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All About Laser Hair Removal – Part I 

There has been much buzz lately about laser hair removal. While many have claimed that this procedure is the most effective at permanently removing all body hair, this is not the case. In fact, one of the interesting aspects of laser hair removal is that its results cannot be generalized. Each person, assuming first that the person is a good candidate, will respond differently to the laser hair removal process. 

So what makes a 'good' candidate for laser hair removal? Many people incorrectly assume that a person need only be financially capable of paying for the multiple treatments that are necessary. On average, laser hair removal sessions cost approximately $500 each and typically, up to four treatments are required.  

While financial ability is an important consideration, what is more important is a person's pigment. Pigment is what gives color to skin and also to hair. To be effective as a hair removal process, the color of a person's hair must be darker than the skin that surrounds it. That is why people with dark, coarse body hair and light skin have more success than light- or red-haired individuals or individuals with dark or tanned skin.  

Melanin is the pigment that gives hair its color. To be effective as a hair removal process, the melanin must be able to absorb the energy that is produced by the laser, which will generate a considerable amount of heat. Inside the hair follicle, the melanin surrounds the structure that is responsible for germinating hair. Once the absorbed laser energy destroys the melanin, this structure is no longer protected. The excessive amount of heat that is generated will damage the hair germination structure which is what actually ceases future hair growth in that follicle.  

Because dark or tanned skin contains a significant amount melanin, this skin can actually absorb a greater portion of the laser energy making less available to penetrate the hair follicle. Skin absorption must be kept at a minimum for laser hair removal to be effective. An important factor in inhibiting the skin's absorption of laser energy is keeping the skin cool during the laser hair removal process by applying a cold compress to the affected area. This will allow the laser to bypass the colder skin so it can reach the melanin within the hair follicle.  

Another way of keeping the skin cool is to use the latest 'multi pulsing' laser technology. As the name implies, laser energy is pulsed or interrupted, rather than streamed. Because of this pulsing, less heat is delivered at once which helps to cool and at the same time, protect the skin. Other laser removal devices include: Alexandrite, a long pulse laser; Diode, which generally is used on darker skin; Q-Switched Nd:YAG, which delivers two wavelengths that work on both deep and near-surface follicles; and Ruby, that as the name implies, consists of red laser beams capable of targeting melanin.  

Now that you know the basics of laser hair removal, read on for more information about its advantages and disadvantages and what's important to know before you decide on this hair removal technique.