Do you always want a sharp beard line without having to shave your cheeks or neck every few days? Then you can choose to have your beard treated with laser hair removal. Laser hair removal can reduce unwanted beard hair, for example above the desired beard line on the cheeks or below the beard line on the neck.
For men who know exactly which beard style they want to maintain, it may laser treatment of the beard line may be interesting. Still, it is wise to think this through carefully. The treatment is aimed at long-term hair reduction, which can make changing your beard style afterward more difficult.
In this article, we explain how beard laser hair removal works, approximately how many treatments you need, what the risks are, and what to consider before having your beard permanently shaped with laser treatment.
What does shaping your beard with laser treatment mean?
When shaping a beard with laser treatment, the entire beard is not removed. Only the hairs outside the desired contours are treated.
For example, think of beard hairs growing high on the cheeks or hairs on the neck that you normally have to shave regularly. Treating these areas can create a clearer separation between the beard and the smooth skin.
A laser targets the pigment in the hairs. The energy is converted into heat and damages the hair follicle, reducing hair growth. Since not every hair is in the same growth phase at the same time, multiple treatments are needed.
Can you have a beard line treated with laser hair removal?
Yes, a beard line can be treated with laser hair removal. For example, you can have the upper edge of the beard on the cheeks refined or unwanted hair on the neck treated.
The major difference compared with shaving or trimming is that with laser hair removal, you choose a much longer-lasting result. Shaving only removes the visible part of the hair, which then grows back. Laser treatment is specifically intended to significantly reduce growth from the hair follicles.
That is why it is important to determine the desired beard line precisely in advance.
Is beard laser hair removal permanent?
Laser hair removal is often described as permanent hair removal, but long-term hair reduction is a more precise description.
After a full course of treatments, the amount of hair may decrease significantly and some hairs may remain absent for a long time. However, it is not guaranteed that every treated hair will disappear forever. Hair may reappear over time, and maintenance treatments may sometimes be necessary.
How well laser hair removal works also varies from person to person. Among other factors, the combination of skin color and hair color plays a role.
Therefore, if you are considering having your beard line lasered, you should assume that the result may be long-lasting. So do not have a large part of your beard treated without careful consideration.
How many treatments are needed for beard laser hair removal?
One laser treatment is normally not enough.
Hairs go through different growth phases, and a laser cannot reach every hair equally effectively during a single treatment. That is why treatments are carried out over several weeks.
Exactly how many sessions are needed depends on your skin, hair color, hair thickness, the laser system used, and the area you want to treat. It often takes multiple treatments before the desired result becomes visible.
A specialized practitioner can better estimate during an initial consultation how many treatments your beard requires.
Can beard hair grow back after laser treatment?
Yes, that is possible. Laser treatment does not automatically mean that no hair will ever grow again in the treated area.
After a full course of treatment, hair growth may be significantly reduced for a long time. Hairs that grow back later may also be finer or lighter than before.
That is why people nowadays often refer to long-term or permanent hair reduction instead of the guarantee that all hairs will disappear permanently.
Can I change my beard style later?
This may be the most important point to consider before having your beard lasered.
Beard styles change. You may currently wear a sharply defined short beard, while in a few years you may prefer a fuller beard or a higher beard line. Once you have had the hairs outside your current beard line permanently removed, you cannot simply get them back.
Therefore, opt for a conservative, natural contour rather than an extremely sharp or low beard line.
Unsure about the style? For now, continue trimming and shaving. This preserves your freedom to choose a different beard style later.
Is beard laser hair removal safe?
Laser hair removal is widely used, but treatment is not completely risk-free. Temporary redness, swelling, or a burning sensation may occur after treatment, for example.
Other possible complications include changes in pigmentation and, in rarer cases, blisters, burns, or scarring.
Skin type plays an important role here. The settings and type of laser must suit the combination of skin and hair color. Therefore, have your face lasered by an experienced professional and discuss in advance which laser system is suitable for your skin.
Laser hair removal for dark skin
Dark skin can also be treated with modern laser techniques, but the choice of equipment and settings is especially important.
Laser hair removal works by detecting pigment in the hair. Because dark skin itself contains more pigment, the practitioner must work carefully to prevent unwanted skin reactions.
Do you have dark skin or skin that develops pigmentation quickly? During the consultation, explicitly ask how much experience the practitioner has with your skin type.
Does having your beard treated with laser hurt?
How painful a treatment feels varies from person to person. The laser pulses may feel like brief pinpricks or as though a rubber band is snapping against the skin.
The face, especially the area around the jaw and upper lip, can be sensitive. Modern equipment often uses cooling to make the treatment more comfortable.
Sensitivity usually decreases again fairly quickly after the treatment.
What should you do before and after laser hair removal for your beard?
Always follow the instructions of the clinic where you are being treated first. The practitioner can explain exactly how to prepare your skin.
Usually, the treatment area must be shaved beforehand. Do not pull out the hairs with tweezers or wax them beforehand, because the laser needs the hair and hair follicle to do its job.
Exposure to bright sunlight and tanning around the time of a treatment can also be undesirable. After the treatment, the skin may temporarily be more sensitive and red. Therefore, treat the skin gently and follow the specialist's aftercare instructions.
Laser hair removal for your beard or simply keep shaving?
Which option is better mainly depends on what matters to you.
If you regularly suffer from unwanted hair above your beard line or on your neck and almost always wear the same beard style, laser hair removal may be worth considering. Ultimately, you will need to shave these areas much less often.
Shaving and trimming, on the other hand, have one major advantage: flexibility. A low, sharp beard line today and a fuller, natural beard in a few months? No problem.
For men who regularly change their beard style, trimming therefore often remains the most practical choice.
Can beard laser hair removal help with ingrown beard hairs?
Ingrown hairs are common in the beard area, especially among men with thick, coarse, or curly beard hair. Shaving can make the problem worse because a shaved hair can grow back into the skin.
Because laser hair removal reduces the amount of hair in the treated area, it may also reduce the number of ingrown hairs for some people.
If you have severe inflammation, painful bumps, or other skin problems in your beard, have them assessed by a doctor or dermatologist instead of experimenting with treatments yourself.
What are the disadvantages of having your beard lasered?
The main disadvantage is that you are making a decision with long-term consequences. A beard line that looks perfect at twenty may no longer be the beard style you want years later.
You also need multiple treatments, and the result may vary from person to person. Temporary skin reactions may also occur, and there are risks if a treatment is not performed properly.
So think carefully about where having your hair removed. Treating a few stray hairs high on the cheeks is a much smaller change than permanently lowering your entire natural beard line.
Is lasering your beard into shape a good idea?
That depends entirely on your beard growth and the style you want to maintain.
Do you have a lot of unwanted hair on your cheeks or neck, and are you sure you never want to grow a beard there? Then laser treatment of the beard line can be a practical solution.
Are you still unsure about your future beard style? Shaving or trimming is probably the wiser choice. This keeps all your options open.
If you ultimately decide to have your beard lasered, choose an experienced practitioner and discuss the desired result, your skin type, and the possible risks in detail beforehand.
Don’t forget to care for the beard you keep
A sharp beard line is only one part of a well-groomed beard. The hairs you keep should also be washed, cared for, and styled.
For example, use beard shampoo to clean your beard and remove dirt and excess sebum. You can then use beard oil to care for the beard hairs and the underlying skin. Would you like more control over your beard’s shape? Beard balm is suitable for caring for the hairs while also making them easier to style.
You can then use a beard brush or beard comb to align the hairs neatly in the same direction and distribute your grooming products more effectively throughout your beard.
Order beard care products from Velihan Beardcare
Whether you choose a natural beard line, trim regularly, or have unwanted beard hair lasered: a great beard starts with proper beard care.
At Velihan Beardcare, you’ll find everything for your daily beard routine. Discover our beard oil, beard balm, beard shampoo, beard brushes and beard combs or choose a complete beard care set.
Our products are designed to make it easy to care for your beard every day, keeping it soft, well-groomed, and easier to style.
