During the initial consultation, how long should a patient be informed that laser hair removal will take?

The answer indicating that a series of treatments is necessary reflects the reality of how laser hair removal works. Laser hair removal is most effective when performed over multiple sessions. This is due to the natural hair growth cycle, which includes phases such as anagen (growth), catagen (transitional), and telogen (resting). Not all hair follicles are in the same phase at the same time; therefore, multiple treatments are required to effectively target and destroy hair in the active growth phase.

Patients should be informed that they will need to attend several sessions, typically spaced weeks apart, to achieve the desired results. This education is crucial for managing expectations and ensuring that the patient understands the commitment involved in the hair removal process. Each session may vary in duration depending on the size of the area being treated, but the key point is that effective hair removal generally cannot be achieved in just one session.