Laser Hair Removal: The Complete Guide

Believe it or not, people have been trying to get rid of their body hair for much longer than you imagine.

Women in ancient Mesopotamia (that’s the Fertile Crescent you read about in highschool and undergrad) got rid of their hair with copper razors and sharpened shells to shave their underarm hair.

It’s been a long journey to laser hair removal, which presents an enduring solution to hair problems.

And that’s the real catch: laser hair removal is permanent reduction solution instead of a temporary one.

How does laser hair removal work?

In short, a concentrated beam of light is passed over your skin and aimed at your hair. The light released by the laser is absorbed by the pigment.

The melanin that absorbed the light begins to heat up because the light is converted to heat energy at the hair follicle.

Finally, the heat damages the root of the follicle–this is what inhibits new hair growth.

There are many different lasers used for hair removal, but they all use the same principle described in the last paragraph: photothermolysis.

Different lasers use different wavelengths, however, and these different wavelengths correspond to different complexions that patients might have.

Is laser hair removal right for me?

In the past, laser hair removal essentially only worked for those with light skin and dark hair. This is not the case anymore, although they are still the ideal candidates.

Individuals with darker skin and lighter hair will have the most difficulty with laser hair removal, but machines with shorter wavelengths of energy have made this treatment much more accessible to the larger population.

One thing patients who want laser hair removal should keep in mind is that it permanently reduces hair growth where applied, and does not remove all hair.

One treatment session can remove as much as 30 percent of unwanted hair–and by the time all treatments are finished, patients should see up to a 98 percent reduction in hair.

Unfortunately, not everyone responds to treatment, even if, on paper, they’re ideal candidates. So anyone interested in laser hair removal should appropriately manage their expectations.

Finding a good physician to perform laser hair removal

More than most noninvasive cosmetic treatments, laser hair removal has some hazard due to the nature of the technology and the light regulation in the field.

Patients are advised to schedule a consultation with an accredited technician or medical professional who has experience with the procedure. All laser hair removal treatments should either be performed by a physician or supervised by a physician.

What types of laser hair removal are there?

Depending on your complexion and hair color, different lasers may be more or less appropriate for you.

The Ruby Laser, the first available cosmetic laser for hair removal, has the lowest wave length, and works best with individuals with lighter skin and darker hair.

Diode lasers and then Nd: YAG lasers are lasers with longer wave lengths that are each more appropriate for darker skin types and lighter hair.

They also have the advantage of being able to treat larger areas of skin.

Unfortunately, they are also more uncomfortable and have a risk of discoloring the skin.

Intense Pulsed Light, while not quite a laser, is a similar treatment that operates on many of the same principles and is more broadly useful across skin types.

While it might not be as effective for individuals with white blonde or red hair, it may present a solution to individuals wanting a more flexible solution to their laser hair removal needs.

Patients interested in laser hair removal should talk with their doctor about which of these options is best for them.

If you want to know more about the best options available from Washington DC’s leader in Laser Hair Removal, contact Cultura today to schedule your appointment with one of our medical professionals.

Dr. Eliot Battle

CEO & Founder at Cultura Dermatology & Plastic Surgery

Dr. Eliot Battle, CEO of Cultura Dermatology, is a global leader in cosmetic dermatology and laser innovation. His Harvard research pioneered “color-blind” lasers, making treatments safe for all skin tones. A sought-after expert featured in TIME, Oprah, and The New York Times, he continues to advance inclusive, cutting-edge dermatological care.