Will Laser Resurfacing Also Remove Facial Hair?

Question

Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD, FACS · Answer

You have asked a very good question and one that many of my patients have asked in the past. The term "laser" surgery may mean one thing to the patient, but to the surgeon, this can mean many different things.  
Laser skin resurfacing generally uses CO2 or Erbium-Yag wavelengths in order to accomplish the goal of skin rejuvenation.  Hair removal is dependent upon lasers that use completely different wavelengths in order to go deep into the skin and target hair follicles.  
These wavelengths generally spare the skin but, burns can occur if the hair removal machine heats the skin too much.  This does not accomplish the goal of skin rejuvenation, but the damage is only temporary.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Resurfacing the envelope of the skin does not permanently remove hair from the face.  Ablative lasers do temporarily remove this hair, but it regrows. Non-invasive lasers do not remove the hair at all.

Steven J. Pearlman, MD, FACS · Answer

Laser resurfacing with lasers to improve skin texture and wrinkles are called ablative lasers. These include C02 and YAG lasers. They are also the lasers used in fractionated resurfacing as well. These will not affect facial hair in the long run. Photofacials are another story. These lasers have little to no downtime, but aren't as effective as ablative lasers for wrinkles. However, the laser light in the Photofacial, IPL lasers will affect facial hair growth.

M. Christine Lee, MD · Answer

Laser resurfacing would singe or burn the hairs on the surface of the skin if the laser beam touches the hair but does not affect the root of the hair.  So the hair loss is temporary and will grow back.

Robert F. Gray, MD, FACS · Answer

Laser resurfacing is usually done with an erbium or CO2 laser. While they will help improve the texture, fine lines and wrinkles of the skin, it will not help with hair reduction. A different laser will help with that.

	Good Luck.

Will Laser Resurfacing Also Remove Facial Hair?

Answers (9)

Answer: Laser resurfacing and hair removal

Answer: Laser resurfacing and hair removal

Answer: Laser Resurfacing and Hair removal

Answer: Laser Resurfacing and Hair removal

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Everything you need to know about Laser Resurfacing

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Will Laser Resurfacing Also Remove Facial Hair?

Answers (9)

Answer: Laser resurfacing and hair removal

Answer: Laser resurfacing and hair removal

Answer: Laser Resurfacing and Hair removal

Answer: Laser Resurfacing and Hair removal

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Laser Resurfacing

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.