I think it’s a bit of a taboo subject but everywhere hair care is an important topic to discuss. Laser hair removal has been around for a long time yet, strangely, both men and women seeking hair removal under utilize laser hair removal. Just as an aside, you should always do what is best for you and don’t let societal pressures have you do things that you don’t want to do. If you like your hair, keep it, but if it is not for you that is cool too. #bodypositivity
How does it work?
Laser actually stands for, Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, Sorry, I just could not help myself. A laser is a powerful light that is set to one color or wavelength and travels in parallel concentrated lines. Because the laser light it is set to one wavelength, the laser light “targets” or is “absorbed” by one corresponding color. This is similar to how a black car in summer gets hotter because it absorbs the sunlight compared to a white car that reflects the sunlight. In laser hair removal, that laser light is set to a wavelength that is absorbed by melanin, which if you remember is the pigment that body uses to give color to hair and skin. When the laser light is fired, it is absorbed but the dark hair follicles in the skin and literally burns them so they no longer function. Pretty cool.
AH… but you might be thinking…. You said that it targets melanin in the skin, too? Wont that also burn the skin? That is true and brings up one of the issues with laser hair removal. Laser hair removal works best on people with very light skin and very dark hair. Similar to the car in the sun if the hair is much darker than the skin, the hair follicles will absorb more of the laser energy and burn but the other areas with less pigment will not get hot enough to burn. The laser can be adjusted to work on some darker skin tones but if there is not a big difference in skin tone and hair color laser hair removal will not work. As you would image, people with natural very light hair would also not be able to have laser hair removal. There are other options for you that I will address in another post.
What is the process and what can I expect?
This is an office procedure. Some providers will offer topical numbing cream depending on the size and area of hair removal. It is about as painful as a rubber band snapping the skin so it is tolerated by most. For a few days after, you may have a similar sensation to a sunburn with some redness. Sometimes peeling or blistering can also happen. You will need several, usually 4-6, sessions at 4-6 week intervals. This is because laser hair removal only targets hairs that are growing. All hair follicles have a long sleep and wake cycle so a session where the hair follicles are “sleeping” would not destroy those hairs and when they “wake up” they will grow like normal. This is why 100% hair loss is not possible.
Other possible side effects are swelling, changes in pigmentation, and scarring but these are typically rare, though they are seen more often in people with more pigmented skin. Some providers will do a small test on a skin area first before doing larger areas. Cost is extremely variable and usually is priced on location and number of sessions.
Recap
- Laser hair removal is effective but will not remove all of the hair. But for sure most
- Lasers attack pigments in hair and skin. People with light skin with dark hair are better candidates for laser hair removal. There are other options if you do not fit in this category. More to come.
- Hair care is personal; do what is best for you. You do you, boo!
One-year follow-up results of hair removal using an 810 nm diode laser
Non-invasive anaesthetic methods for dermatological laser procedures: a systematic review.
Pain management in photoepilation.