Let’s talk Science: How does Laser Hair Removal actually work?

Starting anything new is always challenging, and starting your laser hair removal journey can be particularly daunting for a multitude of reasons. A quick search on Dr. Google and your screen floods with countless options, endless clinics and constantly evolving technology. There are so many questions - Is it painful? Is it going to work on my skin? Will it get rid of the hair permanently? How are these machines different? How does a laser actually work?

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Well, we did the research so you don’t have to. Let's begin with the basics. What is a laser and how does it get rid of hair?

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Laser stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Light travels in waves and the distance between the peak of each wave is called a wavelength.

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In simple words, a laser is nothing but a device that emits light in a particular wavelength. During the laser hair removal process, a laser light beam targets the pigment (melanin) in tube-shaped sacs underneath our skin (also known as hair follicles) by emitting a specific wavelength of light that melanin can absorb. This light energy is then converted to heat which damages the hair follicles that produce hair. The damaged hair follicle struggles to produce new hair, thereby delaying or inhibiting future hair growth.

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For the process to be efficient and pain free, it’s important that the laser device is high in power so that it can produce a wavelength that is easily absorbed by melanin.  At the same time, the skin surrounding the hair follicle must be protected and cooled to prevent it from overheating. In-expensive lasers which are low in power and do not have necessary cooling systems can not only be painful but also damage your skin. This is because a shorter wavelength can only make it a short way down the follicle. So even if the hair appears to be removed, it has not been destroyed and will continue to regenerate, making the whole process significantly longer and recurring; similar to waxing or shaving.

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On the other hand, a high quality laser can achieve close to permanent results in as little as 6 sessions owing to its high power and effective cooling systems, making your journey comfortable and relatively cheaper, not to mention the hours saved! This is why at Laser Me Out, we only use Soprano Titanium machines, the latest and best in the industry. Soprano machines have been leading this industry’s technology for decades and Soprano “Titanium” is their newest and most advanced machine. It boasts superior cooling technology, 3 different laser wavelengths and larger spot beam size which results in the quickest and most pain-free results suiting all skin types and colors.

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Now, does this mean that you will be hair-free forever after one session? The simple answer is no. Hair grows in cycles and is the most responsive in the initial stages of growth as this is when it contains most melanin. Laser loves pigment (melanin). So more melanin typically means more successful results. We typically recommend 6 sessions spaced between 4-6 weeks for optimum results, after which top ups become less and less frequent and eventually stop.

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Still got more questions? Just pop by our clinic at 146 Marylebone street any day of the week or visit our website today to get a personalised consultation. Don't worry, it’s free of charge. Have all your questions answered by experts and start your journey to being fuzz-free!