What happens if you stop laser hair removal plan early? (2024)

FAQs

What happens if you stop laser hair removal plan early? ›

Laser hair removal works by targeting the melanin in the hair follicles. When the hair is in the active growth phase (Anagen phase), the laser energy is absorbed by the melanin and destroys the hair follicle. If treatment is stopped before all of the hair follicles have been destroyed, some may continue to grow.

If you stop treatments after only two sessions, it's likely that only a portion of hair follicles have been affected. You might notice a temporary reduction or delay in hair growth. But it's most likely that the untreated hair will continue to grow as it normally would.

Not at all! The reason that we say most clients will need at least six treatments, four to six weeks apart for your face or six to eight weeks apart for your body, is because laser treatment works best when hairs are in the early stage of growth, known as anagen.

Skipping a month of laser hair removal may prolong the treatment process, as it can disrupt the hair growth cycle. Especially if it happens multiple times. Remember the laser targets your hair follicles and its most effective in their growing stage.

Generally, clients need about two to six laser treatments in order to completely get rid of hair. You can expect to see about a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after your first treatment. As you continue your treatments, more and more hair will fall out, and you'll notice that it continues to grow back more slowly.

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.

However, if appointments are missed or spaced out for too long, such as four months, then on hormonal areas such as face, one may see regrowth. On nonhormonal areas, depending on what stage the person is with their treatments, the difference should not be too much and can be made up during the follow-up treatments.

If you shave too quickly you may irritate the skin even more, so waiting at least three or four days after your treatment is usually ideal. A few days following your laser hair removal treatment, you may notice your hair shedding. This is completely normal and is a sign the treatment worked.

Yes, you can shave in between each laser hair removal treatment. During your course of treatment, you can shave any unwanted hair that may regrow. After your first laser hair removal session you will notice that you won't need to shave as much as before.

When the laser targets the hair follicle, it damages the root of the hair. This damage signals to the body that the hair is no longer needed and will eventually be shed. In most cases, this occurs 1 to 3 weeks after your LHR treatment, and it sometimes looks like blackheads or stubble.

What happens if I skip one laser session? ›

Don't worry—it's no big deal to miss a treatment or two. Hair follicles grow in phases, and laser hair removal works by targeting hair follicles in their growth phase multiple times. We space your appointments out 6-8 weeks so your hair can return to its growth phase for optimal results.

While most patients enjoy the benefits of laser treatments for many years, this procedure is technically semi-permanent. This is because some hair follicles can remain unaffected by the laser. That said, patients generally find that most hair follicles no longer grow back.

In that case, missing a laser hair removal session will give time to that hair follicle to regenerate and start producing hair again. Patients may see regrowth, especially in hormonal areas. The length of those caps between treatments will affect the results.

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.

If you stop laser hair removal too early, you'll likely be left with something around the percentage that is there now. Once the particular follicle is dead it won't regrow, but new ones can be triggered by hormonal changes.

Signs Indicating It's Time to Stop

A notable reduction in hair growth and longer intervals between sessions due to slower regrowth are positive indicators.

While most patients enjoy the benefits of laser treatments for many years, this procedure is technically semi-permanent. This is because some hair follicles can remain unaffected by the laser. That said, patients generally find that most hair follicles no longer grow back.

You need to shave 24-48 hours before the treatment–– your clinic will have given you advice about this (or read our blog on preparing for a session here). Immediately after your treatment your skin is likely to be sensitive – if you shave too soon after your session you may irritate the skin.

If you don't shave before your laser hair removal treatment, the laser will target the surface hair, which can lead to a less effective session. This means you might require more sessions than initially planned, delaying your journey towards that attractive, hair-free body. Possible skin reactions.

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.