Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent? Here are the Facts

Laser hair removal permanency

There are many spurious claims made by some laser hair removal clinics with regard to the permanence of laser treatment.

The truth is, rather disappointingly, that there is no evidence based upon published scientific research to substantiate the claim that laser treatment can achieve permanent hair removal.

Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?

FDA Approved – Permanent Hair ReductionHow this varies – depending on area of bodyWhy is the growth cycle significant?​How many treatments?

Is success guaranteed?​Patch Tests​Am I likely to be a good candidate?​Summary

There have been a few, lucky individuals who have reportedly had no regrowth in the years following treatment, and conversely some who have experienced complete regrowth.

It should be borne in mind that these are anecdotal and not, by any means, based on sound clinical research.​

FDA Approved – Permanent Hair Reduction

The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) has recognised and approved certain laser hair removal devices as providing permanent hair reduction.

Their definition of permanent hair reduction is: “the long term, stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing after a treatment regime, which may include several sessions.”

Permanent hair reduction does not necessarily imply the elimination of all hairs in the treatment area.

How this varies – depending on area of body

The FDA further states that the number of hairs re-growing must be stable over time greater than the duration of the complete growth cycle of hair follicles.

Given that this varies from four to twelve months depending on body location, “permanent” can therefore vary.

Why is the growth cycle significant?​

Close up of hair growth
Close up of hair growth

Hair grows in 3 stages, namely Anagen (growing stage), Catagen (end of growth stage) and Telogen (resting stage). Hairs across each area of treatment are in varying stages of growth but laser treatment is only effective whilst hair is in the growing stage.

Therefore, although the laser beam can cover large areas in one treatment, only those hair follicles in the growing stage will be effectively treated.

The table below illustrates hair growth by body part:

Body Part

Telogen

Catagen

Cycle Duration

Eyebrows

3 months

1-2 weeks

10 months

Ears

3 months

1-2 weeks

10 months

Chin

10 weeks

2-3 weeks

14 months

Upper Lip

6 weeks

2-3 weeks

5 months

Armpits

3 weeks

2-3 weeks

5 months

Groin

3 months

2-3 weeks

8 months

Arms

16 weeks

2-3 weeks

10 months

Legs

24 weeks

3-6 weeks

11-12 months

You will see from the cycle duration column, that upper lip and armpit hair has a much shorter growth cycle than legs or chin.

So, to qualify as permanent hair reduction under the FDA definition, leg hair reduction needs to be stable for 12 months following treatment, whereas armpit hair reduction only needs to be stable for 5 months following treatment.

How many treatments?

Initially, it is likely that a course of between 3 – 8 treatments will be required (depending on size of area to be treated, density of hair and which body part).

Following this, it is usual to require annual follow-up treatments to maintain hair reduction. Hair reduction can be up to 80%​

Patch Tests​

Patch testssuccess

Carried out on a small, inconspicuous area, several days prior to treatment, they are an essential precursor and should always be included.​

Summary

Laser hair removalpermanent hair reduction

It cannot achieve permanent hair removal – for this you would need to consider electrolysis see article: How does Electrolysis compare with Laser Hair Removal

Having taken all the information into account, it is worth remembering that laser hair removal can achieve good results and can treat large areas quickly and efficiently. In the hands of a properly trained and experience practitioner, laser treatment is also safe.

Deja un comentario

Ten en cuenta que los comentarios deben aprobarse antes de que se publiquen.

  • Comments
  • DISQUS
    1 out of ...

    You May Also Like

    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10

    1

    13

    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10
    Ulike Air 10

    Ulike Air 10

    $319.00
    $399.00

    1343 reviews

    96% Hair Reduction in 2 Weeks

    90-Day 100% Money Back Guarantee

    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X

    1

    3

    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X

    Ulike X

    $349.00
    $429.00

    292 reviews

    94% Hair Reduction fo Man in 2 Weeks

    90-Day 100% Money Back Guarantee

    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.

    1

    31

    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.

    Aparato de depilación IPL Ulike Sapphire Air3

    $239.00
    $329.00

    6352 reviews

    90% Hair Reduction in 4 Weeks

    90-Day 100% Money Back Guarantee

    Is Ulike IPL right for you?

    Is Ulike IPL right for you?

    Oct 31, 2024
    by
    LeeJim

    The best IPL hair removal device in 2024

    Top IPL Hair Removal Devices of 2024

    Oct 21, 2024
    by
    Brandy Williams

    Explore the top IPL hair removal devices in 2024 with insights and expert reviews to choose the best option for you.