Laser hair removal has become an increasingly popular cosmetic treatment in Calgary, Alberta over the years, with many people seeking a permanent solution to unwanted hair growth for Brazilian, underarms, legs, arms, back, chest, and pretty much any area on the body. However, some patients report unsatisfactory results, despite undergoing several treatments. In this blog, we will explore some of the reasons why some laser hair removal does not work well and why actual lasers like Nd:YAG and Alexandrite are much better and safer than IPL for laser hair removal.
Why some laser hair removal does not work well
1. Not selecting the correct laser for your skin type and hair color
One of the most important factors that contribute to successful laser hair removal is selecting the correct laser for your skin type and hair color. Different lasers have different wavelengths (depths in the skin) that target specific pigmentations in the hair follicle or target the blood supply to the hair follicle. For instance, Alexandrite lasers are best suited for lighter skin tones and lighter hair (but can treat dark hair as well), while Nd:YAG lasers are safe for darker skin tones, but only work for darker hair. If the wrong laser is used, the hair follicle may not absorb enough energy, resulting in ineffective hair removal. Worse yet, if the wrong laser is used (for example the Alexandrite on a dark-skinned patient) this could result in burns and pigmentation changes.
2. Not undergoing enough treatments
Laser hair removal is a gradual process that requires multiple treatments to achieve permanent hair reduction. Some patients may only undergo a few sessions and expect to see significant results, but this is not always the case. Depending on the area being treated, the thickness of the hair, and individual hair growth cycles, patients may require anywhere from 6 sessions to 16+ sessions to achieve permanent removal of 95% of the hair. Many clinics are telling clients that only 6 sessions are necessary, but as everyone has different amounts of hair and there are different thicknesses of hair on different areas of the body, this is simply not accurate.
3. Not preparing the skin properly before treatment
To ensure the laser energy is effectively absorbed by the hair follicle, the skin needs to be prepared correctly before treatment. This involves shaving the area to be lasered within 24 hours before the appointment, avoiding any sun exposure for at least 5 weeks before the session, and avoiding any creams, lotions, or makeup on the treatment area on the day of the procedure.
4. Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes can have a significant impact on hair growth, and laser hair removal may not be as effective if these changes occur. Clients with PCOS or endometriosis may see increased hair growth in hormonal areas like the lower face, neck, chest, and abdomen. This means that laser hair removal should not be started until the medical concern has been managed with the proper medications. Once the hormones have been stabilized, then laser hair removal can be successful, but may require more treatments than typical treatments.
Why Nd:YAG and Alexandrite lasers are better than IPL for laser hair removal
There are several types of lasers used in laser hair removal, including Alexandrite, Nd:YAG, and IPL (intense pulsed light). While all of these methods can be effective, Nd:YAG and Alexandrite lasers are generally considered to be far superior to IPL for several reasons:
1. Precision targeting
Nd:YAG and Alexandrite lasers are more precise in targeting hair follicles than IPL. This precision allows the laser energy to be concentrated in the hair follicle, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding tissue.
2. Effective on all skin types
IPL is absolutely not suitable for all skin types (darker skin clients should NEVER be treated with IPL) and can be less effective on lighter hair. Nd:YAG lasers, on the other hand, can be used safely and effectively on all skin types.
3. Better for coarse hair
Nd:YAG and Alexandrite lasers are more effective in removing coarse hair than IPL. Coarse hair is often more challenging to remove and requires a more powerful laser to target the hair follicle effectively.
4. Fewer side effects
IPL can be associated with more side effects than Nd:YAG and Alexandrite lasers. These side effects can include redness, swelling, and blistering. Nd:YAG and Alexandrite lasers are higher quality, more powerful, and more precise, meaning the settings do not have to be as high to reach the desired outcome. This means that with less heat and also the use of cooling machines, which can be attached to the laser handpiece, there are significantly fewer risks of burns.
FAQs
If the wrong laser is used, the hair follicle may not absorb enough energy, resulting in ineffective hair removal. Worse yet, if the wrong laser is used (for example the Alexandrite on a dark-skinned patient) this could result in burns and pigmentation changes.
Why did my laser hair removal stop working? ›
If you saw a less than stellar result on your last treatments it could have been due to not being in the hair growth stage in the cycle during time of procedure. Hormonal imbalance while undergoing laser treatments can stimulate increased hair regrowth.
Why am I not seeing laser hair removal results? ›
Your treatment time is being cut short
Laser hair removal treatments should not be rushed in any way. This will dramatically affect your results. During each treatment, the whole treatment area should be covered. If the laser is passed too quickly over the skin the energy from the laser will not be absorbed correctly.
Why hasn't laser hair removal worked for me? ›
While laser hair removal has proven to be a highly effective and popular method for reducing unwanted hair, it may not work equally well for everyone. Factors such as hair color, skin type, hormonal imbalances, and individual characteristics can influence the outcome of the treatment.
Why is my laser hair growth not working? ›
You might have a hormonal imbalance:
One of the top reasons why Laser hair removal doesn't work boils down to hormones. Yes, believe it or not hormonal conditions can lead to ineffective hair removal. Our hormones encourage hair growth with the most common one being testosterone.
Why is my laser hair removal not strong enough? ›
If the wrong laser is used, the hair follicle may not absorb enough energy, resulting in ineffective hair removal. Worse yet, if the wrong laser is used (for example the Alexandrite on a dark-skinned patient) this could result in burns and pigmentation changes.
What does it mean if your hair doesn t fall out after laser? ›
It might be that not enough time has passed post-treatment for the hair to shed. Or it could mean that the laser wasn't able to effectively target the hair follicles because it wasn't in the right growth phase yet, so the laser couldn't treat it.
Why is my hair not going away with laser? ›
The growth cycle is the reason why it could take between 6 and 8 sessions before the hair follicles have been destroyed. Each treatment area has its own unique growth cycle, and hair growth in the upper lip can be four weeks, and the cycle for the legs can take between 8 and 10 weeks.
Why am I still hairy after laser hair removal? ›
Patients may notice more hair 1 – 3 weeks after laser hair removal sessions as follicles in the growing cycle begin to shed. During this process, exfoliating the skin, once swelling and redness have dissipated, can help hairs shed faster, leaving skin feeling smoother.
How can I maximize my laser hair removal results? ›
Shaving and exfoliating can increase follicular activity, making the following laser treatment more effective. Another tip suggested by experts is to pay attention to hair growth during laser hair removal treatment. Some localized areas may grow more quickly than others. This is a detail to share with your provider.
Scarso recommends using crystal hair erasers on dry skin. Product reviews suggest that using them on wet skin can be both irritating and ineffective. Apply light pressure. If you scour yourself with etched glass, it's probably not going to feel great.
Does anyone regret laser hair removal? ›
But, as with any treatment that ends with more or less permanent results, not everyone is pleased with their decision. While some feel freedom after banishing all the hair on their bodies for good, others express deep regret — especially given how the conversation around body hair has shifted in recent years.
What is best for permanent hair removal? ›
Electrolysis can permanently remove unwanted hair. Once your hair is gone, you won't need maintenance treatments. It works on all hair types, including light-colored hairs, which lasers cannot remove. There's no downtime.
What causes laser hair removal not to work? ›
Your treatments aren't regular enough. As a result you hair cycles will overlap and the treatment won't be as effective as it should be. Solution – For the laser to destroy the root, the follicle has to be at a specific stage of its growth. So not too early and not too late.
Why is my hair still growing after 10 laser sessions? ›
However, even though laser treatments damage hair follicles, they're not destroyed completely. Over time, the treated follicles may recover from the initial damage and grow hair again. It's a tall order to eliminate every hair follicle in a given area. Therefore, you may notice a tiny amount of hair regrowth.
How many laser sessions does it take to not grow back hair? ›
Although every person is different and results per session will vary, there are some general standards you can expect from the laser hair removal process. Typically, laser hair removal sessions are scheduled about 6 weeks apart and it can take between 4 and 8 treatments for optimal results.
Why do I still have stubble after laser hair removal? ›
Because laser treatments are only able to target hair follicles that are in their anagen phase, there will be a few remaining follicles that have yet to “wake up” and grow hair in the next few weeks, so don't be surprised to see some minor regrowth after your initial treatment.
How do you fix a laser that wont work? ›
When Your Laser Tube is Lighting Up But Nothing is Happening:
- 1) Check Material Compatibility. Not all materials are laser compatible. ...
- 2) Check Material Settings. It's possible your material settings are too low in the software. ...
- 3) Check Mirror Alignment. ...
- 4) Check Tube Life. ...
- 5) Check Beam Combiner.
