There is a gap in between my laser treatments due to COVID-19 outbreak. Do I need extra treatments?

In the light of the current situation (COVID-19) and following the guidelines imposed by the authorities, we were obliged to close the clinic and hence, we present some information in here to answer some entailed questions regarding laser treatments interrupted. Please feel free to contact us if there is any further concerns. In order to know how Laser hair removal works, we need to understand how hair grows. Hair grows from deep within hair follicles, which are thin cavities embedded in the inner part of skin (Dermis). Hair does not grow continuously, but grows in a three-phase cycle.

Each growth cycle includes an Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen phase. During the Anagen phase, the hair grows actively from the follicle. The next phase of the growth cycle is the Catagen phase. This is a short transitional period in which the hair stops growing and the hair follicle shrinks in size. The follicle breaks away from the dermal papilla, which supplies nutrients to the hair follicle. The last phase of the growth cycle is the Telogen, or resting phase. During the Telogen phase, the hair follicle reattaches to the dermal papilla, at which point the follicle re-enters the Anagen phase. As a new hair begins to grow, the old hair is pushed out of the follicle.

Now let see how laser works in process of hair removal? During the procedure, the specialist will guide the laser over the treatment area. As the laser pulses has emitted, it delivers light energy, which travels through the skin and is absorbed by the hair follicles. Those hair follicles that absorb energy, or heat, from the laser will be damaged. Hair follicles that are in the Anagen, or active growth phase, absorb and respond the best to the laser treatments. As not all hairs are actively growing at the same time, a single procedure will not treat all of the hair follicles in the area. As the follicles in the transitional and resting periods return to the active growth phase, you may notice some hair regrowth but not as thick as it was before the treatment. This regrowth will become thinner and lighter with each subsequent treatment until there is little, to no hair at all. This is the reason it typically takes multiple treatments to achieve the best results.

Drawing on the information highlighted above, it is necessary to re-emphasize that the number of hairs in the Anagen stage that were disappeared during the treatments conducted, will never come back again because the root has got clogged by laser on the treated areas. Therefore, even with such unintended interruption, the remainder of treatment sessions can certainly work on the remaining hairs, provided that the upcoming schedules are rigorously followed. In such situation, the course of treatment will get longer, however, the results achieved so far are being maintained.

Mojgan Radmand

Medical Aesthetician