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9 Things to Know Before Getting Laser Hair Removal

Thinking about permanent hair removal? Read this first.

by Melanie Rud Chadwick | COMMENT

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So, Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent? Technically, yes. "The medical definition of 'permanent' hair removal is achieving at least a 90 percent, long-term reduction in hair growth," says Kauvar. IRL, however, your results may be slightly different: "It's important to have realistic expectations about laser hair removal," points out cosmetic dermatologist Paul Jarrod Frank, M.D. "What that means for most people is anywhere from an 80 to 95 percent reduction of hair."

And yes, at some point down the line, you may need a touch-up or two. While the laser will damage some hair follicles completely, inevitably some will only be damaged slightly, and certain factors -- age, hormonal changes -- can trigger new hair growth, explains Frank. Sometimes the laser damages the follicle so that instead of producing a terminal hair, which is thick and coarse, it produces a vellus hair, which looks like peach fuzz, adds Kauvar, and those may also become noticeable. At the end of the day, there's no denying that laser hair removal is the most permanent option out there, but, as it goes in life, nothing lasts forever; it's possible that even on totally treated areas a hair or two may still sprout up.

Image via Giphy

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