Permanent Hair Removal - Fact or Fiction?

How permanent is permanent hair removal? This is a very common question because there are so many misconceptions about what laser hair removal can and cannot do. One of the problems when it comes to answering this question is attributed to the fact that many laser clinics, medspas, plastic surgeons, and dermatologists are often a little too loose when using the term "permanent hair removal." Instead, they use the phrase without really explaining what permanent hair removal really means.

The Definition of Permanent Hair Removal

Permanent hair removal simply means that the hairs, when removed, will not grow back. This is exactly what laser hair removal can provide. After a full treatment of laser hair removal you should not expect for the hairs that have been removed to grow back. The problem arises because laser hair removal, while permanent, removes about 90% of hair, give or take 10%. This means that for some patients laser hair removal is 100% permanent, and others have remaining hair growth; albeit at a very reduced rate. This is why the FDA would prefer the term "permanent hair reduction" over "permanent hair removal."

Permanent Hair Removal vs. Permanent Hair Reduction: What's the Difference?

The biggest difference is that by saying hair reduction you allow for the chance, albeit minor, of hair regrowth. With laser hair removal clients see long lasting results, and some experience permanent results, while others do see hair growth. After treatments virtually all patients find that the hair that does grow back is thinner and sparser than before. Chest hair, back hair, bikini line hair, it doesn't matter where the body hair is, there will be a significant reduction after laser hair removal.

So, why do some people achieve permanent hair removal after laser treatments, while others do not? It's hard to say, some people just react to the treatment differently, but there are a number of factors at play. Whether or not you're a good candidate for laser treatment is a big part of it. A good candidate for laser hair removal has light to medium toned skin and dark hair. The darker your skin tone or the lighter your hair color, the less effective laser hair treatments will be. Another factor is whether or not you follow the suggested treatment schedule. Laser hair removal is a commitment and many consumers are happy enough with permanent hair reduction after 3 treatments instead of continuing with the 5 or 6 treatments it may take to achieve permanent hair removal. Since, hair grows in 3 distinct cycles; it will take, at least, 4 treatments to achieve permanent results.

Laser Hair Removal and Electrolysis

Electrolysis is the only product that the FDA has approved for the term permanent hair removal. However, the results of electrolysis are actually very close to those of laser hair removal. Electrolysis is a much older technology and didn't face as critical a review as what new products face today. That's why the FDA approved laser technology for permanent hair reduction instead of permanent hair removal.

And while electrolysis does offer permanency, it does so at the sake of convenience. Electrolysis is an extremely time consuming process. A single treatment of electrolysis can take up to 3 hours. Electrolysis also has to account for a high level of user error because not only is there no governing board certification for electrolysis, but the process of having to zap each hair, follicle by follicle, can be a tolling task on even the most steady of hands. Laser hair removal offers both efficiency and control, whether it's facial hair or the pubic hair around the bikini line.

Additionally, let's not forget that 90% hair loss is still vastly superior over waxing or tweezing, which offers a zero percent chance of permanent hair reduction. While, technically lasers may not be deemed permanent hair removal, it's as permanent as hair removal can be. Nothing on the market today offers easier, more reliable results than permanent laser hair reduction.