Laser Hair Removal Expectations

Overview | Treatment | Before and After Pictures

Does having laser hair removal mean that every, single hair in the area that’s treated will be gone permanently, forever? Well, not exactly. Laser hair removal is a great option for getting rid of unwanted hair, but it is important for you to understand that it’s a procedure that does have some limitations. If you’re being promised complete, total, and 100% permanent hair removal by someone offering laser hair removal, then buyer beware!

Here’s how laser hair removal works: the devices that are used for laser hair removal target melanin or pigment present in the follicle when the hair is actively growing in it. The larger the diameter of the hair and the darker the color, then the more melanin for the laser to “see” and target. When the laser energy is absorbed by the follicle, the heat that is generated damages it where there is the most melanin, usually the base or “bulb”. Down in this area, there are blood vessels that feed the follicle and keep the hair growing. These vessels are damaged too by heat energy. And no more blood flow means no more hair.

If you understand all of that, then you understand why thick, coarse, dark hair is the ideal target for laser hair removal. Some other types of finer and lighter hair will respond too, but the really fine, lighter-colored, grey, or blonde hair just doesn’t have an effective target for the laser to hone in on. And no matter how thick, dark or coarse you may think your hair is, there are always a few of these “less desirable” hairs spread throughout any given area.

Laser hair removal generally clears out the darkest, thickest hairs very quickly, but as the finer, lighter hair is left behind, it becomes much harder to effectively treat it. Our experience is usually that after about four or five treatments, it’s hard to continue getting a large percentage of hair removal with each successive treatment. At Celibre Medical, we tell our patients that they can reasonably expect to see about 75% to 95% permanent hair removal after one of our laser treatment programs.

If you’ve been looking for expert practice in laser hair removal, then we invite you to visit Celibre Medical. We focus on patient education and make sure you understand what we are doing and why we do it the way we do. We deliver superior results not only because we have highly skilled laser practitioners using state-of-the-art equipment, but also because you have a clear expectation from the start of your treatment program. Give us a call today if you’d like to learn more about our personalized laser hair removal treatment program at a free consultation.