Laser hair removal is a popular and effective way of permanently removing unwanted hair from the body. It works by using a powerful light to detect dark hair pigment, allowing heat to penetrate the skin and destroy the hair follicle. This process can take multiple sessions to achieve satisfactory results, and during this time, patients may experience considerable hair loss. But why does this happen?Ayse Suleyman, laser hair removal specialist at Skin Perfection, one of the best laser hair removal clinics in London, explains why.
The reason for this is that laser hair removal only targets hair follicles in the anagen (growth) phase. During a single session, only about 15% of the follicles will be destroyed and only these hairs will fall out 5 to 14 days after treatment. It's important to note that each hair follicle may not necessarily share the same growth cycle as those around it. Patients may think that it is the hair that grows, but in reality it is the body that pushes the hair to the surface and pulls it out of the skin to remove it. However, other hair removal methods, such as threading, waxing, or tweezing, may interfere with treatment and are not recommended while treatment is ongoing.
Squeezing the hair follicles can disrupt the hair removal process and damage the hair follicles, which could lead to scarring and hyperpigmentation. The laser can only destroy hair during the anagen phase, but only about 15% of the hair would be at this stage during a laser session. This means that only 15% of the follicles will be destroyed and only these hairs will fall out 5 to 14 days after treatment. You should not pull out loose hairs after laser hair removal as this can damage the follicles. So why doesn't hair fall out immediately after a laser hair removal procedure? In one session, a laser device may only be able to treat around 15% of the hair that falls out on its own later, around 5 days or more after the procedure. This shedding is not due to laser hair removal treatment, but to a natural stage that the hair goes through before it falls out. When you get the laser, you are destroying your active hair follicles, which will normally fall out in 1 to 4 weeks.
Skin is often sensitive after laser hair removal, so it's important not to tug or pull at any loose hairs as this can cause more irritation and redness.
