How laser hair removal works – Laser hair removal works by sending a beam of laser light to a group of hair follicles with enough power to destroy the root but not enough to harm the surrounding skin. The technologies are designed to cause selective heating of hair follicles but are safe for surrounding tissues.
This process is called selective photothermolysis (photo means light and thermolysis means to destroy with heat). It is selective as it targets hair and not skin.Laser hair removal is not electrolysis.
Electrolysis works by directing an electric current into each individual hair follicle which is painful and time consuming. Laser can target a large amount of hairs in one go virtually pain free.
The dead hair coming through the skin are shed after 1 – 3 weeks. During this period the hairs will seem to ‘grow’ as they are pushed out by the new skin. After the 2nd treatment, depending on skin and hair type the area can begin to look patchy.
The skin may be red immediately after treatment and the hair follicles where the skin has been treated may be raised and bumpy, this usually subsides within a few hours but can take up to 48 hours on some clients. Very few people experience itching a few days later as the hair is pushed out.
The laser light targets only hair that is actively growing in the Anaphase. Therefore multiple treatments are necessary to treat hair at other stages of growth.
Treatment is conducted every 4 weeks on the face and 6-7 weeks on the body. The required number of treatments varies, but usually 6-8 are needed for optimum results.
Laser hair removal sessions can take from 5 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the area. For example upper lip takes 5 minutes whereas full legs or back could be at least 45 minutes.
Hairs must be in the correct growing stage (anagen) when it has an active blood supply. Different hair follicles will be in different hair growth stages at any one time.
These hair growth cycles can vary between a few months and a year and this is why it requires several sessions to ensure catching the hair in the anagen stage.
Our experts will make sure to book you for your next appointment during the correct anagen stages of hair growth so you can have the most successful rate of laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal works by sending a beam of laser light to a group of hair follicles with enough power to destroy the root but not enough to harm the surrounding skin. The technologies are designed to cause selective heating of hair follicles but are safe for surrounding tissues.
This process is called selective photothermolysis (photo means light and thermolysis means to destroy with heat). It is selective as it targets hair and not skin.
