How long does laser hair removal last?
Medically reviewed by
The Skin Med Spa medical team, led by Barbara Kowalczyk, FNP-BC and Michael Fressola, ACNP-BC
Last reviewed: October 2026
Once you finish a full series, treated follicles stop producing coarse hair for the long term, which is why the FDA clears these lasers for permanent hair reduction, not removal. A few hairs can return, usually finer and lighter, and most people book an occasional touch-up. At Skin Med Spa, plan on 6–8 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart.
Why the results hold: the hair growth cycle in plain words
Hair grows in cycles, and at any moment only part of it is in the active, or anagen, phase. In that phase the follicle holds the most melanin and is still attached to its base [3], so it absorbs the laser's light and is disabled by the heat. Resting follicles are not. One review estimates that 56% to 76% of facial hair is in anagen at a given time, which is why each session reaches only a share of your follicles and a series is needed [3].
The FDA defines permanent hair reduction as a long-term, stable drop in the number of hairs regrowing, measured 6, 9 and 12 months after the treatment course ends [1]. It describes fewer hairs over time, not a promise that every hair is gone.
What makes hair grow back after laser
| Variable | Why it matters | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Hormonal conditions | PCOS, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal hyperplasia and high prolactin can drive new hair growth after treatment [3]. | New coarse hair can appear over time. One review puts a full course for PCOS at about 10 to 15 sessions [3]. |
| Light blond, grey or white hair | The laser targets melanin, and the AAD says it works best on dark hair [2]. | Hair with little pigment gives the laser little to target, so results are limited. Your hair color is checked at the consult. |
| Fine vellus hair | Vellus hairs have almost no melanin, so they resist laser treatment [3]. | Soft peach fuzz usually stays. Treatment aims at coarse, pigmented hair. |
| Stopping before the series ends | The AAD reports a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after the first treatment [2]. | Follicles that were resting during your early sessions keep growing until a later session catches them in anagen. |
| Area treated | The AAD notes that hormones keep facial results in women from holding the way body results do [4]. Facial hair is also finer and lighter than body hair [3]. | The face often needs more sessions and more maintenance than the legs or underarms. |
How Skin Med Spa plans for lasting results
Laser hair removal at Skin Med Spa in Downers Grove runs as a series of 6–8 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart, so each visit catches a new set of follicles in their active phase. The same steps apply to every plan:
- Shave within a day of each visit, so the follicle is still in place for the laser to target.
- Skip waxing, plucking and sun exposure for a few weeks beforehand. Waxing and plucking pull out the follicle the laser needs, and untanned skin keeps settings where they work best.
- The laser is chosen per area. We run two hair removal lasers, and your specialist picks one for each area based on your skin tone and hair. Many plans use both.
- An occasional touch-up. Hormonal changes can wake stray follicles over time, and a quick annual touch-up handles them.
Noelle Trost, LE, a certified laser technician on our team, is one of the specialists who performs laser hair removal here. If comfort is your bigger worry than longevity, read what laser hair removal feels like, which covers sensation and cooling.
How often will you need touch-ups?
There is no fixed schedule, because maintenance depends on your hormones, your hair color and the area. The AAD notes that some patients need maintenance treatments to keep an area clear [2], and one review of facial laser hair reduction puts maintenance at 2 to 4 sessions a year, varying from patient to patient [3].
Facial hair sits at the high end of that range because hormones keep reactivating follicles there [4]. Our practice is an annual touch-up when strays return, and your consultation sets the plan for each area you treat.
When to call us
- Coarse hair returns in an area after you finished the full series.
- New dark hair appears after a hormonal change or a new diagnosis such as PCOS or a thyroid condition, both of which affect regrowth after laser [3].
- Hair grows thicker or darker in a treated area. This is called paradoxical hypertrichosis and is linked to treatment settings and patient selection [3].
- Your skin changes color after a session. The AAD lists changes to skin color among the side effects of laser hair removal [2].
A provider assesses any of these at a consultation at our Downers Grove office and decides whether more sessions, a different laser or a medical work-up comes first.
FAQ
Is laser hair removal permanent?
The FDA term is permanent hair reduction: a stable drop in the number of regrowing hairs, measured 6, 9 and 12 months after a treatment course [1]. It does not mean every hair is gone. Most people keep a lasting reduction and book occasional touch-ups.
Does hair grow back after laser hair removal?
Some can. When hair regrows there tends to be less of it, and it is finer and lighter in color, according to the AAD [2]. Hormonal conditions and follicles that were resting during your sessions are the usual reasons.
How many laser hair removal sessions do I need?
At Skin Med Spa, plan on 6–8 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart. The AAD says removing unwanted hair can take 6 sessions or more [4], and hormones, hair color and the area treated can push your count higher.
Does laser hair removal work on dark skin?
It can, with the right laser and settings. The AAD says treatment on darker skin must be performed very carefully [2]. We use a laser designed for all skin tones, and your specialist confirms settings for your skin at the consultation.
Why is my hair growing back after laser?
The usual causes are a hormonal condition such as PCOS or thyroid dysfunction, light or fine hair with little pigment, or a series stopped early [3]. Book a consultation so a provider can check which one applies before you add sessions.
Sources
- [1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 510(k) Summary K182604, diode hair-removal laser: indications for use and definition of permanent hair reduction. 2018. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf18/K182604.pdf
- [2] American Academy of Dermatology. Laser hair removal: FAQs. https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/hair-removal/laser-hair-removal-faqs
- [3] Goel A, Rai K. Methods to Overcome Poor Response and Challenges of Facial Laser Hair Reduction. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2022;15(6):38–41. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9239120/
- [4] American Academy of Dermatology. Laser hair removal: Overview. https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/hair-removal/laser-hair-removal-overview
At Skin Med Spa, laser hair removal is provided by our board-certified medical team at 960 Warren Ave. in Downers Grove, Illinois. Same-day appointments are available at 630-541-8413, and a consultation is the best way to find out what fits your skin and goals.
This is general information, not medical advice. Whether a treatment is right for you is determined by a licensed provider after an evaluation.