What is the interval between each laser hair removal session?

For the success of a permanent laser hair removal treatment, the interval to be respected between two sessions is essential.

For laser hair removal , the laser is effective on hairs that are in the growth phase, this is called the anagen phase of the hair. During this phase, melanin is more abundant, the hair is also more strongly attached to the hair bulb. The hair cycle alone therefore explains this interval which must be respected for a laser treatment to be very effective.

How long should you wait between laser hair removal sessions? We'll cover this in more detail in this article.

How much space should you keep? How do you calculate this interval? What are the signs to look for? What happens if the sessions are too close together? These are just some of the questions we're going to answer.

Here we go!

How should the spacing between two laser hair removal sessions be calculated?

To calculate the time between two laser hair removal sessions, this will depend on the hair cycle and the density of this system in each of the people being treated.

In the hair cycle, it is therefore the anagen phase that remains the most important to consider, it is the growth phase of the hair, and it is in this precise period that the laser does its work with the most efficiency. The anagen phase lasts between 4 to 6 months, a hair grows 0.3 millimeters per day and therefore becomes visible to the naked eye. What is the interval between each laser hair removal session?

Depending on the area to be treated, the anagen phase of the hair also varies:

• For legs and arms : The time between 2 laser hair removal sessions on the legs, 20% of the hairs are active and the anagen phase lasts approximately 3 months.
• For the armpits and bikini line : 30% of the hairs are active and the anagen phase lasts approximately 4 to 8 months.
• For the upper lip : 65% of the hairs are active and the anagen phase lasts approximately 3 months.

The duration of a laser hair removal treatment should be in line with the duration of a complete hair growth cycle, this allows the majority of hairs to be reached.

The duration is therefore generally between 15 and 18 months for women and between 18 and 24 months for men.

To answer the main question of our article, we can therefore say that the interval that must be respected between two laser hair removal sessions is approximately one and a half months. This allows to destroy between 80 and 90% of hairs in 6 or 8 laser sessions . The effectiveness is also more convincing with the use of state-of-the-art lasers or latest generation lasers that treat all skin types.

What are the signs to recognize to be able to plan your next laser hair removal session?

Generally, as we have already said, hair is visible to the naked eye. This is therefore the sign that is easiest to recognize.

You can therefore plan your next session knowing that you will need to shave the area 48 hours before the session. It is also important not to wait until the hairs become too long. With hairs that are too long, the laser energy is dispersed, which is also why shaving is necessary.

The interval varies depending on the areas of the body?:

Again, yes the interval of sessions varies depending on the areas of the body.
Depending on the area to be treated, we can say that facial hair has a faster cycle, so this requires sessions every 4 to 6 weeks.

Areas like the legs with a slower cycle will therefore require sessions every 6 to 8 weeks.

In areas with higher hair density, such as the bikini line or underarms, the time between two bikini laser hair removal sessions will require closer sessions to effectively reduce hair growth.

Why should we avoid sessions too close together in some cases?

Once again, it is the anagen phase of the hair that determines the interval between laser hair removal sessions. Furthermore, and generally speaking, sessions that are too close together could cause skin irritation and burns, as the skin also needs time to regenerate.

What if I miss a session?

It's okay to miss a session, but it's important to reschedule as soon as possible.

In general, it is recommended not to exceed 8 to 10 weeks between two laser hair removal sessions so as not to disrupt the hair growth cycle and compromise the final result. 

Conclusion

As you will have understood, the interval to be respected between two laser hair removal sessions depends on the density of the hair, the area of ​​the body being treated, and above all the hair cycle which must be respected for the treatment to be as effective as possible.

As soon as the hairs are visible and not too long, the session can be scheduled, knowing also that shaving must be planned the day before or 48 hours before the session.
Overall, we can say that the average interval between two laser hair removal sessions is one and a half months. For more information, the sssKin institute remains at your disposal; do not hesitate to contact them!

FAQs

How long should I wait between two laser hair removal sessions?

Generally, it is recommended not to exceed 8 to 10 weeks between two laser hair removal sessions so as not to disrupt the hair growth cycle and compromise the final result.

How long should I wait between laser appointments?

The length of time between sessions should vary over time. Sessions should be performed within a maximum of 12 weeks and a minimum of 4 weeks. If the time between sessions is exceeded, the laser session will not be effective and this will prolong the treatment duration.

How to optimize your laser hair removal sessions?

To ensure optimal results, it is recommended to shave the area to be treated between 24 and 48 hours before the session, and as many times as you wish, depending on the speed of hair regrowth. Do not use wax or tweezers to avoid removing the bulb.

What laser frequency?

So, the number of sessions varies greatly depending on each patient, but we have a range: From 7 to 10 for the face because of fine hair. From 4 to 10 for the body depending on the area and the thickness of the hair.