Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent? Here's What Dermatologists Say

Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent? Here’s What Dermatologists Say

If you love the way your hair looks and feels after you remove it, but hate the actual process and wish it wouldn’t grow back so quickly, it might be time to consider laser hair removal. This very common cosmetic procedure uses lasers (i.e., concentrated beams of light) to damage hair follicles, reducing the growth of hair on your body and face. One of the best things about laser hair removal is that it can last a long time—even nearly permanently—when done correctly.

To get the most out of laser hair removal, you’ll need to follow your dermatologist’s instructions and make sure you get a few initial treatments. However, a few other factors can also play a role in your results. Here’s what you need to know about permanent (or nearly permanent) laser hair removal, straight from board-certified dermatologists Michele Green, MD, Hadley King, MD, and Corey L. Hartman, MD.

Read on to learn how long laser hair removal lasts and how to make your results last.

Meet the Experts

Michele Green, MD, is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City.

Hadley King, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

Corey L. Hartman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Birmingham, Alabama.

What is laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal uses lasers to reduce and remove body hair. Your dermatologist will use a specific wavelength of laser light to attack the pigment (also known as melanin) in the hair follicles. “The light energy absorbed by the melanin is converted into heat, which destroys the follicle,” Green explains.

According to our experts, hair follicles in the growth phase are destroyed when they absorb the laser energy, but follicles in the resting or catagen phase and the surrounding skin are not affected by the laser. To remove the hairs that were inactive from the last session (as well as any hairs that were removed in the last session that are now active), you’ll need several sessions, spaced 1-2 days apart, depending on your dermatologist’s recommendations.

Benefits

Hartman tells us that laser hair removal is considered the gold standard for more permanent reduction of unwanted hair. He says the treatment has many benefits, including:

Removes or reduces unwanted hair

Reduces the time and cost of other, less permanent hair removal options, such as waxing

Relieves skin problems associated with hair growth, such as folliculitis and discoloration

Makes skin smooth and even

Prevents and removes ingrown hairs

How long does laser hair removal last?

While the results of laser hair removal can be long-lasting, they are generally not permanent. Instead, you need about five or more treatments for long-term or even permanent hair removal. “After five or six full treatments, most patients are hair-free for years,” Hartman says.

Hair most often grows on the face, especially the chin and neck. “This is more common in women going through menopause because when estrogen levels drop, testosterone levels rise, which leads to more hair production,” Hartman says.

Hair on the body may also grow back, most likely on the arms, legs, chest and abdomen. When hair grows back, it is usually sparser and finer than before treatment. However, the longevity of laser hair removal can vary from person to person.

What factors affect how long the results last?

King tells us that some hair will naturally grow back over time, so one to two maintenance treatments per year are recommended. But in addition to natural and expected hair growth, there are a few factors that can make hair grow back faster:

Hormones

“Hormonal changes can affect hair regrowth after laser hair removal,” Green says. This can affect people in a variety of situations. For example, women who become pregnant after laser hair removal may need follow-up treatments after the birth of their child, while people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may experience a sudden growth of facial hair, Green says.

This can also affect people who take hormonal birth control pills. Some people can switch birth control pills without experiencing any major effects, but for others, major hormonal changes may cause hair to grow back again.

Skin and hair color

Laser hair removal targets melanin, so the treatment is generally best for people with light skin and dark hair. “This is the ideal setup that allows the device to target the hair without damaging the skin,” King says. “Dark skin increases the risk of burning, and light hair reduces the effectiveness.”

“Laser hair removal works best for people with light skin and dark hair because the contrast between hair and skin is strong and the laser can easily target the hair on the skin,” Green says. “That doesn’t mean laser hair removal doesn’t work for other skin tones and hair colors, as advances in laser technology have made it possible for dark skin and light hair to work.”

Condition of the hair follicles

Research shows that if the hair follicle is damaged during laser hair removal, the effects may be permanent. 1 If the follicle is damaged but not destroyed, it can recover and the hair can eventually grow back. In this case, when the hair grows back, it will usually be lighter and finer than before.

Is there any way to prolong the effects of laser hair removal?

If you do want your laser hair removal results to last, be sure to follow your dermatologist’s instructions and make sure you come back for the recommended number of treatments. Here are some other things you can do to get the most out of each treatment (courtesy of Hartman):

Let your hair grow at least half an inch before each treatment. This means you must avoid any form of hair removal for about four to six weeks before your laser hair removal treatment.

Do not use any products that may damage the skin barrier within one week of treatment. This includes peels and other products with exfoliating ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids and retinoids.

Use sunscreen daily and be especially careful about using and reapplying sunscreen one month before treatment.

On the day of your appointment, you should be clean and not use skin care products such as sunscreen, oils, lotions, and deodorants. These products may create a barrier between the laser and your body hair.

Final Conclusion

Laser hair removal is a popular treatment that targets the melanin in the hair and follicles, which over time can damage the follicles and reduce growth. While the procedure is effective in reducing the appearance of hair, the results are generally not permanent. For best results, you will most likely need to return for about five or more initial treatments and about once a year for maintenance treatments. In order for the effects of laser hair removal to last a long time, it is important that you follow your dermatologist’s instructions. Be sure to perform the recommended number of treatments and follow pre-treatment care recommendations. For example, do not use skin care products during your appointment and avoid peeling for at least one week before your laser treatment.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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