Did you know that understanding hair growth stages is crucial for achieving silky-smooth skin with laser hair removal? At Milan Laser Hair Removal, we believe that knowledge is key to effective treatments. Let’s dive into the four stages of hair growth and discover why they matter for your laser hair removal journey.

The Phases of Hair Growth: From Root to Tip

To keep our clients safe and their treatments effective, it’s essential that laser hair removal professionals know the four phases of hair growth. Let’s take a closer look at each one:

Anagen: The Growth Phase

This is the most active phase of hair growth, lasting between two to six years. During this time, hair can grow up to half an inch per month. It’s also the ideal time for hair removal, as the laser effectively targets the hair follicles.

Catagen: The Transitional Phase

This phase lasts about one to two weeks and marks a slowing of hair growth. The follicles begin to shrink, preparing for the next stage.

Telogen: The Resting Phase

In this phase, which lasts three to four months, hair does not grow and typically remains in place, though it may occasionally fall out.

Exogen: The Shedding Phase

During this phase, hair sheds as new hair begins to grow in its place. It can last anywhere from two to five months, and it's normal to lose up to 100 hairs a day during this time.

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To keep our clients safe and their treatments effective, it’s essential that laser hair removal professionals know the four phases of hair growth.

Laser Hair Removal: Targeting Growth at its Source

When Milan Laser clients visit for a laser hair removal treatment, their hair will be in different growth phases. The laser will best target hairs that are in the anagen growth phase. 

One requirement for a successful treatment is that all clients shave before they arrive.

With no hair above the skin surface, it’s time for laser hair removal to work its magic. The laser light is absorbed by the melanin in the follicle, and the heat from the laser targets and destroys the follicle and compromises the growth cycle.

With repeated treatments, hair will no longer grow in the follicle. All that’s left is silky-smooth, hair-free skin.

Happy woman in a cream sweater pointing at a map of the major hair growth stages

Notes From the Field

“I think it’s important for the client to understand why we do what we do as far as treatment increments go,” said Milan Laser Provider Educator Mary H. “We start with treatments every five weeks, and I have a lot of clients who ask why they can’t do it every three weeks because they want it gone faster. 

“You have to explain that it takes a full five weeks for that hair cycle to occur, and if we treat anywhere before that five-week mark, it’s not going to be an effective treatment because those hair follicles aren’t in their most zappable state.”

Ready To Book Your Free Consultation?

What can we say? We love the science behind laser hair removal. You can discover even more about the benefits of laser hair removal by booking your free consultation with Milan Laser Hair Removal. We’re the country’s largest provider of laser hair removal with more than 380 clinics nationwide. Find a convenient location near you and join the hair-free movement today!

Milan Laser consultation session

Frequently Asked Questions

The anagen (growing) phase lasts between two and six years. The catagen (transition) phase lasts one to two weeks. The telogen (resting) phase lasts three to four months. The exogen (shedding) phase lasts two to five months.

Hair looks similar in all growth phases, but hair in the anagen phase is ready to be removed, as it is present above the skin.

Hair falls out during the exogen (shedding) phase, when old hairs are shed to make way for new growth.

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