Laser Hair Removal Journey: Before & After Results, Side Effects, Costs

First things first — Laser Hair Removal isn’t permanent, which is why it’s also called Laser Hair Reduction. But that doesn’t mean your original hair growth bounces back in a few years. What actually happens is the quality of your hair changes for good—growth becomes slower, strands get finer, and pigmentation reduces. This is because the laser targets and destroys the follicles, leading to long-lasting improvement. More on that later!

While LHR is a non-invasive procedure, there are a few things you should keep in mind before signing up. These factors help determine how effective the treatment will be for you and if there are any risks involved. (P.S. All of this comes straight from an expert at my clinic, who walked me through it before I started.)

- Hair Type & Thickness: Coarse, dark hair responds best since lasers target melanin. Light or very fine hair doesn’t work that well. Dense growth may need more sessions, while sparse areas (like biceps or back) may not need laser at all.

- Skin Tone: Earlier, lasers worked best on light skin with dark hair. Now, newer tech works for darker tones too—provided settings are adjusted to avoid burns or pigmentation.

- Medical Conditions: If your growth is hormonal (maybe because of PCOD/PCOS), results vary—laser reduces hair, but regrowth can happen unless the condition is treated/managed too. Always share details of any medication. And if you’re pregnant or planning to be, skip LHR altogether.

- Cost: LHR is expensive, but in the long run, cheaper than years of waxing. Plus, many clinics offer EMI options as well. The cost of my LHR services was slightly higher because of prescribed aftercare creams—one for three days post-session, and nourishing + hair-minimiser creams for nightly use (stopped two days before the next session).

- Commitment: Consistency is key. Skipping or delaying sessions reduces results. You’re ready for the next one once treated hair sheds (1–3 weeks), finer regrowth appears, and the 3–6 week gap (shorter for face/bikini, longer for body) is over.

General rule (and a big one): Do NOT wax, pluck, or tweeze once you start LHR. The laser works by targeting the follicle, and waxing or plucking removes it temporarily — leaving nothing for the laser to act on. That not only makes the session less effective (sometimes even useless) but can also disrupt your hair growth cycle, causing uneven regrowth and extra sessions. Shaving or trimming, on the other hand, is fine—it cuts hair at the surface but keeps the follicle intact for the laser to zap.

- Avoid sun exposure, as tanned skin increases the risk of burns and side effects.

- Discontinue harsh skincare products a few days before treatment. Always confirm with your dermatologist; in my case, I had to stop the prescribed creams two days prior.

- Some clinics shave the area themselves, while others may ask you to come pre-shaved.

- I was prescribed a post-laser cream (to reduce redness and irritation) for three days, and then a nourishing cream + hair growth minimiser to apply every night. These are available on Nykaa too, but only use what your own clinic/dermatologist recommends.

- For 24 hours after the session, avoid all skincare products—just water (cold or lukewarm, never hot). At most, a gentle cleanser, but confirm with your dermatologist first. Use ice if you notice redness or irritation.

- Clinics may not be as strict now about sun exposure or workout sweat, thanks to upgraded tech, but it’s still best to avoid both for a couple of days and apply sunscreen religiously.

This is purely based on my sessions at Clinic Dermatech. While the overall process is usually the same, small differences in machinery or method can vary across clinics. Here’s how it goes, step by step:

- On arrival, I change into a basic strappy gown in a prep room.

- The technician shaves the booked areas for that session.

- Then I’m shifted to the LHR room, where there’s a console-like machine connected to the handpiece.

- Cooling gel is applied to the area, and the technician sets the machine. From what I’ve noticed, the “energy” level (which controls beam strength) is adjusted most often—higher energy means stronger results, but it needs balance.

- The laser itself isn’t painless. It’s far less intense than waxing, but you do feel pinpricks and heat, especially in early sessions or on coarse hair. It’s like sharp zaps, pulse by pulse. My technician checks in often—whether I feel enough “picking” (to ensure follicles are being targeted), too much heat (to adjust levels), or if I need the energy reduced.

- For me, the most sensitive areas are lips, bikini, and spots where bone is close to the skin (like fingers). That’s where most people feel it more, too.

- After the session, she applies post-laser cream and monitors for redness (which is normal). If needed, more cooling gel is applied before continuing. Once everything looks fine, you’re good to go!

- Results Timeline: Results vary, but for me, it took just 2–3 sessions to notice slower, finer growth—especially on underarms and legs. Some hair did return after two months, but much lighter. On the face, though, I’ve barely seen changes yet. My technician says areas like the bikini line and upper lip usually need at least six sessions for visible results.

- Paradoxical Hair Growth: If your hair is very fine, dermatologists may advise against laser because of a rare side effect called paradoxical hypertrichosis, where treated areas can actually grow more hair instead of less. Thicker, darker hair always responds better.

- Growth Cycle: Laser only works on hairs in the anagen (active growth) phase, and since not all hairs are in that phase at once, multiple sessions are needed. You also need some growth before your next session—otherwise, you’ll feel heat but no “picking.” This is also why the gap between sessions increases over time.

- Shedding Phase: After each session, the existing hair will shed within 1–2 weeks. The first time, it felt like prickly regrowth, but it’s actually shedding. Light scrubbing can help, but don’t force it. By later sessions, most of my regrowth was already finer, so the shedding phase barely bothered me, and it will most probably be the same for you.

- Period Sensitivity: Lastly, your skin tends to be more sensitive during your period; basically, you will feel that pinprick sensation and heat with a lot more intensity, so plan sessions accordingly.