Laser hair removal treatment removes unwanted hair by pulse of laser light, which destroys the hair follicle. This treatment was first done experimentally about twenty years ago and became commercially available around mid 1990. Selective photothermolysis is the main principle behind laser hair removal treatment.
Earlier generation laser treatments were very slow, painful, and only worked on very dark hair on lighter skin. Now, however, laser treatment is much better. Several hair removal treatments are available that are not painful and are designed for various skin and hair types. For permanent hair removal by laser, several sessions are needed.
You may be wondering which laser is the best for hair removal. Actually, there is no single best laser that can be used for this treatment. The best one for you depends on things like your skin type, hair color, etc. The effectiveness of laser treatments will vary from person to person according to their different skin and hair types.
Here are some common types of lasers and a description of their effectiveness for those who are going to get a hair removal treatment.
Ruby Laser
- This was the first laser introduced for the treatment of hair removal.
- The beam of the laser is consumed by the melanin pigment in the hair, causing it to transform into lighter hair.
- This type should be used on patients who have fair skin because tan or dark skin may burn.
- This laser has a low redundancy rate and moderately small spot size, which may mean a longer and more expensive treatment.
Alexandrite Laser
- This laser is the quickest laser for hair removal.
- It has a high repetition rate with large spot size up to 10 mm.
- It can quickly treat large body areas, such as the whole back, in a short amount of time, about 20-30 minutes.
- This treatment is suitable for patients who have fair or olive complexions.
Diode Laser
- This laser’s longer wavelength permits deeper penetration of the skin which works well with darker skin.
- This laser has no effect on finer and lighter hair.
- This laser has a smaller size of spot and has a longer treatment time.
- The extended treatment time is more expensive.
Nd: YAG laser
- This laser can be used on all skin types, including dark and tanned skin.
- A large area can be treated rapidly because of its quick repetition rate and larger spot size.
- It provides less powerful treatment for lighter and finer hairs than some other types of hair removal lasers.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
- This treatment was initially used for treating pigmentation problems and hair removal.
- The IPL device emits a full-light wavelength spectrum.
- It is most effective on dark hair and fair skin.
Compare to Electrolysis
Electrolysis was the only one cosmetic treatment for permanently removing or reducing hair before laser treatment. Although electrolysis is somewhat painful and tedious, it is the most effective for light colored hair like red, gray, and blonde as opposed to the laser treatment.
In summary, your skin type and hair color decide which laser is suitable for you. For some hair colors, the laser is not fully effective. You will need to test your skin and hair type before the actual treatment. It is recommended to go to a professional and skilled laser care center for your laser hair removal treatment. Otherwise, you might lose your money without seeing any results. Laser hair removal treatment is done in various places. It’s best to find a convenient location and go to the treatments sessions regularly because skipping sessions may cause more harm than good.
Bio
Ana Cluff, the author of this article, has an extensive knowledge about laser treatment. She wanted to share this valuable information to guide her readers if they are confused about choosing the best laser procedure. She really hopes that the article will help someone choose the right laser treatment. She found some valuable information in her research about Fraxel laser treatment from the infinity skin clinic.