Spider Veins Article

An Introduction to Laser Hair Removal

Until recently, the only available methods used to remove unwanted hair were plucking, waxing, shaving and electrolysis. With technological advancements, laser hair removal has developed to be the benchmark technique in the field.

Laser hair removal functions by selectively damaging and thus disabling growing hair follicles. All current methods act using selective photothermolyis, which works by sending a laser pulse to the skin, where energy is transformed to destructive heat at the hair follicle. Most commonly, red and infrared lasers are used in hair removal applications.

Laser hair removal achieves the best results in fair skinned people who have hair darker than their skin. The reason for this is that the laser beam targets the melanin pigment, so hair that is darker than skin will receive a greater proportion of the laser beam's energy. For this reason, grey and white hair will not receive any of the laser energy because these hairs do not contain any melanin. People with unwanted grey or white hair should look at alternative options for hair removal.

As laser hair removal treatment works most effectively on growing hair (called anagen follicles), it is necessary for best results for patients to undergo multiple treatments. After a treatment, it is usual for the remaining dormant (telogen) hairs to commence actively growing (becoming anagen follicles) in the period between three weeks and three months post treatment, and this new hair growth will be evident. As such, it is recommended that people undertake three laser treatments over the course of a year to guarantee long-term results. It should be noted that generally, the female face, armpit and bikini line are the most responsive to treatment, while the back, arms, legs and scalp are the most resistant, requiring more treatments over time.

Rather than providing a permanent halt to hair growth, laser hair removal treatments are likely to result in hair growth that is slower, while the new hairs themselves are likely to be far finer than previously. While planned treatment sessions are common, where treatments are scheduled at three to eight week intervals, it is probably as effective to have treatments only when needed, ie when new hair growth appears. The second option is usually cheaper and more flexible, however, it suffers the distinct disadvantage of allowing new hair growth to be visible just prior to a treatment session. There is no clear evidence as to which method provides the best long term results in hair reduction.

Laser hair treatment is exciting news for those wishing to rid themselves of unwanted hair, particularly those whose hair is darker than their skin. Laser hair removal sessions can be set either at fixed intervals or, more flexibly, simply when new hair growth appears.