If you’re like most people, you’re getting tired of shaving the same areas over and over. Between expensive razors, razor burns, and feeling embarrassed when you forget to shave, it can become a real chore.
Considering laser hair removal? This guide will explain how often you’ll need to come in and how long you can expect to wait for results.
How Long to Wait Between Laser Hair Removal Sessions
It’s typically recommended to get your laser hair removal treatment every 4-6 weeks, not waiting longer than 6 weeks if you’re new to treatment. Why?
Getting laser hair removal treatment every 4-6 weeks ensures that the laser targets hair in the active growth phase, maximizing effectiveness. Waiting longer than 6 weeks can miss this optimal timing, making treatments less effective and prolonging the overall process.
As you progress through your treatments, your technician will generally let you know when you can begin waiting longer than 6 weeks. For example, if you’ve already had several treatments and don’t have any hair growing for a prolonged period.
How Many Sessions Should You Expect?
In general, most people require 6-10 treatments, but this depends on the treatment area, hair type, skin color, and personal response to treatment.
For example, for hormonal areas like the face and neck, some people require closer to the 10-session mark. For non-hormonal areas like the arms and legs, many people find success from 6 treatments.
Factors that Affect Your Treatment Length
Skin and Hair Color
As mentioned before, some people can get away with fewer treatments than others. Without getting deep into how laser hair removal works, you should know that the laser targets pigmentation in the hair. This pigmentation is easier for the laser to target when the hair and skin are very different colors.
So, the process works best on people with light skin and dark hair using the alexandrite laser, while those with dark skin tones can safely be treated with the Nd:YAG laser. The correct laser, settings, and parameters ensure those with darker skin tones safe and effective treatments. All lasers work best by targeting heavier hair. This is why laser hair removal is not very effective on peach fuzz. Peach fuzz is typically fine and light, making it hard for the laser to find.
Hormones
Hormonal areas like the face and neck aren’t just controlled by the typical hair cycle. Hormones can cause hair to grow back faster and thicker in these areas, requiring more laser hair removal sessions for effective results.
Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause can further increase hair growth. This means that while some areas of the body might need fewer sessions, hormonally influenced areas will need more frequent and consistent treatments to achieve and maintain smooth, hair-free skin.
Hair Thickness
Thicker, coarser hair absorbs more laser energy, making it easier to treat and often requiring fewer sessions. However, if your hair is finer and lighter, it may not absorb the laser as effectively, leading to the need for additional sessions to achieve the desired results.
Areas like the genitals and underarms typically have darker, coarser hair, and treatment is very effective there. On the contrary, areas with lighter hair like the upper lip or arms (on some people) might be too blonde to treat quickly!
Laser Hair Removal FAQs
How long between laser hair removal sessions?
Laser hair removal sessions are typically spaced 4-6 weeks apart to target hair in the active growth phase, ensuring optimal results and efficiency.
How many sessions for laser hair removal?
Most people need 6-10 laser hair removal sessions for effective, long-lasting results, though this can vary based on individual hair and skin types.
Is 3 sessions enough for Brazilian laser hair removal?
Three sessions are usually not enough for Brazilian laser hair removal. Typically, 6-8 sessions are needed for effective, long-term results.
How many laser treatments for the chin?
Chin laser hair removal usually requires 6-8 sessions to achieve significant and lasting results, due to hormonal influences and hair thickness.
How many laser sessions for underarms?
Underarm laser hair removal typically requires 6-8 sessions to effectively reduce and remove hair, providing smooth, long-lasting results.
How many laser hair removal treatments for the bikini area?
For bikini laser hair removal, 6-10 laser hair removal treatments are usually needed to achieve thorough and lasting hair reduction.
How many laser sessions for legs?
Leg laser hair removal generally requires around 6 sessions to effectively target and remove hair for smooth, long-lasting results.
How often should you do laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal sessions should be done every 4-6 weeks to align with the hair growth cycle and achieve the best results.
