Ask the Doctor: Laser Hair Removal

Is laser hair removal permanent? Yes and no. While the FDA clearance is for long-term hair removal, "permanent" implies a different expectation. We tell our patients that laser hair removal isn't FDA-approved as permanent, but probably is permanent in many cases. On the other hand, electrolysis claims permanence, but probably isn't even close to as effective. And electrolysis is painful and unable to remove even a fraction of the hairs that lasers can remove in one session.