How many laser hair removal sessions do I need?

Usually 6 to 8 sessions, then a maintenance session every 6 to 12 months.

How far apart should laser hair removal sessions be?

About 4 to 6 weeks on the face and underarms, 6 to 8 weeks on the body, following the local hair growth cycle.

What should I avoid between laser hair removal sessions?

Waxing, plucking, threading, epilating, tanning and sunbeds, bleaching the hair, and strong actives on the skin. Shaving is fine.

Laser hair removal schedule

How many sessions you need, how far apart to book them for each body area, and what to avoid in between so each session counts.

Plan on 6 to 8 sessions, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart on the face and 6 to 8 weeks apart on the body. Laser only works on hairs in their active growth phase, and only a fraction of hairs are in that phase at any one time, which is why it takes a series. Most people then need a maintenance session every 6 to 12 months.

How far apart to book, by area

Area	Weeks between sessions	Typical number of sessions
Upper lip, chin, face	4 to 6	6 to 8, sometimes more for hormonal hair
Underarms	4 to 6	6 to 8
Bikini and Brazilian	4 to 6	6 to 8
Arms	6 to 8	6 to 8
Legs	6 to 8	6 to 8
Back and chest	6 to 8	6 to 10

Facial hair cycles faster than body hair, so the face is treated more often. Many clinics lengthen the gap towards the end of the course, for example 8 to 10 weeks for the last sessions, because the remaining hairs are growing more slowly.

Why it takes several sessions: the hair growth cycle

Each hair goes through a growth phase (anagen), a short transition (catagen) and a resting phase (telogen) before it sheds and a new hair starts. The laser targets pigment in the hair and only disables the follicle reliably while the hair is actively growing and attached to its root. Depending on the area, only about 15 to 30% of hairs are in the growth phase at once.

So one session can only treat that fraction. Spacing sessions by the length of the local hair cycle means a new batch of hairs is in the growth phase each time you come back. Coming in too early wastes a session on hairs the laser cannot affect; waiting far too long is less of a problem, but you lose momentum and hairs you had already thinned regrow more strongly.

What to expect through the course

1 to 3 weeks after each session: treated hairs shed. It can look like regrowth as they push out; they are falling, not growing.
After 2 to 3 sessions: noticeably less and finer hair; patchy regrowth is normal.
After 6 to 8 sessions: most people see a large, long-lasting reduction. Laser hair removal is permanent hair reduction, not a guarantee that every hair is gone forever.

Maintenance sessions

Dormant follicles can wake up over time, and hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause, PCOS, some medications) can bring new hair. Most people book a maintenance session every 6 to 12 months after the main course, and the face often needs it a little more often than the legs. Keep the dates of your course so you can see how long you actually stay smooth before booking.

What to avoid between sessions

No waxing, plucking, threading or epilating for the whole course. These remove the root the laser needs. Shaving is fine, and you should shave the area a day before each session.
No tanning, including self-tanner and sunbeds, for 2 to 4 weeks before and after. Tanned skin raises the risk of burns and pigment changes, and many clinics will postpone your session.
Daily SPF on treated areas that see the sun, through the whole course.
No bleaching the hair; the laser needs the pigment.
Pause strong actives on the treated skin for a few days before and after: retinoids, acids, scrubs. Ask your clinic how long.
After each session: no hot showers, saunas, pools, perfume or tight friction on the area for 24 to 48 hours; no exercise that makes you sweat for 24 hours.
Tell your clinic about new medications, especially anything that makes skin more light-sensitive.

Keeping to the schedule

The hardest part of laser is turning up on time for 8 appointments over a year. Book the next session before you leave, write down the area, the device and the settings used, and note how your skin reacted. If a clinic changes your settings or you change clinics, that record is exactly what the next technician wants to know.

Frequently asked questions

How many sessions of laser hair removal do I need?

Usually 6 to 8 for most areas, sometimes more for hormonal facial hair or very dense hair.

What happens if I miss a laser session?

Nothing is lost, but regrowth may get a head start. Book the next session as soon as you can rather than restarting the whole course.

Can I shave between laser sessions?

Yes. Shaving does not remove the root, so it does not interfere. Only waxing, plucking, threading and epilating need to stop.

Glamdu remembers it for you

Log every session with area, device and settings. Glamdu reminds you when the next one is due for that area, and when a maintenance session is coming up.

General information, not medical advice. How long a treatment lasts varies from person to person; always follow your injector, dermatologist or practitioner. Last updated October 14, 2026.