Is laser hair removal permanent?

If you are thinking about laser hair removal, you are probably wondering whether you can say goodbye to razors, wax and ingrown hairs for good. The answer has two parts: laser hair removal permanently reduces the number of hairs, and those that remain are thinner, lighter and barely noticeable. In this article, we explain what that means in practice, why a series of treatments is necessary and when maintenance is required.

What does “permanent” mean in laser hair removal?

The medical literature refers to permanent hair reduction. After completing a series of treatments, the majority of hair in the treated area no longer grows, and any that remains is thinner, lighter and grows more slowly. For most people, this means that shaving becomes infrequent, and ingrown hairs and irritation much less common.

Why a series of treatments is necessary

The laser works via the pigment: the light is absorbed by the melanin in the hair and damages the follicle with heat. It only works on hairs that are in the active growth phase, and at any given time only a portion of the hairs are in that phase. Therefore, the treatments are repeated, around 6 weeks apart for the face and 6 to 8 weeks apart for the body, until the laser has also targeted the hairs that have started growing in the meantime. The number of treatments depends on the area, skin type and colour, and the thickness and density of the hairs, and is assessed at the consultation.

Is maintenance required?

In most cases, yes. Following the course of treatments, the result is maintained with a session once a year for the body, and once or twice a year for the face. Hormonal changes, such as pregnancy, menopause or treatment with certain medicines, can reactivate hair follicles that were previously dormant, in which case maintenance is needed more frequently.

Which hairs does the laser work on?

The laser works best on darker, thicker hair. On red and very light hair the results are weaker, and the laser does not work on grey or white hair because it contains no pigment. At the consultation, we will tell you honestly what you can expect from the treatment.

What the treatment involves

We perform laser hair removal using medical-grade lasers Lumenis LightSheer Desire and Alma Soprano Titanium. Both feature skin-cooling systems, so you will only feel a mild prickling sensation and warmth during the treatment. The treatment is quick: underarms take about a minute, arms about two minutes, and one leg around seven minutes. Afterwards, the skin may appear slightly red for a few hours. The treatment is not performed on tanned skin, so it is best to start your course in autumn or winter so that you have smooth skin by the summer.

Before the first treatment

Four weeks before the treatment, do not wax or pluck the hairs, and shave them the day before the treatment. Read all about the preparation, step by step, in our article about preparation for laser hair removal, and more about the treatment itself on our page about laser hair removal.

Price and booking

Prices by area and package can be found in our laser hair removal price list. Imedic poliklinika is located at Kneza Miloša 23 street, 2nd floor, in Belgrade. Opening hours are Monday to Sunday, 9:00 to 21:00. Appointments can be scheduled by phone at 064 237 0707, and we are also available via Viber and WhatsApp on the same number. Text reviewed by dr Miloš Živković.