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Laser hair removal makes hair grow back thicker

There are currently 2 known cases where there is a possibility that laser hair removal could cause hair to grow back thicker and darker than it was before treatment. Keep in mind that one is preventable, while the other is so rare that the chances of it happening are very small.

The first scenario can happen to anyone, although most people who opt for laser treatment may not be aware of this risk prior to treatment. To perform laser hair removal, the technician will ask you to shave the desired area a day or two before your appointment. The hair should be as short as possible, but still visible, for the laser to work to its full potential. Unfortunately, some areas that people want to laser (such as the face and back) contain a mix of coarse, dark hairs that they want to disappear, and “peach fuzz” (the extremely fine, colorless hairs that cover much of the hair). part of our skin). Body). When this area is shaved in preparation for laser treatment, any peach fuzz that is present is also shaved off. With shaving, hair tends to grow back thicker, darker, and faster with each shave. Fine hairs that were once imperceptible may now begin to appear darker upon return, which can create the illusion that more hair is beginning to grow after laser treatment.

The second instance is a medical condition called “paradoxical hypertrichosis.” It is a very rare reaction that can be experienced after laser hair removal treatment. As paradoxical hypertrichosis (or post-laser hypertrichosis) is still a relatively new and extremely rare condition, not much research has been done on the subject. It is difficult to determine the exact cause of this phenomenon. Some specialists suggest that this unwanted hair growth may be caused by extremely low intensity laser or IPL treatments at levels that are too low to be effective and actually end up stimulating the growth of new hair on the hair bulb rather than destroying it. the entire hair bulb. Others suggest that ethnicity may be a factor, as research has found that this reaction tends to occur more in people with skin types 3, 4, and 5 (olive and darker skin) than in people with lighter skin. There is also the possibility that certain medications may increase the risk of paradoxical hypertrichosis if taken at the same time as laser treatments. As you can see, patients with this condition are so few that it is difficult to obtain an adequate sample.

Regardless of the suggested factors of paradoxical hypertrichosis, it is extremely important to find a laser technician who is trained and qualified to perform your treatments. They should be knowledgeable enough to determine the correct laser intensity setting for your particular hair and skin attributes. Too low can be ineffective and cause adverse effects. Too high an intensity can cause side effects such as minor burns and skin discoloration. The perfect balance will safely and effectively remove unwanted hair and make your laser hair removal experience a positive one.

Although it is very rare that laser hair removal will cause your hair to grow back thicker, it has been known to happen in some cases. If you’re concerned, or if you know the area you want to treat includes peach fuzz, perhaps a different method like electrolysis hair removal would be a better alternative for you. Electrolysis does not require you to shave prior to treatment, so you don’t risk shaving over the peach fuzz and causing it to grow back thicker. Each hair is treated individually so that you do not run the risk of another area of ​​your skin being treated other than the one you want to be treated.

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