Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is becoming an increasingly popular treatment for unwanted hair, and for good reason – if you are the right candidate, it works! If you're on the fence about laser hair removal or just want to know everything there is to know about it, check out our complete list of 25 frequently asked questions. From pain level to aftercare – we’ll tell you everything you need to know.
Most Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Hair Removal
+ 1. Does laser hair removal work?
The thought of a magical machine that zaps away unwanted hair, eliminating the need for shaving and waxing for good can sound too good to be true, but it isn’t! While laser hair removal does not eliminate 100% of body hair permanently, most patients experience long-lasting hair reduction of around 80% to 90%.
After each treatment, the hair will grow back finer, lighter and less noticeable, until you don’t notice it’s there at all!
+ 2. How does laser hair removal work?
Laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment in hair with concentrated beams of laser light.
The hair absorbs the intense light from the laser and gets extremely hot. The hair conducts this heat down to the hair follicle. The extreme heat damages the cells in the follicle, inhibiting their ability to produce hair.
+ 3. What are the benefits?
There are so many benefits to laser hair removal, besides the fact that it eliminates the need for regular waxing, shaving, and other hair removal methods. Some of these benefits include:
- Long-term results
- Saving money on shaving and waxing in the long run
- Avoiding ingrown hairs
- Quick treatment
- No waiting for hair growth in between sessions
- Less pain than waxing
+ 4. How many treatments do I need?
With laser hair removal, you will not notice full results after just one session. In fact, multiple sessions will be needed to ensure optimal results.
At least 6 sessions spread out every 4 to 8 weeks are typically recommended.
You may also require occasional maintenance sessions after your full initial round of laser treatments to help ensure that the hair follicles do not regenerate.
Multiple treatments are required due to hair’s natural growth cycle: In the first phase of the cycle, the hair is actively growing. During the second phase, the hair is still there, but it is not actively growing. Finally, the hair falls out and the whole process starts again. Each hair is at a different stage in the growth cycle. Only hairs that are in the active growth phase can be targeted effectively by the laser.
+ 5. When will I start to see results?
Immediately after the treatment, it may look like you still have hair or stubble in the area. This is just the remainder of the hair that was in the hair shaft prior to treatment. Within a few days, it will naturally be expelled, and you will remain hair-free for several days. When the hair does grow back, you will notice that it is finer and lighter than before.
After each treatment, your hair will grow back progressively finer and lighter. After a series of treatments, your hair will eventually become so fine and so light that you barely notice it at all!
+ 6. Is it permanent?
Because hair growth occurs in multiple phases and can be influenced by hormones or medications, the results experienced from laser hair removal are not always permanent, and you may wish to have a touch up now and then. However, most patients report hair loss for several years after their last treatment.
+ 7. Does it hurt?
The amount of pain you experience from laser hair removal depends on your own personal pain tolerance and the area that is being treated.
Most patients say that a laser hair removal treatment is less painful than waxing. Some people say each pulse of the laser feels like a tiny rubber band hitting the skin. Others report experiencing just a mild stinging sensation.
Areas that are most sensitive to laser hair removal include the bikini line, back, and underarms.
+ 8. Where on my body can I get this procedure done?
Theoretically, you can get laser hair removal on any area of the body, except for near the eyes. However, the most common treatment areas include:
- Bikini line
- Chin
- Upper lip
- Underarms
- Legs
+ 9. Who should not get this procedure?
Laser hair removal is not for everyone, and is not suitable if you are:
- Pregnant
- Breastfeeding
- Taking certain medications
- Taking antibiotics
- Under the age of 16
- Have epilepsy
Also keep in mind that laser hair removal may not be effective for those with very light hair (blonde, red, or grey) and light skin, and those with a darker skin tone.
+ 10. Who is a good candidate?
Traditionally, laser hair removal has been most effective in patients with lighter skin and darker hair.
The reason for this is that laser Hair Removal is dependant on the darker hair absorbing the light and the lighter skin reflecting it. This means darker skin is at risk of absorbing too much light energy, making you more susceptible to burns.
Similarly, with lighter hair, it tends to not absorb enough energy to destroy the hair follicles.
+ 11. Does it work for very coarse, dark hair?
Yes! In fact, laser hair removal is most effective on those who have lighter skin tones and darker hair.
+ 12. Does laser hair removal work on dark skin?
Laser hair removal tends to be the most effective in patients with lighter skin and darker hair. For darker skin types, there is a risk that the skin will absorb too much of the laser’s light energy and may cause a burn. For this reason, laser hair removal is not recommended for very dark skin types. Your medical esthetician will be able to tell you if you would be a good candidate for this procedure.
+ 13. Is it safe for the face?
Yes, laser hair removal is generally safe for the face. However, it should be avoided in areas near the eyes.
It should also be avoided if you have any active acne breakouts or cold sores on the face.
+ 14. Is it safe for the bikini area?
Absolutely! In fact, the bikini area is one of the most popular areas for laser hair removal.
+ 15. Do you have to shave before the procedure?
Before having laser hair removal, you are required to shave the area you want to be targeted during the procedure.
The hair shaft is used to conduct the heat energy from the laser down to the hair follicle, where it destroys the cells that create the hair. The shorter the distance that the heat has to travel, the more effective the treatment.
Plus, this helps ensure that hair above the surface of the skin doesn’t heat up and burn the skin.
+ 16. Can I shave or wax between laser treatments?
Yes. Part of what makes laser hair removal such a great alternative to waxing is that you don’t need to wait for hair to grow to a certain length in between treatments. Shaving and waxing in between sessions are perfectly fine – and even recommended – and will not impact the effectiveness of your laser hair removal treatment.
+ 17. Can men get laser hair removal?
Yes, absolutely! Laser hair removal is just as effective for men as it is for women.
However, because the amount of hair that grows in these areas tends to be pretty significant, you may require more treatments to completely get rid of the hair.
+ 18. How long has laser hair removal technology been in use?
Laser hair removal was first approved by the FDA in 1997 and has helped millions of patients eliminate unwanted hair over the past 20+ years.
+ 19. How does laser hair removal compare to electrolysis?
While laser hair removal and electrolysis are both effective at removing unwanted hair, laser hair removal tends to be more efficient for larger areas such as the legs, chest, and back) as it targets several hairs at a time.
Electrolysis, however, only treats one hair at a time, making it more suitable for smaller areas.
+ 20. Intense pulsed light (IPL) vs. laser hair removal - what's the difference?
Both treatments are similar in the sense that they each use light to heat and destroy hair follicles without harming the skin in order to eliminate unwanted hair.
The main difference is that IPL does not use a laser light source. Instead, the treatment uses a broad spectrum high-intensity light.
Lasers emit a more focused bandwidth of light, which is absorbed by a narrower spectrum of colour. This means that the laser delivers more focused energy to the hair, making it more effective, and capable of penetrating deeper than IPL. But because lasers are able to deliver more focused energy and to penetrate deeper than IPL, laser hair removal tends to be more effective and produce results more rapidly.
+ 21. Are there any side-effects?
Immediately after the treatment, you may experience symptoms such as:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Itching
- Tingling
If the treatment is carried out by a trained and certified professional, laser hair removal rarely poses any serious risk to the patient or lead to more severe side effects.
However, in rare cases, more severe side effects of laser hair removal can include:
- Excessive hair growth in the treatment area
- Changes to skin tone and texture
- Scarring
- Blistering
+ 22. Is laser hair removal safe to get during pregnancy or if breastfeeding?
Laser hair removal is not recommended during pregnancy or when breastfeeding.
+ 23. What type of training do laser hair removal technicians go through?
In Canada, most last technicians are trained at an accredited aesthetics college on general laser safety and laser hair removal. Properly trained technicians will also undergo additional training from the laser manufacturer specifically designed for the laser they are working with.
Ideally, all laser hair removal technicians should be supervised by a medical professional, so that if any questions, concerns or unexpected outcomes arise, he is there to take care of them.
+ 24. What are the pre-treatment care instructions?
In order to ensure optimal results from your laser hair removal treatment, be sure to follow these pre-treatment care instructions:
- Shave the area where you are receiving laser hair removal the day of your session
- Avoid tanning or spending a lot of time in the sun for two weeks prior to the treatment
- Avoid sunless tanning products for 7 days before treatment
- Avoid wearing makeup the day of your session if you are having laser hair removal on your face
- Stop waxing, tweezing, and chemical epilation 3 weeks before treatment
- Avoid wearing deodorant or antiperspirant if having laser hair removal on the underarms
- Avoid any physical activity that increases body temperature or blood pressure during the 2 hours before and after treatments
- Wait 14 days before and after Botox injections to have laser hair removal in the same area.
+ 25. What are the post-treatment care instructions?
Immediately after your treatment, you may experience a bit of mild redness and swelling at the treatment site lasting anywhere from 2 hours to two to three days.
If desired, a cool compress can be applied to the area.
Other post-treatment aftercare instructions include:
- Avoid sun exposure
- Where an SPF 30 or high when spending time outdoors
- Avoid picking or scratching the treated skin.
- Do not use any other hair removal treatment products or services such as waxing, electrolysis or tweezing (shaving is ok)
- Wash the treated area and pat dry for 3 days after treatment and avoid scrubbing
- Avoid exposure to extremely hot water for the first 24 hours after treatment
With realistic expectations in mind, laser hair removal can be an incredibly effective and lifechanging way to ensure your skin remains smooth and hair-free for years to come.
So, if you are considering laser hair removal, be sure to book a consultation first to ensure that you are a strong candidate and will be able to achieve optimal results.
Article written by Dr. Erik Hegmann, MD
Dr. Erik Hegmann, MD, is a family physician who has focused on Cosmetic and Laser Medicine at his Kanata office since 2004. Dr. Hegmann has an extensive educational background with a Master of Science, specializing in cancer research, from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Facility in Toronto, and a degree from the Faculty of Medicine at the Unversity of Toronto graduating with Honours.