Laser hair removal is one of the best means to get a long-lasting outcome in hair removal. The treatment damages the hair follicles, and thus one shall become hairless for months up to years. So that would mean that you do not have to worry about hair removal every other day or go through this painful waxing again.
Since the procedure is not permanent, hair will return after a few months of the procedure. In order to achieve more lasting effects, periodic laser hair removal touch-up sessions need to be booked. What is a laser hair removal touch-up? What is its necessity? How much does it cost? Here are all your queries answered!
Table of Contents:
- Part 1: How Do Laser Touch-Ups Work?
- Part 2: Do I Need Laser Touch-Ups?
- Part 3: Laser Hair Removal Touch-Up Cost
- Part 4: How Often to Touch Up Laser Hair Removal
Part 1: How Do Laser Touch-Ups Work?
Laser hair removal follows the principle of selective photothermolysis. In this technology, a monochromatic light beam targets the hair follicles. Hair has melanin pigment. Laser energy travels through this pigment to the roots of hair and burns the hair follicles thus retarding hair growth.
All the hair in our body are at different phases of hair growth cycle during their lifetime. For the laser to work effectively, hair must be targeted in the active stage of the hair growth cycle. Therefore, you need several laser sessions so that the hair can be targeted in their active growth phase.
However, some hair may still be in their dormant phase during the sessions and may emerge later on. It is mostly due to hormonal fluctuations in the body. It may be possible that hairs will regrow after a period of time, but they will be few in number, fine, and futile as compared to before. For removing them entirely, maintenance laser sessions are a necessity.
Unlike the ordinary method of employing laser for hair removal, the patient may only require between one to two sessions for the body to be kept smooth, hairless, and free from growth for a longer period of time.
Since the regrowing hair are already weaker and thinner, the intensity of the laser used by the clinician is likely to be lower than the maximum intensity. In addition to this, these sessions are also shorter in duration as compared to the initial treatment sessions.
Part 2: Do I Need Laser Touch-Ups?
There are multiple factors that indicate whether or not you would need additional laser hair removal treatment sessions. Let us discuss some of them:
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Hair Growth Rate:
The rate at which hair grows is different for everyone. It depends on genetic factors, age, lifestyle, and even gender. For instance, some ethnic groups such as the Indian population grow hair at a faster rate than others such as Japanese. Therefore, people who have fast hair growth may require touchups frequently while people with low hair growth may not need them that often or at all.
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Hormonal Fluctuations:
Age-related hormonal variations within the body are also a contributory factor that justifies that there are reasons why one may require a touchup session. These fluctuations lead to the growth of new hair in the body which necessitates additional laser sessions to manage this unexpected hair growth.
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Area of Hair Removal:
Different areas of our body grow hair faster than other areas. For example, hair on the face grows faster than hair on other body parts. So, if you have undergone laser treatment of your face, then there is a higher chance that you will need some additional touchup treatments after the initial laser treatments.
How do I Find out When to Undergo a Laser Hair Removal Touchup Session? Here are some Signs:
- Visible Regrowth: In a few months after you have undergone laser hair removal, you will notice regrowth in the treated area. Although it is sparser and of finer texture than what you had before, this indicates that it is the right time for the touchup session.
- Hair Patches on Treated Area: If you start seeing any patchy appearance of hair on the body, it means the regrowth has started and you will require a maintenance session very soon
- Black-Dotted Hair-Like Appearance: If you are a good observer, you will not miss this sign. When hair starts growing again, they will appear like fine black dots on the skin. These dots which give an appearance similar to hair are an indication that it is time for a touchup session
Part 3: Laser Hair Removal Touch-Up Cost
Laser hair removal touchup sessions certainly cost less than the initial treatment. You only need one to two sessions, unlike initial treatment which requires 4-6 sessions. The cost of the maintenance sessions depends on the area of the body you'll be getting it for. For example, touchup sessions for small areas are less expensive than for bigger areas.
The cost also depends on the place of treatment. These are some of the approximate costs in each part of the body.
- Small Areas: The treatment for smaller areas such as lips, cheeks, and underarms start around $30-50
- Medium Areas: Half arms, half legs, lower abdomen, costs $60-$80 an average
- Larger Areas: For larger areas like full arms, full legs, chest, or full bikini you will have to pay around $90 to $120
Do clinics include the cost of touchup sessions in initial treatment or charge separately? A touchup session is usually considered as an additional service hence almost all the clinics charge separately for it. Some clinics do offer discounts to customers who have undergone initial treatment from their clinic.
Hence, you will have to ask your clinic first about the details of touchup sessions as the rules can vary from place to place.
Part 4: How Often to Touch Up Laser Hair Removal
Not all hair follicles are damaged completely by laser treatment. These follicles recover and start producing hair over time leading to hair regrowth. For most people, hair starts reappearing after 6 months to 1 year post laser hair removal treatment. So, you will require touchup sessions every 6 to 12 months.
But this is not a thumb rule. It may vary from person to person. Here's why:
- Variations in hair Growth Rate: As stated before, a person possessing a higher hair growth rate has to undergo more frequent touchup sessions than others. On the other hand, there are also individuals who felt the need for touchup after 1.5 to 2 years because of their slow hair growth activity
- Efficacy of Laser Treatment: Several factors determine the efficacy of laser treatment like the experience of the clinician, the number of laser sessions done, and your consistency, and aftercare. The laser will not damage the hair follicle effectively because you had fewer sessions than required, the technician was not skilled, or you kept missing your sessions. This leads to faster regrowth and hence the need for more frequent touchup sessions
Final Verdict
To achieve a long-lasting effect of laser hair removal, patients need to adhere to periodic touch-up appointments. Such appointments are meant to get rid of any residual hair that tends to come back a few months following the laser treatment and this helps achieve a smooth skin surface.
However, one has to look for a suitable place in order to guarantee the success of the session. Look for clinics, read their reviews, and book them prior to making any commitments to the clinic. You can also visit the clinic where you first approached for the initial treatment because it is there that they will know about your skin and hair type the best and plan accordingly.
