How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

Laser hair removal uses laser light pulses to selectively destroy hair follicles by targeting the melanin (color) in them. The pigment in the hair follicle absorbs the laser’s light pulse, which damages the follicle enough to significantly slow hair regrowth. Because laser pulses target melanin, patients with dark, coarse hair and light skin respond best to treatment.

But dark-haired, dark-skinned individuals, as well as those with light hair and skin, can still achieve the same desired effects with the laser we use — the Nd:YAG laser has a longer wavelength and better pigment selectivity than other lasers used for hair removal, allowing it to precisely penetrate hair follicles, leaving the surrounding skin tissue undamaged.

Because lasers can only target anagens — or hair follicles in the active growth stage — you should expect to undergo six to eight treatments. You won’t have to wait as long to see results, though. In just a few weeks after a laser hair removal session, you’ll notice that your unwanted hair has become sparser and finer, your skin smoother, and your pores less visible.