Do I have to wait for hair to grow back before going in for my next hair removal session?

Question

The hair hasn't really grown back yet after 5 weeks (only a few stray ones) and my session is tomorrow. Would it be better to wait another week? It would be the fourth session for my armpits and the second for my legs.

Elyse Rafal, MD · Answer

Laser hair removal is better achieved when sticking to the schedule that was set up for you by your board certified dermatology office.  The treatments are scheduled to treat hair growth at different cycles of growth.  It is okay to shave in between treatments, yet NOT okay to pluck or wax hairs.  This will cause the treatment to be ineffective.  Lasers do not work on hair without melanin, such as white or gray hairs.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

It is best to have hair that can be shaved prior to your treatment. I typically have patients do every 4 weeks for the first 3 times and then every 4-6 weeks for 3 times after. It will take a series of treatments and some people need treatments to maintain. See an expert in laser hair removal for best results. Best, Dr. Emer

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is best to have hair that can be shaved prior to LHR treatment. LHR is recommended every 4-6 weeks for the face and 6-8 weeks for the body. However, as your treatment progresses your sessions may be further spaced apart. I recommend addressing your concerns with your treating physician. Best of Luck!

Michelle Ellern, DO · Answer

NO. It is best to stay on the recommended timeline for hair growth cycles.  For face it is every 4-6 weeks, body every 6-8 weeks, and legs every 8-10 weeks.  As you get further and further into your treatments you may not need to shave between session or only minimally.  Good luck with your treatments.

M. Bradley Calobrace, MD, FACS · Answer

Laser hair removal is suggested every 4-6 weeks for the face and 6-8 weeks for the body. Hair growth has 3 cycles. While some may be in a growth cycle some may be in the resting phases. We have patients do at least 8 treatments in a series, to make sure we effectively treat the area in all the growth phases.

Kent Holtorf, MD · Answer

Laser hair removal is different for each person based on the type of hair and strength of treatments.  Some people need more or less treatments.  If you are happy with your results you can stop going.  You can also wait another week to see if more hair grows, but the hair in the growth phase is the only hair affected by the laser.  You may want to speak to your provider and see what they advise.

Sharon Kshettry, MD · Answer

Yes you do have to wait for hair to regrow before the next treatment. Laser energy is absorbed by the melanin in hair follicle to destroy the follicle. Wait until hair grows back before next treatment. Why the practice did not give you these instructions?

Michael H. Gold, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question and your question is not uncommon – laser hair removal works differently in different people – some need 3-4 sessions and some may need less or more. If you are happy with what you have, stop.  If you need more, go back.  Most spas and others sell “packages” which is fine – but not everyone needs all that is in the package and that sounds like you.  You should do fine with waiting until it is truly growing back and you need more laser hair removal.

Laura Riehm, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  Obviously your service provider has not explained how LHR works.  Hair Removal Lasers target the melanin in your hair shaft.  The energy follow the hair shaft down into the follicle, heating it and destroying its ability to produce another hair.  At this point, you should only get additional treatments when you have hair actively growing that you have to shave.  If there isn't a target, the laser isn't doing anything.  The average starting interval for under arm and above starts at 4 weeks and the lower body is every 6 weeks.  That interval will usually stretch after each session.  Best of luck.

Do I have to wait for hair to grow back before going in for my next hair removal session?

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Answers (9)

More Laser Hair Removal Questions

Can oil based products (e.g. shea butter, coconut oil) and products that contain MSM the night before affect laser hair removal?

When can I use regular lotion after laser hair removal? 4 days post op.

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS