Laser Hair Removal for Ingrown Hairs: What Works
Clinically Reviewed by: Angelica McWilliams, Licensed Advanced Esthetician
Laser hair removal can reduce recurring ingrown hairs, especially when shaving, waxing or tweezing is what causes them. It works on the follicle, so over a series of sessions there is less hair left to curl back into the skin. It is a long-term strategy, not first aid: it will not extract a bump you have today, and it is not the answer to an infected, painful lesion.
Below we cover how the treatment helps, what the evidence says, who gets the best results, what to do about a flare in the meantime, and what to ask a provider before you book.
TL;DR
- Laser reduces hair growth at the follicle, so fewer hairs get cut short and grow back into skin. Most people need about six sessions, sometimes more, plus occasional touch-ups.
- It is a prevention tool. Pause shaving, waxing and plucking during a flare, and see a clinician for spreading redness, significant pus, fever or worsening pain.
- Coarse, dark, curly hair responds best. Blonde, gray and white hair respond poorly. Darker skin can be treated, but the provider’s experience and settings matter a great deal.
- Our published prices in Portland start at $95 for a full face and $70 for underarms per treatment, and consultations are free.
Table of Contents
- Why ingrown hairs happen, and where laser fits
- What the evidence says
- Who gets the best results
- When laser is the wrong first step
- What to do about the bumps you have now
- What treatment involves
- Choosing who treats you
- Our perspective
- What it costs in Portland
- Laser versus the other options
- FAQ
- Sources
Why ingrown hairs happen, and where laser fits
An ingrown hair is a hair that curls back into the skin or never leaves the follicle. Close shaving is a classic trigger because it leaves a sharp tip that can pierce the skin as the hair grows. Curly or coarse hair makes it more likely. Mayo Clinic’s treatment guidance says existing ingrown hairs often improve once you stop shaving, waxing and tweezing, and that this can take one to six months.
That explains why laser helps. Heat from the laser damages the follicle, which Cleveland Clinic lists as the reason for a reduced risk of ingrown hairs compared with other removal methods. Less hair means fewer chances for one to turn inward. Johns Hopkins Medicine also lists permanent hair reduction, including by laser, as an option for chronic cases.
The key word is reduction. Laser changes the long game. It does not act like a pair of sterile tweezers on the bump in front of you.
What the evidence says
The strongest data come from pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), the medical name for razor bumps, which is essentially a chronic ingrown-hair problem in shaved areas.
- An early study in JAMA Dermatology used an 810-nm diode laser for three treatments at 6- to 8-week intervals and evaluated people with pseudofolliculitis for improvement.
- A randomized split-body study of 108 patients reported improvement in almost all patients after 3 to 8 treatments at six-week intervals. The same source describes a 2025 meta-analysis of 10 randomized trials with 1,163 Asian participants with Fitzpatrick III to V skin. It found significant hair reduction across diode, Nd and alexandrite systems, with diode and Nd linked to fewer side effects than alexandrite.
- The Skin of Color Society notes that PFB often affects people of African descent and others with tightly curled hair, which is why provider experience carries so much weight here.
This is evidence that laser can help, not a promise of identical results. Device, wavelength, settings, hair thickness, body area, skin type, hormones and operator skill all change the outcome. The studies also differ in devices and follow-up, so a good consultation sets a measurable goal: fewer bumps and less shaving, not flawless skin after one visit.
Who gets the best results
Hair and skin color
Laser targets pigment in the hair. The best contrast is dark, coarse hair, which is also the hair most likely to become ingrown. Blonde, gray and white hair contain little target pigment and respond poorly, so laser is a weak option for those.
Darker skin tones
Darker skin is not a reason to assume laser is off the table. It does carry a higher risk of burns and pigment changes, so the provider needs to choose conservative, skin-appropriate settings and cooling. DermNet identifies the long-pulsed Nd:YAG at 1064 nm as one of the safest options for many people with skin of color, because it reaches coarse hair while relatively sparing the pigment in the top layer of skin. The exact choice is still individual. Our page on laser hair removal for dark skin explains how we approach it.
Instead of asking only “Do you treat my skin tone?”, ask which wavelength and safeguards the provider uses for your skin type, how they manage pigment risk, and whether a test spot makes sense.
Men and shaving-prone areas
Beard, neck, bikini line and underarms are the usual trouble spots because they are shaved often and the hair is coarse. If this is your main reason for treatment, our guide to laser hair removal for men covers beard and back planning in detail.
When laser is the wrong first step
Be honest about timing. If the area has an active rash, folliculitis or infection, tell the provider before booking. Laser is not a treatment for an infected cyst, and treating a painful, pus-filled bump cosmetically instead of having it evaluated is a common mistake.
See a medical professional, such as your primary care clinician or a dermatologist, if you notice:
- redness that is spreading
- significant pus
- pain that is getting worse
- fever
- a lesion that persists or keeps coming back
It may also not be ingrown hairs at all. Other bumps can look similar, and a persistent lesion deserves a proper diagnosis.
What to do about the bumps you have now
Laser takes weeks to show effect, so you need a plan for the interim.
- Stop close shaving, waxing and plucking. The British Association of Dermatologists says inflammation can take 4 to 6 weeks to settle after you stop hair removal.
- Do not dig or squeeze. Manipulation can worsen inflammation and cause scarring.
- Trim instead of shaving. An electric clipper that does not cut close to the skin is the recommended compromise. Mayo Clinic advises not starting to shave again until the ingrown hairs have cleared.
- Use warm compresses for 10 to 15 minutes for symptomatic relief, as Cleveland Clinic advises.
- Get it assessed if it does not settle or any warning sign above appears.
If you want to start laser, ask the provider how long to let the skin calm first. Treating over an active flare is something to discuss in your consultation, not to decide alone.
What treatment involves
A consultation reviews your skin and hair color, the treatment area, medications, tanning, prior reactions and goals. Treatment then uses repeated pulses of light over the area. Cleveland Clinic says most people need about six treatments, and the American Academy of Dermatology says six or more may be needed. Our own guide to how many treatments you will need goes through the factors.
Expect these realities:
- It is reduction, not a guaranteed one-time cure. Both organizations stress that “permanent” claims need qualifying. Touch-ups are normal, and hormonal hair, especially on the face, may regrow. Our maintenance and timeline guide shows what that looks like in practice.
- Short-term side effects are common. Temporary redness, pain or burning can occur. Rarer complications include blistering, scarring, infection, and temporary or permanent lightening or darkening of the skin. See our page on whether laser hair removal hurts.
- A less obvious risk is more hair. A 2021 systematic review of 9,733 patients estimated paradoxical hypertrichosis at 3% overall, and 0.08% outside the face and neck. Face and neck deserve a specific conversation before treatment.
Preparing and aftercare
Disclose tanning or recent sun exposure, a history of abnormal scarring or pigment changes, cold sores, medications and any active rash or infection. Avoid tanning and follow the clinician’s instructions on shaving. Our preparation guide and post-care instructions cover the details. Never attempt laser hair removal at home.
Choosing who treats you
The AAD warns that laser hair removal can be dangerous in inexperienced hands, with burns, permanent color changes and scars possible. It recommends treatment by a board-certified dermatologist or under direct dermatologic supervision. Before you book anywhere, ask:
- Who performs the treatment, and what are their credentials and supervision?
- Which laser and wavelength will be used for my skin and hair type?
- Do you do a test spot?
- How do you handle active folliculitis or a recent flare?
- What is the total plan by area, session count and maintenance?
A no-pressure consultation should answer all of these without a sales push.
Our perspective
Most people who come to us about ingrown hairs have been in a loop: shave, bump, irritation, dark mark, repeat. The temptation is to look for a fast fix, and the honest answer is that there isn’t one for a bump that is already there. What we can change is the next six months.
We start by looking at the skin and asking what actually triggers your bumps. Sometimes it is shaving technique, sometimes hair texture, sometimes both. Then we build a plan around a measurable goal, like fewer bumps and fewer shaving days, and we are upfront that several sessions and occasional maintenance are part of it. If something looks infected or unusual, we would rather send you to a physician first than treat over it. Our licensed medical staff take the same careful approach to skin tone: settings are chosen for your skin, not for a default.
— Angelica McWilliams, Licensed Advanced Esthetician
What it costs in Portland
Laser hair removal is generally cosmetic and not typically covered by insurance, per the AAD overview. Our published prices per treatment:
| Area | Price per treatment |
|---|---|
| Full face | $95 |
| Under arms | $70 |
The total depends on the area, the number of sessions and any maintenance, so we confirm the plan with you at your consultation. For a broader breakdown, see our laser hair removal cost guide.
Book a free consultation
If recurring ingrown hairs are wearing on you, come to our Northwest Portland clinic for a free consultation. We will look at your skin, discuss which areas make sense to treat and give you a realistic session estimate. See our laser hair removal treatments and prices.
Laser versus the other options
Waxing and tweezing pull the hair out, which can leave it to regrow and turn inward. Shaving leaves a sharp tip. Depilatory creams can irritate sensitive skin. None of these reduce the number of hairs, which is why bumps return. Laser is the one option in this group that works on the follicle itself. We compare the two most common methods in laser hair removal versus waxing.
FAQ
Does laser hair removal get rid of ingrown hairs?
It can reduce how often they happen by reducing hair growth at the follicle. It does not remove an ingrown hair that is already there, and results vary by hair, skin and device. Most people need about six sessions.
Can I get laser hair removal if I have ingrown hairs now?
Often yes, but tell the provider about any active bumps, rash or infection first. Inflamed or infected areas may need to settle or be assessed by a clinician before treatment.
Can laser hair removal cause ingrown hairs?
It does not typically cause them. During treatment, shed hairs can push out of the follicle and look like small bumps for a short time. Temporary redness is common. If bumps are painful, spreading or full of pus, have them checked.
Is laser safe for darker skin?
It can be, with an experienced provider who selects the right wavelength, energy and cooling. Darker skin has a higher risk of burns and pigment change, so ask about their experience with your skin type and whether a test spot is appropriate.
Will the hair come back?
Some may. Laser gives long-term reduction, not a guaranteed permanent result, and touch-ups are normal, especially where hormones drive growth.
Sources
- Ingrown hair: diagnosis and treatment, Mayo Clinic
- Laser hair removal: how it works and what to expect, Cleveland Clinic
- Ingrown hairs, Johns Hopkins Medicine
- Treatment of pseudofolliculitis with a pulsed infrared laser, JAMA Dermatology
- Laser hair removal study and meta-analysis, Journal of Cosmetic Medicine
- Pseudofolliculitis barbae, Skin of Color Society
- Laser therapy in skin of colour, DermNet
- Pseudofolliculitis, British Association of Dermatologists
- Laser hair removal: overview, American Academy of Dermatology
- Laser hair removal: FAQs, American Academy of Dermatology
- Paradoxical hypertrichosis with laser and light therapy, systematic review
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