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Laser Hair Removal

How does laser hair removal work?

Dark pigment (melanin) in the hair shaft and the papilla (the root of the hair follicle) are targeted by a specific light-energy emitted by the laser. In a tiny fraction of a second, the hair is simply vaporized without damaging the skin or any surrounding tissue.

Permanent hair removal typically requires 5-6 visits

Hair grows in 3 phases.

1) The active growth phase – the part of the follicle that actually generates the hair (the papilla) is present and is growing a hair.

2) The mature phase – when the hair has stopped growing and the papilla has disappeared.

3) The dormant phase – the follicle is preparing to “shed” the old hair (exfoliation) and cycle back to the active growth phase.

On average, a hair follicle will cycle through the phases every 4-12 weeks depending on which part of the body the hair is growing. When dark hair is treated, it is always vaporized regardless of the phase. However, the follicle itself will stop making hair only if treated during the active growth phase – when the hair shaft is still connected to the root, making it vulnerable to the laser energy which destroys it. Therefore, the patient must return for 5-6 repeat visits of laser hair removal approximately 4-6 weeks apart until every follicle is caught in the active growth phase to achieve permanent hair removal.

Long-term hair removal maintenance
may be required

With time, typical skin will grow new hair from newly active follicles that have never before been active. This is a common occurrence due to normal life changes, maturation, aging and normal hormonal cycles for both men and women. Therefore, even after a thorough and effective series of laser hair removal treatments that cleared all the hair from a given area, new hair may appear that will require an occasional laser hair removal touchup treatment.

Does it hurt?

In one pulse (that lasts a tiny fraction of a second) our lasers remove hair on a patch of skin the size of a quarter. The hair removal sensation is like plucking hair or getting snapped by a rubber-band. Our lasers incorporate a patented and state-of-the-art integrated cooling system that acts as a natural anesthetic, cooling down the skin to minimize any discomfort. Patients unanimously report that the hair removal treatment is a “piece of cake” compared to waxing.

Darker hair vs. lighter hair and laser hair removal

It is the pigment in the hair that actually absorbs laser energy. Thus, the darker the hair, the more laser energy it will absorb which is the key to vaporizing the hair and destroying the papilla for permanent hair removal. Additionally, the thicker the hair, the more laser energy it will absorb. Think of the hair shaft like a lightening rod. The thicker the rod, the more electricity it can absorb. Therefore, thick jet-black hair is the easiest to remove. Patients with light blonde, grey or white hair will need to apply a specially formulated pharmaceutical substance (that infuses the follicle with melanin) in conjunction with their laser hair removal treatments.