How many laser hair removal sessions will I need?

If you are thinking about laser hair removal, one of the first questions you will probably have is how many sessions it will actually take. It is one of the questions we hear most at our Preston city centre clinic. The honest answer is that it depends on you: your hair, your skin, the area being treated and how your hair responds. There are some general patterns, though, and knowing them can help you plan sensibly and set realistic expectations. This guide is for adults aged 18 and over.

Why does laser hair removal need more than one session?

Laser and IPL (intense pulsed light) hair removal work by directing light at the pigment in the hair. The light is absorbed and turned into heat, which damages the follicle and disrupts its ability to grow new hair.

The catch is that not every hair is at the same stage at the same time. Hair grows in cycles, moving between an active growing phase (anagen), a short transition phase (catagen) and a resting phase (telogen). Treatment works best on hairs in the growing phase, so each session only reaches a proportion of the hairs in the area. The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) guide to laser hair removal explains this growth cycle in more detail.

Spacing sessions out gives the next batch of hairs time to move into the growing phase, ready to be treated at your following appointment. This is why hair removal is planned as a course rather than a one-off treatment.

So, how many laser hair removal sessions will I need?

As a general guide, many people are recommended an initial course of around four to six sessions. Some people need more, and the right number for you can only be decided once your skin and hair have been assessed. Factors that can make a difference include:

• Your hair colour – light-based treatments rely on pigment, so darker hair usually responds better. Very fine blonde, grey, white or red hair has less pigment and may respond poorly, or not at all.
• Your skin tone – the contrast between your skin and hair affects how the treatment is set up, and some skin tones need extra care.
• The treatment area – hair on different parts of the body grows at different rates and densities, so the face, underarms, bikini line and legs can each respond at their own pace.
• Hormones – hormonal changes and conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can affect how much hair grows and how it responds, and may mean more sessions or occasional top-ups are needed.

Your sessions will be reviewed as you go, rather than everything being decided at the start. That way, your course is based on how your hair is actually responding.

How far apart should sessions be?

At The Skin and Wellbeing Clinic, treatments are usually cycled on a six-weekly basis. This gives hairs time to move through their growth cycle so that each appointment can target hairs at a different stage. Booking sessions closer together is not a shortcut to quicker results.

In between appointments, you can shave the area, but please avoid waxing, plucking or threading. These remove the hair from the follicle, which leaves nothing for the light to follow at your next session.

Why are autumn and winter a popular time to start?

A course spaced around six weeks apart takes several months, so a course of six sessions started now, in late autumn, would typically run into the spring. It is part of the reason many people in Preston and across Lancashire choose this time of year to begin.

The colder months can also make preparation and aftercare easier to stick to. You will usually be asked to avoid sun exposure, sunbeds and fake tan for a period before and after each session, and that tends to be simpler when your skin is covered up and summer holidays are behind you. You can read more in our post Is autumn the best time to start laser hair removal treatment?

If you have been away somewhere sunny recently, or have a holiday booked, please mention it when you book. It may affect when your sessions can go ahead.

When might I start to see results?

Timelines vary from person to person. Some treated hairs may shed in the days and weeks after a session, and many people notice that regrowth becomes slower, sparser or finer as their course progresses. Changes are often easier to appreciate after a few sessions rather than after the first.

It is important to be realistic. Laser hair removal aims to reduce hair growth over time, and it is not the same as removing every hair for good. The NHS page on excessive hair growth (hirsutism) points out that longer-lasting hair removal treatments carry risks and that results are not the same for everyone. Some people find they need an occasional top-up session later on, particularly in areas affected by hormonal changes.

What happens if I stop a course early?

Stopping after only one or two sessions usually means many of the hairs in the area will not have been treated during their growing phase. You may notice some change, but it is likely to be less than if you complete the course you agreed with your practitioner. If something changes for you partway through, such as a pregnancy, new medication or a planned holiday, just let us know and we can talk about how best to pause or plan your next sessions.

Are there possible side effects?

As with any skin treatment, there are some risks, and it is important to understand these before you go ahead. Common, usually short-lived effects include redness, warmth, mild swelling or tenderness in the treated area. Less commonly, light-based treatment can cause blistering, crusting or changes in skin colour (lighter or darker patches), and in rare cases these can be long-lasting. Staying out of the sun after treatment is important, as strong sunlight on recently treated skin can increase the risk of pigmentation problems.

We use the Lynton EXCELIGHT®, an IPL system certified as a medical device, which has built-in cooling designed to help with comfort during treatment. How treatment feels still varies from person to person, and coarser, thicker hair can feel more uncomfortable. Following your aftercare advice carefully can help your skin recover well, and you can read our laser treatment aftercare guide in advance. If you notice anything unexpected after treatment, please contact the clinic or seek medical advice.

Is laser hair removal right for me?

Laser hair removal is not suitable for everyone, which is why a consultation always comes first. It is helpful to tell us about any medical conditions, medication, recent sun exposure or tanning, and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as these can affect whether, or when, treatment is appropriate. If you have noticed new or sudden hair growth, or other symptoms such as irregular periods, it is worth speaking to your GP first, as there may be an underlying cause that needs checking.

The NHS also has useful guidance on what to think about before you have a cosmetic procedure.

Thinking about laser hair removal in Preston?

If you would like to know how many sessions might be right for you, the best first step is a consultation. We will talk through what you would like to achieve, look at your skin and hair, explain how a course is likely to work for you and answer any questions, with no pressure to go ahead. Everyone’s hair and skin respond differently, so we will always be honest about what treatment can and cannot do for you.

You can find out more about laser hair removal at The Skin and Wellbeing Clinic in Preston, or get in touch with us to arrange your consultation. Our clinic is on East Cliff in Preston city centre, just a short walk from Preston train station and Winckley Square.