Ultimate Guide to Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a modern miracle of cosmetology, offering the perfect solution to the eternal problem oflaser hair removal on face unwanted hair.

This innovative method uses a beam of light with a specific wavelength to target and destroy hair follicles, slowing hair growth without damaging the surrounding skin.

Unlike traditional hair removal methods such as shaving, waxing and threading, which only provide a temporary solution, laser hair removal offers a more permanent approach to combating unwanted hair.

As technology advances, laser hair removal continues to evolve, becoming safer, faster and more affordable, cementing its status as a cornerstone in pursuing aesthetic excellence and convenience.

What is Laser Hair Removal? 

Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure that uses a powerful laser or intense pulsed light to remove unwanted hair. During the process, a laser emits light absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. This light energy is converted to heat, which damages the tube-shaped sacs within the skin (hair follicles) that produce hairs. This damage inhibits or delays future hair growth.

When was laser technology first used for cosmetic procedures?

In 1960 year, the first working laser was invented by Theodore Maiman. Initially, lasers were explored for medical applications only, including surgery and dermatology, but not yet for cosmetic treatments.

Late 1960s–1970s: Researchers began experimenting with different lasers for skin conditions. For example, the argon laser was used to treat vascular lesions such as port-wine stains and hemangiomas, marking an early step in cosmetic applications.

In 1983, Dr. R. Rox Anderson and Dr. John A. Parrish published the principle of “Selective Photothermolysis.” This revolutionary concept suggested that lasers could effectively treat various skin conditions by selectively targeting specific skin tissue without damaging surrounding tissue.
This principle has become the basis of many cosmetic laser procedures, including hair removal.

In the 1990s, The first lasers designed for hair removal were developed and introduced.

In 1997, The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first laser for hair removal. This approval marks an important milestone: laser hair removal is officially recognized as a safe and effective method for removing unwanted hair.

How does the Laser Hair Removal Procedure Work?

During the laser hair removal procedure, the laser device emits a focused and intense beam of light of a specific wavelength, which is absorbed by melanin (a natural pigment) in the hair follicles. Melanin gives hair colour and plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of laser hair removal.
The light is then converted into heat, specifically targeting melanin-rich areas without affecting the surrounding areas. Heat damages the structures inside hair follicles responsible for hair growth – the dermal papilla, located at the base of the hair follicle. The dermal papilla is essential for hair regeneration and development; it supplies the hair roots with nutrients, helping them grow.
As a result, hair growth is slowed or delayed, resulting in a noticeable decrease in hair density in the treated area. As a result, hair growth is slowed or delayed, resulting in a noticeable reduction in hair density in the treated area.

What is the Hair Growth Cycle?

The hair growth cycle consists of three phases: anagen, catagen and telogen, each characterized by specific actions that affect the hair follicle.

stages of hair growth on the human body

Anagen (growth phase): This is the active growth phase of the hair follicles, during which the hair root cells rapidly divide, increasing the volume of the hair shaft. Body hair, including hair on the arms, legs, chest and back, typically grows at about 0.1 to 0.2 centimetres (cm) per month, depending on genetics, age, health and other factors.

Catagen (Transitional Phase): The catagen phase is a short, transitional stage that lasts about 10 days. In this phase, the hair follicle shrinks and detaches from the dermal papilla, ending the growth phase. The hair is now referred to as club-shaped and lacks melanin.

Telogen (resting phase): The resting phase lasts about 3 months, during which the hair does not grow but remains attached to the follicle. Approximately 10-15% of all hair is in this phase. At the end of the telogen phase, the hair follicle enters the anagen phase again, and new hair begins to grow, displacing the old hair.

What is melanin?

Melanin is a natural pigment in hair and skin that gives it colour. Lasers used for hair removal emit specific wavelengths of light predominantly absorbed by the melanin in the hair shaft. The darker the hair, the more melanin it contains and the more efficiently it absorbs laser light.

Successful hair removal with laser technology depends on several key parameters that influence the effectiveness of the procedure and the outcomes. Understanding these factors can help tailor the treatment to individual needs, optimizing results. Here are the critical parameters:

Skin Type and Color; Hair Color; Laser Type and Wavelength; Technician’s Expertise and Overall Health and Hormonal Background.