Women have been removing unwanted body hair for millennia, but it’s only in the last few decades that we’ve found a long-term solution. Laser hair removal is a treatment that targets hair from the root, inhibiting new growth.

If the prospect of never-ending waxing appointments or irritation from shaving sessions sounds dreadful, it’s time to try laser hair removal. For women, this treatment offers freedom, confidence, and spontaneity. If you’d like to give it a try, here’s everything you could possibly need to know.

Laser Hair Removal for Women: How it Works 

Laser hair removal works based on a process called selective photothermolysis, which means that it’s a light that selectively breaks down cells. What makes a laser light unique is that it only travels on one wavelength — this allows it to penetrate through material or tissue.

It largely ignores the skin, instead getting absorbed by the pigmented root of the hair follicle. The damage caused by the laser only impacts the hair, preventing regrowth, without damaging the surrounding skin.

 

Body Hair Removal for Women 

Studies show that 60% to 90% of women practice some form of body hair removal. It’s perfectly normal for women to grow body hair, especially in the underarms, legs, and pubic area. It’s no surprise that those are also the most popular laser hair removal treatment areas for women.

Many women also experience dark hair growth on other parts of their body, so it’s a good thing that laser hair removal works on the entire body. Laser hair removal treatment areas usually get broken down like this:

  • Bikini line

  • Brazilian

  • Legs (full or half)

  • Underarms

  • Arms

  • Stomach

  • Buttocks

  • Chest

At SEV, we’ve made it a point to offer our clients as much flexibility as possible. You can book treatment for tiny areas like the toes or combine all treatment areas into one and save with full body laser hair removal.

Facial Hair Removal for Women

Dark facial hair can be very disheartening for women, which is why laser hair removal on the face can be so affirming. It’s effective on all types of facial hair growth, from a smattering of darker hairs above the upper lip to hirsutism (i.e., male-pattern hair growth in women).

The only off-limit area is around the eyes, which must be protected with goggles. Before starting your facial laser hair removal journey, you should know that there’s a slightly higher risk of regrowth. You may need more sessions and slightly more frequent maintenance sessions. That said, it’ll still save you the pain and hassle of waxing and shaving, which you’ll need to do much more often.

In general, some of the most popular face laser hair removal treatment areas for women include:

  • Upper lip

  • Chin

  • Cheeks

  • Jawline

  • Sideburns

  • Between and above the brows

  • Forehead

  • Nose/nostrils

  • Hairline

At SEV, we also offer full facial laser hair removal to help our clients save on multiple treatment areas.

What Results Can Women Expect? 

Laser hair removal results fluctuate from person to person. The biggest factor that’ll impact your results is the body part you’re treating.

Research shows that the legs often achieve upwards of 80% hair reduction, although without elaborating on the number of treatments required (likely due to non-standardization).

The results of facial laser hair removal for women can often take longer to show, and the risk of regrowth after treatment is higher due to the face’s shorter hair growth cycle.

The same studies also compared different laser technologies, as different devices can have different effects. Alexandrite lasers consistently provide the best results, while Nd:YAG and diode lasers second.

For clients with light to medium skin, Alexandrite is always the best option no matter the body part being treated. For clients with dark skin, the Nd:YAG is ideal thanks to its impressive efficacy and high level of safety.

Laser Hair Removal Aftercare and Maintenance

After your laser hair removal treatment, it’s important you avoid sun exposure, hot environments and intense activities that may trigger inflammation in the skin. Make sure to wear sunscreen consistently throughout the entire duration of your laser hair removal treatments, as well as in the following weeks.

If you experience side effects like redness, swelling, or stinging, don’t be alarmed. Use fragrance-free lotions or aloe vera to calm and protect the area.

Avoid using harsh topical skincare products, and don’t schedule any skin resurfacing procedures. Don’t be shy — ask your nurse or laser technician if you’re not sure about a treatment!

You will likely still need a touch-up treatment every once in a while after you complete the necessary treatments to achieve your maximum possible results.

Is Laser Hair Removal Safe for Women?

Laser hair removal is a safe treatment for women. It’s FDA-approved as safe and effective, thanks to a long list of clinical studies with thousands of female participants.

To ensure your safety when undergoing laser hair removal, it’s imperative to choose a med spa or clinic with medical oversight, and that’s staffed with experienced and specialized providers.

At SEV, all of our laser hair removal nurses and technicians are rigorously trained to perform safe treatments. Prior to your first booking, we’ll have you review our comprehensive safety and medical clearance forms to ensure you’re a safe candidate for treatment. We only use industry-leading laser hair removal machines designed with skin-reading sensors and cooling features to ensure maximum comfort and safety.

Hormonal Influences on Female Hair Growth

Hair growth is largely controlled by hormones, and as a woman, you go through many fluctuations throughout your life. Some of those hormonal changes will influence your need for laser hair removal as well as your results.

Common events and life stages around puberty, pregnancy/post-childbirth, and menopause can all lead to increases in hair growth.

Androgens, the male sex hormones, are at fault for increased hair growth. Ironically, while androgens lead to hair growth in the body, they can also lead to pattern baldness.

Because women usually have fewer androgens than men, they also have less body and facial hair growth.

However, there are conditions like PCOS that are associated with higher androgen levels that can increase hair growth in women. They often lead to abnormally thick or coarse hair growth in areas where women usually only have vellus hair (i.e., peach fuzz).

Whether your hair growth is caused by a condition or not, laser hair removal presents a solid solution. Those with specific conditions may require more treatment sessions to achieve the results they want, but considering the long-lasting results, many women find that it’s well worth the effort and expense.

Laser Hair Removal During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

According to a review in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, “laser therapy is relatively safe in patients who are pregnant when employed for the treatment of various medical conditions. However, laser and intense pulsed light therapy are not indicated for cosmetic procedures during pregnancy due to the lack of safety data.”

In other words, laser hair removal’s safety for pregnant women hasn’t been established, so getting laser hair removal when pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding is off-limits.

Pregnancy hormones may also impact your laser hair removal results. We recommend waiting at least a few months after childbirth or breastfeeding, to allow your hormones to find their new normal.

Choosing a Female-Friendly Laser Hair Removal Clinic

When getting laser hair removal as a woman, you want a treatment provider who will make you feel comfortable, safe, and never ever judged.

At SEV, we cultivate a compassionate and empathetic environment. As a female-founded and led company, we empower women to be their best, most authentic selves. We’re there to celebrate all of our clients and to make sure that getting laser hair removal feels like self-care.

Our team of registered nurses, laser hair removal technicians, and support staff are as kind as they are knowledgeable and professional.

If you’d like to shed the burden of constant hair removal, why wait? Book an appointment for laser hair removal and start your journey to smoothness.