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 retard hair regrowth. Because laser pulses target hair follicle melanin, people with coarse, dark 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 Nd:YAG laser. That’s because the Nd:YAG laser has a longer wavelength and better pigment selectivity than other lasers used for hair removal. It can more precisely penetrate hair follicles, leaving the surrounding skin tissue undamaged.

Because lasers can only target anagen, or hair follicles in the active growth stage, you should expect to undergo four to six treatments. But you won’t have to wait long to see results. 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.