There are tons of hair removal options out there, so finding the right one for you can be difficult. The key factor that most people look for is permanence. Why spend time a few times a week removing hair when there is an option out there that can get rid of hair almost permanent. Yes, almost. Not entirely.
There are a few factors that can affect laser hair removal, such as the location or the amount of follow up sessions. Here are some factors that can affect how “permanent” laser hair removal is:
The Area and Hair Type
You will get different results on laser hair treatment depending on the location. Different kinds of hair cause different results. Peach fuzz on your chin or lip area does not grow the same way as the hair on your legs. Because of this difference in hair type and location, it’s important to note that where you get the treatment matters. Typically, wherever you have darker or coarse hair, it is more likely that you will notice immediate results. This is because the laser is attracted to darker hair. This does not mean that in areas where you have lighter hair you won’t get results. This simply means that you will need a few more treatments in those areas.
Hair Growth Cycle
As I mentioned before, the hair type matters. What helps to determine the hair type is the hair growth cycle. To put it simply, the hair growth cycle has three stages. The stage that you decide to get the treatment determines how effective and noticeable the treatment will be. The first stage is the Anagen stage, which is the best stage in the growth cycle to get the treatment. This is the stage where the hair grows the most and is the most noticeable. When the laser targets the hair follicle during this stage, it will be able to directly damage the hair follicle and prevent further hair growth.
Skin Color
Hair color is a huge factor that determines how effective and permanent your treatment will be. But another important factor is skin color. The ideal patient for this treatment is typically someone who has light or fair skin and dark hair. The reason for this is because the laser is absorbed by melanin in the hair follicle. This means that dark hair is treated faster. If you have darker skin, then the laser will also target the melanin in the skin. This won’t damage your skin, but the laser will not fully focus on the hair follicle. This doesn’t mean that laser hair removal won’t work on dark skin. If you have dark skin and want to do laser hair removal, this simply means you will need to more sessions.
Follow Up Sessions
These are important. They ensure that you will get the most out of your laser hair removal treatments. If you do just a few treatments, laser hair removal won’t be permanent. But the more treatments you do, which varies depending on your skin and hair type, the more noticeable your hair reduction will be.