How does Laser Hair Removal work?
To understand how laser hair removal works, we need to get to know a bit more:
What is hair? What is the function of the hair? How the hair does it grow?
Hair is composed of two structures: the follicle, and the shaft. The follicle is what is below the skin and the shaft is what is visible above it.
Hair is made from a powerful protein called a keratinous filament growing out of the epidermis. It is primarily made of dead, keratinized cells. Strands of hair originate in an epidermal penetration of the dermis called the hair follicle. The primary hair follicle function is to grow hair. The hair shaft is the part of the hair not anchored to the follicle, and much of this is exposed at the skin’s surface. The rest of the hair, which is anchored in the follicle, lies below the surface of the skin, and is referred to as the hair root. The hair root ends deep in the dermis at the hair bulb and includes a layer of mitotically active basal cells called the hair matrix. The hair bulb surrounds the hair papilla, which is made of connective tissue and contains blood capillaries and nerve endings from the dermis on which the hair bulb fits. That way, the hair has a way to attach to nerve endings and to blood vessels. This feeds the hair with nutrients, via the blood, and allows the body to gather feedback from hair via the nerves that attach to the follicle.
Human hair functions as a means of regulating body temperature and acts as a sense organ.
Hair also helps protect the skin from external damage such as sun, wind, and foreign bodies.
When a person becomes cold, hair on the body is formed, creating additional insulation, and causing an increase in body temperature. It also catches warm air next to the body, reducing heat loss.
Hair growth occurs because of a variety of activities that happen deep inside the layers of the hair follicle. This is generally referred to as the hair growth cycle.
How does the hair growth cycle work?
Hair grows and is eventually shed and replaced by new hair.
This occurs in three phases stages of hair growth.
- The first is the anagen phase, during which cells divide rapidly at the root of the hair, pushing the hair shaft up and out. The length of this phase is measured in years, typically from 2 to 7 years. In this time, hair can grow anywhere between 18-30 inches. The length of this phase is dependent on your maximum hair length, which varies between people due to genetics, age, health and many more factors.
- The second is the catagen phase lasts only 2 to 3 weeks and marks a transition from the hair follicle’s active growth. The hair stops growing and detaches itself from the blood supply and is then named a club hair.
- The Third is the telogen phase, the hair follicle is at rest and no new growth occurs. At the end of this phase, which lasts about 2 to 4 months, another anagen phase begins.
- The basal cells in the hair matrix then produce a new hair follicle, which pushes the old hair out as the growth cycle repeats itself.
Does the thickness and colour of the hair for laser hair removal matter?
For the Laser Hair removal the hair thickness and colour are also particularly important
Hair colour is determined by the presence of pigment cells called melanin.
Laser hair removal is most effective on very dark hair as the laser energy itself is attracted to the melanin in the hair follicle. The more pigment in your hair the more effective laser hair removal can be.
Laser hair removal is also suitable for those with blonde hair, although the required results may take slightly longer to achieve blonde body and facial hair is often finer but can be plentiful and problematic. Laser hair removal should still have an effect on those suffering with an overabundance of blonde hair thanks to the fact that we use the very latest pain free laser technology.
Now we have reached the point to explain how the laser works on hair removal.
How the laser works on hair removal?
In fact, the way laser hair removal works is more complex than just directing concentrated energy into the hair follicle.
It is the pigment in the hair that attracts laser energy through the hair shaft all the way to the bottom of the hair follicle to the hair papilla, the laser energy damages the hair papilla when the hair follicle sticks to it, damaging enough to prevent future hair regrowth in that area. This only works during the single hair growth cycle or Anagen so multiple sessions are needed to heal the entire area.
Why the selection of the most appropriate laser wavelength is essential?
The selection of the most appropriate laser wavelength is essential as it enables
- The safe treatment of all skin types. Lighter skin types respond well to the Alexandrite 760nm laser whilst darker skin types respond to the diode 810nm laser is extremely useful for moderate skin types.
- Effective treatment of multiple depths of hair follicles. The base of the hair follicle can lie between 2 to 7mm below the skins surface and hence, some hair follicles are superficial (e.g., upper lip) whilst others are much deeper (e.g., Bikini). Optimal results hence require multiple laser wavelengths enabling the operator to target all the follicles situated at different depths.
- The treatment of different colours of hair. Effective treatment of light-coloured fine hair requires a laser with a high attraction to melanin such as the Alexandrite 760nm laser. Darker thicker hairs will respond better to the diode 810nm laser.
The use of high-quality lasers with variable wavelengths, variable pulse durations, variable spot sizes and variable fluences enable a skilled laser operator to achieve far superior results.
Irrespective of the hair colour, skin colour, hair thickness or follicle depth I have a laser for all prospective clients.
A high-quality laser must be accompanied by a skilled operator for excellent results.
Because I offer the entire range of Pain Free laser hair removal treatments, I can truly recommend the option that is best suited to your needs. Whatever I recommend, you can be assured that we are not using it because it is all we have to offer but because it is the best choice for you.
I would love to help you achieve your beauty, skin care, and hair removal goals.