How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

Removing unwanted hair has long been a painful and temporary process of waxing, shaving or bleaching. But no matter how often you break out the razor or warm wax, nature reasserts itself within a few days and the hairs start to grow back. For most people, this isn't a problem, but if you have a hormonal imbalance that causes excessive hair growth, it can be a devastating condition that affects your everyday life.

Fortunately, more permanent answers are finally available. Laser hair removal has become one of the biggest non-invasive procedures carried out by specialist clinics and is a safe, relatively painless and, most importantly, permanent way of removing unwanted hair.

Laser hair removal, as its name suggests, is a technique that uses lasers to remove unwanted hair. This ultra-fine laser (about the width of a human hair) targets the skin's dark pigment known as melanin, which is also found in human hairs. The laser is aimed at the hair follicle, which houses the root of the hair and destroys it. Although this sounds pretty dramatic, this destruction happens at the molecular level and underneath the surface of the skin. So while the patient may suffer from a slight redness for a couple of days, laser hair removal does not permanently scar the surface of the skin. Several treatments may be required to destroy the follicle completely, but once destroyed by the laser, the follicle is incapable of producing any more hairs, halting re-growth in its tracks.

The process is simple. A laser is pressed against the surface of the skin, targeting the specific follicle. A cooling device is also used to keep the rest of the skin protected and healthy, minimising the effects of the laser on the surrounding skin. The client is also asked to wear goggles, as lasers can damage the human eye in a split second, so all safety precautions have to be taken. The laser treatment does sting slightly, and has been likened to being slapped with a rubber band. To negate any discomfort, some skin treatment clinics will use an anesthetic to alleviate any stinging sensation. The laser is repeatedly 'fired', targeted directly at the follicle and the entire process takes a few minutes to cause sufficient damage to the follicle to inhibit re-growth.

After the treatment, it is advised that direct sunlight is avoided, as the skin may be more sensitive for a short while afterwards. But there is absolutely no reason why the client shouldn't then immediately return to their daily lives with no 'recuperation' period necessary.

There are certain factors that can negate the use of laser treatment for hair removal. If you have particularly dark or tanned skin, you may have to wait until your tan has faded before treatment can begin. For many years, people with darker skin were considered as not suitable for laser treatment because of the potential for scarring due to the effects of the laser on the skin's ability to produce melanin. However, modern laser technology has meant that almost any skin colour is now suitable for laser treatment. Some skin conditions can also be a barrier to laser treatment. The best advice is to speak to a professional who will be able to give you honest and practical guidance on your suitability for laser hair removal treatment.

Laser hair removal was once shrouded in 'Frankenstein'-like imagery of cumbersome safety equipment, flashing lasers and potentially damaging side effects. Now, laser technology and laser hair removal is available in almost any high street beauticians and is a safe and effective method of removing unwanted hair, permanently.

Dr Sean Lanigan -Consultant Dermatologist - sk:n was established in 1990 and is the UK's leading provider of skincare conditions treatments including: laser hair removal & laser tattoo removal.

contact:
Dr Sean Lanigan - Consultant Dermatologist
Direct Marketing Manager
Email: g.grozier@lasercare-clinics.co.uk

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