How Permanent Is Laser Hair Removal?

How Permanent Is Laser Hair Removal?

While laser hair removal is often advertised as permanent, it’s just a temporary solution most of the time. Electrolysis is the only permanent way to remove unwanted body hair, but it’s very painful, so many people prefer to go for “permanent” laser hair removal.

A cosmetic treatment that’s growing in popularity, laser hair removal should not be considered permanent, and any cosmetician who performs it will admit it’s simply a temporary solution with one important benefit: reduction of hair growth.

Does Laser Hair Removal Permanently Remove Hair?

Based on the technology used for permanent hair removal and the specific skin issues of everyone, laser hair removal can reduce the number of hairs in an area from 40-60% up to 80-95%. A number of hair removal methods reach these results by damaging the hair follicle, but with 6-8 sessions of permanent laser hair removal, you’ll see hair growth reduction that you could only get in years of waxing or tweezing.

How Permanent Is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal… is it permanent? If by permanent you mean it will last forever, it’s certainly not, but you can get better results than those of any other hair removal methods, except electrolysis.

The effects of laser hair removal can also vary based on the tone of your skin. There’s a higher success rate for people with darker hair than for those with a light complexion and hair.

Benefits of Laser Hair Removal

Less painful than other permanent hair removal techniques, laser hair removal has plenty of fans, because it really does work for an extended period of time. Not only does it help you get rid of unwanted hair, but when hair starts growing back, it will be in smaller number.

“How permanent is hair removal?” is a question without a straight answer, because the method works better on some people and with poorer results on others. Most cosmeticians who practice it claim there are long lasting results, but for the best results, you’ll need up to 8 sessions, depending on the area and it can get expensive.

Downsides of Laser Hair Removal

Permanent laser hair removal is considered safe, but there can be side effects. In mild cases, these include swelling and itching which go away in a few days. Very rare side-effects include a burning sensation on the skin, followed by blistering and even skin discoloration. Talk to a professional you trust about laser hair removal before you decide if it’s the right solution for you.

See also:How to Get Rid of Stomach HairHow to Remove Ingrown Hairs

Photos: Thinkstock