It’s one of the most common questions we get — and honestly, a fair one: “When will I actually start seeing results from laser hair removal?”
You’ve made the decision, booked the treatment, and now you’re wondering when those smooth, stubble-free results are going to show up. The good news? You won’t have to wait long — but the timing depends on a few important factors, including your hair type, skin tone, and consistency.
Here’s a complete guide to what happens after your first session, when you’ll start noticing visible changes, and how to make your results last beautifully.
Understanding How Laser Hair Removal Works
Laser hair removal isn’t instant, but it’s precise. Each treatment targets the pigment (melanin) within the hair follicle using controlled pulses of light. The energy travels down the hair shaft, heats the follicle, and damages its ability to regrow.
The key detail? Lasers only work on hairs that are in the active growth phase (the anagen phase). But not all hairs are in that phase at the same time — which is why laser hair removal requires a series of sessions spaced a few weeks apart.
Each session gradually reduces the number of active follicles, leading to smoother skin and slower regrowth over time.
So, When Will You See Results?
Most people start noticing results after the first 2–3 sessions — though the exact timeline can vary slightly from person to person.
Here’s a rough idea of what to expect:
After Your First Session:
You may not see dramatic changes right away. Within 1–2 weeks, treated hairs often begin to shed naturally — they’ll look like they’re still growing, but they’ll soon fall out.
The skin in that area may already feel a bit smoother, but don’t be surprised if some new hairs appear soon after. These aren’t the same ones growing back — they’re simply follicles that weren’t in the active phase during your first treatment.
After 3–4 Sessions:
This is when most clients start to notice a visible difference. Hair tends to grow back finer, softer, and patchier, and the time between shaving or touch-ups becomes noticeably longer.
Many people report that their skin feels smoother for weeks, even between sessions.
After Completing Your Full Course:
A full course usually involves 6–8 sessions, depending on the area treated, hair density, and your body’s natural growth cycle.
By the end of your course, you can expect a permanent reduction of 80–90% of visible hair. The remaining hairs are typically much lighter and finer — often barely noticeable.
For some, the skin looks clearer, calmer, and more even-toned too — a bonus benefit of consistent laser treatments.
Why Everyone’s Timeline Is a Little Different
Just like skincare or fitness, results from laser hair removal are personal. Several factors influence how quickly you’ll see visible changes:
1. Hair Colour and Thickness
Lasers work best on darker, coarser hairs because they contain more pigment for the laser to target. Fine, light, or grey hairs can take longer to respond or may need more sessions for noticeable reduction.
2. Skin Tone
Modern laser systems (like those used at Body Crush London) are designed to treat a wide range of skin tones safely and effectively. However, settings are carefully calibrated for your unique combination of hair and skin — meaning results can vary slightly depending on how much contrast there is between the two.
3. Treatment Area
Some areas respond faster than others. For example:
- The underarms and bikini line often show results quickly because hair there is thicker and more pigmented.
- Facial areas can take longer due to finer hairs and hormone influence.
- Legs and arms usually fall somewhere in between.
4. Consistency
This one matters most. Sticking to your treatment schedule — usually every 4–6 weeks — ensures the laser catches each follicle in the right growth phase. Missing appointments can slow progress (we cover this in our blog on what happens if you miss a session).
What Results Look and Feel Like
The changes you’ll notice aren’t just visual — they’re also about how your skin feels.
- Less roughness: Fewer active follicles mean smoother texture, even between shaves.
- Reduced shadowing: Areas like the underarms appear lighter once coarse hair growth decreases.
- Softer regrowth: New hairs that do appear tend to be thinner, lighter, and much less noticeable.
- Longer-lasting smoothness: Over time, you’ll find yourself shaving (or thinking about shaving) far less often.
And because the laser targets follicles directly, there’s no stubble, no ingrown hairs, and no irritation — just genuinely smooth, comfortable skin.
How to Maximise Your Results
While your practitioner handles the laser, there’s plenty you can do to help your results shine:
- Stick to your schedule. This ensures every follicle is treated at the right time in its growth cycle.
- Avoid sun exposure. Tanned skin can make the laser’s job harder and increase the risk of irritation.
- Skip waxing or plucking. The laser needs the follicle intact to target it effectively.
- Keep skin hydrated. Moisturised skin heals faster and maintains that post-laser glow.
- Be patient. Real, long-lasting results take consistency — but they’re worth the wait.
Your practitioner may also recommend maintenance sessions once or twice a year to keep your results in top condition.
If you’re curious about how long those results last, our guide on how long laser results typically last explains exactly what to expect over time.
When to Worry (and When Not To)
If you don’t see visible results right away, don’t panic — it doesn’t mean the treatment isn’t working. Most changes happen gradually beneath the skin before you can see them.
However, if you’ve had several sessions with little to no change, it’s worth checking in with your practitioner. They can review your laser settings, treatment intervals, and hair characteristics to ensure everything’s optimised for your skin.
At Body Crush London, we tailor every treatment plan individually, using professional laser sessions tailored to your skin type to ensure you get the most effective and comfortable experience possible.
The Long Game: Lasting Smoothness
Laser hair removal is a journey — one that rewards patience and consistency. The real transformation builds quietly with each session, until one day, you notice you haven’t picked up a razor in weeks.
For most clients, that moment arrives somewhere between sessions four and six — when the skin feels soft, the regrowth is minimal, and you realise the routine of shaving or waxing is slowly becoming a thing of the past.
And that’s when you know it’s working.
Final Thoughts
You’ll likely start seeing results from laser hair removal after just a few sessions — but the biggest changes come with consistency. Each treatment weakens more follicles, bringing you closer to lasting smoothness and confidence in your skin.
Whether it’s your underarms, legs, or bikini line, the key is sticking to your plan and letting the process do its work. Smooth skin isn’t instant, but it’s absolutely achievable — and the results are worth every session.
At Body Crush London, we’re here to make that journey effortless, effective, and empowering — so you can look forward to skin that feels as good as it looks.
