Laser Hair Removal Q&A
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Length of Time Between Laser Hair Treatments
asked 3 years ago by Johnny K in Melbourne, Australia
Latest answer by Teanoosh Zadeh, MD
Question viewed 42,726 times
Tags: frequency, treatment
A few laser practioners I have been to have given me conflicting advice about the length of time I should wait between treatments. Some say 4-5 weeks is the ideal period while others have indicated 7-8 weeks is much better if one is to target a greater proportion of hair in the right growth phase. What is your view on the ideal length of time that one should wait between treatments?
18 answers to Length of Time Between Laser Hair Treatments
+4
The treatment schedule varies for Laser Hair Removal
The treatment schedule for Laser Hair Removal depends on the area. The face is generally every 4 - 6 weeks with most other areas every 8 - 10 weeks.
+3
Interval between laser hair removal treatments
The interval between laser hair removal treatments is generally felt to be between 4-10 weeks apart. Each physician has different experience and training, and the literature on this isn't clear, so you'll hear different answers from different people. I certainly wouldn't do any treatments any sooner than 4 weeks apart.
+3
Depends on the treated area
If the laser is done on upper lip, chin or any area on the face it should be spaced out 4-6 weeks apart. For the body areas, it should be repeated every 8-10 weeks. Facial hair grows faster than lower body hair and it should be done more often. In order for the laser to be effective, you should try to keep up with your appointments and follow the technician's recommendations for the length of time between your treatments.
Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+2
Laser hair removal schedules for different areas
The laser is only able to disable the hair when it’s in the anagen phase (growth cycle), this is when your hair is connected to your blood supply. Depending on the body area, there is a different treatment cycle. Facial and bikini areas are every 4 weeks, all other body areas are every 8 weeks.
Bruce Katz, MD
New York Dermatologic Surgeon
New York Dermatologic Surgeon
+2
Length of Time between Laser Hair Removal Sessions
Laser Hair Removal in extremely effective. Our office has a strict protocol that maximizes success in treating excessive hair of the face and body. We follow these guidelines:
Aggressive pre procedural documentation and treatment of excessive pigmentation.
Treatment intervals of 6-8 weeks between treatments.
Examination by a trained physician before each treatment to assess the efficacy of each treatment and skin response.
Physician performed laser hair removal...
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Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2
The upper half of the body 4-6 weeks, lower 6-8 weeks
The hair growth cycles are different in deiiferent parts of the body and may vary among individuals to some degree.
As a generalization it seems that in the upper half of the body about 4-6 week intervals may be optimum and in the lower half, 6-8 weeks.
Therefore if patients are teating multiple areas we suggest a compromise of about 6 weeks between treatments,
John E. Gross, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2
Hair regrowth is variable for different areas and individuals
In general, the best way to approach this topic is to use the regrowth of hair in the treated area as your guide... in other words, when a significant percentage of the hair starts growing back, return for the next treatment.
It could be as short as 4 weeks on the face, and as long as 12 weeks for the legs or more.
I hope this helps. Take care.
William Groff, DO
San Diego Dermatologist
San Diego Dermatologist
+1
Amount of time between hair removal treatments
Dear patient,
The length of time between hair removal treatments all depend on the machine you are being treated with and the area you are treating. Generally, when treating facial hair, treatments should be spaced 4 – 6 weeks apart, when treating hair on the body, treatments should be spaced 7 – 8 weeks apart.
Teanoosh Zadeh, MD
Montreal Plastic Surgeon
Montreal Plastic Surgeon
+1
Laser Hair Removal
For the face, 4-5 weeks between treatments, from the neck to waist, 6-8 weeks, and from the legs down, 8-12 weeks. The further along in treatments, the longer you will have to wait.
+1
Time between sessions of laser hair removal.
The time interval between sessions of laser hair removal should be no less then six weeks. It may sooner on the face, but we recommend patients in general to wait six weeks, as many times multiple body areas are treated. This allows time for the next wave of hairs to enter an active growth phase and be more susceptible to permanent damage by the laser.
+1
Time Between Laser Hair Removal Sessions Depends on You
I have done a ton of laser hair removal over the last 9 years and can tell you from experience that while it is a very effective treatment, it is not an exact science. By that I mean, everyone is different. The only rule I have is that you must wait at least 4 weeks between treatments. But if 4 weeks pass and you still have no hair... then keep waiting.
Most patients do 5 or 6 treatments and for the first few treatments they do indeed need it every 4 to 8 weeks...
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Todd Minars, MD
Miami Dermatologist
Miami Dermatologist
+1
Timing of Laser Hair Removal Treatments
We typically recommend waiting 4 to 6 weeks between Laser Hair Removal treatments or until you can see the new hairs beginning to regrow. Permanent and complete hair removal is not likely but with multiple treatments significant long-term reduction can be achieved. In general, two or more treatments are required at each site. The laser is only effective when the hair follicle is in its active growth phase. Repeat sessions will be necessary to treat those follicles when they re-enter the...
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+1
Laser hair removal - how to time the treatments
The interval between laser hair removal treatments is based on the timing of the hair growth cycle. The cycle consists of a growth phase (anagen) and a resting phase (telogen). The laser works best on hairs in the growth phase. Since the hairs on different parts of the body have growth cycles of different durations, the treatments should be based on those durations. In my clinic in Montreal laser hair removal treatments are timed in the following manner:
face and neck - 4 weeks...
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Arie Benchetrit, MD
Montreal Plastic Surgeon
Montreal Plastic Surgeon
+1
Spacing Laser Hair Removal Treatments
Spacing laser hair removal treatments is dependent upon the area of the body that is being treated. Hair in different areas has different growth rates. Since laser treatments are effective on hair in the growth phase, it is necessary to space the treatments accordingly to maximize the effectiveness of the treatments. Generally speaking, there is no disadvantage to waiting a longer period of time than recommended between treatments. It will only prolong the end...
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Corey L. Hartman, MD
Birmingham Dermatologic Surgeon
Birmingham Dermatologic Surgeon
+1
Time between Laser Hair Treatments
The time between treatments for optimal results truly depends on the area being treated. Face is typically every 4 weeks. Neck and upper torso typically every 6 weeks. Bikini and lower extremities typically every 8 weeks. Of course the average amount of treatments is 6-8.
David V. Poole, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon
Orlando Plastic Surgeon
+1
Time between laser hair removal appointments varies based on body location.
There is some confusion about how far apart to schedule laser hair removal appointments because the right answer actually varies.
Some areas of the body have faster hair growth cycles, so doing treatments closer together is appropriate. Some areas have slower cycles, so appointments too close together will be a waste of time and money.
Additionally, after the first few cycles are treated, the remaining hair follicles have different characteristics than the ones that were easily...
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+1
Time periods between laser hair removal - consistency is most important
Generally, anywhere between 4 and 8 weeks apart is acceptable. I usually recommend somewhere aournd 6 weeks.
What is most important is to be consistent with the time periods. Laser hair removal only affects actively growing hairs, that is hairs in anagen phase. Different areas of the body have different percentages of hairs in the growing phase.
Laser hair removal over a period of time synchronizes more and more hairs to be in the same growing phase, therefore...
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+1
Hair growth cycle for Laser Hair Removal
As has been pointed out by other practitioners, it depends on the area of the body. When treating multiple areas (face, underam and bikini on the same day) we stick to approximately 6-8 week intervals.
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