Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a concentrated beam of light (laser) to remove unwanted hair. The laser emits a light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair, which is converted to heat, damaging the tube-shaped sacs within the skin (hair follicles) that produce hairs. This damage inhibits or delays future hair growth. Laser hair removal is a non-invasive procedure that can be done on any part of the body, except the eyelid or surrounding area, and skin with tattoos should not be treated either. The success of laser hair removal depends on hair color and skin type, and the pigment of the hair, but not the pigment of the skin, should absorb the light. The laser should damage only the hair follicle while avoiding damage to the skin.
Laser hair removal equipment includes different types of lasers, such as Alexandrite Laser (755 nm), Diode Laser (810 nm), and Neodymium-doped Yttrium-Aluminium-Garnet (Nd: YAG) Laser (1064 nm), which have different penetrance and melanin absorption rates. Laser hair removal can have side effects, such as redness, swelling, and discomfort, but these usually resolve within 24 hours. Other rare side effects include graying of treated hair or excessive hair growth around treated areas, particularly on darker skin. Laser hair removal can also affect the normal microbial flora of the skin in the treated area.
In summary, laser hair removal is a non-invasive medical procedure that uses a concentrated beam of light to remove unwanted hair. The success of the procedure depends on hair color and skin type, and the equipment used includes different types of lasers. Laser hair removal can have side effects, but they are usually mild and resolve within 24 hours.
