Does At-Home Laser Hair Removal Work Permanently?

Some people may be confident in keeping unwanted body hair, but we must concede that there’s nothing like feeling our hairless skin. 

Pain, cost, and the temporary nature of laser hair removal techniques prevent us from opening in peace. People have been inclined toward laser hair removal to cope with transient results. 

Can laser hair removal really be better than its already great counterpart? Laser hair removal at home can be done. Of course, someone who is considering using at-home lasers to remove hair is also thinking of efficacy in results. 

We will answer this in detail in this post, ideally sorting out your doubts and any confusion you may have!

Table of Contents:

• Part 1: What is At-Home Laser Hair Removal?
• Part 2: How is At-Home Laser Hair Removal Different From In-Office Laser Hair Removal?
• Part 3: Does At-Home Laser Hair Removal Work Permanently?
• Part 4: How Long Do the Results of At-Home Laser Hair Removal Last?
• Part 5: Which Factors Determine the Duration of At-Home Laser Hair Removal?
• Part 6: How to Prolong the Results of At-Home Laser Hair Removal?
  

Part 1: What is At-Home Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is a procedure that uses a radiation-emitting device to target hair follicles. These rays either kill the hair follicles or relegate them to dormancy. 

You should also know that laser hair removal follows selective thermo photolysis technology.

 “Selective” basically means that the laser targets just a section of the skin, specifically one with pigment (like the hair). In Thermo Photolysis light energy which is converted into heat on hitting its target is used to destroy the target. 

Thus, at-home laser hair removal is a permanent hair removal method using an at-home handheld laser.

Part 2: How is At-Home Laser Hair Removal Different From In-Office Laser Hair Removal?

A. Energy Output

The energy output of a laser device determines how deep the rays of the laser energy reach the hair follicles and how effective the treatment is. 

• The energy output for salon and clinic laser hair removal machines is 40 – 100 J/Cm2.  
• Traditionally used at home based laser hair removal devices use a laser that outputs 4 to 10J.Cm2.
• Thankfully, with technology now, there are actually more powerful at-home devices. For example, devices of the Ulike IPL hair removal series are made up of power from 19-26J/Cm.

B. Type of Light Used

The laser hair removal machines of both types use the energy of light emitted in a spectrum of 600 to 1200 nm. But here are the differences in these lights; 

• The single spectrum of coherent beams of light is used in in-office lasers and a broad spectrum of noncoherent light rays in an at-home laser.
• The light window required for an in-office laser is small and round for high precision, while a rectangular light window gives better coverage and speed for an at-home laser.

C. Number of Sessions and Treatment Interval 

The number of required sessions for hair removal using in-salon laser or at-home laser hair treatment has shown to be comparable. However, the treatment interval is different. For example, 

• 9 to 12 sessions of in-office laser at an interval of 1 month are needed
• Around 15-20 sessions of at-home laser hair removal provide the same results. Here you need sessions on alternate days in the 1st month and then biweekly or once-a-week sessions for the next 2 months

However, as far as the duration of the treatment is concerned, it is completed within three months for at-home treatments with laser devices and twelve months for clinical treatments.

D. Cost 

What surpasses all the expectations is the price of the home devices for laser hair removal which is far below the price of salon treatments. One device, which costs approximately $400, can be utilized on the entire body.

This stands in stark contrast to the costs associated with salon laser removal procedures, which require clients to pay for each individual area, including hundreds of dollars for each part.

E. Duration of Results 

As in-office laser hair removal takes a longer time to show results, its results last for a longer time as well. You can expect, 

• The results of in-office laser to last for a few years 
• The results of at-home laser hair removal to go for 6 months or more

Part 3: Does At-Home Laser Hair Removal Work Permanently?

The term permanent laser hair removal is quite commonly used by many brands. It literally refers to the ‘prolonging and reduction of chances of unwanted hair reappearance for a significant duration.’

Applying the same understanding, it can be said that the results of laser can reduce hair growth but cannot stop it completely and permanently. Therefore one should be realistic that the results of using at-home laser hair removal devices will be long-lasting but not forever.

In simple words, this means that with the right number of treatments, at-home laser hair removal can prevent hair from appearing for several months or even years. However, it is not guaranteed that an individual will be hair-free permanently.

Part 4: How Long Do the Results of At-Home Laser Hair Removal Last?

The duration of the results of at-home laser hair removal depends upon,

• Whether you are following the schedule of hair removal as per guidelines or not
• Your consistency with the treatment sessions
• If you have any hormonal conditions that can cause excessive hair growth like PCOS

In general, its results last for several months to a few years. The average span of your skin staying hairless with at-home laser hair removal devices is 6 months. 

Part 5: Which Factors Determine the Duration of At-Home Laser Hair Removal?

The duration of results with at-home laser hair removal devices is variable depending upon the factors given as 

A. Efficacy of the Device

The more effective the at-home IPL hair removal device is, the more damaging it will be to the hair follicles. The effect of such devices will last for a longer period.

However, the devices with low energy output will last for a short time and will call for several follow-up sessions.

B. Compatibility with the Skin and Hair

IPL hair removal devices are much more effective if there is a good contrast between hair and skin. The more the hair is dark, the more energy will be absorbed and kill the hair follicles.

However, at-home laser devices might not be very effective for dark skin tones and light hair colors and provide unsatisfactory results. 

C. Any Underlying Condition 

If you have naturally thick hair with no hormonal imbalance-related condition, you can have the pleasure of remaining hairless for several months.

In contrast, if you have PCOS, pregnancy, family history of hirsutism, the hair might regrow back with changes in the levels of hormones. 

But, it is nothing to worry about as you can do follow-ups to stay hair-free. 

Part 6: How to Prolong the Results of At-Home Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal results do not last permanently but you can increase the average span of results and avoid patchy hair growth by following these instructions.

A.  Schedule Hair Removal and Stick to It

All hair removal devices come with instructions that specify a treatment regimen. Few need to be used once a week and a few every other day. The hair growth cycle and the power of a laser device determine the treatment schedule.

. So, do not skip any of the treatment sessions, to kill all the hair follicles in the hair growth active state, by your device.

B. Be Consistent in Your Treatment

You will start seeing hair growth in 2 to 4 weeks but that doesn’t mean you can stop using the device. If you miss a session after you have started using the device, then the probability of regrowth of your hair will increase. You will also require more sessions than usual to stop the hair growth. 

If you want long-lasting results set reminders for your treatment sessions and be consistent.

C. Go for Regular Follow-Up Sessions

After continuing with the regular hair removal sessions, you’ll see that 99% of the hair you don’t want is GONE! But some time after you stop using the device, you will start seeing small patches of hair growth on the treated area.

Hence maintaining follow-up sessions every 1 to 2 months is suggested to relish smooth skin for longer durations.

D. Do Not Pluck the Hair 

Some people undergo at-home laser but hair will still grow in some areas of the body. You may want to wax it because a patch of hair on smooth skin is unpleasing.

But hold on, do not wax the hairs, If you wax the hairs it will encourage more hair to grow from the follicles, and at the same time, the IPL rays will be useless as they will be unable to reach down to the follicle. This is how all your IPL sessions will go in vain.

So even if your hairs grow back, it is advisable that you shave the area and use the at-home laser on the area rather than exerting force on it by plucking it.

E. Improve Your Lifestyle

In case you have extra weight, are diabetic, are afflicted with PCOS, or most commonly have hirsutism anywhere on the body, seek help for that too. If you modify your lifestyle, it can assist you in controlling the unneeded hair growth. Here are some lifestyle changes to be made,

• Do some form of physical activity on all days of the week to maintain weight at a healthy level.
• Reduce the intake of fast food and raise the intake of nutritious foods
• Concentrate on the hydration of the body.

Conclusion 

The laser hair removal method is one of the ideal hair removal options achieved in the comfort of your home. However, some unwanted hair may grow back after a few months or weeks.

The length of time hair removal lasts can vary based on several factors, including personal compliance and the equipment used. All the mentioned factors have been elaborated on above. Last but not least, maintain the schedule of your planned appointments and comply with regular follow-ups to maintain results for a long time.