Hair Excess and Laser Hair Removal- FAQ

Factors that contribute to excessive hair growth include:
 – Heredity
 – Hormone imbalances
 – Resistance to insulin
 – Pregnancy
 – Thyroid issues
 – Reactions to medications aging

Laser light is absorbed by melanin within the hair follicle. The light is converted into heat energy which disables the hair follicle as it enters a resting phase. This slows the growth cycle of the hair.
The light from the laser can only be absorbed by dark colors. Only brown or black hairs can be removed, as opposed to blond or red.

The laser method for removing hair works almost as fast as shaving.  The area is quickly scanned as hairs are removed. Electrolysis, on the other hand is a much slower process. It involves placing a needle into hair follicles one at a time to disable them through an electric shock burn.

The number of treatments you will need will be determined by your age, ethnicity, weight, hormones, diet, medication and metabolism.  These factors will determine how fast hair will grow in a defined area and the number of hairs in this region.
Although the treated area will be hair free right after the first treatment, the laser cannot prevent the growth of new hair. This is why the FDA defines the capabilities of laser hair removal as being able to permanently reduce the number of hairs on the affected area.

Laser hair removal causes a permanent reduction in the number of hairs within the treated area. After your first treatment, new hairs are likely to grow. This is because the laser can only treat existing hair by slowing their growth cycle.
It cannot prevent new hair from growing. The time span between sessions will be different for each patient.

No. The laser usually causes new hair to grow back much thinner.

It is important to understand that laser hair removal permanently reduces the number of hairs. Half the hairs will be in the active growth phase (Anagen). These will respond the best to laser hair removal. The other half of the hairs will be in the Telogen (resting) phase. These hairs will not respond.  Due to the differences in hair cycle phases, ongoing treatments will be necessary.  The rate of these growth cycles will be different across individuals.  This is due to genetics.

Shaving the hair on your arms will cause the shafts to enter the Anagen (active growth) phase.  Provided that they are dark in color, shaving will actually facilitate the laser hair removal treatment which works best during the Anagen phase of growth.

The 1064nm laser is best for patients with darker skin. 755nm and 800nm are ideal for individuals with fair skin

Hyperpigmentation usually occurs when the skin receives too much heat. This can happen if the wrong settings are used. The skin tries to heal itself by producing melanin. Different skin types require different types of lasers. They also need the right settings and parameters. This is why it is important to choose a board certified dermatologist whose knowledge is specialized enough to determine these pieces of information across individual patients.