Underarm Laser Hair Removal: How Many Sessions Do You Need, and How Far Apart Should They Be?

Hello.

I’m Lee Kang-in, Director of Kind Global Clinic, and I take the time to listen to each patient’s concerns.

People looking into underarm laser hair removal often have similar questions.

"How much should I expect the treatment to cost?"

"I heard 10 sessions are enough, so why do results vary from person to person?"

"Do I have to stick to a set interval between treatments?"

It can be frustrating when you make time in your schedule and keep up with your treatments, yet don’t see as much change as you expected.

I’ve put together today’s post to help address some of those concerns.

Let’s take a closer look at why results can differ even after the same number of sessions, and why it’s important to follow the recommended treatment schedule.

I hope you’ll take a moment to read this and find it helpful in answering your questions^^

Underarm Laser Hair Removal: Why Results Can Vary After the Same Number of Sessions

Underarm laser hair removal doesn’t produce the same results for everyone simply by completing a set number of sessions.

Even after just five sessions, results can vary depending on whether the laser settings and wavelength were chosen with your skin and hair in mind.

Fluence: The strength of the laser energy

Wavelength: The characteristics of the laser light

Laser hair removal works by targeting the dark melanin pigment in the hair root to destroy the hair follicle.

Thick, dark hair tends to absorb energy relatively well, while fine, light-colored hair may respond less to the laser.

The same principle explains why it can be difficult to remove gray hair.

If the same fluence is used in every case without accounting for these differences, results may vary.

Choosing a wavelength suited to your skin tone is another factor to consider.

Two wavelengths are commonly used for underarm laser hair removal.

755 nm Alexandrite

Responds well to melanin and is effective for thick, dark hair. It penetrates relatively shallowly into the skin.

1064 nm Nd:YAG

Has a lower response to melanin, but its energy reaches deeper into the skin. It tends to be safer for darker skin.

As you can see, the effects and safety profile can differ depending on the wavelength.

Let’s look at a clinical study that examined this.

The study treated the underarms of 30 women with skin types IV–VI,

and compared the hair-removal effects of 755 nm Alexandrite and 1064 nm Nd:YAG lasers.

※ IV–VI: People with relatively dark skin

After five sessions, both types of laser were found to be effective, but

the Alexandrite laser achieved a greater reduction in hair and was also associated with higher patient satisfaction.

Nd:YAG achieved a lower rate of hair reduction, but was rated as safer for darker skin types.

The researchers added that these differences are not determined solely by the performance of the equipment.

They also depend on skin type and hair characteristics

because each wavelength interacts differently with them.

That was their explanation.

Ultimately, even with the same number of underarm laser hair removal sessions, results can vary depending on which wavelength is used

and whether that wavelength is well suited to your individual skin and hair.

Should you stick to a set interval between treatments?

The ideal interval can vary from person to person, but it’s best to follow the schedule recommended by your clinic as closely as possible.

That’s because laser hair removal is closely linked to the hair growth cycle.

Hair grows through the anagen, catagen, and telogen phases,

and the laser works best during the anagen, or growth, phase.

During the anagen phase, the hair is connected to the follicle, making it easier for laser energy to reach the follicle.

In contrast, during the catagen or telogen phase, the connection between the hair and follicle weakens, so the same laser may produce a weaker response.

It’s also important to remember that not all hairs enter the growth phase at the same time.

That makes it difficult to treat every follicle in a single session,

so treatments need to be repeated at regular intervals to target hairs as they enter the growth phase.

What happens if you visit the clinic at intervals that are much shorter than the recommended schedule?

Many hairs may not yet have reached the growth phase, which can make treatment less effective.

On the other hand, if you leave too much time between sessions, the treatment process may be interrupted, and it can take longer to complete your hair removal course.

Your schedule may shift a little, but please try to follow the recommended intervals as closely as possible.

Today, we looked at why results from underarm laser hair removal can vary and why treatment intervals matter.

Finally, there’s one topic we haven’t covered yet: “cost.”

Prices can vary depending on the equipment and wavelength used, the treatment area, and the clinician’s experience, among other factors.

Comparing prices alone may lead you to overlook a treatment plan suited to your skin and hair, so consider the factors discussed above, along with the number and frequency of sessions, before making a decision.

That’s all for today. Thank you for reading.

[Related article you may find helpful]

Looking for a Great Laser Hair Removal Clinic in Myeongdong? Keep These 2 Things in Mind

This post complies with Article 56 of the Medical Service Act

and was written by Kind Global Clinic

to provide accurate medical information.

Depending on the treatment,

side effects may occur in some individuals.

Please consult thoroughly with a medical professional

and make your decision carefully.