All About Laser Hair Removal
All About Laser Hair Removal
Why Laser ?
Laser = Energy
You may have noticed that if you wear a dark colored shirt on a sunny day, the shirt will get uncomfortably hot. That’s because the sunlight is absorbed by the dark pigment (color). The pigment is a hair follicle absorb the light of the laser, gets overheated and is destroyed.
Hair Growth Stages:
- Anagen (3-5 years)
- Catagen (1-3 weeks)
- Telogen (5-6 weeks)
How Does It Work?
There are 3 different stages in the life a hair, the growth phase (Anagen), the resting phase (catagen) and the falling out phase (Telagen). At any given time, about 85% of your hair is in the Anagen phase. These are the hairs that are affected by the laser. During the Anagen phase, the follicle (dermal papilla) is closest to the skin. The laser can reach the follicle, cause it to heat up and destroy the hair.
How Many Treatments Are Needed?
Generally 5 and 7 treatments spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart are necessary for full hair removal. Hair follicles that absorb the laser will never grow back. Some follicles will go dormant and could reactivate with hormonal changes or as we age, but these reactivate hairs will be lighter, finer and less dense
Why Are Multiple Treatments needed?
5 to 7 treatments are needed because only the hair in the Anagen phase can be affected by the laser, Time is needed for hairs in the catagen and Telagen phases to move into the Anagen phase
What Should I Do For The Best Results?
For the best results, your hair must be considerably darker than your skin -that way the laser will be absorbed by the pigment of the skin. People with darker skin or very light hair prove to be more difficult candidates for laser hair removal. A person with a suntan must wait until the tan fades before beginning treatment.
Avoid These Things 4 to 6 Weeks Prior To treatments.
- Hair removal cream
- Hair bleaches
- Hair waxing Tweezing
- Excessive sun exposure
- Tanning beds
- Mystic tan
- Tanning creams
