I heard laser hair removal is not permanent hair removal but permanent hair “reduction”. O.K fine lets say that its just “reduction”. Will THAT be permanent at least? If after all 8 treatments are done, it will only last 6 months to a year without you having to shave or wax, and then the hair grows back and you need more treatments??
Can someone please explain this?
There is an entire section in the FAQs addressing this. Laser is permanent on coarse hair. See FAQs at the link below.
I am aware of that. And i’m also aware of all the claims. I have been wanting to do this for years. What is puzzling is that it says “reduction”. But no where does it really say if the “reduction” itself is permanent. For example I am a very hairy person at least on my legs. If I were to undergo laser, it would be reduced after all 8 treatments, ok that’s good. But whether or not the “reduction” is permanent is the question.
I am sorry if I have made a new thread over a question already asked, but this question is different. The question is NOT if laser hair removal is permanent. But is the “reduction” permanent.
cheers
For some people, and in some areas, it is.
For some people and in some areas it is not.
Have you personally gone through it?
Did you read this part in the FAQs? I clearly understand your question and James’s answer is somewhat incorrect and misleading. It’s absolutely permanent on the right type of hair with the right settings and machine.
The simple answer is - whatever hair is affected by laser is gone for good. The heat applied disables the follicle from producing any new hair. “Reduction” simply means that not 100% of the hair on an area will be removed – and that is due to the fact that laser can only affect COARSE hair. You’ll get to a point after the usual 6-8 treatments needed where only sparse fine hair will remain. Thus, this is called a “reduction” and not 100% removal.
If your last question is directed to me, the answer is YES. Thus the first link below. It’s been over 2 years on most areas I have treated and I still don’t have any hair (or expect to).
P.S. Pasting the answer from the FAQs (you should read ALL of them at the link below):
Hair removal lasers have been in use since 1997 and the Food and Drug Administration approved it for “permanent reduction.” They permanently disable hair follicles, however you have to remember that laser hair removal doesn’t work in the same way on everyone and doesn’t remove 100% of the hair in an area. Generally, this means that you shouldn’t expect to remove every single hair from an area, although you can remove the majority of it. Most people need to follow up with electrolysis treatments for any remaining hairs to achieve complete clearance, if desired, as the remaining hairs become too sparse and fine for laser to target. Some will also need touch-up treatments about once a year, especially on large areas, after the initial set of 6-8 treatments for any new growth your body may develop with age on certain areas. It has also been observed that some people seem to be non-responders – this is not confirmed and reasons are not known, and may in fact be due to lack of skill on the part of many laser operators and/or the type of machine and settings they are using. Keep in mind that it’s hard to judge whether someone’s lack of results is due to a potential underlying medical condition that causes continuous growth and makes it seem like laser isn’t working, if the treatment wasn’t performed properly, or whether for some people it just doesn’t work for currently unknown reasons. In essence, you can’t determine what your personal results with be like unless you try it. Results depend on many variables involved, including the tech’s experience, type of laser used, how settings are set, etc. It is recommended to start with one smaller area and see you’re your hair reacts before committing to an expensive set of treatments on many areas at once.
Electrolysis is an alternative permanent hair removal method that has been used for over 125 years. It involves treating one hair at a time and is a good option for smaller areas (like eyebrows or upper lip) where precision is necessary. It does take considerably more treatments compared to laser to complete a large area, but is an option as well. At this time, it is as the only permanent option for very fine and light-colored hair.
I’ve said before that the information on electrolysis needs to be corrected and will repeat this as often as necessary: Electrolysis is NOT for small areas only. Having completed back cases, arm cases, leg cases, etc., within an 18 month period at most, I strongly urge again, that this information be changed in your Frequently Asked Questions section. I am not a miracle worker and neither is James and other knowing electrologists who have performed electrolysis on large areas - we just have good strategies along with good equipment that allows us to remove hair at a faster pace than others where people do actually get finished. ELectrolysis most certainly can be accomplished on large areas and is in fact, the only option for people that would see no results for the type and color of hair structure they have. Electrolysis is the only option for areas big and small for many people, so I would not discourage them from seeking only option they have to get rid of hair. It takes the correct setup (toolwise/equipmentwise) and it takes skill and client cooperation, just as it does with laser hair reduction.
Your FAQ section is really good, LAgirl, but I really would urge you, once again, to add more specific information, since you mentioned electrolysis as an alternative method to laser in this section of your FAQ’s. People need to know that electrolysis is just not for small areas. They need to know that if they find a modern electrologist that has moved beyond slow and painful electrolysis care, that they will realize their dreams to be hairfree.
Dee
I can’t change it. We need Andrea (or James maybe?) to unblock that page first.
James?
No worries. I understand it now.
And thank you for your explanation on your experience. The last time I spoke to the aestheticism, she said that after all treatments, it will not be exactly permanent, but it will be enough so you won’t have to shave anymore because there will just be fine\baby hair. And she also implied that its not really noticeable.
Is this true?
LAgirl, how can you tell if the hair is coarse and dark enough? I have dark brown hair and light skin. Would laser only work well on coarse hair like my underarms and bikini, but not my legs since the hair there is less coarse? It also would really like to laser my butt and parts of my back and stomach, but the hair isn’t as coarse as on my legs although there’s a lot of it.
Smoothdude - what’s noticeable to each person really varies. It depends on your expectations before you start. Also, keep in mind that many people change their expectations once they start seeing results and want more and more removed even if they were only going for a reduction at first.
Candela: You can post pictures and we can help judging. Also, a good laser operator should be able to tell you. Generally, hair on bikini and underarms is always coarse enough on women. Lower legs are also generally almost always coarse enough and get great results. Upper legs are often too fine for laser. That applies to most women’s backs, butts, and stomachs. Some happy trails are coarse enough though.
Like I said in another post, just because there is a lot of fine hair, doesn’t mean laser will be any more effective. If it’s fine hair, it won’t be and electrolysis is the only way to tackle it.
I do butts. It works well if you go to an electrologist that sets herself/himself up to work speedily. MicroFlash and PicoFlash thermolysis is the way to go, followed by good vision and light equipment. Longer sessions at first turn into shorter sessions later. It’s permanent and hair bumps that are treated lead to smooth skin.
Dee
Is there no financial advantage to getting laser done on the areas with finer hair before switching to electrolysis? I read stories online of people saying they got 40%-65% reduction on these areas with laser.
They got this reduction ONLY on the coarse hair on that area since in many cases the hair is mixed. For example, I treated my abdomen, but only hair right along the happy trail was affected…not sure it was worth it. If you’re doing electrolysis on other areas anyway, it’s probably not worth the laser cost.
Also, keep in mind that on certain areas with fine hair, you can induce more hair with laser.