Laser hair removal is a popular medical treatment that helps remove unwanted hair from the body to improve one’s overall appearance. It is usually done on the legs, armpits, chest, back, shoulders, neck, chin, upper lip, and bikini line. However, it can also be used anywhere on the face and body except the eyelids and the area around it.
Although laser hair removal is mainly associated with complete hair removal, today we’ll discuss if this cosmetic procedure can thin hair. But first, let’s take a close look at the procedure to get a better understanding of how it works.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
Laser hair removal uses a laser or a concentrated, high-heat beam of light to destroy the structure of the hair follicles and remove unwanted hair.
During the process, the laser beam affects hair follicles in the anagen or active stage. Meanwhile, it leaves hair follicles in the catagen or dormant phase unaffected. When the hair follicles in the catagen stage grow and reach the anagen phase, hair will grow back.
Keep in mind that laser therapy only heats hair follicles and makes them dormant. It destroys their structure but does not destroy the follicles themselves.
The procedure has long-lasting results and helps remove up to 90% of body hair over the long term. It takes multiple sessions to achieve this effect, usually around 6 to 12 sessions. Each session will have a gap of four to six weeks. But even with these many sessions, some hair may grow back. So, you’ll need touch-up treatments once or twice a year.
The number of sessions you need depends on the amount of body hair and the rate at which your hair regrows. The speed of hair growth varies among different people as many factors affect it. These factors include hair color, skin tone, and the location of the hair on the body.
Once a treatment session ends, you’ll notice that the body hair on the treated areas begins to fall out. It will be pushed out of the skin over several weeks until all the hair in those areas disappears. How much body hair falls out after each session depends on the area. Nonetheless, after each treatment, hair growth may be reduced by 10 to 20 percent.
Can You Use Laser Hair Removal to Thin Hair?
Some people who wish to retain a little hair in a particular area may go for fewer sessions. This leaves some hair follicles in the area untreated and allows them to grow, resulting in thinner hair.
Also, the low energy of the laser beam used in the therapy absorbs melanin. This substance gives hair and skin their natural color. The laser treatment removes most of the melanin in the treated areas. So, the hair that regrows in those areas is usually much finer and less visible.
Note that you may see patchy hair growth with thicker and denser hair in certain areas. This is because each hair has a different growth cycle. So, some hair follicles may not get damaged by the treatment and re-grow.
Laser hair removal treatment can not only be used for long-term hair-free results but also reduced or delayed hair growth.
Laser Hair Removal Results
The results of this medical procedure depend on many factors such as the type of body hair, the amount of hair, the body area, and so on. It also varies from person to person. But some of the noticeable long-term effects include:
- Permanent hair loss (not guaranteed)
- Reduced hair growth with patchy and thinner hair
- Lighter and less noticeable new hair
How Many Treatments Do You Need to Thin Your Hair?
The number of treatments you need depends on how much hair you want to remove. You will usually need fewer sessions for thinner body hair. After each session, you can decide if you wish to discontinue further treatments and leave the rest of the hair untreated.
Most people generally only need two to three sessions to thin out their hair while others may need up to six. A specialist at a hair removal clinic will also be able to advise you on how many treatments you need to thin your hair.
In Which Body Areas Can You Thin Out Hair?
You can thin out your hair wherever laser therapy is possible. So, you can essentially thin out hair all over your body except your eyelids and the surrounding area. You should also avoid getting laser treatment on skin that has tattoos.
The Takeaway
Laser hair removal can help thin hair on the body. But the number of treatments you will need for thinning your hair depends on your skin, hair type, and hair color, among other factors. Consult a specialist at a hair removal clinic to determine how many sessions you will need.