Laser Hair Removal has a primary function, which is selective photothermolysis. These lasers can cause localized damage by selectively heating the dark target matter in the area that causes hair growth on one’s body, while not heating the rest of the person’s skin.
The light is absorbed by dark objects, in order for the laser energy to be absorbed by dark material in one’s skin, but with much more speed and intensity. This dark target matter, technically chromophore, can be naturally-occurring or artificially introduced.
Hair removal lasers selectively target one of three chromophores:
Carbon, which is introduced into the hair follicle by rubbing a carbon-based lotion into the person’s skin, following waxing (this type of lotion is an “exogenous chromophore”). When irradiated by a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, the carbon causes a shock wave that is capable of mechanically damaging nearby cells. This method has been abandoned since it does not cause permanent loss. (It has been replaced with the long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser which targets endogenous melanin in the follicle.)
Hemoglobin occurs naturally in blood, and gives blood that “red color”, as it preferentially absorbs wavelengths from argons, and to a lesser extent from rubies, alexandrites, and diodes. It minimally absorbs the Nd:YAG laser wavelength. Hemoglobin is not a primary target for laser hair removal.
Melanin is considered the primary chromophore for all hair removal lasers currently on the market. Melanin occurs naturally in the skin (it gives skin and hair its color). There are two types of melanin in hair: eumelanin (which gives hair brown or black color) and pheomelanin (which gives hair blonde or red color). Because of the selective absorption of photons of laser light, only black or brown hair can be removed.
The number of sessions needed by one will necessarily depend on various parameters, the most important of which is the localization of the area to be treated and person’s gender. In addition, resting follicles are not damaged by the laser. It is necessary to foresee between three to six sessions, but it will also depend on initial pilosity and the degree of hair removal that is required. Certain areas (back and face in men, for example) may require a prolonged treatment whose exact duration cannot be predicted in advance, but can be estimated upon an evaluation by a laser hair removal specialist.
The intervals between hair removal sessions depend on the area of the body that needs to be treated and person’s gender, as they are typically spaced progressively. Concerning the moustache and chin, an interval of 6 to 8 weeks is usual. Back, legs, neck, and arms will all vary for laser hair removal pending on the patient, as these treatments are always case by case.
Hair removal lasers are effective treatment for pseudofolliculitis barbae (commonly called ingrown hairs or “shaving bumps”). For darker skin patients with black hair, the long-pulsed Nd: YAG laser with a cooling tip can be safe and effective when used by an experienced practitioner.
They have recently been reported as helpful treatment for pilonidal cysts, since they eliminate the ingrown hairs that produce the troublesome foreign body reactions in this congenital malady.
If you are considering laser hair removal to rid yourself of unwanted hair on your face, neck, arms, legs, back, chest, or stomach, we suggest you click on one or more of the links to connect with a dermatologist and/or cosmetics professional about your situation in more detail…
