What Happens if Hair is Too Long For Laser Hair Removal? (2024)

When it comes to removing body hair, there are different options to consider. Depilatory creams, waxing, and shaving are temporary hair removal methods. To achieve long-term hair removal, men and women turn to laser hair removal for the best results. At Med Spa at Seena One (Corrective Skin Care)in Burleson, TX, we offer laser hair removal as an effective treatment for adults who want to get rid of hair on the legs, arms, face, chest, armpits, back, and bikini area. Under the direction of board-certified physician Dr. Mukhtar Anees, Med Spa at Seena One (Corrective Skin Care)is a leader in advanced hair removal services, utilizing the Lumenis® LightSheer™ Duet laser technology for faster, more effective, and efficient results. Contact one of our team members to schedule an in-person or online consultation today.

How does laser hair removal work?

Have you joined the ranks of people who have given up on the constant chore of getting rid of unwanted hair? Laser treatments can be a long-term hair removal option, and we understand it may be the right option for you. Laser beams send light energy, comprising the ability for hair follicles to regrow. The laser light generates heat, which damages active hair follicles and the melanin in them. The light energy isn't targeted at the skin, so patients don't see any damage to the epidermis or the lower dermis layers. After each laser hair removal treatment, the follicles are more "stunted" or damaged. At first, hair may grow back in the target area but be thinner. Eventually, hair growth will be slower as follicles sustain more damage with each session. This is why it's imperative to keep up your full cycle of laser hair removal treatments as scheduled.

What is the ideal hair length for laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal treatments provide longer-lasting results than more traditional methods, like waxing or shaving. The experienced team at Med Spa at Seena One (Corrective Skin Care)is thrilled to offer this safe and effective cosmetic service to their patients in the Fort Worth and Burleson, TX areas. If you finish your series of treatments and don't wait too long between hair removal sessions, you can expect long-lasting hair reduction 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. It is essential to stick to a schedule on how your hair grows, so you get the most out of your laser hair removal treatments with our skin experts.

Can I get long-term hair removal results?

The purpose of laser hair removal is to target the melanin, or pigment, in the follicle or root. If the hairs are removed from the root, there is no melanin to target with treatments. In the weeks before your first laser hair removal session, you should shave the target area. However, do not pluck or wax beforehand. The standard time between appointments is about 4 – 6 weeks for facial hair and every 6 – 8 weeks for body hair. It would be best if you also were consistent and did not miss scheduled appointments. In most cases, it typically takes about 5 – 6 consecutive sessions for long-term hair removal results.

Med Spa at Seena One (Corrective Skin Care)uses advanced hair removal technology for patients in the Fort Worth and Burleson, TX area to provide their patients with excellent long-term hair removal results. If you are ready to learn more about laser hair removal treatments, schedule an in-person or virtual consultation with Dr. Mukhtar Anees today.

What Happens if Hair is Too Long For Laser Hair Removal? (2024)

FAQs

What Happens if Hair is Too Long For Laser Hair Removal? ›

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.

What happens if hair is too long for laser? ›

When the hair is too long, the laser's energy can be absorbed by the hair above the skin's surface, resulting in less energy reaching the hair follicle. This may lead to suboptimal results and a higher risk of side effects like burns or skin irritation.

Can you do laser hair removal with long hair? ›

Trimming and shaving is recommended the day before laser treatment. It removes hair above the skin that can result in surface skin damage from burnt hairs, but it leaves the hair shaft intact below the surface.

Is 7 weeks too long for laser hair removal? ›

We recommend you leave a minimum of 4-8 weeks between your treatment times initially; this depends on the area you are treating and your hair cycle. As the number of growing hairs begin to reduce, we space out your treatments further to ensure we always catch the hair in the correct stage of growth, the anagen stage.

Why has my laser hair removal not worked? ›

Your treatment time is being cut short

Laser hair removal treatments should not be rushed in any way. This will dramatically affect your results. During each treatment, the whole treatment area should be covered. If the laser is passed too quickly over the skin the energy from the laser will not be absorbed correctly.

Why is my hair still growing after 4 laser sessions? ›

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.

What is the maximum length of hair for laser hair removal? ›

Laser hair removal must be done on shaved skin (contrary to popular belief, studies have shown that shaving does not produce thicker and darker hair) so that the hair is not more than a mm. or few above the epidermis, otherwise the longer hairs would rest against the skin as the laser handpiece is applied to the skin ...

Should I laser my pubic hair? ›

' Yes, it is safe to laser the pubic area for most patients. It should be noted that this is one of the more sensitive areas when it comes to laser hair removal, but it is quick and effective. Many patients also believe it is overall less painful than waxing.

How to speed up shedding after laser hair removal? ›

Moisturise: Keep your skin hydrated with a high-quality, fragrance-free moisturiser. This makes it easier for the shedding hair to push through the skin. Avoid hair removal methods: Resist the temptation to use tweezers, wax, or other hair removal methods on the treated area.

What happens if you shave too close to laser hair removal? ›

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.

Will I regret laser hair removal? ›

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.

Why can't I shave for 2 weeks after laser? ›

While waiting for the treated hair to fall out naturally, you may still want to shave to remove any visible hair. However, it's crucial to wait until your skin has fully healed before shaving to avoid any irritation or damage, which can take up to two weeks.

What happens if I stop laser hair removal after 4 sessions? ›

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.

Why am I still hairy after laser hair removal? ›

Patients may notice more hair 1 – 3 weeks after laser hair removal sessions as follicles in the growing cycle begin to shed. During this process, exfoliating the skin, once swelling and redness have dissipated, can help hairs shed faster, leaving skin feeling smoother.

How can I maximize my laser hair removal results? ›

Shaving and exfoliating can increase follicular activity, making the following laser treatment more effective. Another tip suggested by experts is to pay attention to hair growth during laser hair removal treatment. Some localized areas may grow more quickly than others. This is a detail to share with your provider.

Why is hair not shedding after laser? ›

The shedding process can take up to two weeks post-treatment, which is why you'll still see hair after laser sessions. Also, because not every hair will be in the growth stage when the area is treated, some will remain.

What happens if I don't shave before laser? ›

What is the result of not shaving before laser hair removal? Heat is a key element used by the laser to remove hair so that the hair follicles' stem cells get damaged. However, hair that's too long will lead to singed hair and your skin getting burned.

What happens if you laser over a cut? ›

Using laser treatment to remove unwanted hair from damaged skin can further irritate the skin, especially if your skin is sensitive. Ultimately, this will increase the damage and prolong the healing process. Avoid treating areas with the following types of skin damage: Scrapes and cuts.

What happens if you laser over hair? ›

During the procedure, the pigment in your hair will absorb a light beam from a laser. The light will be converted to heat and damage that hair follicle. Because of that damage, the hair will stop growing. This is done over two to six sessions.

How long can the hair be before laser? ›

What do I need to do to prepare for my Laser Hair Removal appointment? Shave treatment area at least 12-24 hours prior to your treatment. Avoid chemical peels or laser resurfacing treatments at least 4 weeks before your treatment. Exfoliate the treatment area at least 3 days before your treatment.

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