How many sessions does laser hair removal need? Number and intervals by area
By the Ice Laser team · · 4 min read
Contents
“How often do I need to come?” is, after price, the second most common question in our studios. The answer depends on the body area, your hair and your hormones. Here we explain why several sessions are needed at all, and show in an overview how many appointments and what intervals you can expect for each area.
In short: Most body areas need 6 to 8 sessions, the face often 8 to 10. The intervals are around 4 to 6 weeks on the face, 6 to 8 weeks on the body, and longer on the legs and back. A full course of treatment therefore usually takes 9 to 15 months.
Why one session is not enough
Every hair goes through a cycle of three phases:
- Growth phase (anagen): The hair is firmly attached to the root and contains a lot of pigment. Only in this phase can the laser damage the root for long-lasting hair reduction.
- Transition phase (catagen): The hair detaches from the root.
- Resting phase (telogen): The hair falls out and the root rests before a new hair grows.
At any given time, only some of the hairs are in the growth phase. So in each session, the laser only reaches that portion. The remaining hairs are treated in the following sessions as soon as they enter their growth phase. That is why several appointments at the right intervals are what counts – not as many appointments as possible in a short time.
Sessions and intervals by area
| Area | Sessions (approx.) | Interval (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Upper lip, chin, cheeks | 8–10 | 4–6 weeks |
| Underarms | 6–8 | 6–8 weeks |
| Bikini and intimate area | 6–8 | 6–8 weeks |
| Arms | 6–8 | 6–8 weeks |
| Legs | 6–8 | 8–10 weeks |
| Back, chest (men) | 6–8, sometimes more | 8–10 weeks |
| Neck, beard line (men) | 8–10, sometimes more | 4–6 weeks |
These figures are based on experience. We draw up your personal plan after the consultation and adjust it as you go – depending on how quickly your hair thins out.
What affects the number of sessions
- Hair colour: Dark hair responds fastest. Lighter hair needs more sessions – and the laser does not work on grey hair.
- Skin type: With dark skin we work more gently, so one or two extra sessions are often needed. Read more in our article on laser hair removal on dark skin.
- Hormones: On hormonally driven areas (the face in women, the neck and beard in men), new hairs form more easily.
- Regularity: If you postpone appointments for a long time or wax or pluck in between, you will need more sessions.
What happens after each session
- After the 1st and 2nd sessions: The treated hairs fall out after one to three weeks. Then the hairs that were previously resting grow back – this is normal and not a sign that it is not working.
- From the 3rd and 4th sessions: The difference becomes clear: fewer hairs, growing back more slowly and finer.
- Towards the end of the course: Only the odd hair remains. We decide together whether any more sessions are needed.
Will you need top-ups later?
On most body areas, the result is stable in the long term. On hormonally influenced areas, the odd new hair may form over the years, for example after a pregnancy or during the menopause. In that case, a single top-up session is usually enough.
And what does it cost in total?
The total cost is the price per session multiplied by the number of sessions – at our studios, for example, around €240 to €320 for the underarms (€40 per session). You can find example calculations for all areas in our cost guide, and all individual prices in the price list.
Frequently asked questions
Can I shorten the intervals to finish sooner?
No, that does not help. If you come too early, the new hairs are not yet in the growth phase. The session then costs money without achieving much.
What happens if I miss a session?
Nothing serious – you simply carry on with the treatment. Longer breaks of several months may mean that an additional session is needed.
Can I have several areas treated in one session?
Yes, and it is cheaper with our packages. Because the face and body have different intervals, we plan the appointments so that it stays practical for you.
We draw up your personal treatment plan at the free consultation in Cologne-Rondorf or Düsseldorf city centre. Book your appointment now.
