It depends on the type of laser being used and the specific treatment being offered and the desired results of the patient. Generally speaking, laser treatments can range from a few minutes to several weeks depending on the complexity of the situation and desired outcome.
Seven weeks may sound long but that could be the right amount of time for treating a complicated case and achieving optimal results. To be sure, it is best to consult a professional who can evaluate the situation and provide an individualized plan for care.
Do you have to wait 6 weeks between laser hair removal?
No, you don’t necessarily have to wait 6 weeks between laser hair removal treatments. The amount of time between treatments should be based on the number of treatments that have already been completed, the desired results, and the advice of your doctor or laser specialist.
Generally speaking, it is typically recommended to wait 4 – 6 weeks in between laser hair removal treatments. However, this will vary from person to person and could even be as short as 2 weeks depending on the situation.
Your doctor or laser technician should be able to advice on the best time between treatments.
Why does laser have to be 6 weeks apart?
The laser treatments used for skin conditions such as hair removal, skin tightening or removal of spots or moles need to be spaced 6 weeks apart because the laser is essentially triggering an injury response in the skin to initiate the desired skin improvement.
Keeping a 6 week distance between treatments allows enough time for the skin to properly heal before the next treatment so that both treatments are maximally effective. Doing the treatments too close together can cause excessive inflammation in the skin, which can lead to scarring, infection, and other undesirable side effects.
As well, allowing 6 weeks between sessions gives the laser time to work fully on the targeted skin tissues in the first treatment, so that when the second treatment is performed, the focus can be more targeted since there is less overall skin affected by the first treatment.
Is it better to wait longer between laser treatments?
Yes, it is usually better to wait longer between laser treatments. Laser treatments work by destroying hair follicles, preventing future hair growth. Therefore, if treatments are spaced too close together, the follicles may not have enough time to heal between treatments.
Depending on the type of laser treatment being used, this can lead to skin irritation, burning and even scarring. By waiting longer between treatments, the follicles will have more time to fully heal and diminish the risk of adverse side effects.
Additionally, waiting longer between treatments can result in more effective treatments with much longer-lasting hair reduction.
Does laser hair removal have to be consecutive?
No, laser hair removal does not have to be consecutive. Depending on the treatment and the area being treated, there can be a gap between treatments, usually ranging from four to eight weeks. This allows for the skin to heal and for all of the hairs in the treated area to enter their active growth phase.
Allowing for this kind of gap between treatments can actually be beneficial as it helps to maximize the effectiveness of the treatments. Furthermore, the amount of treatments required can vary from person to person, so it might be necessary to extend the gap for some people in order to achieve an optimal result.
Ultimately, it’s important to follow the advice of your healthcare provider and stick to the recommended schedule.
What is the ideal gap between laser sessions?
The ideal gap between laser sessions depends on the type of laser you are receiving, as well as the area of your body that you are treating. Generally speaking, most lasers require several weeks of recovery time for optimal results.
For example, if you are receiving an IPL treatment in order to reduce wrinkles and age spots, you may begin with weekly treatments for 4-6 weeks, followed by maintenance treatments every 3-4 months thereafter.
If you are receiving laser hair removal, you may need between four and six treatments with a 4-8 week gap between each treatment. This allows the hairs to go through the growth cycle so that all of the hairs can be targeted.
For laser skin resurfacing, you may receive anywhere from 2-6 treatments on a 1-3 month schedule, depending on the area of the body you are treating.
In general, you should be sure to discuss the type of laser treatment you are receiving and the ideal gap between laser sessions with your dermatologist so that you can get the best results.
