“How many sessions will I need?” It’s one of the first questions people ask when considering laser hair removal. The honest answer is: it depends. But at Victorian Laser & Skin Clinic, we believe in giving you clear, honest information so you can plan your treatment journey with confidence.
After performing millions of successful laser hair removal treatments over more than 20 years, we can give you realistic expectations based on what actually works for most clients.
Why Multiple Sessions Are Necessary
Understanding why laser hair removal requires multiple sessions comes down to one thing: your hair growth cycle.
Hair grows in three stages:
- Anagen (Growth Stage): The hair is connected to the root and actively growing.
- Catagen (Transition Stage): The hair disconnects from the root.
- Telogen (Resting Stage): The hair is dormant before eventually falling out.
During your laser hair removal treatment, only the hairs that are in the growth stage will be destroyed permanently. Why? Because these are the only hairs that are connected to the root. When the laser targets the pigment in the hair, the energy travels down to the follicle and destroys it, but only if the hair is attached.
Here’s the key fact: at any one time, on average only about 10-15% of your body hairs are in the growth stage. This means a single session can only treat a fraction of your total hair. The rest of your hairs are in transition or resting phases, waiting their turn.
This is why multiple treatments are required to achieve a permanent result. Each session targets a new batch of hairs that have entered the growth phase since your last treatment.
Average Number of Sessions Required
At Victorian Laser & Skin Clinic, on average 6-12 treatments are required for most clients. For the best results (removal of 80% or more of hair), an average of 4 to 8 sessions is typically required.
The exact number depends on several factors unique to you, which we’ll explore below. But this range gives you a realistic starting point for planning your treatment.
Factors That Affect How Many Sessions You’ll Need
Hair Colour
The laser works by targeting the pigment (melanin) in your hair. Generally, the darker and thicker the hair, the more heat can be generated, destroying the hair quicker.
Dark hair responds particularly well to laser treatment because it contains more melanin for the laser to target. If you have lighter hair (blonde, red, or grey), you may need additional sessions to achieve the same results.
Skin Tone
At Victorian Laser & Skin Clinic, we use both the Candela GentleLase (Alexandrite laser, 755nm wavelength) and Cynosure Vectus (Diode laser, 810nm wavelength). Both technologies have the highest absorption rate to melanin, making them the most effective for achieving permanent laser hair removal results.
With this technology, we are able to treat all skin types, including Asian and Indian skin tones. Our technicians customise treatments to your individual skin colour, hair type, and sensitivity to ensure optimum results.
Hair Thickness and Density
Thicker, coarser hair tends to respond well to laser treatment. Fine hair may require more sessions. Areas with dense hair growth may also need additional treatments compared to areas with sparser hair.
Age
Interestingly, older clients generally get better results and may require fewer treatments. This is because it’s easier to damage the hair permanently when your natural body repair ability decreases with age. Younger clients may need a few extra sessions.
Hormonal Factors
Hormones play a significant role in hair growth. Conditions that affect hormone levels, such as PCOS, can impact how hair responds to treatment and how quickly it regrows. Pregnancy and breastfeeding also cause hormonal changes, which is why we recommend waiting 6-12 months post-pregnancy or breastfeeding before starting laser hair removal.
Genetics
The cost of laser hair removal varies from person to person depending on the size of the area to be treated, hair and skin type being treated, as well as a person’s genetics. Some people simply respond faster to treatment than others based on their genetic makeup.
What Results Can You Expect?
With our medical-grade technology, we can achieve permanent hair reduction of up to 95%. Treatments are carried out by experienced professionals, with an average hair growth reduction of 70-95% achieved.
Yes, you can achieve a permanent result with a sufficient number of treatments. Regular maintenance sessions will help you stay hair-free for longer.
Treatment Intervals: Timing Matters
The usual time period between two laser hair removal sessions is 4 to 6 weeks. This timing is important.
Depending upon the pace of your hair growth, you will be asked to come in for your follow-up session around this time period, so that it coincides with the growth phase of your new hair. This is when laser treatments are most effective.
It’s recommended to adhere to this schedule and not miss a session. If you skip or delay appointments, you risk missing a period of hair growth, which can extend your overall treatment time.
Areas We Can Treat
At Victorian Laser & Skin Clinic, we offer safe, affordable, permanent reduction in unwanted hair. Our highly experienced team understands the nuances in treating all skin tones, hair types, and areas of your body.
Our laser hair removal treatments target:
- Brazilian
- Lip and chin
- Full face
- Neck
- Back
- Chest
- Stomach
- Hands
- Lower legs
- Underarms
- Full legs
- Full body
Underarms, full legs, and Brazilian laser hair removal are the most commonly requested treatments. Our treatments are available for every area of the body except in close proximity to the sensitive eye area and in the inner ear.
Do You Need Maintenance Sessions?
Once you’ve completed your initial course of treatments, you may need occasional maintenance sessions to stay completely hair-free.
Regular maintenance sessions will help you stay hair-free for longer. The frequency varies from person to person, but most clients find an annual touch-up is sufficient to maintain their results.
Full Body Laser Hair Removal: A Complete Picture
For clients interested in full body laser hair removal, the investment in time pays off significantly compared to a lifetime of shaving and waxing.
Consider the ongoing costs of traditional hair removal: razors, shaving cream, waxing appointments month after month, year after year. Laser hair removal is cost-effective in the long run because once you’ve achieved permanent reduction, those ongoing costs virtually disappear.
At Victorian Laser & Skin Clinic, we offer package pricing that makes full body treatment more affordable. For example, you can prepay for 8 sessions to save significantly compared to single-session pricing.
How to Get the Best Results in Fewer Sessions
Want to maximise your results and potentially reduce the number of sessions you need? Here’s what we recommend:
- Follow your aftercare guidelines. Proper post-treatment care helps your skin heal well and prepares it for the next session. Learn more about laser hair removal aftercare.
- Don’t miss appointments. Stick to your 4-6 week schedule to catch hair in its growth phase.
- Avoid sun exposure. Strictly avoid sun exposure for at least one week after treatment, and minimise it between sessions.
- Shave, don’t wax. Between sessions, shave the treated area if needed. Never wax, pluck, or thread, as this removes the hair from the follicle and leaves nothing for the laser to target.
- Be patient and consistent. Permanent results take time. Trust the process.
Your Personalised Treatment Plan
Every person is different, which is why we offer free consultations at all our Melbourne clinics. When you visit Victorian Laser & Skin Clinic in Collins St CBD, Hawthorn, Mount Waverley, or Viewbank, one of our highly trained technicians will carefully examine your skin type and answer any questions you may have.
We will provide you with a clear, achievable treatment plan to help you reach your laser hair removal goals within your budget. Our staff are diploma trained and focused on providing clear, honest feedback and comprehensive consultations.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
With over 20 years of experience and millions of successful treatments behind us, Victorian Laser & Skin Clinic is one of the most experienced laser and skin clinics in Melbourne. We use only leading-edge, approved medical-grade laser technology to ensure the most beautiful, natural-looking results for our clients.
Once you start your laser hair removal journey, you’ll never look back. Say goodbye to waxing, razors, stubble, ingrown hairs, and all the money you’ve been spending on temporary solutions.
Book a complimentary consultation to find out exactly how many sessions you’ll need, or view our pricing to start planning your treatment today.
Victorian Laser & Skin Clinic has been operating since 1999. All procedures and treatments are administered by Division 1 Registered nurses and diploma-trained technicians who have performed millions of successful treatments.
