Published 12 November 2026 · Reviewed by Dr Sin Yong
Laser hair removal gives long-term hair reduction, not a guarantee that every hair is gone for good. The term regulators allow for lasers is permanent hair reduction: a lasting, stable drop in the number of hairs that regrow. Electrolysis is the method classed as permanent hair removal. Shaving, waxing, threading and creams are temporary. This page sets out the difference.
Short answerLaser hair removal is not permanent hair removal in the strict sense. Lasers are cleared for permanent hair reduction, meaning a long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing after a course of treatment. Some hair can return, often finer and lighter, and hormones can bring new growth. Electrolysis is the method recognised as permanent hair removal. Dr Sin Yong performs laser hair removal with 755 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths on Orchard Road, Singapore, and does not offer electrolysis.
Not in the strict sense. A laser heats the pigment in a growing hair, and the heat damages the structures in the follicle that produce the hair. Follicles damaged enough stop producing visible hair for a long time; others recover and produce a finer, lighter hair.
Only hairs in their growth phase respond at any one visit, which is why treatment is staged. After a course, most people have a lasting reduction. Some regrowth over the years is normal, and new growth can appear when hormones change, for example with polycystic ovary syndrome, pregnancy or certain medicines.
Permanent hair removal vs permanent hair reduction
The two phrases sound alike and mean different things. The US Food and Drug Administration allows laser makers to claim permanent hair reduction, defined as a long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing after a treatment regime. It does not mean every hair in the area is eliminated.
Permanent hair removal is the term associated with electrolysis, in which a fine probe is placed into each follicle and a current destroys it. It works on any hair colour, including white and fair hair, but treats one hair at a time, so it is slow over large areas. Dr Sin Yong does not offer electrolysis.
Permanent hair removal methods and temporary methods compared
Temporary vs long-term hair reduction comes down to whether the follicle itself is affected.
Swipe sideways to see the whole table.
Method
What it does
How long the effect lasts
Notes
Shaving
Cuts the hair at the surface
Temporary
Does not make hair grow back thicker
Waxing, threading, epilating
Pulls the hair out at the root
Temporary; the follicle regrows the hair
Can cause ingrown hairs; must stop before laser
Depilatory creams
Dissolve the hair at the surface
Temporary
Can irritate the skin
IPL
Broad-spectrum light heats pigment in the hair
Long-term reduction in suitable hair
Not a laser; less selective in darker skin; not used here
Laser
A single wavelength heats pigment in the hair and damages the follicle
Long-term, stable reduction
Needs pigment in the hair; wavelength is matched to skin type
Permanent hair removal for men: beard, chest and back
Men's hair is driven by androgens, so follicles on the beard, chest and back are dense, deep and persistent. Laser can reduce them substantially over the long term, and it helps with ingrown hairs and razor bumps, but some regrowth is expected and occasional maintenance is common.
Facial hair in women is often hormonal, so it is the area most likely to regrow or to need further visits. Fine, fair facial hair responds poorly because there is little pigment for the laser to target.
Rarely, laser on the face or neck is followed by more hair growth in or near the treated area, known as paradoxical hypertrichosis. It is discussed before facial treatment, and the settings are chosen with it in mind.
Full body laser hair removal is the same treatment applied area by area: underarms, arms, legs, bikini line, back or chest. Each area has its own hair cycle and its own skin tone, so the settings, and how the plan is paced, differ from area to area.
He checks the hair colour and thickness against the skin tone, asks about hormones, medicines and sun exposure, and chooses between 755 nm for lighter skin and 1064 nm for darker skin, which is safer where the skin itself carries more pigment. Suitability is set out under who suits laser hair removal.
He performs laser hair removal on Orchard Road, Singapore, and tells you at the first visit what the laser can and cannot be expected to do for your hair.
Your next step
1. MessageWhatsApp the clinic with what is bothering you. A reply comes from the clinic, not a bot.
2. AssessmentDr Sin Yong examines you himself on Orchard Road, Singapore.
3. A plan in writingWhat he would do, what he would not, the fee factors, and the option of no treatment.
Every treatment is performed by Dr Sin Yong personally. Singapore Medical Council registered · invited to share his clinical expertise internationally for CLASSYS, DEKA, Fotona, Hironic and Ilooda.
Hair colour, skin tone and hormone history are checked before any laser is used. How consultations work.
Laser hair removal gives long-term hair reduction, not a guarantee that no hair ever returns. After a course most people have a lasting reduction, and hair that regrows is often finer and lighter. Hormonal changes can bring new growth. Lasers are cleared for permanent hair reduction, which means a long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing.
Temporary methods such as shaving, waxing, threading and creams remove the hair but leave the follicle able to regrow it. Long-term hair reduction, from laser or IPL, damages the follicle so fewer hairs regrow. Electrolysis destroys each follicle and is the method classed as permanent hair removal.
Electrolysis is the method recognised as permanent hair removal; it treats one follicle at a time and works on any hair colour. Laser and IPL are recognised for long-term hair reduction. Dr Sin Yong offers laser hair removal and does not offer electrolysis.
Laser can give men a substantial long-term reduction of beard, chest and back hair and helps with ingrown hairs. Because this hair is driven by androgens, some regrowth is expected and occasional maintenance is common.
Dark facial hair can be reduced over the long term with laser, but facial hair in women is often hormonal, so regrowth is more likely than elsewhere. White, grey and very fair hair responds poorly to laser. Rarely, laser on the face is followed by more hair growth nearby, which is discussed beforehand.
Follicles that were resting at the time of treatment, follicles that recovered, and new growth driven by hormones can all produce hair later. Regrowth is usually finer and lighter than before.
References
US Food and Drug Administration. Laser hair removal devices: permanent hair reduction is defined as a long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing after a treatment regime.
Dierickx CC, Grossman MC, Farinelli WA, Anderson RR. Permanent hair removal by normal-mode ruby laser.
Gan SD, Graber EM. Laser hair removal: a review.
About this page: written and medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong, MBBS (NUS), MRCS (Edinburgh) · Last reviewed 12 November 2026 · Illustrative images only, not patients · Editorial policy
