When is the result visible after laser hair removal?

Our hair removal specialists continue to answer frequently asked questions from visitors. Today, let’s talk about when you can see results after laser hair removal. Most new clients are aware that laser hair removal requires a series of sessions, but many still wonder after which session the effect becomes noticeable. You’ll find the answer to this and other questions below.

The impact of equipment on the initial effects of laser hair removal

The visibility of results after a procedure largely depends on the type of laser equipment used.
Some laser devices require hair to be present on the skin’s surface at a length of about 2–3 mm. In this case, the hair is burned by high temperatures, making the effect visible immediately after the session. Additionally, the portion of the hair below the skin surface is “pushed out” over the next few days.

On other devices — for example, the Alexandrite Motus AX with the MOVEO handpiece — the hair must be completely shaved. This is done to avoid thermal burns on the skin and to ensure the energy is concentrated in the follicle, where the most melanin is found.
It is this pigment that the laser targets, destroying the hair’s nutrient environment. In this case, the result is not immediately visible to the naked eye.

Hairs that are in the active growth phase and have been affected by the Alexandrite laser stop growing because the follicle has been damaged. These hairs then fall out within 10–20 days.

How many procedures are needed to see effectiveness?

After the first session, you may notice that there’s less hair growth. In numerical terms, this is usually around 30–40% of the total hair. It’s important to note that the treatment area also significantly affects how soon you’ll see results from laser hair removal.

If the treated area has relatively little hair—such as during laser hair removal on the legs—you’ll likely notice a visible difference. However, if the area is densely covered with hair, the difference may not be immediately apparent. This is because hair grows in cycles: active growth, rest, and the transitional phase. While the laser destroys active follicles, those that were in a resting phase may begin to activate shortly after treatment.

After approximately 3–4 sessions, your laser specialist will be able to estimate how many treatments you’ll need to complete the full course, as well as how often you’ll need maintenance sessions afterward.

With each subsequent session, hair becomes sparser, thinner, and lighter.
Learn more in our article about how many laser hair removal sessions are needed.

What else is important for achieving results after laser hair removal?

In addition to the listed reasons for not seeing results after several sessions, there are other human factors. Let’s briefly discuss each of them.

Preparation for the session

Proper preparation is a crucial step that directly affects how soon results from laser hair removal become visible. Two weeks before the session (or 3–5 days in the case of MOVEO technology), it’s important to avoid sunbathing and tanning beds to reduce the risk of burns and pigmentation. A few days before the procedure, you should also stop using scrubs and skincare products with acids in the treatment area.

Very important: on the day of the session, the skin should be cleanly shaved, free of irritation or damage. You should also avoid applying deodorants, oils, or creams before your salon visit.
Following these guidelines helps the laser beam effectively target the hair follicle.
Learn more in our article on how to properly prepare for a laser hair removal session.

Following post-procedure care

After laser hair removal, it’s important to follow basic skincare recommendations. This impacts your comfort, safety, and the final outcome of the treatment course. Improper post-session care can minimize the effect or cause skin irritation. Even if the procedure was painless and left no visible marks, your skin still needs time to recover. Don’t ignore your specialist’s advice or neglect simple aftercare steps.
If you’d like to learn more, be sure to read our article on post-laser hair removal skincare.

Breaks between sessions

If you strictly follow the timing recommended by your specialist, there’s no need to worry — the expected results will come, and you won’t have to wonder why laser hair removal isn’t working. This is directly related to the stages of hair follicle development, the body’s transition from one phase to another, and the varying duration of these phases.

Desire for quick results

Some of our clients who are used to waxing and sugaring expect to see impressive results after just one laser hair removal session. Unfortunately, a full course of laser hair removal can take anywhere from several months to a year. The upside, however, is that you won’t need to visit the salon as frequently as you would for the above-mentioned methods. Moreover, once the course is complete, the results will last for several months at the very least — and to maintain them, just one or two touch-up sessions per year will be enough.

Errors by the hair removal specialist

The quality of the procedure — and how soon you’ll see results from laser hair removal — largely depends on the experience and attentiveness of the specialist. Mistakes made by the technician are one of the possible reasons for weak results or discomfort after the session. Incorrect settings, rushing, or not paying close attention to the client’s skin type can all affect the outcome.

At LaserVille, we are confident in the professionalism of our specialists: all of them undergo regular training and workshops, and their qualifications are certified. This allows us to maintain consistent service quality and ensure client safety at every stage of the laser hair removal course.

Laser hair removal: when are results visible?

To summarize, after the first procedure, you will see a reduction in hair. However, by the second or third session, hair will start growing back. Why?

1. Firstly, it’s related to the natural hair growth cycles, where phases of active growth and rest alternate. The duration of these phases differs across body areas.
2. Secondly, depending on the hormonal factors of the individual, there may be an increase in the growth of dormant hairs after the second or third procedure.
3. Thirdly, there are hormone-dependent areas with a large number of hairs. For comparison, the number of hairs on the legs per square cm is 80-90, while on the cheeks and chin, it reaches 500-800 hairs per square cm! Therefore, you won’t notice a reduction after just 1-2 procedures.

But we can confidently say that after a course of procedures, regardless of hair color and treatment area, you will achieve smooth, velvety skin. Of course, provided you follow all specialist recommendations. In addition to being effective, our dynamic laser hair removal procedure is also completely safe and painless – it features a modern cooling system.