How does hair removal work?

The benefits of laser hair removal

• Permanent (if upkeep is adhered to)
• Pain-free
• Quick and easy
• Safe
• Eliminate in-grown hairs
• Smoother skin
• No need to wait for re-growth
• Excellent ROI (return-on-investment) for practitioner

The 4 stages of hair growth

Anagen phase

This is the first stage of growth. Hair is actively growing longer in this phase. This phase last for 2-3 weeks and is the perfect time for targeting with laser hair removal. This growth phase happens every 4-6 weeks and therefore, this is the recommended treatment time for laser hair removal.

The main two types of laser hair removal:

IPL hair removal
IPL stands for intense pulsed light, so actually this isn’t technically a laser treatment. The light that comes out of an IPL device is absorbed by the pigment in the hair, causing a build-up of energy which turns to heat. The heat travels down the hair and disables or destroys the hair follicle.

Hair removal by a diode
The key to successful laser hair removal via a diode laser is to deliver high energy into the skin to be selectively absorbed by the melanin surrounding the follicle whilst protecting the surrounding tissue. Diode lasers use a single wavelength of light that has a high absorption rate in melanin. As the melanin heats up it destroys the root and blood flow to the follicle and disables the hair permanently.

The above are the most common lasers used by practitioners. However, there are also three other types of laser available on the market:

• Ruby Lasers: This system uses a shorter wavelength of 694nm that targets melanin.  This makes the ruby laser more effective for lighter skin types with dark hair and is not recommended for individuals with darker skin tones.
• Alexandrite: This system uses a shorter wavelength of 694nm that targets melanin.  This makes the ruby laser more effective for lighter skin types with dark hair and is not recommended for individuals with darker skin tones.
• Nd:YAG: Provide the latest advancements in aesthetic laser technology.  Besides effective hair removal lasers, this system offers numerous applications including tattoo removal and laser skin resurfacing for the correction of sun damage.  Nd:YAG systems operate at a wavelength of 1064nm and is safe for all skin types.

If you would like to discuss any of these technologies and are potentially looking to purchase a machine, get in touch as we can help!