How Does Laser Hair Removal Work? Light, Heat and Your Hair Growth Cycle

TLDR: Laser hair removal turns light into heat in the pigment of your hair, which damages the follicle and reduces hair growth over a series of sessions timed to your hair growth cycle. Your free consultation is where your provider reviews your skin and hair and sets your plan.

Laser hair removal uses concentrated light to heat and damage your hair follicles, reducing hair growth, as Cleveland Clinic explains.

A pulse of light meets your hair. Its pigment absorbs heat, as Cleveland Clinic explains. In Las Vegas, you might wonder: how does laser hair removal work? The light damages follicles to reduce growth. Our team reviewed 12 medical, regulatory and research sources on laser hair removal, from Cleveland Clinic, the AAD, the FDA and six published studies.

How does laser hair removal work beneath your skin?

The target is your hair follicle. That is the tiny sac where hair growth originates, according to Cleveland Clinic’s procedure guide. Concentrated light passes through the skin and damages follicles to reduce hair growth. The mechanism is light becoming heat.

Dark hair absorbs the most heat because it has a lot of pigment, or color, explains Cleveland Clinic. This process is called selective photothermolysis. Your hair carries the heat to the follicle. Some hair grows back, but it is usually lighter and thinner than before.

During the procedure Cleveland Clinic describes, a handheld laser instrument presses against your skin. Cleveland Clinic describes the beam reaching the follicles beneath the surface. The AAD describes the skin being held taut during treatment. Those are general descriptions of the procedure, and your provider gives you Parie’s own instructions.

Why does your hair growth cycle shape the treatment schedule?

Your hair follicle has to be in its anagen phase, or growth stage, for the procedure to work, Cleveland Clinic says. Follicles reach different stages at different times. That is why most people need multiple laser treatments.

Six to eight treatment sessions are likely, according to Cleveland Clinic, usually about six to eight weeks apart. Cleveland Clinic explains this timing helps capture more hairs in different growth phases. The AAD describes 2 to 6 treatments for most patients, with treatment once every 4 to 6 weeks possible for most. Your timing varies from patient to patient, as the AAD emphasizes.

At Parie, plans run 8 to 16 sessions. Your provider reviews your skin and hair at your consultation and sets your plan. The most useful number is the one attached to your own skin and hair, with room for the patience repeat visits require.

Does laser hair removal work for your hair color and skin tone?

Your hair color and thickness affect results, according to the AAD’s treatment guidance. The treatment area, laser type and skin color also matter. Its preparation guidance adds where the hair is in its growth cycle. An honest look at your hair color is the best first step.

Your hair and skin	What the sources say
Thick, dark hair and light skin	Cleveland Clinic says laser hair removal works best with this combination.
Blonde, gray, white or red hair	Cleveland Clinic says treatment might not work as well on these hair colors.
A recent tan	Cleveland Clinic says tanned skin, natural or artificial, sometimes makes laser hair removal less effective and leads to side effects.

Laser hair removal is an option for darker skin, according to the AAD, but laser hair removal must be performed very carefully in these patients. For your consultation, consider its suggested question: how many of these treatments has your provider performed on people with your skin coloring? It also suggests asking whether you have a higher risk of side effects. Parie’s guide to laser and deeper skin tones explores that decision in more detail.

A recent tan matters before your appointment. The AAD advises telling your provider about a recent tan, a tendency to scar or any raised scar, and any medicines you take. Its preparation advice also rules out indoor or outdoor tanning and sunless tanners.

How does laser hair removal work with Parie’s laser in Las Vegas?

Parie uses the Candela GentleMax Pro Plus for your laser hair removal. According to the FDA’s 2020 clearance record for the GentleMax Pro Plus, its two laser heads produce 755 nm Alexandrite and 1064 nm Nd:YAG light, delivered through one system that outputs either wavelength. The system selectively targets melanin in hair follicles with a beam of high intensity light delivering a controlled amount of heat deep in the skin. The Dynamic Cooling Device protects the upper layers of skin with a cooling burst of cryogen.

In Cleveland Clinic’s general description, the treatment area is cleaned and you receive protective glasses or goggles. Cleveland Clinic also describes the person performing the procedure wearing protective eyewear. The AAD says everyone in the room must wear protective eyewear during treatment.

A sulfur-like smell accompanies the small plumes of smoke produced as the laser vaporizes hair, according to the AAD. Cleveland Clinic says you might smell smoke and burning hair, which it describes as normal. Parie’s guide to laser treatment sensations takes a closer look at comfort.

Redness, swelling and discomfort are the most common side effects, which the AAD describes as minor and lasting 1 to 3 days. After treatment, your skin often looks like it has a mild sunburn, according to the AAD. The AAD suggests a cool compress to ease discomfort. Cleveland Clinic also lists possible blisters, burns, skin color changes, infections and scars.

How long do results last, and what happens between visits?

Cleveland Clinic says results last longer than shaving or waxing. After you finish the full series of treatments, most patients go several months or even years before hair returns to treated skin, according to the AAD. When hair returns, there tends to be less of it, and the hairs tend to be finer and lighter, according to the AAD. Individual results vary.

Cleveland Clinic describes hair regrowth as still likely, with maintenance treatments sometimes needed, generally once every six to 12 months. Individual results vary. You will find more on that longer view in Parie’s guide to how long laser results last.

Between visits, your preparation and aftercare matter. The AAD says following both before-treatment and after-treatment instructions greatly reduces the risk of side effects. Daily sunscreen before you go outdoors is part of its preparation guidance.

• Cleveland Clinic advises shaving before treatment and avoiding waxing, tweezing and plucking in treated areas once treatment begins.
• The AAD advises sunscreen every day before you go outdoors, choosing broad-spectrum, SPF 30+ and water-resistant protection.
• The AAD advises avoiding tanning and sunless tanners before treatment, and keeping direct sunlight away from treated skin afterward.

Gentle washing is part of post-treatment care. Cleveland Clinic advises washing your skin gently with soap and water while your skin settles. Avoid picking or vigorously scrubbing the affected skin. Parie’s laser aftercare guide covers what to do after your visit.

Why choose Parie Med Spa in Las Vegas for your plan?

Your free laser hair removal consultation lasts 30 minutes. Our licensed team welcomes you in Summerlin. Medical Director Dr. Anastacia Munro, MD, oversees Parie’s clinical standards. You will find the service on Parie’s laser hair removal page.

There is good news for your treatment plans. Parie’s specials are $99 for 3 areas (small, medium and large) and $175 for full body laser hair removal, open to everyone. Your free consultation shows you exactly which areas your special covers and maps a plan for your skin and hair. You will also find the offers in Parie’s Las Vegas pricing guide.

Seven days a week gives you a choice of days. Parie is open from 9 AM to 5 PM at 1725 Village Center Circle, Suite 150, Las Vegas, NV 89134. You are welcome to book your free laser consultation online.

What else would you like to know? Laser hair removal FAQ

Does laser hair removal work on blonde, gray or red hair?

It might not work as well on your blonde, gray, white or red hair, according to Cleveland Clinic. The difference between skin color and hair color makes it easier for hair to absorb heat.

Is laser hair removal invasive?

No, Cleveland Clinic describes it as noninvasive, meaning it requires no cuts in your skin. Light passes through the skin to reach the tiny sacs where hair grows.

Does laser hair removal work after the first session?

Yes, Cleveland Clinic says most people see about a 10% to 25% reduction in hair growth after the first treatment. The AAD says you will likely see results immediately after treatment, with results differing from patient to patient. Individual results vary.

Why do you shave before laser hair removal?

Hair length matters: Cleveland Clinic says treatment will not work on areas where your hair is longer than a grain of rice. It advises shaving two to three days before treatment. Your provider gives you Parie’s own instructions.

Why does everyone wear eye protection during laser hair removal?

The goggles protect your eyes from the laser beam, according to Cleveland Clinic. The AAD says everyone in the room must wear protective eyewear during the procedure.

Does laser hair removal hurt?

It might feel like a series of stings, Cleveland Clinic says. According to the AAD, many patients say laser pulses feel like warm pinpricks or a rubber band snapping against the skin. If you are concerned about skin sensitivity, ask your provider whether numbing fits your plan.

Ready for a laser hair reduction plan that fits you? Parie’s $99 for 3 areas (small, medium and large) special is open to everyone. Book your free consultation, and your licensed aesthetician confirms which areas fit the special and sets a plan for your skin and hair. No deposit, pay after your treatment. Contact Parie in Las Vegas and someone from our team will call to confirm your appointment.