Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

Unwanted hair growth can be a source of embarrassment and physical discomfort for men and women alike. Depending on its location, excess hair can be extremely difficult and annoying to remove without the help of a seasoned professional. Sure, there’s always the option of waxing or shaving. But in the long run, those are two time-consuming alternatives. Instead of struggling with a surplus of bodily hair, there is another option — attacking and eliminating it with laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal is a permanent way of getting rid of excess hair growth on the face and body. The process involves passing a light beam through the skin that works to destroy hair follicles, which are the source of hair growth. Laser hair removal is usually accomplished over the course of four to six treatments and can only be performed by a licensed professional. For this reason, medical spas such as Hudson Laser Skin Care are becoming increasingly popular as new advances in laser hair removal are being rolled out onto the market.

Of course, the idea of laser hair removal sounds all fine and good, but the question is: Does it actually work? According to Dr. Ulysses Agpaoa, medical director at Hudson Laser Skin Care, the short answer is that yes, laser hair removal does work. However, it also has one limitation that clients should be aware of. While laser hair removal does work to permanently destroy hair follicles, it cannot prevent the body from producing new ones.

So what causes the body to produce more hair follicles? For women, there are a number of possible culprits. Women are often subjected to a fair degree of fluctuating hormones. Conditions such as pregnancy and menopause can cause those pesky hair follicles to spring up despite the previous success of laser hair removal treatment. Certain conditions such as thyroid disease and PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) can also contribute to additional hair follicle production. In fact, even a sudden increase in stress can play a role in rendering laser hair removal somewhat ineffective when it comes down to the end result.

Of course, laser hair removal is not designed for women alone. These days, more and more men are taking steps to rid themselves of unwanted hair by getting laser hair removal. When it comes to the effectiveness of the treatment, men do have it a bit easier than their female counterparts. Since men are not susceptible to the same hormonal issues as women, they are not as likely to experience any additional hair follicle production. As a result, men have a better chance than women of coming away from the laser hair removal process feeling satisfied.

The bottom line is that laser hair removal does work in most cases, but there can also be exceptions to the general rule. One thing to keep in mind is that successful laser hair removal requires a commitment on the part of the customer to get follow-up treatments and avoid waxing or plucking in between. Some people think that they can simply show up for an initial laser hair removal session and the procedure will permanently work. Those who are interested in laser hair removal need to understand that a process is involved. By following the rules of maintenance and keeping up with scheduled appointments, customers can do their part to ensure that their laser hair removal treatments work in the long run.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.