Hair is your body’s natural shield. Think about it. Your eyebrows stop sweat from dripping into your eyes. Nose hair blocks bacteria and dust from entering your body. And a full head of shiny hair just looks amazing. But some hair doesn’t seem to have a purpose anymore. It’s like a leftover trait from our ancestors that causes more trouble than good.
You might shave or wax this unwanted hair already, but there’s a more permanent solution. Laser hair removal is popular with both men and women, yet many people don’t know how it really works. This article will change that.
Understanding Laser Hair Removal and Why Multiple Sessions Are Necessary
To understand why you need multiple laser hair removal sessions, let’s look at how the treatment works.
The laser hair removal process uses a focused beam of light to remove unwanted hair permanently. This light is attracted to the dark pigment (melanin) in your hair follicles. Hair follicles are tiny sacs in your skin where hair grows from with blood vessels that feed the hair root and help it grow. The light damages the follicle, which stops future hair growth.
The first question most of our customers ask is how many sessions of laser hair removal they need for lasting results. Looking at what we just learned, multiple treatments are important because of your hair growth cycles.
The laser removes hair best when it is in the anagen phase, also known as the active growth stage.
How Many Laser Hair Treatments Are Typically Needed?
Now, onto the burning question: how many laser hair removal treatments give the best results? There’s no way around it: laser hair removal takes multiple sessions. Most people need 6-8 treatments, depending on the area and hair type.
Each session results in 10-25% hair reduction, and treatments are spaced 4-6 weeks apart, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA).
With that said, some areas need more sessions than others. Hormonal areas like your face, underarms, and bikini line may need more treatments because hormones can stimulate new hair growth even after treatment. Places like the underarms are hormonal areas, while the legs are non-hormonal areas.
Another thing to note is that if you shave an area a lot, you may have already damaged the hair follicle a bit. This can make laser hair removal easier in those spots.
Number of Sessions Required by Treatment Area
Let’s get more specific about each part of the body. If you’re reading this, you probably have a certain area you want to focus on. This section will help you know what to expect when it comes to the number of sessions needed for your specific location.
Underarms (Armpits)
This is one of our most common requests for permanent hair removal. Some women now proudly grow their underarm hair to challenge beauty standards. Still, many prefer smooth armpits for practical reasons.
As mentioned earlier, this is a hormonal area. Hair usually starts growing here during puberty when hormones kick in. This area typically needs between 6-8 sessions for the best hair reduction. Some maintenance sessions may be needed later on.
Underarm hair is usually thick and responds well to laser treatments.
How many laser treatments for underarms: 6-8
Bikini Area
It’s been decades since the famous bikini wax became popular. With laser hair removal, you don’t need painful hair removal methods like waxing or constant shaving anymore. There are different types of bikini treatments: basic (just the sides), full (sides and top), and Brazilian (complete removal). All can be achieved with laser bikini treatments.
This is also a hormonal area like the underarms. It may need maintenance laser treatments in the future.
How many laser sessions for bikini: 6-10 sessions.
Legs
Leg hair is annoying for many people, especially during summer when shorts and dresses are popular.
Laser hair removal for legs is very popular since it provides long-lasting results.
Full-leg laser hair removal generally needs 3-6 sessions, but results vary based on hair density and colour.
How many laser sessions for legs: 3-6 sessions.
Face
As the first part of the body that people notice, the face is a popular area for laser hair removal. In our office, people commonly want to remove hair from several areas. The upper lip can give a mustache appearance. The chin might look like a beard when hair grows there. The central eyebrow area can create a monobrow. Sideburns can extend to the cheeks. We also consider the neck part of the face, and men especially get tired of that neck beard look.
Since facial hair is often influenced by hormones, it usually takes upwards of 8 sessions to get rid of. Maintenance treatments are sometimes necessary for areas like the upper lip and chin.
How many laser sessions for face: 8-10 sessions
Arms
Arm hair is typically finer than leg or underarm hair, which affects the number of sessions needed. Most clients need 5-8 sessions for significant long-term hair reduction. You might need touch-ups for lighter or stubborn hairs.
Factors That Influence the Number of Sessions Needed
Every person is unique and will require different treatments for laser hair removal.
- Dark or light skin tone: Your skin colour can affect effectiveness. Dark skin contains more melanin, which can absorb some of the light energy meant for the hair follicle. This might mean more sessions are needed. Newer lasers are better at treating darker skin tones safely.
- Hair colour: The laser targets the pigment in your hair. Dark hair absorbs more laser pulses, making treatment more effective. Light-coloured hair (blonde, red, or gray) has less pigment and may need more sessions or might not respond as well.
- Hormonal influences: Hormones can stimulate hair regrowth even after treatment. Areas affected by hormones, like the face, chin, and bikini line, often need more sessions and occasional maintenance treatments.
- Hair thickness: Coarse hair usually responds better to laser treatment than fine hair. This is because thicker hairs contain more pigment for the laser machines to target.
- Size of Area: Larger areas like the back or legs might need more consistent sessions. Smaller areas can be treated more thoroughly in each session.
What to Expect Between and After Sessions
The procedure itself is typically 15-30 minutes, depending on the area being treated. You should immediately see some results. Some of your hair will fall out within the next week after treatment.
Remember that it’s normal when the hair begins to grow back in patches. Some people experience mild redness or swelling in the treated area, but this should go away within a few days. Your laser technicians can also apply topical numbing cream to reduce side effects.
You should avoid waxing or plucking between treatments to keep hair follicles intact.
Post-treatment care:
- Avoid sun exposure: The treated area will be sensitive after laser treatment. Stay out of direct sunlight for at least two weeks.
- Use sunscreen: Apply SPF 30 or higher sunscreen to the treated area if you go outside.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps the treated skin heal faster.
- Forget tanning lotions: Avoid using tanning products on the treated area for at least two weeks.
Maintenance & Touch-Up Sessions: Are They Necessary?
It’s possible that you’ll find a body part that never needs to be treated again. However, most individuals may need annual touch-ups to maintain results. This is especially true for hormonal areas like the face and bikini area. These spots may require occasional touch-ups.
Why Choose SpaMedica for Laser Hair Removal Work in Toronto?
Feeling confident means being comfortable in your skin. One way to achieve that is to get buttery, smooth, and hair-free skin with laser hair removal.
SpaMedica brings 22 years of expertise to your treatment. We use cutting-edge laser hair removal works for all skin types. Our stellar reputation comes from thousands of satisfied clients.
You can get started with a personalized treatment plan made by one of our experienced specialists.
Book a consultation today and take the first step to permanently remove hair!
