Beard Hair Removal: Same Settings Every Time?

Half of our beard hair removal patients think "every session uses the same settings"

Please check this before reading


Q. Isn't laser hair removal done with the same machine settings every time?

A. The machine may be the same, but the settings must change each session. As hair density decreases, we need to readjust energy levels and shot counts for optimal results.


Q. Why is beard hair particularly stubborn?

A. Beard hair follicles are deeper and thicker than hair on other body parts. If you maintain the same first-session settings, response rates drop dramatically from the mid-sessions onward.

Here's what makes the difference

Premium beard hair removal involves

recording and adjusting shot counts and energy levels

for each session.

Unlike standard beard hair removal,

premium service documents session-by-session parameters

in your chart and uses that data

to calibrate settings for the next session.

It may sound complicated,

but we're simply doing what should be done properly.

Why do some patients see less effective results?

To be honest,

beard hair removal success depends more on

"post-session 3 settings" than "initial settings."

Last month, I had a patient in his 30s

who came to see me.

He'd completed 8 sessions elsewhere but

the hair under his chin remained

virtually unchanged.

When I asked to see his treatment chart,

there were no session-by-session records at all.

They'd used the same energy level every time.

Here's an important point.

Beard hair is typically treated with 755nm Alexandrite or

1064nm Nd:YAG lasers,

and follicles extend 4-5mm deep.

Initially, with high hair density,

heat disperses across multiple follicles, so

skin can tolerate higher energy levels.

But by session 3,

hair density typically reduces by nearly half.

Using the same energy at this point

concentrates heat into individual follicles,

increasing risks of burns or pigmentation.

Conversely, simply lowering energy means

remaining coarse beard hairs

won't respond properly.

So here's my usual approach.

From session 3, I lower energy by one level

but narrow shot intervals to

increase overlapping coverage.

This requires precise records of

how many rows, shots, and energy levels

were used in the previous session.

This approach isn't all benefits though.

Recalibrating settings each session

extends consultation time and

costs more than standard packages.

However, for patients who say

"I've had multiple sessions elsewhere

with no results," this method remains the answer.

Here's how I categorize cases in my practice

While each case varies,

I typically classify and explain them this way.

Three most common questions in my clinic

Q1. Is it true that beard hair removal improves skin quality?

A. Partially true.

Eliminating beard hair reduces

folliculitis and ingrown hairs,

which smooths the skin texture around the chin area.

However, patients with pre-existing pigmentation

may notice initial darkening,

so we must be careful with energy settings.

Q2. How many sessions are typically needed, and how long do results last?

A. The average is 6-8 sessions,

though patients with dense hair may need over 10 sessions.

Results aren't completely permanent.

Most patients return for 1-2 touch-up sessions

after 2-3 years.

Q3. Is it normal for skin to be red and stinging after the procedure?

A. Erythema and stinging for 1-3 hours

on the treatment day is a normal response.

However, if burning sensations persist until the next day

or blisters form, the energy was too high.

Please contact the clinic immediately.

This is exactly why session-by-session records

are crucial.

Knowing "this energy level caused strong reactions last time"

allows us to adjust for the next session.

I recommend thorough consultation before deciding on any procedure.