Permanent Hair Reduction Is The Goal Of Laser Hair Reduction



Posted: Tuesday, October 13, 2009

by
LookingYourBest.com

The goal of laser hair removal is permanent hair reduction. According to the FDA, permanent hair reduction is defined as reduction of hair density for a period of time equal to one full growth cycle of hair. Of note, no treatment is available providing permanent complete hair removal.

The laser light targets a dark pigment called melanin which is produced in the bulb, or deep part of the hair follicle during anagen phase. The laser produces heat in this pigment, thus destroying the melanin producing cells along with the bulb and the rest of the follicle. Laser hair removal only works on hairs during the anagen phase. At any given time, up to 90% of the hairs in a region may be in anagen. Anagen phase can last from 6 months up to ten years, while the catagen phase usually lasts several weeks and telogen may be one to three months. For these reasons, the laser hair reduction treatment typically must be repeated 3 to 5 times to catch all hairs in the anagen phase.

The efficiency of any particular laser hair removal system relies on the ability of that laser to target the melanin in hair follicles without damaging surrounding skin. This has to do with the laser's wavelength, the pulse duration (length of time the skin is exposed to the beam), and the fluence or power of the laser. Lasers with a longer pulse enable more complete ablation of the hair follicle, however have greater risk of thermal (heat) damage to surrounding tissue (skin). Newer laser hair removal devices incorporate cooling systems for the skin which allow longer pulse durations with less risk of non-specific thermal damage.

Lasers used for hair reduction include the ruby, alexandrite, Nd:YAG, and diode laser. IPL (intense pulsed light) is successfully used for hair removal. IPL laser hair removal devices emit a broad band of light of varying wavelengths (a laser is one specific wavelength). A filter is typically used to narrow this band to the spectrum of light that is most efficiently absorbed by melanin in hair follicles. About 80% of patients respond well to laser hair removal. You should anticipate a 30% reduction in hair density with each treatment. The best results usually require five or more treatments. Laser hair removal procedures are spaced one to three months apart. The ideal candidate for laser hair removal has light skin and dark hair. There are risks associated with laser hair removal. There are limited risks to laser hair reduction, but can include blistering, scabbing, hyper-pigmentation, and hypo-pigmentation.

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Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com writes about plastic surgery in La Jolla, California, and plastic surgery procedures like thighplasty, brachioplasty, and laser hair reduction.
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