Health and Fitness

The essential standard of laser hair removal is selective photothermolysis – localized and selective damage to hair by heating dark-colored target substance in the area of hair growth without heating the skin.

Melanin is selectively target by Hair removal lasers. The melanin is considered the main chromophore for all hair removal lasers currently on the market. Melanin takes place naturally in the skin. It gives color to skin and hair. There are two types of melanin in hair: eumelanin which gives hair brown or black color and pheomelanin which gives hair blonde or red color. Because of the selective absorption of photons of laser light, only black or brown hair can be removed.

Men and women alike seek laser hair removal services to have extra or unwanted hair removed. Laser is attracted to dark pigment and therefore works best with dark coarse hair. Light skin and dark hair are an ideal combination, but new lasers are now able to target dark black hair even in patients with dark skin.

Most people need to follow up with electrolysis treatments for any remaining hairs to achieve complete clearance, if desired, as the remaining hairs become too sparse and fine for laser to target.

There are Laser parameters that affect results. Several wavelengths of laser energy have been used for hair removal, from visible light to near-infrared radiation. These are the Argon 488 or 514.5 nm which is not used for hair removal anymore. The Ruby: 694 nm is not also in used for hair removal nowadays because it is not safe on most skin types. Pulsed diode array: 810 nm for light to medium type skin. And lastly Nd:YAG: 1064 nm for darker skin. Spot size, or the width of the laser beam, affects treatment. Hair removal lasers have a round spot about the size of your finger (8-18 mm).

Usually 6-8 numerous treatments, have been shown in numerous studies to provide long-term reduction of hair. Coarse dark hair on light skin is easiest to treat. Finer hair and hair on darker skin is harder to treat and may require more treatments. It’s important to note that laser does not work on light hair and very fine and vellus hair. Electrolysis is the only permanent solution for those types of hair. Treatment spacing also depends on area treated as hair cycles vary based on the body part.

For pseudofolliculitis barbae commonly called ingrown hairs or “shaving bumps” Hair removal lasers are effective treatment. For darker skin patients with black hair, the long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser with a cooling tip can be safe and effective when used by an experienced practitioner. The costs of laser hair removal vary by region.

Laser hair removal must be used carefully, by patients in the following categories: Recently acquired dark tan; fine, light hair in people of color; blonde or red hair in areas with tan skin; patients who cannot afford or do not have the time for multiple sessions, because one treatment is rarely adequate.

Donald Hayward has done a lot of research into laser hair removal and invites you to read his other articles covering the average cost of laser hair removal and laser hair removal side effects