Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent? Here’s the Surprising Truth

June 15, 2025

Laser hair removal is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments for good reason. It safely removes unwanted hair without causing razor bumps or ingrown hair. Plus, it delivers long-term results unlike waxing, shaving, and depilatory creams. A series of laser hair removal sessions can significantly slow hair growth over time, saving time and money.

But with all of the advantages of laser hair removal, many people wonder if this treatment really lasts forever.

Let’s clear up the myths and give you the honest truth about what to expect from your results.

How Laser Hair Removal Works

Laser hair removal works by targeting melanin, which is the pigment in hair follicles. As the laser emits pulses of light, the melanin absorbs this energy, which gets converted to heat. This heat damages the hair follicles and disables growth. Since the laser targets the pigment in the hair follicles, it minimizes the damage to the skin.

Laser hair removal works best for people who have dark, coarse hair and a lighter skin tone. These features make it easier for the laser to target the melanin in the hair follicles. However, modern lasers are designed to treat a wider variety of skin and hair combinations. Advancements in technology allow your provider to customize the wavelength, pulse duration, and energy level to suit the client’s skin tone and hair color. Many modern lasers also include a cooling system to keep the client comfortable during treatment.

Multiple sessions are needed because the hair reduction happens over time. Your skin tone, hair type, and treatment area factor into the number of treatments you need. Generally, most people benefit from 6-8 sessions spaced several weeks apart.

Is It Actually Permanent?

While laser hair removal isn’t permanent, it delivers long-term hair reduction. During treatment, the laser can damage or permanently destroy hair follicles. The damaged hair follicles can regrow, but when it does, it’s usually finer, lighter, and less noticeable. Although everyone has different outcomes, most patients see up to an 80%-90% reduction in hair growth. Multiple sessions produce the best results, and occasional maintenance treatment can help keep your skin hair-free.

Even though laser hair removal isn’t a 100% permanent solution, it offers many benefits. Shaving, waxing, and depilatory creams also don’t provide the added benefit of lightening hair over time or results that last as long as laser hair removal.

Why Some Hair Might Grow Back

Hair growth occurs in cycles. These cycles are anagen (the active growth phase), catagen (a transition phase), telogen (a resting phase), and exogen (the shedding phase). Laser hair removal only works when hair is in the anagen phase. During this phase, the hair follicle is connected to the root and contains the most melanin, which the laser targets. Since each follicle is at a different stage, you need multiple sessions to treat the follicles when they’re actively growing. When hair isn’t targeted in the anagen phase, it’s likely to regrow.

In addition to the hair growth cycle, these factors can contribute to hair regrowth:

Hormonal Changes: Hormonal shifts can stimulate hair growth in areas that were treated for laser hair removal.
Medications: Certain medications, like those used to treat hair loss and hormonal imbalances, may regrow hair after treatment.
Genetics: Genetics influence hair growth and thickness, and people with certain genetic predispositions, like hormonal imbalances, may need more sessions.

Touch-up sessions may be needed annually or every few years to help extend the results of your treatment.

How Long Do Results Last?

After a full treatment series, which is typically 6-8 sessions, many people enjoy smooth skin for several months or years after laser hair removal. While this process can significantly reduce hair regrowth, some stray hairs may still reappear. To help extend the duration of your results and address regrown hairs, touch-up treatments can keep your results consistent.

Since laser hair removal works best on thicker, darker hair, some areas are easier to treat. The underarms, bikini line, and legs often experience longer-lasting effects. While this treatment can remove facial hair, multiple sessions are usually needed to treat fine hair. Hormonal changes can also influence hair growth in this area, potentially impacting how long the results last.

What Makes Laser Hair Removal Worth It?

people at the beach smiling with smooth legs

Laser hair removal doesn’t need to be permanent to be worth the investment. There are many reasons why it’s a great hair removal treatment.

Saves Time and Money: Not having to shave or wax regularly adds up, saving time and money in the long run. Over time, the hair that regrows does so at a slower pace, leading to savings on hair removal.
No More Ingrown Hairs or Razor Bumps: As laser hair removal reduces hair growth, you won’t have to worry about ingrown hairs, razor bumps, or cuts from shaving.
Smooth Skin Year-Round: By reducing hair growth long-term, laser hair removal can help keep your skin smooth all year. Even when hair regrows, it’ll come back finer and less noticeable.
Minimal Upkeep: After completing the initial series of treatments, most clients can return once or twice a year to maintain their results. In contrast, most people wax every 3-6 weeks to keep their skin smooth.
Long-Lasting Results: While individual results may vary, many people enjoy long-lasting results from this treatment. The results can last between several months and years after the initial series of treatments.

How To Maintain Your Results

Here are some tips on how you can maintain the results of your laser hair removal treatments:

Stick to the Treatment Schedule: Your provider will create a treatment schedule for optimal results. Sticking to your schedule can help ensure that hair follicles can be targeted in their active growth phase for the best results.
Use Sunscreen for Protection: Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher will protect your skin from UV rays. Sun exposure can damage the treated areas, negatively impact your results.
Gently Cleanse Your Skin: Using a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser will help support your skin as it heals. They help protect your skin barrier and reduce the risk of irritation.
Don’t Use Harsh Skincare Products: Retinoids, alcohol, and strong acids in skincare products can irritate the skin. It’s also best not to exfoliate or scrub the skin as it heals from this treatment.
Avoid Tanning Beds: UV radiation from tanning beds can irritate your skin and lead to sunburn. Tanning may also darken your skin, making it more difficult for the lasers to target melanin in the hair follicles during future treatments.
Moisturize Your Skin: After your treatment, it’s best to wait a few hours before applying any products. Keeping your skin hydrated with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer can help soothe your skin and accelerate healing.
Don’t Wax or Pluck Between Appointments: If you remove hair in between appointments, shaving is the best method. Unlike waxing and plucking, shaving keeps the hair follicle intact, allowing the laser to target them during treatment.
Plan Occasional Maintenance Sessions: Having touch-up sessions once or twice a year can help your results last longer. Your provider will recommend how often to schedule maintenance appointments based on your hair type and goals.

Laser Hair Removal vs. Electrolysis: What’s More Permanent

While laser hair removal and electrolysis provide FDA-approved options for hair removal, they work differently and don’t produce the same results.

Electrolysis is a treatment for permanent hair removal, but it’s a slower and more painful process. It works by inserting a tiny needle into each hair follicle to destroy it with an electrical current. With electrolysis, 8-12 sessions spanning 8 months to 2 years are typically recommended to achieve optimal results. However, the number of treatments depends on the amount and thickness of the hair to be removed.

After this initial set of electrolysis sessions, maintenance may still be needed if some hair follicles aren’t actively growing during treatment. Sometimes, hormonal fluctuations can also stimulate hair regrowth after this procedure, leading to a touch-up appointment.

While everyone’s pain tolerance and preferences are different, laser hair removal is faster, less uncomfortable, and ideal for treating large areas. While the results aren’t 100% permanent, they provide excellent long-term results with minimal upkeep.

So, Is Laser Hair Removal Worth It?

a woman laying on the couch with her smooth legs bare

Looking for smoother skin and long-term hair reduction? Laser hair removal is an investment that pays off. While it may not be 100% permanent for everyone, it comes close. Most people enjoy an 80%-90% hair reduction. When comparing this option to electrolysis, many people find laser hair removal to be faster, convenient for treating larger areas, and less painful. Plus, many people don’t miss the time, expense, and pain that come with traditional hair removal methods.

As the leading provider of laser hair removal in Ashland, OR, Illume Aesthetics is proud to serve White City, Medford, and neighboring communities. With over 20 years of combined experience, our team will customize a treatment plan for you. Using state-of-the-art technology, we’ll safely remove your unwanted hair, leaving you with silky smooth skin you’ll feel confident about.

Ready to begin? Call 541-631-8387 to schedule a consultation with our team to see if laser hair removal is right for you.

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