Have you ever wondered why the hair on your legs responds faster to depilation than the hair on your face? Or why do the bikini areas look amazing after just a few sessions? Almost everyone who begins their hair removal journey wonders why some parts respond faster than others.
Laser depilation is the best solution for hair removal. The laser targets the pigment in the hair follicle and destroys the follicle. Hair growth happens in different phases, and the laser treatment works only in the anagen phase. Hair growth cycles are not uniform throughout the body. They vary in different areas of the body. This can affect the speed and number of sessions.
If you are considering laser depilation or have been undergoing laser treatment, you might be wondering why hair responds differently in different areas of the body. By the end of this blog, you will have your answers.
Understanding Hair Growth Cycles
There are four main phases of the hair growth cycle: anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen. Anagen is the active growth phase where hair grows from the follicle. After the growth phase is the catagen phase. In the catagen phase, the hair follicle shrinks. The next phase is the telogen phase, a resting period before the hair is shed. The hair is shed during the exogen phase, and the cycle repeats.
Laser depilation targets the pigment (melanin) in the hair follicle. The pigment absorbs light energy and converts it to heat, destroying the follicle at the root. This is how hair growth is prevented. The twist here is that the laser only works on hair that is in the anagen phase. At a given time in an area, only 10-20% of hair will be in the anagen phase. That is the reason why laser depilation needs multiple sessions. Each session catches a different set of active follicles.
The duration of hair growth cycles on different parts of the body varies. The face has a faster cycle and will need sessions every 2-4 weeks, whereas the legs have a slower cycle and will need sessions every 6-8 weeks. The results appear at different speeds.
Hair Texture and Density
All the hair on the body is not the same. Some is fine, some is coarse, and some caused by imbalanced hormones. Coarse dark hair responds fastest to laser depilation because it contains more pigment for the laser to target. Fine, light hair takes the longest because of less pigment. Hormonal hair (especially on the face, chest, stomach, and back) tends to grow back faster. This is why the hair in the bikini area responds faster, while the facial hair might seem stubborn.
The Real Breakdown
Arms
Arm hair is finer and lighter than other parts of the body. This means there is less pigment for the laser to work on. That doesn’t mean that results will not happen, just that it might take a little while longer. The results may appear patchy at first, and that is normal. Sessions will be spaced 5-6 weeks apart. You should expect more sessions for areas with coarser hair. It is great for people who want smoothness rather than the total elimination of hair.
Legs
Laser depilation on the legs will be gratifying because it is one of the fastest areas to respond to treatment. Leg hair is usually dark, dense, and thick. There is a lot more pigment to absorb the laser, and the results will show faster. The more the pigment, the more the results. There is a larger percentage of hair in the legs, and the probability of hair in the anagen phase is higher. The growth cycle of hair is longer on the legs- around 6-8 weeks, so fewer sessions will be needed. The thickness is visibly reduced after just 1-2 sessions. The skin will feel smoother, and ingrown hairs will be reduced. You will experience dramatic hair reduction after 4-6 sessions.
Bikini Area
This area has dark coarse hair that is thick at the root, and that’s why it is one of the best responders to laser depilation. The melanin concentration in dark coarse hair is high. The follicles will absorb laser energy more efficiently. The hair reduction is faster, and gaps start appearing after the first few sessions. Most people experience a 50-70% hair reduction after 3-4 sessions. The growth cycle is faster in this area, so the sessions will be spaced 4-5 weeks apart. This part may be painful because of the high nerve density. New lasers come with a cooling mechanism that helps alleviate sensitivity.
Face
Most people wonder why the face takes so long to show results. The answer? Hormones and hair texture. Many women have facial hair due to PCOS, thyroid imbalance, stress or genetics. Hormonal hair grows back faster. Hair is often lighter and finer, making it harder for the laser to detect. Facial hair reduction will require 10-12 sessions or more. The facial hair cycle is short, and sessions will be scheduled every 2-4 weeks. The results will be gradual and require a great deal of patience and consistency. Patch testing is common to prevent paradoxical growth.
Back and Shoulders
Hair on the back and shoulders is more common in men. The hair is deep-rooted, dense, and hormonally influenced. The laser will need more energy to reach deeper follicles. Sessions will take longer due to the larger area. Hair growth may appear unchanged initially, but may drop after 4-6 sessions. The advantage of laser depilation on the back and shoulders is that it can alleviate sweat-based irritation and folliculitis bumps. Skin will be smoother, and ingrown hairs will be a thing of the past.
How Skin Tone and Hair Colour Affect the Outcome
Earlier, people used to say that laser depilation works best on light skin and dark hair. That is no longer true. Modern technology has made a difference. New lasers have made laser depilation a good option for all skin tones. We have Nd: YAG lasers, which are meant specifically for dark skin tones, and Diode lasers for mixed skin tones. The Alexandrite lasers are designed for lighter skin.
Dark brown and black hair responds fastest to laser depilation. Blonde, red, and grey hair respond more slowly and require special technology.
Last Session
If one area of your body responds to laser depilation faster than another area, don’t worry. That is how laser depilation works. Different areas have different hair with different cycles. Different hair responds to the laser differently. The results may not show simultaneously, but hair reduction is guaranteed.
It is a long-term investment that requires patience and consistency. The results may appear faster in some areas and slower in others. The sessions are spaced according to the hair growth cycles, so a missed session is a missed opportunity to target hair in the anagen phase. This will delay results. Be consistent and stick to the schedule to enjoy fast results. At Colibri Laser and Beauty, we have experienced technicians and the latest lasers to deliver the best results. If you are new to laser depilation, visit us for the best experience.