The short answer: Laser hair removal reduces ingrown hairs substantially for most people, because fewer and finer hairs regrow and you shave far less often. Studies of shaving bumps in darker skin types have found large drops in bumps after a handful of sessions. It rarely stops them completely or permanently: most people need several treatments plus occasional maintenance, and the procedure should be done by an experienced clinician, particularly on brown and Black skin.
If you’ve changed razors, perfected your technique and still get ingrown hairs, laser hair removal is usually the next conversation. The logic is simple. No hair, no ingrown hair. The reality is more nuanced, so here’s what the evidence and dermatology guidance actually say.
In this article
How laser hair removal works
A laser emits light that the pigment in hair absorbs. The heat damages the hair follicle so it can’t grow hair as easily, explains the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Cleveland Clinic notes that because dark hair has the most pigment, it absorbs the most heat, which is why the treatment works best on dark hair and doesn’t work on blond, white, gray or red hair.
Treatments are spaced out because hairs grow in cycles. The AAD says most patients can have treatment every four to six weeks, while Cleveland Clinic describes six to eight sessions spaced six to eight weeks apart. Results vary with the area, your hair and your skin.
Laser hair removal and ingrown hairs: what studies show
Ingrown hairs from shaving have been studied most in the beard area, where the condition is called pseudofolliculitis barbae. It is especially common in people with tightly curled hair. A review in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology notes that the same process occurs on the legs, underarms and pubic area of women who shave, and lists several lasers suitable for darker skin, including the long-pulsed Nd:YAG (1,064 nm), diode and alexandrite lasers, typically over three to seven sessions (Ogunbiyi, 2019).
- In 20 people with skin types V and VI treated twice with a long-pulse Nd:YAG laser, the number of bumps and hairs dropped significantly at one, two and three months, and side effects were limited to temporary darker or lighter patches, mild redness and itching (Weaver and Sagaral, 2003).
- A low-fluence 1,064-nm laser study in skin types IV to VI reported a 91.2% mean reduction in bump count and a 59.5% reduction in dark marks, with patients rating discomfort at 1 out of 10 (Schulze et al., 2009).
- A 2026 study of 50 active-duty service members found that 70% saw at least a 75% reduction in bumps right after treatment and 88% were satisfied. But shaving bumps came back in 84%, more than half of them within six months (Kravitz et al., 2026).
These are small studies, mostly in men’s beards, so the exact numbers won’t transfer neatly to the legs or bikini line. The direction is consistent, though: fewer hairs means far fewer bumps, and the effect fades without maintenance.
Key takeaways
- Laser hair removal works by damaging follicles so fewer, finer hairs regrow.
- Studies in people with shaving bumps show large reductions in bumps after a few sessions.
- Bumps often return over months, so maintenance sessions are common.
- Dark hair responds best; blond, white, gray and red hair don’t respond.
- Brown and Black skin can be treated safely with the right laser and an experienced operator.
Is the result permanent?
Mostly, but not entirely. The AAD says that after six or more treatments to an area, laser hair removal is permanent on most of the body, except on a woman’s face. Its FAQ is more measured: most patients stay hair-free for months or even years, and hair that does regrow is usually finer and lighter (AAD FAQs). Expect a 10% to 25% reduction after the first session. Cleveland Clinic describes the procedure as not permanent: some hair grows back, usually lighter and thinner.
For ingrown hairs, even partial reduction matters. Finer regrowth and far less frequent shaving both work in your favor.
Laser hair removal on darker skin
Pigment changes are the main concern on brown and Black skin. The AAD says laser hair removal is an option for people with dark skin but must be performed very carefully. The studies above specifically treated skin types IV to VI with the 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser, one of the options the 2019 review lists for darker skin. Cleveland Clinic notes that results may be less pronounced in people with dark skin.
Ask any provider how much experience they have treating your skin tone, which lasers they use, and whether they’ll do a test spot. The AAD recommends having laser treatments performed by a board-certified dermatologist or a physician with in-depth knowledge of the skin.
Side effects and how to prepare
| Topic | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Common side effects | Discomfort, swelling and redness for one to three days |
| Less common risks | Blistering, cold sore flare-ups, infection, scarring, lighter or darker patches of skin |
| Pigment changes | Often fade, but can be permanent |
| Before treatment | Avoid tanning; shave the area two to three days before; don’t wax, tweeze or pluck |
| How it feels | Often described as warm pinpricks or a rubber band snap |
These points come from the AAD’s FAQs and Cleveland Clinic. Avoiding waxing and plucking matters because the laser targets the pigmented hair inside the follicle. The AAD also notes that laser hair removal won’t work well if you have a tan.
What about at-home devices?
Home laser and light devices are sold widely. The AAD suggests talking with a dermatologist before using one, and notes that laser treatment in inexperienced hands can cause burns, blisters, infections and dark spots.
Laser and other bumps: strawberry legs and KP
When shaving irritation is behind strawberry legs, reducing hair can help there too; our guide explains when. Keratosis pilaris is different: it isn’t caused by hair removal. A 2020 systematic review found that lasers had the strongest evidence of any KP treatment, although the best-supported device in that review, the Q-switched Nd:YAG, is a different type of laser from the long-pulse lasers used for hair removal (Maghfour et al.). A dermatologist can tell you which applies to your bumps.
Is laser hair removal right for you?
It tends to make the most sense if ingrown hairs keep returning despite good shaving technique, if they’re leaving dark marks or scars, or if you’re tired of shaving an area every day or two. It makes less sense if your hair is light, if you’re not willing to commit to several sessions plus maintenance, or if you can’t avoid the sun before treatment. Before booking, try the basics in how to prevent shaving bumps, and see our guides for legs, the bikini line and underarms.
See a board-certified dermatologist if
- Ingrown hairs are leaving raised scars or keloids.
- Bumps are painful, pus-filled or spreading, which needs treatment first.
- Dark marks are building up after repeated bumps.
- You had blistering, burns or lasting color changes after a laser session.
Frequently asked questions
How many laser sessions does it take to stop ingrown hairs?
Most people need several. The AAD says most patients need two to six treatments, Cleveland Clinic describes six to eight, and a review of shaving-bump treatment cites three to seven. The AAD says to expect a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after the first session.
Can laser hair removal cause ingrown hairs?
Laser hair removal is meant to reduce ingrown hairs, and Cleveland Clinic lists a reduced risk of ingrown hairs as a benefit. Shaving between sessions may still cause some bumps until regrowth slows.
Is laser hair removal safe for the bikini area?
Yes, in experienced hands. The AAD lists the bikini area among the areas lasers can treat. Make sure your provider is experienced with your skin tone and the area.
Will ingrown hairs come back after laser hair removal?
They can. In a 2026 study of service members, bumps returned in 84% of participants, often within six months, so maintenance treatments are common. Regrowth tends to be finer, which helps.
Does laser hair removal work on blond or gray hair?
No. The laser targets pigment in the hair, so blond, white, gray and red hair don’t respond, according to the AAD and Cleveland Clinic.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology. “6 ways to remove unwanted hair.” AAD.org. source
- American Academy of Dermatology. “Laser hair removal: FAQs.” AAD.org. source
- American Academy of Dermatology. “Laser hair removal: Overview.” AAD.org. source
- Cleveland Clinic. “Laser hair removal.” Cleveland Clinic Health Library. source
- Ogunbiyi A. “Pseudofolliculitis barbae; current treatment options.” Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019. source
- Weaver SM, Sagaral EC. “Treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae using the long-pulse Nd:YAG laser on skin types V and VI.” Dermatologic Surgery, 2003. source
- Schulze R, Meehan KJ, Lopez A, et al. “Low-fluence 1,064-nm laser hair reduction for pseudofolliculitis barbae in skin types IV, V, and VI.” Dermatologic Surgery, 2009. source
- Kravitz S, Jones J, Raffetto E, Stanley M, Cho S. “Evaluating the short- and long-term outcomes of laser hair removal for the management of pseudofolliculitis barbae in a military population.” Military Medicine, 2026. source
- Maghfour J, Ly S, Haidari W, Taylor SL, Feldman SR. “Treatment of keratosis pilaris and its variants: a systematic review.” Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022. source
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.