Laser Hair Reduction
Laser Hair Reduction
Laser hair reduction has become one of the most sought-after treatments for those looking to reduce or eliminate unwanted hair for good. It’s both convenient and effective, making it a popular choice for people who want to say goodbye to the hassle of shaving, waxing, or plucking.
What Is Laser Hair Reduction?
Laser Hair Reduction uses concentrated light energy (laser) to target the pigment (melanin) in hair follicles. The laser heats and damages the follicle, which inhibits future hair growth.
It’s not permanent in the sense of “never again,” but it drastically reduces hair regrowth — and the hair that does grow back is usually finer, lighter, and slower.
How It Works
-
The laser targets dark pigment in the hair.
-
The energy is absorbed and converted to heat, damaging the follicle.
-
Over multiple sessions, the follicle weakens and stops producing thick hair.
Works best when the hair is in the growth phase (anagen) — that’s why multiple sessions are needed.
Benefits of Laser Hair Reduction
-
Long-term hair reduction
-
No more razor bumps, cuts, or ingrown hairs
-
Skin becomes smoother
-
Can help treat folliculitis (inflamed hair follicles)
-
Great for all areas: face, underarms, bikini line, legs, arms, back, chest
Common Treatment Areas
-
Face (upper lip, chin, sideburns)
-
Underarms
-
Bikini/Brazilian
-
Legs & arms
-
Back & chest (for men)
How Many Sessions Do You Need?
-
Usually 6–8 sessions, spaced about 4–6 weeks apart
-
Maintenance sessions may be needed once or twice a year
-
Results vary depending on hair thickness, skin tone, and hormonal factors
Does It Hurt?
-
Most describe it as a mild snapping sensation — like a rubber band.
-
Newer machines have cooling systems to make it more comfortable.
-
Numbing cream can be applied for sensitive areas.
Downtime & Aftercare
-
No downtime — you can return to your day right away
-
You might see some redness or mild swelling for a few hours
-
Avoid sun exposure, heat, or hot showers for 24–48 hours
-
Don’t wax or pluck between sessions (shaving is fine)
-
SPF is a must if treating exposed areas
Who Can Get It?
-
Works best on light skin + dark hair (more pigment for the laser to target)
-
Newer technologies (like Nd:YAG or diode lasers) are safe and effective for darker skin tones
-
Blonde, red, or grey hair may not respond well, since they have less pigment
Want help choosing the right type of laser for your skin tone/hair type?
FAQ
1. What happens during laser hair removal?
Before the treatment, the area to be treated will be cleansed. Some patients receive a numbing gel. Numbing the area to be treated helps when a small area will be treated and the skin is very sensitive. It takes about 30 to 60 minutes for a numbing gel to work.
The laser treatment will take place in a room set up specifically for laser treatments. Everyone in the room must wear protective eyewear during the procedure. To perform the procedure, the skin is held taut and the skin is treated with the laser. Many patients say that the laser pulses feel like warm pinpricks or a rubber band being snapped against the skin.
A laser removes hair by vaporizing it. This causes small plumes of smoke that have a sulfur-like smell.
How long your treatment lasts depends on the size of the area being treated. Treating the upper lip takes minutes. If you are having a large area like the back or legs treated, your treatment may last more than an hour.
​
2. What must I do after getting laser hair removal?
To avoid possible side effects, all patients need to protect their skin from the sun. After laser hair removal, you should:
Avoid direct sunlight from hitting your treated skin.
Not use a tanning bed, sun lamp, or any other indoor tanning equipment.
Follow your dermatologist’s after-care instructions.
You will see some redness and swelling after treatment. This often looks like a mild sunburn. Applying a cool compress can help reduce your discomfort.
​​
3. Is there downtime?
No, laser hair removal generally does not require any real downtime. Immediately after having laser hair removal, your treated skin will be red and swollen. Despite this, most people return to their everyday activities.
​​
4. When will I see the results after having laser hair removal?
You will likely see the results immediately after treatment. The results vary from patient to patient. The color and thickness of your hair, area treated, type of laser used, and color of your skin all affect the results. You can expect a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after the first treatment.
To remove the hair, most patients need 2 to 6 laser treatments. After finishing the treatments, most patients do not see any hair on the treated skin for several months or even years. When the hair regrows, there tends to be less of it. The hairs also tend to be finer and lighter in color.
5. How long will the results of laser hair removal last?
Most patients remain hair free for months or even years. When some of the hair regrows, it will likely be less noticeable. To keep the area free of hair, a patient may need maintenance laser treatments.
​
6. What are the possible side effects?
The most common side effects are minor and last 1 to 3 days. These side effects include:
-
Discomfort
-
Swelling
-
Redness
Other possible side effects are rare when laser hair removal is performed by a dermatologist or under the dermatologist’s direct supervision. Other possible side effects include:
-
Blistering
-
Herpes simplex (cold sores) outbreaks
-
Infections
-
Scarring
-
Skin lightening or darkening
In time, skin color tends to return to normal. Some changes to skin color, however, are permanent. This is why seeing a medical doctor who is skilled in laser treatments and has in-depth knowledge of the skin is so important.
It is also important to follow your dermatologist’s instructions. Following both the before-treatment instructions and after-treatment instructions will greatly reduce your risk of side effects.
​
7. When is it safe to have another laser treatment for hair removal?
This varies from patient to patient. Removing hair often requires a series of laser treatments. Most patients can have laser hair removal once every 4 to 6 weeks. Your dermatologist will tell you when it is safe to have another treatment.
Most patients see some hair regrowth. Your dermatologist can tell you when you can safely have laser treatments to maintain the results.
​​
8. What is the safety record for laser hair removal?
Lasers play an important role in treating many conditions that affect the skin, hair, and nails. In recent years, many advances have been made in laser medicine. Dermatologists have led the way in making these advances.
One such advance is that more people can safely have laser hair removal. In the past, only people with dark hair and light skin could safely have laser hair removal. Today, laser hair removal is a treatment option for patients who have light-colored hair and light skin and patients who have dark skin. Laser hair removal must be performed very carefully in these patients. Dermatologists know what precautions to take to provide laser hair removal safely and effectively.
Treatments Videos
