How does Laser Hair Removal Work?

Laser hair removal works by using concentrated beams of light (laser) to target and destroy hair follicles. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the process:

1. Melanin Absorption: The laser emits a specific wavelength of light that is absorbed by the melanin (pigment) in the hair. Darker hair contains more melanin and absorbs more light energy.

2. Heat Conversion: As the melanin absorbs the laser energy, it heats up. This heat damages the hair follicle, which is responsible for hair growth.

3. Follicle Disruption: The heat damages the follicle enough to inhibit future hair growth. Multiple treatments are needed because hair grows in cycles, and the laser only affects hairs in the active growth phase (anagen phase).

4. Target Areas: The laser can be used on various body parts, including the face, legs, arms, underarms, and bikini line.

5. Multiple Sessions: Since not all hairs are in the active growth phase at the same time, several sessions (typically 6-8) are required for more permanent hair reduction.

6. Safety and Efficacy: The procedure is generally safe when performed by a trained technician or dermatologist, and most modern lasers are designed to work with a variety of skin tones and hair colors. However, laser hair removal tends to be more effective on individuals with light skin and dark hair, as the contrast makes it easier for the laser to target the hair pigment.

Hair grows in a cycle with four distinct phases, and understanding these phases is essential to know how treatments like laser hair removal work. The phases are:

1. Anagen (Growth Phase):

   • Description: This is the active growth phase, where the hair follicle is producing new hair. Around 85-90% of the hair on the scalp is typically in this phase at any given time.

   • Importance for Laser Hair Removal: Hair in the anagen phase contains the most melanin, which makes it the most responsive to laser treatments. This is why multiple laser sessions are required to target all hairs as they enter this phase.

2. Catagen (Transitional Phase):

   • Description: In this short phase, the hair stops growing, and the hair follicle begins to shrink. Hair detaches from the blood supply, and the follicle starts preparing for the resting phase.

   • Laser Hair Removal Impact: Laser treatments are less effective during this phase since the hair is not actively growing.

3. Telogen (Resting Phase):

   • Description: The hair follicle is completely at rest, and no new growth occurs. At the end of this phase, the old hair is shed, and the follicle re-enters the anagen phase to begin growing a new hair.

   • Laser Hair Removal Impact: Hairs in this phase cannot be effectively treated, as they are not growing and do not contain as much melanin.

4. Exogen (Shedding Phase):

   • Description: This phase is considered a sub-phase of telogen, where the old hair sheds from the scalp or body. Once the hair is shed, the follicle remains dormant before starting a new growth cycle.

   • Laser Hair Removal Impact: As with the telogen phase, hairs are not actively growing, so laser treatments cannot target these follicles effectively.

Since hair follicles are at different phases at any given time, it takes several treatments spaced weeks apart to effectively target hairs in the anagen phase, making laser hair removal more successful over multiple sessions.

For more information, visit:

https://www.nervanamedical.com/services/skincare-lasers-lashes

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