Laser Hair Removal Procedure and Benefits
Learn about laser hair removal procedure, benefits, safety, side effects, preparation, aftercare, and who is the right candidate for treatment.
28 Jan 2026
by Prakash Hospital
Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery
Laser Hair Removal
Laser light targets the pigment in hair roots to thin out unwanted hair over a course of sessions, with settings chosen for your skin tone.
- Session duration
- 15 to 60 minutes, by area
- Sessions
- Usually 6 to 8, 4 to 8 weeks apart
- Anaesthesia
- None, numbing cream if needed
- Results
- Long-term reduction, not total removal
On this page
Overview
If you thread your upper lip every two weeks and still see stubble by the weekend, or shave your neck daily and get painful bumps, you know how much time unwanted hair takes. For some women, thick hair on the chin, jaw or chest is also a sign of a hormone problem such as PCOS, which is worth checking before you start.
Laser hair removal sends short pulses of light into the skin. The pigment (melanin) in the hair absorbs the light and turns it into heat, which damages the follicle that makes the hair. Hair then grows back finer and slower, or not at all. The laser only affects hairs in their active growth phase, and only some hairs are in that phase at any moment, so you need a course of sessions spaced weeks apart.
Most people end up with much less hair, and what grows back is thinner and lighter. This is long-term reduction rather than permanent removal. Some hairs, especially hormone-driven hair on the face, return over time and need a touch-up once or twice a year. The laser doesn't work on white, grey, blonde or red hair, because there is too little pigment to absorb the light.
Our skin and hair department uses laser systems for hair removal that can be adjusted for different skin tones. Brown skin has more melanin competing with the hair for the light, so a dermatologist assesses your skin type first and sets the laser to match, with a test patch where needed.
Who it helps
Laser works when the hair is darker than the skin around it. That describes most Indian patients, though darker skin needs more careful settings.
- Unwanted hair on the upper lip, chin, jawline or sides of the face
- Hair on the underarms, arms, legs or bikini line that you're tired of waxing or shaving
- Excess hair linked to PCOS or other hormone problems (hirsutism), alongside medical treatment
- Ingrown hairs and razor bumps in the beard area, common in men with curly beard hair
- Chest, back or shoulder hair in men who want it cleared
Treatment options
Matching the laser to your skin
Lasers with longer wavelengths, such as diode and Nd:YAG types, reach the hair root while heating the surface less, so they are generally preferred for brown and darker skin. The dermatologist sets the energy and pulse length for your skin type and hair thickness, starting lower and adjusting from session to session.
Laser or IPL
Intense pulsed light (IPL) machines, common in salons, are not lasers. Their light is less targeted and more likely to burn or darken brown skin, which is why dermatologists usually prefer a laser for Indian skin.
Face and body
Facial hair, especially hormone-driven hair on the chin, often needs more sessions, about every 4 to 6 weeks. Legs, arms and underarms usually respond faster, with sessions every 6 to 8 weeks because body hair regrows more slowly.
Before you start
- Shave the area 12 to 24 hours before. Shaving is fine, but stop waxing, threading, plucking and epilating 4 to 6 weeks before, because the laser needs the root in place
- Avoid sun tanning for 2 to 4 weeks before. Tanned skin absorbs more of the laser and burns more easily. A rash or infection on the area also means waiting
- Tell us about all your medicines, including isotretinoin, antibiotics such as doxycycline and herbal remedies. Some make skin sensitive to light
- If you have irregular periods or new hair on the chin or chest, get the hormone problem checked. Untreated, the hair tends to return
- Come with clean skin and no make-up, deodorant, perfume or cream on the area
- Starting in winter keeps the strongest sun away from the course. Plan sessions around weddings, travel and festivals
What happens in a session
- 01
Checking your skin and hair
The dermatologist confirms your skin type and hair colour and marks the area. A small test patch may be done first and checked a few days later.
- 02
Cleaning and protecting
The skin is cleaned and any leftover hair trimmed. You and the operator wear protective goggles, because laser light can damage the eyes. Moles and tattoos are covered or avoided.
- 03
Cooling and laser pulses
A cooling gel or chilled tip protects the surface while the handpiece moves across the area in overlapping pulses. Each pulse feels like a rubber band snapping against the skin, with a quick burst of heat.
- 04
Soothing the skin
Cold compresses and a soothing cream calm the area. Mild redness and small bumps around each hair root are normal and usually settle within hours to a day.
Benefits and risks
Benefits
- Long-term reduction in hair, with regrowth that is finer and lighter
- Fewer ingrown hairs, razor bumps and dark marks from shaving and waxing
- Much less time spent threading, waxing or shaving
- Large areas such as the back or legs can be treated in one sitting
- No cuts or needles, and most people go back to work straight after
Possible risks
- Redness, swelling and bumps around the hair roots for a few hours to a day, which almost everyone gets
- Darker or lighter patches of skin, more likely in brown or tanned skin. They are usually temporary and fade over weeks to months
- Burns or blisters, uncommon with careful settings but more likely on recently tanned skin
- Paradoxical hair growth, where nearby hair becomes thicker. It is rare, seen mostly on the face and neck in darker skin
- Eye injury if goggles are not worn, which is why they stay on throughout
Between and after sessions
There is no real downtime. Most people go back to work or college the same day.
- 01
The first 48 hours
Redness and bumps settle. Avoid hot showers, steam, saunas, swimming and heavy exercise for a day or two, and keep deodorant and perfumed products off treated underarms for 24 hours.
- 02
Weeks 1 to 3
Treated hairs shed over 1 to 3 weeks and can look like regrowth at first. Let them fall out. You can shave between sessions, but no waxing, threading or plucking.
- 03
During the course
Put sunscreen on exposed treated areas every day and keep them out of strong sun, especially on a two-wheeler and in summer. Each session you should see less hair and slower regrowth.
- 04
After the last session
Hair usually stays much reduced for years. Touch-ups are needed more often if hormones keep driving new growth, so keep any hormone treatment going.
When to call your doctor
- Blisters, crusts or raw skin in the treated area
- Redness or pain that is worse after 48 hours instead of better
- Pus, spreading redness or fever
- Eye pain or any change in vision after a facial session
- Dark or white patches appearing in the weeks after a session
Call us on +91-8826000033 or come straight to our 24/7 emergency department.
Other options
Shaving, waxing and threading
Cheap and quick, and fine if you don't mind doing them often. They don't reduce hair over time, and waxing and threading cause ingrown hairs and dark marks in some people.
Electrolysis
A fine probe destroys each follicle with an electric current, one hair at a time. It works on white and light hair, which lasers can't treat, but it is slow and only practical for small areas.
Medical treatment for hormonal hair
When excess hair comes from PCOS or another hormone problem, tablets prescribed by your gynaecologist or physician slow new growth. Many women combine them with laser for a longer-lasting result.
Talk to our Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery team
Ask about your options, the cost and your insurance before you decide. See the insurance and TPA panels we work with.
This page explains Laser Hair Removal in general terms. Your own plan depends on your health, your test results and your doctor's advice. Please read our medical disclaimer.
Your care team
Laser Hair Removal is led by our Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery team, with other departments stepping in at each stage of your care.
Leads your treatment
Skin and Hair Department
At Prakash Hospital, our Skin and Hair Department offers personalized dermatology and cosmetic care, delivering advanced treatments for healthier skin and stronger hair.
What the department treats
Acne Management
Hair Restoration (PRP)
Laser Therapy
Chemical Peels
Anti-Aging Treatments
Vitiligo Treatment
Meet the specialists
Related procedures
Procedures often considered alongside Laser Hair Removal, or that treat related conditions.
Chemical Peel
A controlled acid solution lifts damaged surface skin to fade pigmentation, tanning and acne marks.
Microdermabrasion
Gentle exfoliation that removes dead surface skin to brighten dull skin and soften light marks, with no downtime.
Botox & Fillers
Anti-wrinkle injections and hyaluronic acid fillers that soften lines and restore facial volume, with no downtime.
Gynecology & Obstetrics
PCOS Ovarian Drilling
Keyhole surgery on the ovaries to restart ovulation in PCOS when tablets haven't worked, without raising the twin risk.
More in Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery
Other procedures our Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery team performs.
Scar Revision
Surgery, often with injections, to make wide, raised or tight scars flatter and less noticeable.
Vitiligo Treatment
Creams, light therapy, tablets and grafting to stop white patches spreading and restore skin colour.
Acne Scar Treatment
Microneedling, laser, peels and minor procedures matched to your scar type to smooth pitted acne scars.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about Laser Hair Removal at Prakash Hospital, Noida.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
Does it hurt?
Is it safe for dark Indian skin?
I have PCOS. Will laser work for me?
Can I have it during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Can teenagers have laser hair removal?
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