Laser hair removal

There are many methods to remove hair. Most of them are uncomfortable. The possibility of removing hair painlessly using a laser seems almost too good to be true.

At this time no method for removing hair with a laser is perfect. Most require several treatments and many only affect certain types of hair.

Several lasers are available and new ones are entering the market all the time.

During its development hair goes through three phases. Only during the growth phase, or anagen, is it possible to treat with most lasers. For this reason almost all laser hair removal needs multiple treatments. Newer lasers may specifically damage the pigment in the hair and hair root and be more effective in all phases of hair growth.

Of the many lasers available the Alexandrite and Ruby lasers tend to remove only darker hair in lighter skinned people. Newer Flashlamp technology, marketed as Photoderm® and Epilight®, may be more effective in other hair types. Some concern has been expressed that since this technique aims to reduce the size of the follicle it may also reduce the beneficial aspects of the follicle necessary for healthy skin. Some patients have reported thinning of the skin.

At this time the long term role of lasers in hair removal is unclear and further study continues.