Laser hair removal is one of the most popular ways to get rid of unwanted body hair. Unlike shaving, waxing, or tweezing, laser hair removal is a permanent solution for hair removal. Since it was first approved by the FDA in the mid 1990’s for “permanent hair reduction,” advancements in laser technologies have made laser hair removal more affordable and virtually pain free.
SKINNEY Medspa, voted the best laser hair removal NYC has to offer, answers the question: how does laser hair removal work to permanently remove hair from the face, armpits, torso area, bikini area, and virtually anywhere else unwanted body hair might grow.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
The technology that distinguishes Laser Hair Removal as the most permanent and effective way to remove unwanted body hair is called Selective Photothermolysis (SPTL.) This technology calibrates a beam of light to a specific pulse duration and wavelength. The wavelength and pulse duration for laser hair removal is calibrated to target the melanin within the hair follicle. Melanin is the pigment that gives hair and skin its dark color, and since dark objects absorb light, focused beams of intense pulsed light (IPL) can be focused at the melanin within the hair follicle, while safely passing through the skin tissue.
This mechanism is also why Laser Hair Removal works best on people with dark hair and lighter skin. Individuals who have darker skin tones, require a more advanced laser that can distinguish between the melanin within the hair follicle as opposed to the melanin within the skin. When Melanin within the hair follicle absorbs the energy from the Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) laser beam, the heat destroys or severely damages the hair follicle, inhibiting future growth.
Does Laser Hair Removal Work? Decide for Yourself.
Laser Hair Removal Treatments
Hair growth occurs in three distinct stages, the Anagen stage, the Catagen stage and the Telogen stage. Understanding the different phases of hair growth is fundamental to fully understand just how does laser hair removal work. Laser hair removal is only effective on hair that is going through the Anagen stage. The anagen stage of hair growth is known as the “growing” stage. During the Anagen stage, the hair’s root is large and filled with melanin, making it susceptible to IPL Laser beams. Around 20% – 30% of the hair on a person’s body is in the Anagen stage. This means that a laser hair removal session, while covering an entire region of focus, such as the face, armpits, etc, will only effectively destroy 20% to 30% of the hair in that specific location. This is why laser hair removal requires several sessions to permanently remove unwanted body hair.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work on Different Parts of the Body?
Does Laser Hair Removal work the same way on different parts of the body? Laser hair removal is effective in removing hair from any part of the body, however, the amount of laser hair removal sessions and the time between each of these sessions can differ. Usually getting rid of unwanted facial hair requires the most laser hair removal sessions. This is because facial hair, while cycling faster than any other hair on the body, has the least amount of hair in the Anagen stage at any given time. Armpit hair, or hair in the bikini area grows the slowest, having a much larger percentage of hair in the Anagen stage. Therefore, removing unwanted hair in the armpits or bikini area requires relatively few laser hair removal sessions.
