 | With laser hair removal the energy of the laser light is used to specifically hinder hair growth. In this respect the laser penetrates the upper layers of skin and transfers its energy to the hair; the energy is absorbed by the pigment melanin in the hair. The absorbed light energy is converted into heat and emitted. The entire follicle area is damaged by the heat, with necrosis of the hair follicle taking place at a temperature of around 60°C.
The cooling in the laser system prevents the epidermis suffering coincident heat damage. After the treatment there may be some slight reddening of the skin, but this disappears of its own accord after a short period.
The efficacy of the treatment is influenced by the following factors:
· Skin color
· Hair color
· Hair thickness
· Depth of the hair in the skin
The diameter of a hair is typically somewhere between 0.03 and 1 mm. Hairs on the arm are thinner and lighter colored, those in the bikini area somewhat thicker and darker colored. In general lighter-colored hairs are more resistant to laser treatment. In these cases greater energy is required for epilation.
For the optimum and sustained removal of hair with the aid of a laser a number of individual treatments are generally necessary (as a rule 3 - 6 treatments). In addition to the factors mentioned above (skin and hair color, hair thickness and depth), there is a further reason for the necessity for more than one treatment: Hairs constantly undergo various growth cycles. Only hairs in the growth phase may be removed on a sustained basis with the aid of lasers.
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