Laser hair removal sessions should be spaced out to follow the hair cycle, to ensure the treatment is effective and the results last as long as possible.
In our article today, find out how the hair growth cycle works, its impact on treatment effectiveness, why you should space out permanent laser hair removal sessions and what the ideal interval is between them.
What is the hair growth cycle?
The hair growth cycle goes through three life phases during which the hair develops. These three phases are: the anagen phase, the catagen phase and the telogen phase.
Before starting laser hair removal, it is important to understand how the hair cycle works and why it is important to allow enough time for hair to go through these three phases.
Hair growth phases
- The anagen phase: This is the phase where new hairs are actively growing at the bulb and the tips of the hairs appear. This phase varies in duration, ranging from a few weeks to several months.
- The catagen phase: this is the transition phase and is the shortest in the hair cycle. The hair crosses the surface of the skin, then slows down its regrowth and prepares to move on to the resting phase.
- Telogen phase: This is the resting phase or when hairs stop growing and are ready to fall out. This is the longest phase, lasting from three to six months.
The impact of growth cycle on the effectiveness of laser hair removal
Laser hair removal is most successful in the anagen phase, as the laser beam can only target hair in the active growth phase. It is during this phase that the hair follicle contains an increased amount of melanin, giving it the ability to effectively absorb laser energy and completely destroy the follicle.
On the other hand, during the transition or resting phases, the hair is not receptive to the laser beam.
Since not all hairs are in the anagen phase at the same time at the time of treatment, it is important to space out laser hair removal sessions and allow enough time for hair follicles, which were previously in the catagen or telogen phase, to enter the anagen phase so that they can be eliminated during future sessions.
Which also explains the need for multiple laser sessions in order to target the different growth phases and thus destroy all the hairs!
What is the interval between two sessions of permanent laser hair removal?
For the body, the interval between sessions is 4 to 8 weeks, while for the face , sessions should be spaced 4 weeks apart. But as treatments progress, the waiting time between sessions may be longer, because laser-treated hair grows back more slowly.
Some areas of the body may have more accelerated growth cycles than others. Similarly, the duration of each hair cycle phase differs from person to person and from area to area. It may be faster in some areas and longer in others.
Book your first free consultation with SSSKIN for your laser hair removal in Lausanne and Geneva
SSSSKIN, your laser hair removal specialist in Switzerland, offers you a free, no-obligation initial consultation with one of our qualified experts to assess your skin and hair type and determine where you are in your growth cycle in order to effectively plan your sessions. Meet our team now!
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