Unwanted facial hair can be a daily struggle for many women and is a very common concern.
Whether it’s coarse hair along the jawline, dark hair above the lip, or excessive peach fuzz, dealing with facial hair often means committing to tedious routines of plucking, waxing, or shaving.
But what if there was a more permanent solution?
Laser hair removal, especially laser hair removal on the face, offers a long-term way to reduce unwanted hair and simplify your beauty routine.
Understanding Facial Hair and Why It Grows
Facial hair growth patterns vary widely from person to person. While some people naturally have more facial hair than others due to genetics, excessive facial hair growth (known as hirsutism in women) can sometimes signal underlying hormonal imbalances, while other times it is simply genetics. The good news is either way, laser can help.
Conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can cause higher levels of androgens (male hormones) in women, leading to darker, coarser hair growth in typically male pattern areas—like the chin, upper lip, sides of the face, neck and chest. This can be frustrating and sometimes emotionally distressing.
The good news? Laser hair removal can still help with PCOS hair growth, though the journey might look a little different for those with hormonal conditions.
How Laser Hair Removal Works on Facial Hair
Laser hair removal uses concentrated light energy that targets the pigment (melanin) in hair follicles. When the laser hits the hair follicle, the light energy converts to heat, which destroys the follicle and inhibits future hair growth for that treated cycle.
Facial hair removal works on the same principles as laser treatments elsewhere on the body, but with some important differences:
Different Types of Facial Hair Respond Differently
Your face actually has different types of hair:
Dark, Terminal Hairs: These are the coarser, darker hairs that might appear on the upper lip, chin, or sideburn areas. Good news—these respond exceptionally well to laser treatment because they contain larger follicles and more melanin for the laser to target. With proper treatment, most people can expect near-permanent removal of these hairs.
Peach Fuzz (Vellus Hair): These fine, light-colored hairs cover most of your face. They’re often barely noticeable, but can be a concern for some if there is excess hair or it is dark colored. Because these hairs contain less pigment, they’re more challenging for the laser to detect. While laser treatments can reduce peach fuzz, complete and permanent removal is sometimes difficult to achieve. Many clients find that their peach fuzz becomes at least finer and less noticeable, even if not completely eliminated.
Medical-Grade Lasers (not IPL) Make a Huge Difference
Not all laser hair removal devices are created equal, especially when it comes to facial treatments. Medical-grade machines like Nd (Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) and Alexandrite lasers provide superior results for facial hair removal.
The Nd laser is safe for darker skin tones, as it can safely target hair follicles without affecting the surrounding skin pigment. The Alexandrite laser works exceptionally well on light to medium skin tones with lighter colored hair.
These professional-grade lasers can target hair follicles with precision, minimizing the risk of skin damage while maximizing results—something that’s especially important for the sensitive skin on your face. Adding various cooling methods also makes this a less painful option compared to sugaring and waxing.
The Unique Benefits of Facial Laser Hair Removal
Facial laser hair removal offers some unique advantages compared to treating other body areas:
No Stubble or “Grow-Out” Period
One of the biggest perks of facial laser hair removal is how the hair disappears after treatment. Unlike coarser body hair (like on the legs or bikini area), facial hair typically doesn’t experience the same “grow-out” period where dead hair shafts gradually push out of the skin.
Instead, the laser energy is often able to completely dissolve the fine hair shafts on the face. This means the effect is more similar to waxing—the hair is gone immediately and stays absent for a few weeks—but with increasingly permanent results as you complete more sessions. This immediate smoothness is extremely satisfying for clients and eliminates the awkward stubble phase that can happen with other body areas.
More Comfortable Than Other Body Areas
While comfort is subjective, many people find that facial laser hair removal is less painful than treatments on other body areas due to the smaller follicles being targeted. A full-face session typically takes just 10-30 minutes.
Laser Hair Removal for Hormonal Hair Growth
If you’re dealing with excess facial hair due to hormonal conditions like PCOS, laser hair removal can still be very effective—with some important considerations:
Balancing Hormones First
If you have or suspect that you may have a hormonal imbalance and ovarian cysts, it’s generally recommended to work with a healthcare provider to address the underlying hormonal imbalance before or during your laser hair removal treatment plan. When hormones remain imbalanced, they continue to stimulate new hair growth, which can counteract the effects of the laser treatment. Once the hormones are balanced, the hair can then be removed permanently.
More Sessions May Be Needed
People with hormonal hair growth typically require more treatment sessions than average. While someone without hormonal issues might see excellent results in 6-10 sessions, those with conditions like PCOS might need 10-14 sessions or occasionally more.
The good news is that each session will still reduce hair density, making the hair that does grow back finer and less noticeable. Many people with PCOS eventually achieve the results they want; it just takes a bit more patience and persistence.
Maintenance Sessions
Even after completing your initial treatment series, maintenance sessions might be needed once or twice a year, especially if you have underlying hormonal conditions. While this is not the case for other areas of the body not usually impacted by hormonal growth, the face can be trickier to treat. These touch-up treatments catch any new hair follicles that might have been activated by hormonal fluctuations.
What to Expect During and After Treatment
Curious about what actually happens during a facial laser hair removal session? Here’s a walk-through of the experience:
Before Your Treatment
Your provider will likely ask you to:
Avoid sun exposure for at least 6 weeks before treatment and use SPF 30+ daily
Stop using retinoids, exfoliants, or other irritating skincare products a few days prior
Shave the treatment area within 24 hours before your appointment (but don’t wax or pluck as the follicle needs to be intact)
During Your Session
Your treatment provider will give you protective eyewear and apply cooling rollers or ice packs to your skin. They’ll then use the laser device to deliver pulses of light to your facial hair. Each pulse takes just a fraction of a second and can treat multiple hair follicles at once. Many machines, Like at Elysian Laser, also have cold air that is applied to the skin alongside the laser beam to make the treatment more safe and comfortable.
The sensation varies from person to person, but most describe it as a warm pinch, prickle or snap.
After Your Treatment
Immediately after treatment, your face may feel warm and appear slightly red or blotchy, similar to a mild sunburn. This typically subsides within a few minutes when cooling is used. The best part? There’s usually no downtime—you can return to most normal activities right away, after applying sunscreen of course.
The Results Timeline
After your first treatment, you’ll likely notice that hair doesn’t grow back in all treated areas. However, complete results require multiple sessions spaced 5-6 weeks apart for the face (this timing allows the laser to catch hair in different growth cycles).
Many people notice a 10-25% reduction overall after their first treatment, with increasingly dramatic results after each session. By the end of your treatment series, most clients see an 80-95% reduction in the targeted facial hair.
The Investment: Thinking Long-Term
Laser hair removal is an investment up front, but many find it saves money in the long run when compared to a lifetime of waxing appointments, razor replacements, and depilatory creams.
While costs vary depending on your location and the specific provider, facial laser hair removal with a quality machine and experienced technician typically ranges from $150-$300 per session. Remember that multiple sessions are needed for optimal results.
When you consider the time and money spent on temporary hair removal methods over decades, laser hair removal often proves to be more economical—not to mention the priceless confidence that comes with not worrying about unwanted facial hair.
Final Thoughts
Laser hair removal can transform your relationship with facial hair, whether you’re dealing with a few persistent chin hairs or managing more extensive growth due to hormonal conditions like PCOS.
The key to success is working with experienced professionals who use medical-grade equipment and understanding that results might take time—especially if hormonal factors are involved. With patience and the right approach, you can achieve smoother, hair-free skin that lasts.
