Why do I look hairier after laser hair removal? | Skin Perfection (2024)

Why do I look hairier after laser hair removal? Laser hair removal is an extremely popular treatment to permanently reduce unwanted hair on your face and body. Because the treatment is more medical you may have reservations at first. And so the last thing you want to experience is more hair after getting your treatments started. However, some patients may notice that they appear hairier after their initial treatment. This can be concerning, but there are several reasons why this may occur. And once you understand how the treatment works it will make you feel at ease again.

Laser hair removal is a process

Remember laser hair removal at our London clinic requires multiple treatments to be able to capture all different cycles of hair. Because your hair is growing at different stages not all your follicles will respond the same way to each treatment. But at the same time it doesn’t mean it won’t work overall.

Why do I look hairier after laser hair removal?

  • Hair SheddingAfter a laser hair removal treatment, it’s common for the treated hair to shed. This shedding process can take 10-14 days post treatment. And during this time, it may appear as though the hair is growing back thicker and darker. However, this is simply the hair follicle shedding the treated hair.
  • Hair Growth CyclesHair growth occurs in cycles, and not all of the hair in a given area is in the same growth phase at the same time. This means that some hairs may not be affected by the laser during the initial treatment, and may continue to grow as normal. Additionally, new hair follicles may become active after the initial treatment, leading to the appearance of new hair growth.

Misconceptions About Hair Growth

There are several misconceptions about hair growth that may contribute to the perception that laser is making hair appear thicker and darker. For example, some people may believe that shaving causes hair to grow back thicker. When in reality, this is simply an optical illusion. Similarly, some may believe that laser can stimulate hair growth, but this is not supported by scientific evidence.

The appearance of increased hair growth after laser hair removal can be concerning, but it’s important to understand that this is a normal part of the treatment process. Hair shedding, hair growth cycles, and misconceptions about hair growth can all contribute to the perception of increased hairiness. However, with repeated treatments and proper aftercare, laser hair removal can lead to significant and long-lasting hair reduction.

If however you are concerned about the procedure, please contact your practitioner who will be able to assess your treatment process and advise you further. If you are new to treatments this should all be explained to you during your initial consultation, so you know what to expect after each treatment.

How to book your consultation and what happens during your first visit?

As the first step of your skin journey at Skin Perfection, you’ll be invited to attend a no obligations consultation.This will give you the opportunity to get a good understanding of your skin.

During your first meeting you’ll receive all the information and knowledge you’ll need to keep your skin healthy. Finally to manage your skin concerns your practitioner will recommend you a personalised treatment plan.

Click here to book an appointment through our online diary.

Why do I look hairier after laser hair removal? | Skin Perfection (2024)

FAQs

Why do I look hairier after laser hair removal? | Skin Perfection? ›

The appearance of increased hair growth after laser hair removal can be concerning, but it's important to understand that this is a normal part of the treatment process. Hair shedding, hair growth cycles, and misconceptions about hair growth can all contribute to the perception of increased hairiness.

Why do I look hairier after laser hair removal? ›

So, what causes this? It's called paradoxical hypertrichosis — and even the name sounds scary. No one actually knows why this happens with laser patients, but after treatment, the laser can do the opposite of what you're expecting and actually stimulate hair growth.

Is more hair a side effect of laser hair removal? ›

Rarely, laser hair removal can cause blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include graying of treated hair or excessive hair growth around treated areas, particularly on darker skin.

Is it normal to see hair after laser hair removal? ›

It's common to notice some hair regrowth after or in the middle of treatments. However, it's important that you leave the hairs in their shafts for laser hair removal to work, so avoid plucking or waxing during this time.

How to avoid paradoxical hypertrichosis? ›

Cooling is essential before and after laser treatment. Some laser systems may have built-in cooling devices. While treating the face, ice can be applied on the adjacent areas to prevent dissipation of heat, which can lead to paradoxical hair growth. A cooling gel should be used during the treatment.

Can laser make you hairier? ›

Patients will experience some mild swelling around the hair follicles and slight redness to the skin. It is rare for patients to experience excessive hair growth in the target area. Patients may notice more hair 1 – 3 weeks after laser hair removal sessions as follicles in the growing cycle begin to shed.

Why is laser making my hair thicker? ›

This shedding process can take 10-14 days post treatment. And during this time, it may appear as though the hair is growing back thicker and darker. However, this is simply the hair follicle shedding the treated hair.

What are the disadvantages of laser treatment? ›

Laser therapy can result in misdirected or excessively intense burns, bleeding from the choriocapillaris, damage to macular and other ocular structures, and breaks in Bruch's membrane.

What happens if I stop laser hair removal after 4 sessions? ›

If treatment is stopped before all of the hair follicles have been destroyed, some may continue to grow. It is important to complete the recommended treatment plan to achieve the best results. Sometimes, the patient sees hairs are thicker and darker after the treatment when they have original light and fair hair.

Can you overdo laser hair removal? ›

Overdoing laser hair removal can result in skin irritation, redness, and swelling.

Is it okay to pull out shedding hair after laser? ›

Be patient with the treated area, and after a few weeks the hairs will fall out without further provoking. For best results, leaving the treated area(s) alone is recommended as the targeted hairs will complete their growth cycle, shed, and because the follicle has been destroyed, there will be no regrowth.

Why do I still have stubble after laser? ›

With hairs at different stages at any given time, a single laser session can only target hairs in the active growth phase. This discrepancy means that hairs not in the active phase during treatment will continue to grow, leading to the perception of stubble.

How to speed up shedding after laser? ›

Tips to Encourage Faster Shedding

Moisturising the Skin: Proper hydration of the skin can ease the shedding of hair. Opt for hypoallergenic and fragrance-free moisturisers that soothe without causing irritation. Avoiding Sun Exposure: The treated areas are particularly sensitive to UV rays post-laser.

Can laser increase facial hair? ›

When hair does grow back on the body, it's typically sparse and very fine. In rare instances, laser hair removal may cause thicker, darker hair to grow or regrow in an adjacent area to the one being treated.

What does paradoxical hypertrichosis look like? ›

What is Paradoxical Hypertrichosis? Paradoxical Hypertrichosis, or PH for short, is when, “energy-based treatments which include laser or IPL (intense pulsed light) can mean some individuals (uncommonly) can end up with more hair, or coarser hair, or a combination of both post-treatments,” explains Dr Williams.

Why is my hair not reducing after laser hair removal? ›

Why Doesn't Hair Fall Out After a Laser Removal Procedure? It's possible that the hair hasn't had sufficient time to shed after treatment. Alternatively, the laser may not have effectively targeted the hair follicles if they weren't in the right growth phase at the time of treatment.

Why isn't laser hair removal working for me? ›

While laser hair removal has proven to be a highly effective and popular method for reducing unwanted hair, it may not work equally well for everyone. Factors such as hair color, skin type, hormonal imbalances, and individual characteristics can influence the outcome of the treatment.

What is paradoxical hypertrichosis after laser hair removal? ›

Background: Laser hair removal (LHR) is one of the most requested cosmetic procedures worldwide. A rare side effect is the appearance of excess hair around previously treated areas, known as paradoxical hypertrichosis.

What happens to the stubble after laser hair removal? ›

With hairs at different stages at any given time, a single laser session can only target hairs in the active growth phase. This discrepancy means that hairs not in the active phase during treatment will continue to grow, leading to the perception of stubble.

How to remove dead hair follicles after laser? ›

While you shouldn't be able to pull hair out forcefully, you're free to cut or scrub the hair in order to speed up the shed process. Rub the treatment area with a circular motion with a loofah or gentle washcloth for removing dead hair.

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