Starting laser in January? Here’s what usually happens after each session, when shedding kicks in, how we space appointments, and what to do between visits for the best results.

You’re thinking about starting laser in January, and you want one thing:

A clear timeline. Not vague “results vary” stuff.

So here’s the honest breakdown of what most people notice after session 1, session 2, and beyond, plus how we space appointments at Laser Me Out and what actually helps you get better results.

First, what “results” actually means

Laser is long-term hair reduction. In real life, that looks like:

• Hair grows back slower
• Hair grows back finer
• You get patchy gaps (this is good)
• You shave less often
• Less irritation from shaving (for lots of people)

Some areas can end up almost hair-free for long periods. Some areas (especially hormonal ones) might need top-ups later. Both are normal.

The part most people don’t know (and it stops panic)

Laser works best when hairs are in the active growth stage. But your hairs aren’t all in that stage at once.

That’s why:

• You don’t see “final results” after one session
• You need consistent appointments
• Some areas respond faster than others

So if you do session 1 and you’re like “is this doing anything?” - that’s common.

Your January start timeline

Session 1 (January): “Wait, is it working?”

Right after (Day 1 to 3)

• Warmth, redness, tiny bumps around follicles can happen
• It usually settles quickly
• Your skin might feel a bit dry or sensitive for a day or two

The confusing part (Day 7 to 21)
This is when people message like: “It’s growing back already.”

A lot of the time it’s not “growing back”. It’s shedding.
Treated hairs can look like they’re coming through, but they’re actually loosening and pushing out.

What you’ll notice first

• Hair feels slower
• Regrowth looks less even
• Shaving feels easier and less frequent
• Some spots look calmer already

Girly pop reality check
Session 1 is rarely dramatic. It’s usually the start of change, not the finish.

Session 2 (February): “Ok I can see it”

This is where most people start feeling confident it’s working.

Common changes

• Bigger gaps in growth
• Hair feels softer or finer in places
• Underarms and bikini often start looking less “shadowy”
• Less itchiness after shaving

Session 3 (March): “I’m shaving way less”

For loads of clients, this is the turning point.

Common changes

• You shave less often without thinking about it
• Regrowth is noticeably patchy and thinner
• You stop planning outfits around hair removal

Sessions 4 to 6 (April onwards): “This is the easy part”

Now it’s about stacking results.

Common changes

• Patchy areas keep shrinking
• Hair becomes finer and slower
• You feel like you’re maintaining progress, not fighting regrowth

How we usually space sessions at Laser Me Out

Spacing matters more than most people think. Too soon and you’re treating hairs that aren’t ready. Too late and the process drags out.

At Laser Me Out, we typically book:

• Face areas: around every 4 weeks
• Most body areas: around every 6 weeks

As you progress, your therapist might adjust timing based on how your hair is coming through (some clients can move to slightly longer gaps later in the course). The goal is always the same: treat at the right time for your growth.

Also worth knowing

• Your first visit is consultation + patch test
• If you’re suitable, you can usually start treatment within 24 to 48 hours

What responds fastest (and what needs patience)

Not all areas behave the same, so don’t compare underarms to your face.

Underarms

Often one of the quickest “wow” areas.
Hair is usually darker and more consistent, so it can respond well.

Legs

Steady progress, usually very satisfying over time.
It can feel gradual at first, then you suddenly notice you’re shaving way less.

Hollywood / bikini

Can be amazing, but it’s also a stubborn area for some people because:

• hair is thicker
• skin is more sensitive
• hormones can play a role

So you might feel more sensation there, and results can look patchy for a while before they even out.

Face (upper lip, chin, jawline)

Face hair can be more hormone-led, so it can need more patience and sometimes more sessions. Still very treatable, just expect it to be less predictable than underarms.

What slows results down (and how to fix it)

If you feel like it’s not working, it’s usually one of these:

1) Waxing, plucking, threading

Laser needs the follicle there. If you pull the hair out from the root, you’re making it harder to treat.
Shaving only during your course.

2) Big gaps between sessions

Consistency is everything. If you keep pushing appointments back, you stretch the full timeline.

3) Hormones

PCOS, postpartum changes, stress, and some meds can make growth more stubborn.
You can still get great results, you might just need extra sessions or occasional top-ups.

4) Shaving issues

If there’s lots of surface hair, the energy can get wasted on what’s above the skin instead of where it needs to go.
A close shave helps your session work better and usually feels more comfortable.

What to do before your appointment (save this)

24 hours before

• Shave the area (close shave, no stubble if you can)
• Skip new skincare, perfumes, or strong products on the area

On the day

• Come with clean skin
• No fake tan on the area
• For underarms, avoid deodorant right before your session
• For face, keep it simple - no heavy makeup if you can

If you’re ever unsure, just ask and we’ll guide you.

Aftercare that actually matters

Laser aftercare is easy, but don’t ignore it.

For the first 24 to 48 hours

• Avoid hot baths, saunas, steam rooms
• Avoid heavy workouts if your skin feels sensitive
• Don’t scrub, pick, or use harsh exfoliants
• Keep skin calm and moisturised

For the next few days

• Treat the area gently
• If you’re going to be out, wear SPF on exposed areas

“It looks like it’s growing back” - read this before you panic

This is the most common confusion.

After laser, hairs can look like they’re growing, but a lot of the time they’re shedding. They loosen and push out over 1 to 3 weeks.

If you shave during that time, it can also mask what’s happening (because you’re not seeing the shedding hairs). So don’t judge results day-by-day. Look at:

• how fast it comes back
• how thick it is
• how often you need to shave

That’s the real measure.

Quick FAQs

Can I shave between sessions?

Yes. Shave whenever you need. Just avoid waxing or plucking.

Will laser work if my hair is light?

Laser works best when there’s pigment in the hair. Very light, white, grey, or red hair can be harder to treat. The consultation is where we’ll tell you honestly what to expect.

Will I be smooth forever?

Laser is long-term reduction. Some people stay smooth for ages. Some need top-ups, especially in hormonal areas.

Why do some bits grow and some don’t?

Hair grows in cycles, and each session catches different follicles at the right stage. Patchy results early on are normal.

The simple plan if you want results by spring

If you start in January and stay consistent, you give yourself a proper runway to see changes by March and strong progress by late spring.

The key is boring but true:

• book the right spacing
• shave, don’t wax
• don’t skip sessions
• keep skin calm

If you want, tell me which areas you want to focus on (Hollywood, underarms, legs, face, etc.) and I’ll add an “area-by-area timeline” section so the reader feels like it’s written for them, not everyone.