Laser hair removal is the process of removing unwanted hair by means of exposure to pulses of laser light that destroy the hair follicle. 

Hair grows in several phases (anagen, telogen, catagen) and a laser can only affect the active growing hair follicles (early anagen). Hence, several sessions are needed to destroy hair in all phases of growth.

Some normal side effects may occur after laser hair removal treatments, including itching, pink skin, redness, and swelling around the treatment area or swelling of the follicles (follicular edema). These side effects rarely last more than two or three days. The two most common serious side effects are acne and skin discoloration.