Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?

This is a question we often receive. The answer is tricky. First the Legal answer:

• The FDA says that laser hair removal isn't permanent hair removal but permanent hair reduction.

As you saw in the earlier post the FDA only says that electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal process.

Now the longer answer:

Electrolysis works by inserting a thin needle down the hair follicle and using an electrical current to kill the hair follicle. So that follicle is then permanently disabled, but the one immediately next to it will still be growing hair.

Laser hair removal has the same effect on the hair follicles, but the treatment is only effective when the hair is in its growth mode.

So is laser hair removal permanent? For all intents and purposes, yes. But if there is a hair follicle which was always between growth stages at each treatment time, then it will still be growing.

electrolysis can take maybe 20-30 sessions to clear an area. Laser takes 5-7. but you may need touch ups periodically (once-twice a year) to catch the hairs which were missed during the initial treatments, but unless there are hormonal problems, 99.9% of the hair will be gone.