There permanent laser hair removal method is increasingly popular with women and men who want to get rid of the constraint that hair represents. In addition, hair is rather considered unsightly in the era we live in!

In this article, we will focus on: How to get rid of hair after laser hair removal? And, before answering this question, it is worth taking a closer look at the complete process of laser hair removal by understanding the hair cycle.

To ensure the success of a permanent laser hair removal treatment, it is necessary that the hair is not destroyed at the root and is not discolored. This is why during the treatment, only shaving is authorized to monitor its hair.

Hair removal with wax, tweezers or electric epilators is therefore prohibited during the entire duration of the laser treatment.

How does hair loss occur after laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal can permanently remove hair, more than 95% of hair in many cases, after a few sessions (between 6 and 8) depending on the person.

Laser technology now makes it possible, with cutting-edge lasers such as Diode lasers , to treat all skin types.

It is important to understand that hair has a life cycle that has different phases.

Each phase varies depending on the hair and the area to be treated, but it is during the hair growth phase that permanent laser hair removal is most effective.

After a first laser hair removal session, the hair does not disappear, it will only be a few days or weeks later that you will begin to see the difference.

In fact, at first, you might even have the impression that the hair is continuing to grow. Rest assured, this is completely normal.

In the laser treatment process, the laser targets the hair bulb or pilar which represents the invisible part of the hair. When this bulb is destroyed, it will be the skin which will later eject the hair naturally. So everything does not happen immediately!

Hair bulbs treated with laser may take a few days or even weeks to fall out. Dead hairs will eventually fall out, however, others will appear, this is again completely normal, since hairs do not all grow at the same time.

The hair cycle and the effect of the laser:

Regarding the evolution of the hair cycle , you must first know that there are three essential phases which concern the hair:

  • Anagen phase: This is the hair growth phase, it lasts between one and three months.
  • Catagen phase : which lasts for several months or even several years, it is the resting phase of the hair.
  • Telogen phase: It is over a short period of time that the hair regresses and falls out.

The anagen phase

This phase is also called the youth phase, it symbolizes the period of hair growth, this is where the hair has the largest root, and it is therefore during this precise phase that the laser will be able to more easily reach the bulb and prevent regrowth from occurring.

The catagen phase

The catagen phase is the shortest in the life cycle of a hair, it is therefore also called the old age phase, it is a transition period because the hair stops growing but does not fall out, it is the moment when the production of melanin stops.

The telogen phase

The telogen phase can symbolize death. This is the stage where the bulb is at cellular rest, the hair no longer grows but it does not fall out, it is detached from the root, therefore ready to fall out to be replaced by a new hair in the anagen phase, this hair will eventually fall out.

The effect of the laser:

For permanent laser hair removal , you should know that the laser is effective on hairs in the anagen phase.

Although the treatment lasts several weeks at a rate of one session approximately every month and a half, for the hairs to be destroyed at their roots and fall out, it will take at least 5 sessions and sometimes this can go up to 8, or even 10.

At the end of the sessions, we can say that approximately 80 to 95% of the hairs will be permanently destroyed or transformed into very fine, light down.

The very principle of laser hair removal is that the laser attacks the hair bulb, which is then loaded with melanin. It is precisely the melanin which then guides the laser along the hair in order to destroy its bulb.

Hair loss will therefore only be seen later.

Likewise, it is important to understand that for the laser to be able to attack the hair bulb, it is important during the treatment to only perform shaving .

Only hairs in the anagen phase can be destroyed, so other hairs will come, and they will in turn be destroyed as well.

So, before you can contemplate the success of your laser treatment, you will need to have a little patience.

Techniques to promote hair loss

However, if you do not want to wait for the natural process, you can speed things up a little by using a few techniques which nevertheless require taking precautions, as the skin is even more sensitive after a laser session:

  • The hair-by-hair technique: (without tweezers): This technique consists of thoroughly disinfecting the area that has been treated with the laser, which will cause some dead hairs to fall out. After this operation, the skin must be well moisturized using milk or cream.
  • The technique of gentle exfoliation : Exfoliate the skin but gently,
  • Skin hydration : it is something that must be done absolutely, always keep the skin well hydrated with good products, milks, creams, oils.

Conversely, there are things not to do such as:

  • The scrub
  • Waxing, tweezing, electric epilator
  • Pluck or pull on hairs

Why should you not pull hairs after a laser hair removal session?

Pulling hairs after a laser hair removal session is not recommended at all, there are several reasons why you should not do it, here they are:

  • Pulling on the hairs can cause irritation of the skin, which is even more sensitive after a laser session.
  • The hair ejection process is natural and should remain natural. When you pull the hairs you hinder the process and this affects the good effectiveness of the total treatment.
  • Pulling on hairs leaves small channels open that can become infected. Therefore, it is best not to pull on the hairs and let them fall out naturally.

To summarize, you should not pull on the hairs after laser hair removal, the risks of irritation and infections really exist with such a practice, moreover, it hinders the healing process, you must let the hairs fall out on their own and follow all the post-treatment advice. By following the right advice you give more guarantee to the success of your permanent laser hair removal treatment.

Conclusion

For this part which concerns the phase of the fall of dead hairs, you know a little more about the life cycle of a hair.

Just like you know why some things are to be applied and others not.

After a laser session, the best way to see hair fall out is to wait for the natural process to take place on its own. To achieve optimal results in your complete laser hair removal treatment, you must therefore follow all the recommendations.

Before, during and after laser sessions, it is good to put into practice all the tips and recommendations that have been specified in this article.

Frequently Asked Questions​

Why don't hairs fall out after laser hair removal?

The hairs do not fall out immediately after the laser session, they will fall out a few days later, sometimes even in some cases, a few weeks later, so you have to be patient so as not to hinder the complete process of permanent laser hair removal.

Can I pluck out the hairs lost after laser?

Do not pluck or pull hairs after a laser session, as this can cause irritation or even infection. Since the skin is even more sensitive after a laser session, you should let the hair fall out naturally, but you should always moisturize your skin well.

How to remove hair after laser hair removal?

Hair should not be removed by pulling or plucking. For hair follow-up before, during and after your laser sessions, the only possible method is shaving, because it only destroys the hair on the surface of the skin, not in depth. Other methods, such as hair removal with tweezers, waxing, or an electric epilator, should be avoided.

How long should I wait to shave after a laser hair removal session?

Typically, you should shave before a laser session, either the day before or the day of. So you can easily wait a few days before shaving again after your session. That being said, you should always wait between 24 and 48 hours before shaving after the laser session.

Does hair grow back after laser hair removal?

Laser-treated hair cannot grow back, but since the laser acts mainly and primarily on hairs in the growth phase and loaded with melanin, there are therefore other hairs in other phases of the hair cycle that appear, this is completely normal. Not all hairs develop at the same time, you have to understand that!

Book a free consultation at SSSKIN

If you would like to know which permanent hair removal is best for you, our certified therapists are ready to receive you during a free initial consultation at SSSKIN.

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