Can I thread in between laser sessions?

Question

Hi, I’ve had 14 sessions of laser done on my face. And I’m still experiencing decent hair growth. I’ve been trimming my hair in between sessions, but wondering if I can thread my face hair in between sessions (I go every 6 weeks and my hair will definitely have grown out by the next session) Is this okay? Or will it reverse any treatment that’s already been done?

Rosy Sandhu, MD · Answer

Hello Luathepersian,
The face can be a frustrating area to laser, for most, do to the amount of sessions required. For the face I always recommend you go in every 4-6 weeks. Do not thread, wax, tweeze, use hair removal creams, etc. The reasoning for this is because it pulls the root out of the follicle. Laser hair removal is targeting the follicle when trying to reduce the hair growth. When you thread you pull the hair and the root from the follicle so it will take time for it to grow back. The smaller and weaker the root is the less the laser is attracted to it and less likely to give results because of the root is not there, there is no target. Give it some more time and talk to your technician about your concerns. Best of Luck 
Dr. Rosy Sandhu

Laura Riehm, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  You service provider obviously did not give you post-care instructions.  I think you need a new place.  If you still have any hair growth left after 14 session, whatever they are doing isn't working.First, it will take a series of treatments to reduce your hair production.  LHR treatments deliver a burst of energy to the hair follicles that are actively growing.  The energy destroys these follicles ability to produce another hair.  The hair shafts in those follicles will release and fall out over the next 1-3 weeks.  Other dormant hair follicles start producing hair every day.  It takes a series of at least 6 treatments to get most the hair growth.  In order to avoid surface burns, we have our patients shave before LHR treatments.  You must not wax, thread or pluck during LHR treatments.  You can shave at any time you wish between treatments.
Generally speaking, you should look for a facility where they have a doctor on staff and is usually there to answer questions.  Find out what type of machine (laser vs. IPL) they will be using.  A properly calibrated laser is usually much more comfortable than an IPL.  Using the correct settings for your skin type also makes it more comfortable.  Sorry to say, probably the most expensive treatment is probably the best.
Best of luck

Mark A. Blair, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question.  The common instructions given during sessions of laser hair reduction are to stop, plucking, waxing and threading.  The reason being, the threading process is also actually pulling the follicles out by a manual process.  If you are pulling the follicles out, these follicles would be missed when you attend your laser session. The follicles that are in the "growth cycle" are the only follicles successfully treated during a laser session. You may shave the follicles between sessions and not interrupt the growth cycle of the hair.Good Luck!

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