Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?

Laser hair removal is a fast, virtually pain-free way to deal with unwanted hair. Any individual who has spent hours plucking, dissolving, and waxing stray hairs understands how frustrating, time consuming, and expensive this process can be. Yet, no one wants to spend a lot of money on a cosmetic treatment that may or may not work. Asking whether or not the procedure is permanent is a good idea before investing your hard-earned money in it.

The truth is that the procedure cannot be considered completely permanent. However, it does provide a nearly permanent solution to unwanted hair. With the proper treatment it can achieve around 80 to 90 percent permanent reduction in unwanted hairs, although many patients report even better results.

What many people fail to understand about laser hair removal is that it does not work instantly. Most people who are good candidates for the procedure require four to seven treatments to see the best results. This is because of the way in which hairs grow. Hairs cycle, and some hairs may be dormant when the treatment occurs. These dormant hairs will not be affected by the treatment, and thus may begin to grow again later. The best way to ensure that all hairs are treated is to have the recommended four to seven sessions.

Additionally, most patients find that they need a few maintenance sessions each year. Typically once the initial four to seven sessions are complete, patients benefit from one or two sessions per year. This will deal with any unwanted hairs that crop up after the original treatment is complete.

Few patients experience complete regrowth after laser hair removal, particularly if their doctors carefully screen them for treatment. However, complete regrowth can occur, particularly if the patient has white or blond hairs, because these do not respond to treatment as well as darker hairs do. As always, it is best to discuss your concerns with your doctor before you undergo the procedure to ensure that you are a good candidate for effective treatment.

If you decide to have laser hair removal, shop carefully to find the right doctor. One question to ask to help you choose a doctor is whether or not the doctor owns the equipment he will use to treat you. If he does, chances are he is quite skilled in using it and is committed to doing the best possible job.

Next, ask about the number of patients the doctor has treated. This will show you the level of experience the doctor has. Finally, ask about results. If the doctor is offering you a "permanent" solution to your unwanted hairs using lasers, you may want to find a different one. Your goal should be to find a physician who is willing to provide you with realistic expectations for your procedure, rather than one who is offering you much more than he can deliver. Remember, laser hair removal will destroy between 50 to 90 percent of your unwanted hairs, and for many this result is dramatic enough to make the procedure a worthwhile investment.