How Many Laser Hair Removal Treatments Will I Need?

There is a misconception out there that when you go for laser hair removal: customers tend to think that laser hair removal is done all in one-shot. In fact, laser hair removal takes many months, or even as much as a year. The reason for this is because of how hair grows. Hair grows in cycles, so even though it has been removed, new hairs will pop up. As a result, it can take five to 12 treatments to remove the hair, depending on many factors, including the area you are having treated. Between each treatment, you need between three and six weeks, so it can take awhile to get the hair completely removed. So, how do you know how many hair treatments you are going to need?

Step 1: Look at your hair color. If your hair color is light, then you are going to need more laser hair removal sessions. The reason is that the sessions can take longer and with lighter hair it can be hard to target all the hairs. More sessions are needed to get the follicles that are missed. If you have dark hair, then the entire process is going to move much faster because dark hair follicles are easier to target for obvious reasons, as well as the fact they are coarser.

Step 2: Look at your skin color. If you have light skin, then it is again easier for the laser hair technician to target the hair follicles because they are easier to see. However, if you have medium to dark skin, then it is going to take longer to target all the follicles and some will be missed. That means you will need more sessions to ensure that all the follicles have been targeted.

Step 3: What is your skin sensitivity? If your skin is very sensitive, as in you get sunburned easily, then you may need more sessions. The reason for this is because the technician will not be able to do as much work in the area of the body being treated because they do not want to cause scarring or blistering. They will have to draw out the entire laser hair removal treatment over a longer period of time. If you get sunburned easily, you will need more treatments. You will also need a longer period between sessions to ensure your skin heals properly.

Step 4: Your hair cycle. Do you know what your hair cycle is? Most do not. However, depending on how long it takes for hair to grow, you may have to have more sessions and longer periods between sessions. If your hair grows quickly, then it will be easier for the technician to target them and you will need less sessions.

Step 5: What area are you having treated? If you are treating the face, then you will need more sessions than if you are treating the armpits. If you are treating the pubic area, you will need fewer treatments than if you are treating the chest or back. Hair is different all over the body and that means that sessions will differ depending on the area you are having treated.

Read more answers to your questions at our laser hair removal FAQ page.