How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Last?

The good news is, laser hair removal with the Clarity system by Lutronic is considered a long-lasting semi-permanent option for hair removal. But what does that truly mean?

Hair follicles exist in three stages: growth, transition, and dormancy. Because only follicles in the growth stage absorb Clarity’s laser energy, only those hairs can be treated at one time. When these follicles shed, dormant follicles step into the growth phase, which are then treated by your next session. This is why a series of treatments is necessary to become hair-free. Most patients at ZENA Medical need about 6 treatments to reach their hair-free goals.

But how long does it last? Once your treatment series is complete, you shouldn’t see regrowth for years. If you do have a stray strand here and there, they will be sparse and very fine. In fact, you may be the only one who notices. Maintenance treatments every year can easily take care of these stragglers.

Does regrowth happen more often depending on the part of the body? The answer is maybe. You’re less likely to see hair return on the bikini line, stomach, or underarms than on the chin, neck, upper lip, or other areas of the face. This is, in part, because hormones fluctuate, which can affect hair growth. Women near or in menopause experience a drop in estrogen levels, bringing some changes to hair growth patterns.

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

At ZENA Medical, we use the Clarity laser; it’s one of the best laser hair removal systems out there. Its dual wavelengths—long-pulsed 755nm Alexandrite and 1064nm Nd:YAG—can target hair of all thicknesses, coarseness, and density. The follicle pigment absorbs the energy in a process called selective photothermolysis. The follicle, related stem cells, and dermal papillae are damaged by the generated heat, resulting in follicle death and the interruption of future growth.

Clarity’s pulse rate is lightning quick. Dr. Zena and the laser specialists at ZENA Medical can control the pulse width from .35 ms to 300 ms for precision, even in delicate areas. Clarity also has larger spot sizes for quick treatment of areas like the legs, chest, and back. These customizable features allow ZENA Medical providers to minimize the length and the overall number of sessions while still effectively treating every strand of unwanted hair.