Hair Laser Removal ..What's You Know?

Laser hair removal is the use of laser energy to produce long-term hair reduction. Laser hair removal works by focusing a laser beam at the base of unwanted hair follicles, causing them to stop producing hair. The heat from the light of the laser is absorbed by the pigment, or melanin, in the hair. That heat then triggers inflammation in the hair follicle, which causes the follicle to go into its resting (telogen) phase. While resting, the follicle produces no hair.


Currently, there are a variety of different lasers that are implemented to remove unwanted hair. The two most popular include the alexandrite and the diode laser. The alexandrite inhibits hair growth by deeply penetrating the hair follicles in the dermis of the skin. The high rate of temperature then immobilizes the hair follicle eliminating its ability to produce hair. The diode laser works much the same way the alexandrite laser does except that it has a longer wavelength. This may be of benefit for those patients with darker skin who typically require multiple sessions with laser hair removal in order to achieve optimal results. In addition to lasers, there are also pulsed light-based sources that are also used to remove unwanted hair. These devices work on much the same principal as lasers, using a photoepilation process to disable the hair follicle.

It should be noted that laser hair removal does not always lead to the permanent removal of hair. What a patient can expect however is an average of a 90% reduction of hair, with subsequent re-growth resulting in hair that is lighter in color and finer in texture.

Although laser hair removal can be an attractive alternative to shaving, waxing, depilatories, or electrolysis, it may not be the right choice for everyone. Laser hair removal is most effective for people who have light skin and dark hair. Although laser hair removal effectively slows hair growth, it doesn't guarantee permanent hair removal. It typically takes several laser hair removal treatments to provide an extended hair-free period. Periodic maintenance treatments may be needed as well.

For example, people with naturally dark pigmented skin or individuals with deep tans are not good candidates for laser hair removal. This is because their darker skin absorbs too much of the laser energy sometimes resulting in blistering or permanent skin discoloration. Although improvements have been made in the use of lasers, people with darker skin still often require multiple sessions to achieve a desired affect. This procedure also doesn't work well on individuals with light colored hair, which contains very little melanin. Ideally, people with lighter skin and dark hair are considered the best candidates, because they require less treatments and achieve faster results.