Laser Hair Removal
How it works
Laser hair removal works by damaging the hair follicle by selectively heating dark material in the skin, while not heating the surrounding tissues/skin.
The laser targets one of these materials:
- Melanin is the primary target for hair removal lasers. Melanin occurs naturally in the skin, and gives hair and skin it’s color.
- Hemoglobin, which occurs naturally in blood. It absorbs light from some types of lasers. This matter is not a primary target for hair removal lasers.
Since the types of lasers used in laser hair removal can’t penetrate skin tissue more than two millimeters, there has been much controversy surrounding the claim of “permanent” hair removal. The target for destruction by the laser (the dermal papilla) is located 7-8 millimeters beneath the skin, and therefore beyond the reach of the laser. While the laser will show results, they will usually not be permanent. This is why laser technicians are required by law to use the term “reduction” instead of “permanent”.