Laser hair removal is one of the most successful methods for long-term hair removal, but it is essential to have reasonable expectations of the results. Unlike waxing and shaving, you need several sessions to get the best results with laser hair removal as it targets hair follicles in their active growth phase. After a few sessions, many observe a steady decline in hair growth, but some observe that their progress has come to a standstill.
This does not necessarily mean that the treatment has failed but there are some signs which may suggest that it is not working as expected. The results will depend on several factors, including your hair color, skin type, hormonal changes, the interval between treatments and the type of laser used. Understanding and recognizing the signs that your laser hair removal is not working may help you talk to your dermatologist and find a solution before it gets too late.
Read this guide to find out if your laser hair removal is working.
No Hair Reduction After Few Sessions
Perhaps the clearest sign that laser hair removal is not working is if you experience little or no noticeable decrease in hair growth after multiple treatment sessions. The outcomes vary from person to person, but many patients find slower regrowth and thinner hair after two to four appointments.
If you’ve had five or six treatments and your hair is coming back as quickly and as thick and dense as before, this might be worth a conversation with your dermatologist. There are a number of reasons why progress may not be forthcoming including inappropriate hair color, incorrect laser settings or underlying hormonal factors. Your dermatologist can evaluate your response to treatment and decide if changes to your treatment plan are required or if further evaluation is necessary to optimize your outcomes.
No Difference in Hair Thickness
Laser hair removal is intended to slowly undermine hair follicles to make hair finer, thinner, and less noticeable. Many patients will see a difference in the texture of their hair long before hair growth noticeably slows down. If the hair keeps growing back just as thick, dark and coarse as it was prior to treatment, it could mean the follicles fail to respond well to the laser. But remember that brief regrowth in between sessions is perfectly normal. The main difference is whether or not the new hair grows out lighter/thinner over time. But if there has been zero texture change after several sessions, your dermatologist may want to re-evaluate the treatment protocol or explore other potential contributing factors.
Hair Did Not Shed After Sessions
After a session of laser hair removal most patients will experience the treated hair falling out naturally within 1-3 weeks. Many confuse this shedding with new hair growth, but it’s truly an indication that the laser has worked, damaging the targeted follicles. If you don’t see this shedding pattern after any of your recurrent treatments, it doesn’t mean the procedure has failed but it could mean that the laser isn’t successfully targeting the hair follicles. Your dermatologist can look at the treated area and decide if the laser settings need to be changed or if something else is affecting your results. Knowing the expected treatment timeline will allow you to distinguish between changes that are expected and those that indicate your treatment may need further evaluation.
Same Hair Growth Pattern
Effective laser hair removal doesn’t just decrease the quantity of hair, it changes the quality of how hair grows. The majority of people notice that hair grows back slower, in patches as opposed to evenly, and they don’t have to shave as often. If after a few sessions your hair continues to grow at a comparable speed, pattern and density it could be that your treatment is not getting the desired response. Your skin specialist will also factor in the timing of treatments, if you have followed aftercare instructions and your own natural hair growth cycle before you assume the laser is not working. Early identification of the cause of your treatment can allow for modification of your treatment plan and boost your chances of getting successful long-term hair removal.