Laser Hair Removal: What to do when you miss a treatment? (2024)

FAQs

Laser Hair Removal: What to do when you miss a treatment? ›

When you have multiple breaks it means your growth cycles will catch up and will leave you with the illusion that more hair is growing back. However, the occasional missed appointment won't negate previous progress or significantly hinder your overall results.

When you have multiple breaks it means your growth cycles will catch up and will leave you with the illusion that more hair is growing back. However, the occasional missed appointment won't negate previous progress or significantly hinder your overall results.

However, if you wait too long between treatments, hair follicles can be too long and won't sustain enough damage with light energy to stop growing hair. You may still experience an initial thinning, but those results will fade, and it won't be long before your normal hair growth is back.

And irregular treatment can potentially prolong the overall process, meaning you may not get the results you would expect form your course. If too much time passes between treatments, some follicles might recover and start to produce hair again.

If treatment is stopped before all of the hair follicles have been destroyed, some may continue to grow. It is important to complete the recommended treatment plan to achieve the best results. Sometimes, the patient sees hairs are thicker and darker after the treatment when they have original light and fair hair.

Don't panic, and don't give up on your hair removal journey. If you miss a laser hair removal session, it's important to get back on schedule right away. The reason for this is because the hair that hasn't been treated during its growth cycle will return when it is in its growth phase.

Most offices that offer laser hair removal can shave the hair for you if you miss a spot, but usually there isn't time to shave a large area and also complete the laser hair removal session. Some places will turn you away and you'll need to reschedule.

For facial hair, treatments are typically spaced 4-5 weeks apart, while body hair treatments are generally scheduled 5-6 weeks apart. If you treat the area in every 2 weeks, you are simply treating too soon and essentially just shooting heat against the skin, but not destroying anything.

Regret usually stems from choosing the wrong provider. While laser hair removal itself is rarely regrettable, what can lead to regret is choosing the wrong provider. A cheap, inexperienced clinic may use outdated equipment or incorrect techniques, leading to less effective treatment or even unwanted side-effects.

For the bikini area, 4-6 treatments are generally recommended, with 8-10 weeks in between. The chest and back may require 6-8 treatments, with 8-10 weeks in between as the hair growth in these areas is slower than other areas. And for the legs, it may take 6-8 treatments with 10-12 weeks in between.

What makes laser hair removal ineffective? ›

Laser hair removal is 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.

However, even though laser treatments damage hair follicles, they're not destroyed completely. Over time, the treated follicles may recover from the initial damage and grow hair again. It's a tall order to eliminate every hair follicle in a given area. Therefore, you may notice a tiny amount of hair regrowth.

First, it's crucial to understand that laser hair removal isn't an instant process. The laser works by targeting the pigment in hair follicles, damaging them to prevent future growth. This damage causes the hairs to shed over a period of time, but it doesn't instantly remove them.

If you wait too long between sessions, you may experience regrowth and need additional sessions to achieve your desired results. Additionally, spacing out your treatments too much may require you to start the process over again, which can be costly and time-consuming.

Laser hair removal is permanent when the hair follicle is destroyed. When the hair follicle is only damaged, the hair will eventually regrow. The amount of time it takes for the hair to regrow depends on the person's unique hair growth cycle. Some people have hair that grows more quickly than others.

Yes, indeed you can overdo laser. Not only by having too many session in a short period of time, but even by overlapping the same area during a single session.

You should see immediate results based on the color and thickness of your hair, the area treated, the type of laser, and the color of your skin. Regardless of these variations, you should notice a 10-25% reduction of hair after the first treatment.

Depending on the hair, skin type, and body area being treated, you will require treatments at 4-6 weeks intervals. For the facial area, treatments can be done at 2-4 week intervals.

If the weeks between treatments are extended, most likely you won't get the desired results from your course of treatments; as opposed to someone that attended at the recommended intervals. Remember laser hair removal is different from waxing. You aren't waiting for a full regrowth, you're targeting hair growth cycles.

Shaving too closely right before your appointment can increase the sensitivity of your skin, making the treatment more uncomfortable. It can also increase the risk of skin irritation or redness.