Permanent laser hair removal has been in fashion for years. But how does laser hair removal work exactly? And to what extent can hairs really be permanently removed?
Laser hair removal: how does it work?
In popular language, we always talk about 'laser' or 'laser hair removal'. In reality, we almost never use lasers for hair removal, but instead use the IPL method (Intense Pulsed Light). IPL works by giving short flashes of high energy, which we direct at the skin and hair to be treated. The hair follicles of visible hairs absorb the energy of the light flashes and are therefore permanently disabled. The IPL is one of the most efficient and long-lasting forms of hair removal that exists.
How many treatments do I need?
This varies from person to person, but expect an average of 8 to 10 treatments for body hair and 10 to 12 for facial hair. You will always need multiple treatments because the treatment only works on hairs that are in the growth phase. You can literally see these hairs because they are present in your skin as hairs. However, your body also has many hair follicles in the same place that are in the resting phase and that will only become active again later. You cannot see hairs in the resting phase - the hair follicles are literally at rest - and no laser or IPL can do anything with that. It takes weeks for the hairs in resting phase to start growing again and be receptive to treatment.
So is laser hair removal ultimately permanent?
Honestly? Yes and no. Dark hairs (in the growth phase) are permanently eliminated and never come back. However, invisible hairs (in the resting phase) can sometimes take months or even years to return to the growth phase - and therefore only then become receptive to treatment. As a result, several treatments are needed anyway. However, our bodies also have many downy hairs (vellus hair) that can only start to develop (grow and darken) later in life. This process is often driven by hormones. This is why, for example, you see women developing dark hairs on their chin or upper lip later in life. So even though the visible dark hairs are permanently eliminated, there is always a chance that new hairs will emerge from the resting phase over the years, or develop from downy hair due to hormones.
So even though your hair growth decreases with each treatment, there is always a chance that new hairs will develop over the years. We do see that the remaining hair growth is generally softer and lighter. Ultimately, there is an average result of 70% hair removal. So while you always do get a visible improvement, the reality is that with time, new hairs can start developing and a sporadic maintenance session can be desirable.
See our page about hair removal for more information