyelid or surrounding area. You should not treat skin with tattoos, either.

Factors like hair color and skin type may influence the success of laser hair removal. The basic principle is that the hair’s pigments, not the skin’s, should absorb the light. These lasers should only damage the hair follicles while avoiding any skin damage. That’s why contrasting skin color and hair — light skin and dark hair — results in the best outcomes.

The risk of damage to the skin is more significant when there is little contrast between hair and skin color. Still, advances in laser technology have made laser hair removal an option for people with darker skin color. Laser hair removals are less effective for hair colors that don’t absorb light well: gray, red, blond, and white. However, laser treatment options for light-colored hair continue to be developed.

The Importance of Follow-up Sessions

To get the most out of laser hair removal, you must undergo follow-up treatments. However, the exact number of maintenance laser treatments varies by individual. According to experts, most patients need between 4-6 laser therapy sessions spaced out by six weeks each — completing the treatment cycle and taking up to nine months.

Additionally, you’ll likely need occasional maintenance sessions for the best results and help ensure hair follicles don’t regenerate. Based on individual needs, one may need maintenance sessions at least once or twice a year after a full initial round of laser treatment.

Timelines for each session are the same as those for your initial laser hair removal treatment. Overall, this timing depends on the area of treatment. Your appointment may be shorter if you touch up just a few small regions during your maintenance sessions.

Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?

The answer is no. Laser hair removal works best by heating the hair follicles to stop new hairs from growing. They put hair follicles in a state of dormancy for an extended period — much longer than shaving and waxing. When the hairs grow back, they’ll be lighter, more refined, and lesser in number.

Even though procedures are often touted as forms of “permanent” hair removal, laser hair removal treatment only reduces unwanted hairs in a given area. It doesn’t completely get rid of unwanted hair.

Frequently Asked Questions: A Recap

“What kind of treatments are laser hair removals?”

Laser hair removals are solutions to eliminate hair on our back, the chest, armpits, legs, upper lip, chin, and bikini area.

“How many laser hair removal treatments will I be required to complete?”

Typically, you’ll undergo up to six treatments, although it will still vary for each patient. Practitioners will discuss this information during consultations.

“When will I start seeing results?”

Expect to notice results within 4-6 treatments. After you complete this maximum number of treatments, you’ll see optimal results.

“Will there be any downtime?”

No. You may experience redness and mild discomfort throughout the procedure. We also recommend avoiding sun exposure and heat such as; saunas, hot tubs, and steam rooms.

The Bottom Line

Although laser hair removal isn’t exactly permanent, it’s still one of the best options for slowing hair growth over an extended time. Other long-term hair removal options you can discuss with a dermatologist include electrolysis and needle epilators.

Are you interested in laser hair removal? Our great friends at Revive Med Aesthetics can help you today. Visit them now!