Laser Hair Removal is now one of the most common ways to get rid of unwanted hair, and done right, can definitely provide permanent hair removal. But the capability of Laser Hair Removal depends on numerous points, including (i) the kind of laser being used, (ii) the color of your hair, (iii) the color / type of your skin and (iv) the phase of the hair in the hair growth cycle. Today there are 5 different types of lasers that can be used to remove unwanted hair. The best laser type for you will depend on the combination of you hair color and skin type. And even if you get it right, you still may not be left with permanent hair removal in the short term. You see, the answer is in the hair growth cycle, and more especially, what phase of the cycle your unrequired hair is in.... sounds confusing - it is ! Before we get to know the hair growth cycle, it is imperative to appreciate just how Laser Hair Removal really works. That is, to comprehend exactly how you can obtain permanent hair removal, acquiring knowledge of the laser process is essential. The laser process doesn't actually physically remove the unwanted hair. The energy from the laser actually travels through the skin, and is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and shaft. When this energy is drawn into a hair, the follicles are damaged, which then impairs that specific hairs ableness to grow. Eventually the hair will fall out, typically within a matter of weeks. Getting an appreciation of how the laser operates is critical. You need to always remember that the laser does not just make the hair fall out right away. It actually impairs the ability of a hair to grow, causing it to eventually fall out. Now that we have a brief understanding of how the laser operates, it is time to get an insight into how the hair growth cycle relates to the permanent nature of laser hair removal. If the hair is in the right stage of the growth cycle, then permanent removal is more likely, otherwise further Laser Hair Removal sessions will be necessary. You see, the hair growth cycle comprises three stages, and the permanency of Laser Hair Removal is more predictable when the hair is in one stage especially - the growth stage. A hair will go through 3 stages in its lifetime : (1) Active/Anagen (2) Regressive/Catagen (3) Resting/Telogen. Laser hair removal is more potent in the Anagen stage where the hair contains the most pigment, and is most sensitive to the laser light. If the laser treatment is applied when the hair is in either of the 2 other phases, then the likelihood of permanent hair removal is lesser. Everyone's hair grows differently, and factors affecting hair growth include: age, weight, metabolism, hormones, genetics, medications and environmental influences. However, irrespective of how these factors influence individual hair growth, hair itself grows through three clear-cut phases: 1. The ACTIVE or ANAGEN growth phase, consists of approximately 85 % of our body hair at any given moment in time and can last up to several years. During this stage, the hair shaft and follicle has an affluence of pigment and is most sensitive to the laser light. 2. The REGRESSIVE or CATAGEN phase is the stage during which the hair stops growing but is not yet shed. This phase often lasts a number of weeks comprising about 3 - 4% of our total body hair at any given point in time. The laser will work in this stage, but if it is late in this part of the cycle, a new hair might already be coming through and the new hair will not be affected by the laser. 3. The RESTING or TELOGEN phase lasts 5 - 6 weeks, at the end of which the hair falls out and the new hair arises. The new hair might not be affected by the laser because it will not have pigment in it yet, remembering that the laser literally relies on the pigment to find the hair. Approximately 10-13% of our body hair is in this phase at any one time. Getting an appreciation of the hair growth cycle leads to the ultimate question, "Is it possible to get permanent hair removal?" The answer is Yes, Laser Hair Removal can definitely provide a level of permanent nature. As you can see, if a hair in the Active/Anagen stage is revealed to the laser, then that hair will most probably be killed permanently. If a hair that is in either of the other 2 stages is subjected to the laser, then that hair will more than likely be killed, but the new hair coming through will still continue to grow. So to achieve permanent hair removal, you will more than likely need multiple laser treatments. You could be lucky - your first Laser hair removal treatment will permanently remove all of your problem hair, but the eventuality is that you will need a number of sessions at set intervals to ensure that you get to the hair when it is in the first stage of growth. And that's all there really is to know, permanent Laser Hair Removal is definitely possible !
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