What “Treatment Resistance” Really Means
Treatment resistance does not mean hair removal failed.
It means the method no longer matches the biology of the hair being treated.
Most clients who experience resistance are doing everything “right”:
- Consistent appointments
- Proper aftercare
- Quality equipment
Yet hair slows, thins, then stalls.
That plateau is not random.
The Hair Growth Cycle Problem
Hair only responds to treatment during the anagen (active growth) phase. At any moment, only a percentage of hairs are actually treatable.
Common resistance causes:
- Appointments spaced too far apart
- Skipping sessions resets cycle alignment
- Treating dormant hairs repeatedly
Laser and electrolysis cannot destroy a follicle that is not biologically active.
Timing matters more than intensity.
Hormonal Hair Is a Different Category
Some hair is hormone driven, not genetically programmed.
Common areas:
- Chin
- Jawline
- Neck
- Areola
- Abdomen
- Groin
Common triggers:
- PCOS
- Perimenopause or menopause
- Testosterone therapy
- Androgen sensitivity
Laser often reduces these hairs initially, then stops. Hormones continue stimulating new follicles.
This is not laser failure.
It is hormonal override.
Electrolysis becomes necessary when hormones keep recruiting new growth.
Pigment Limitations
Laser and IPL require melanin to work.
Hair that resists laser:
- Blonde
- Red
- Grey
- White
- Very fine vellus hair
As hair lightens from treatment, laser effectiveness drops. This is expected.
Electrolysis does not rely on pigment and remains effective regardless of hair color.
Undertreatment vs Overtreatment
Resistance can come from both ends.
Undertreatment
- Energy too low for destruction
- Conservative settings repeated endlessly
- Hair sheds but regrows
This creates the illusion of progress without permanence.
Overtreatment
- Excessive energy causing skin damage
- Heat disperses before reaching the follicle
- Skin reacts but follicle survives
Pain and redness do not equal effectiveness.
Precision does.
Machine Does Not Equal Outcome
Two clinics can use the same device and produce completely different results.
Why:
- Insertion angle
- Depth control
- Pulse timing
- Hair mapping accuracy
- Experience reading skin response
Hair removal is operator dependent, not just technology dependent.
Resistance often reflects a technique mismatch, not a device limitation.
When Switching Methods Is the Answer
Resistance is a signal to reassess, not repeat endlessly.
Common transitions:
- Laser → Electrolysis for facial or hormonal hair
- Laser → Electrolysis for lightened or residual hairs
- Waxing or shaving → Laser or electrolysis for chronic ingrowns
Staying with the wrong method wastes time and money.
Psychological Fatigue Is Real
Treatment resistance creates frustration, self blame, and distrust.
Clients often assume:
- Their body is “broken”
- Hair removal does not work on them
- They need stronger treatments
In reality, they need better alignment between biology and method.
Final Thoughts
Hair removal is not linear. Plateaus happen when biology changes or limitations appear.
Laser reduces.
Electrolysis eliminates.
Hormones complicate.
Timing controls outcomes.
Understanding resistance early prevents years of stalled progress and unnecessary treatments.
Progress resumes when the method matches the hair.