Reaching your golden years can bring quite a few challenges, including unwanted face and body hair. Seniors often see new hair growth in areas that were previously smooth, largely due to hormonal changes that come with age.

Shaving and waxing can temporarily get rid of the hair, but maintenance can be difficult for seniors. If it’s an option, laser hair removal is worth considering. It’s safe, effective, and delivers lasting results.

If you’re an older adult or a person caring for a senior, this post is a must-read. We’ll cover everything you need to know about laser hair removal for mature skin and hair.

How Hair Growth Changes With Age

As you enter the later stages of your life, you’ll notice a lot of surprising changes to your hair. The hair on your head will likely get thinner, but some areas can grow new coarse hair.

Gender and genetics play a big role here. For women going through menopause, coarse or visible facial hair often becomes a problem, while body hair becomes sparser.

As men age, they often experience new hair growth in areas like the ears, nose, and eyebrows. Some men also notice thicker body hair, especially on the back, abdomen, or chest, although this type of growth usually starts earlier in life.

Benefits of Laser Hair Removal for Older Adults

By targeting hair from the root and preventing new growth, laser hair removal is a convenient way to treat unwanted hair in older adults. Here are some of the main benefits seniors or their caretakers may want to know about.

Kinder to Maturing Skin 

With age, the skin becomes more fragile and prone to damage. Cuts from shaving can take longer to heal, while waxing can lead to bruises or skin damage due to the pull on the skin.

Unlike shaving or waxing, laser hair removal targets the hair follicle without impacting the skin on the surface. While there can be some slight redness after treatment, it dissipates quickly and there’s a lower risk of skin trauma.

Hassle-Free 

Laser hair removal is a convenient option for everyone, but especially for older adults. A lot of the tasks we used to think of as easy become tougher when age brings with it joint pain or nearsightedness. Suddenly, it gets difficult to grip a razor or see the small hairs you used to tweeze by yourself.

With laser hair removal, you get to sit or lie back in the treatment bed. Knowing the person carrying out your treatment is a certified nurse or laser technician will also give you peace of mind, knowing you’re in safe hands.

Lasting Results

One of the main benefits of laser hair removal is the longevity of its results. Dealing with constant hair regrowth can be frustrating for people of all ages, so it’s never too late to let go of such a frustrating chore.

Cost

Laser hair removal used to be very expensive, but med spas like SEV are changing the industry with reasonable, accessible prices. The cost of a single laser hair removal appointment is often on par with professional waxing but the results last a lot longer.

Most clients see the results they want within a series of treatments. Once you achieve your hair reduction goals, you’ll no longer have to worry about ongoing hair removal costs.

Does Laser Hair Removal Work After Menopause?

Hormonal fluctuations can compromise laser results, so it makes sense to wonder if it could work after menopause.

Perimenopause (the transitional period into menopause) is a time of major endocrine changes. Your body’s hormone levels shift until you experience the final decline of estrogen and progesterone with menopause. Some women also experience a small increase in testosterone during menopause, which can correlate with face and body hair growth.

Thankfully, your body eventually stabilizes. Once your body is in menopause, you can enjoy the benefits of laser hair removal without having to worry about any more hormone fluctuations.

The only caveat is that your hair needs to be dark enough naturally, as laser hair removal doesn’t work if the root of the hair has no pigment.

More Things People With Mature Skin Should Know Before Getting Treated

There are a few important things seniors should keep in mind before undergoing laser hair removal.

Hair Color

Laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment in the roots of the hair, so it’s only effective on darker hair. For seniors concerned about white or gray hair, laser hair removal may no longer be an option. If you have a mixture of light and dark hairs, you’ll probably still benefit from the laser’s ability to thin out your growth.

Gentler Settings 

As we already mentioned, laser hair removal is kinder to the skin than shaving or waxing. With more fragile mature skin, it’s still important that your laser technician or nurse chooses gentle settings that will suit your skin.

Look for med spas like SEV, with experienced team members and advanced, dual-wavelength technologies, to ensure you have the safest, most customized treatment possible.

Combining Laser Hair Removal With Anti-Aging Treatments

As a mature person concerned with your grooming, chances are you also care about the appearance of your skin as you age. If you use anti-aging skincare or get the occasional anti-aging treatment, here’s what you need to know about combining these with laser hair removal.

  • Laser and anti-aging skincare: Skincare products with retinoids, AHAs, vitamin C, and niacinamide can all help reverse the signs of aging but they can also make your skin more sensitive. Avoid using them for 1-2 weeks before and after your laser hair removal treatment, depending on the level of intensity. Ask your laser nurse if you’re unsure.
  • Anti-aging treatments and procedures: When it comes to powerful facials or procedures like chemical peels, microdermabrasions, laser facials, or microneedling, you’ll need to wait 2 to 4 weeks depending on the specific treatment.
  • Cosmetic injections: Injections like Botox or Juvéderm are unbeatable when it comes to fast wrinkle reduction or volume correction. They’re considered minimally invasive, but can still make the treatment area a little tender. We recommend waiting at least 2 weeks before or after undergoing laser treatments.

In general, you don’t need to worry about this if you’re treating two different body parts. However, if you’re treating a target area with a combo of laser hair removal and other anti-aging treatments, you’ll need to take your scheduling into account.

If there’s any uncertainty, just reach out and ask! We’ll be happy to answer all of your questions.

Dedicated Treatment for Mature Clients at SEV 

SEV is the go-to destination for thousands of satisfied clients of all ages and backgrounds. We offer premium laser hair removal using the industry’s leading technologies at accessible prices — a combination that’s hard to find elsewhere.

Regardless of your skin type, our laser technicians will calibrate your treatment to give you the results you want with minimal side effects.

To get started with age-inclusive, high-quality, and affordable laser hair removal, go ahead and book your first appointment at your local SEV.