Laser hair removal-Permanent Removal Vs. Reduction

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
1

Hi

I am considering starting laser hair removal but i am confused about the permanent removal Vs permanent hair reduction.

1 - I know that electrolysis destroys each follicle and therefor the hair will be gone forever, but many treatments are needed. How does it work with laser? (light skin, darkish hair).

2 - Are the hairs growing after laser treatment from the same follicles previously treated or from follicles never treated?

3 - Say i am getting the recommended 5-8 laser treatments, how often will i need to redo for maintenance?

4 - is it safe to get laser anywhere on the body or are there areas to avoid?

2

  1. laser works by transferring heat into follicle to damage it. This heat transfer is dependent on dark pigment of the hair and density of follicles. Dark pigmented hair attracts the energy from laser. Growth cycles affect pigment level in hairs that’s why laser works best in anagen phase where the root is thickest and darkest.

  2. Yes and No. Depending on several factors like hair pigment and the hair growth cycle at the time laser treatment was done, the follicle could have been damaged permanently or not damaged enough so the hair continues to grow until another treatment will destroy the follicle. Even after 5-8 treatments not all treated follicles are completely destroyed because not all hair is equally dark and thick. There is also this idea that multiple treatments make the remaining hairs thinner.

  3. Depending on body part, some laser techs say maintenance is usually once a year to keep the hair at bay. After laser, hair growth cycles for the remaining hair is affected where they grow in much thinner and slower than before.

  4. Your tech should be trained enough to know which areas to avoid. It’s generally safe for all body parts but men and women have different areas where laser poses higher risk of side effects, like for some men treating upper arm and upper back/shoulders can induce more hair growth. For women with certain skin types, treating the face can also induce more hair growth if the hair is not dense and dark enough.

3

Thank you very much for your informative comments!

Do you know if its true that laser hair removal can cause burns and permanent skin color damage?

Electrolysis Vs. Laser, which one is better? i guess when looking at the entire picture, Overall cost, time, number of sessions, pain etc.?

Thank you

4

It can cause burns if used improperly, yes. When done properly, any skin color changes (e.g. hyperpigmentation) are temporary and fade with time.

Which is better? Depends on what you want. For a large area with coarse dark hair, generally laser is better to knock away a large chunk of it. For a smaller area, electrolysis will be more cost-effective. A lot of people (provided the hair is the right type) will start with laser to knock a lot out and finish up with electrolysis. It really just depends on the hair you have and what your goals are