What it is the best way to remove hair after finishing laser hair removal treatment?

Question

It has been several months since my last session(it worked very well, I got rid of lots of hair but not all of them) and I already shaved once because I read somewhere that waxing might bring back some hair. But my hairs growing back more quickly and thicker as I didn't expect. So my question is what is the best way that won't bring back all hair?

Paul Flashner, MD · Answer

Hi there. Since you've benefited from laser hair removal in the past, your best option is to continue with more laser hair removal treatments. Continuing with these treatments every 6-8 weeks will give you the optimal hair free outcome. Typically it takes 6 sessions to become hair free, however, everyone is different and it is not uncommon to need more than 6. I suggest speaking with the clinic you've been working with, and ask them if they offer touch-up treatment packages. Hope this helps!

Tyler Rogers, MD · Answer

As you are aware laser hair removal is often the best overall treatment for hair removal.  As with just about every procedure there are some caveats.  As you have noticed it typically does not get 100% of the hair.  You body can grow new hairs as well.  Although, usually the hairs are much finer, softer, and lighter.  You may choose to continue with ongoing laser hair treatments for continued improvement.  Electrolysis is an option if there are a few lighter hairs or hairs in areas not safe to laser such as near the eyes.  The best overall short term solution is shaving which will not affect hair growth.  Waxing is also fine; however, some experts feel that the trauma/ irritation from removing the follicle may cause the hairs to grow back in a abnormal distorted fashion.  Waxing should not cause new growth but may distort the remaining hairs and certainly would be counter productive if you continue with laser hair treatments.  Hope this helps and good luck!

Robert Zieber, MD · Answer

After six sessions of laser hair removal, one can expect about 60% of the hair to be gone, on average, and the other 40% is thinner and lighter.  The best way to remove more hair would be to have another group of laser treatments.  Neither waxing nor shaving will stimulate hair growth but waxing should not be done prior to a laser treatment for hair removal.  
Thank you for the question.  Good luck.
 -Dr. Z.
De Luz medical Aesthetics

Alexis Parker, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

You obviously respond to laser hair removal because your hair was gone for a couple of months.  The growth cycle on the back is 26 weeks so you can be hair free for 10 to 12 weeks when the next growth cycle starts to appear.  This is why we laser the back every 6 to twelve weeks depending on the growth rate.  It sounds like it is time for another treatment.  It is not unusual to feel like all the hair is back when you first start doing laser hair removal, because you lose only 10 to 15 percent of the treated hair after each treatment.
Shaving is the best way to remove hair between treatments. Shaving does not stimulate hair growth as it does not tug or shear the hair.  The best way to get rid of your hair, permanent reduction, is to treat regularly so that you affect all stages of growth and continue to damage and shrink the hair follicles.

Fanny Louton, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

The best way to remove remaining hair after laser hair removal treatments have been terminated is shaving. However, if dark hair continues to return in the areas you had treated and the amount of reduction is not to your satisfaction, you may not have had enough treatments for your best results. I suggest discussing this with your doctor.

What it is the best way to remove hair after finishing laser hair removal treatment?

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