Laser hair removal is a permanent treatment. But what if you start experiencing regrowth? If you’ve been having laser treatment and then begin spotting some hair regrowth, you can end up feeling a little despondent. You might even start to doubt that laser treatment is a permanent hair removal method.
How laser hair removal works
Before we can talk any more about regrowth, we need to explain a little about how your hair grows and how laser hair removal works. However hairy you might have felt in the past, the truth is not all your hair grows at once. In fact, there are three stages of hair growth. When it is in the active phase, hairs receive a blood supply and are growing. However, the catagen phase is a transition stage lasting about 2-3 weeks, and finally, there’s the dormant stage when the hair follicle is inactive.
Laser hair removal works by passing heat down a hair and into the follicle, disrupting how it works and preventing hairs from growing again. The energy from the laser also absorbs the melanin in the hair. However, the hairs must be in the active phase for the laser treatment to work. Laser hair removal regrowth is usually down to hairs that were in the catagen or dormant phase at the time of the treatment. That’s why we always recommend a course of treatments as this increases the number of hairs that get targeted during the active phase.
How many treatments are required?
The number of treatments required to get the best results from laser hair removal can vary from person to person. Essentially, each of your hairs has its growth cycle. Usually, around 8-10 treatments, each spread out by a few weeks, will be enough to capture most hairs. Those that do regrow are likely to be much finer due to the melanin being absorbed. In most cases, this regrowth simply requires a top-up treatment once every six to twelve months. It will, over time, become less frequent, with fewer and fewer hairs regrowing.
Are you getting the best laser hair removal?
If you’ve been having laser hair removal with another provider, then there are a couple of other factors to consider as you’ve possibly not been getting the best laser hair removal treatment. For example, we are a medical clinic with highly trained professionals. This means that they have the knowledge needed to get results. In contrast, other therapists may not have the qualifications or experience. It is also true that not all laser hair removal machines are the same.
At Thérapie Clinic, we only use the latest technology. These machines use a stronger, medical-grade laser that not all therapists are able to use and also allow for adjustments to be made depending on factors such as hair and skin colour. While we can offer laser hair removal with permanent results, the same is not true everywhere.
What to do if you have concerns about regrowth?
When visiting our laser hair removal clinics, you need to ensure that you have shaved the area you want to have treated, so no hairs are visible. However, this means that we also don’t get to see the regrowth that you’re experiencing. If you have concerns and feel you have more regrowth than you should, then it’s helpful to take photos that you can then share at your next appointment. This is regardless of whether your previous treatments were with another clinic or us. They will assist your therapist in planning your treatment or making any necessary adjustments to get you the best laser hair removal results.
No two people are the same
Above all, it’s important to remember that we are all different – it’s part of what makes human beings so wonderful. Your hair will be different from others. They can be of different colours or thickness, and their growth phases can vary. Therefore, it’s important not to compare your results with someone else getting laser hair removal.
It’s the reason why we always include consultations before and after your treatment. That way, we can assess and support you as the unique individual you are. If you’re experiencing regrowth after laser treatment, don’t get stressed or despondent. Instead, get in touch to discuss your concerns and see how we can support you.
Ready to start your Laser Hair Removal journey? You can learn more by booking a free consultation.