The primary principle behind laser hair removal is selective photothermolysis. Lasers can cause localized damage by selectively heating the area that causes hair growth, (the follicle), while not heating the rest of the skin. Laser hair removal is safer, faster, and a more effective procedure to eliminate unwanted hair than electrolysis, waxing or tweezing. For example, with electrolysis, it takes two-seconds to remove one hair follicle versus hundreds of follicles per pulse of laser light. In addition the surrounding tissue is unaffected and there is little or no irritation to the skin.

Laser hair removal works with individual hair growth cycles to deliver lasting results regardless of skin color or body area.  Because the treatment can only be used to eliminate follicles that are in the growth cycle at the time of treatment, a series of treatments are suggested to achieve the best long-term results.

Hair removal lasers selectively target Melanin:

Melanin is considered the primary chromophore for all hair removal lasers currently on the market. Melanin occurs naturally in the skin (it gives skin and hair its color). There are two types of melanin in hair: eumelanin (which gives hair brown or black color) and pheomelanin (which gives hair blonde or red color). Because of the selective absorption of photons of laser light, only black or brown hair can be removed.

Both men and women seek laser hair removal services to have unwanted hair removed. Hair removal is commonly done on lip, chin, ear lobe, shoulders, back, underarm, abdomen, buttocks, pubic area, bikini lines, thighs, face, neck, chest, arms, legs, hands, and toes.

Laser hair removal works best with dark hair. Light skin and dark hair are an ideal combination, but new lasers are now able to target dark black hair even in patients with dark skin.

Hair removal lasers have been in use since 1997 and the Food and Drug Administration approved it for “permanent hair reduction.” Laser hair removal has become extremely popular because of its speed and efficacy. 

Unwanted hair is shaved and a numbing cream can be applied prior to laser treatment. Our New York City patients may see diminished results if the hair is plucked or waxed before treatment. Since hair grows in three distinct phases, multiple laser treatments are needed to effectively remove unwanted hair during each of these phases.