Ultramod Hair Removal

Lasers deliver an intense beam of light which are made up of a single wavelength or colour. Skin is essentially transparent to light in the wavelength range of 600 – 1100nm (nano meters), while melanin containing structures will absorb laser energy of this wavelength. It is therefore possible to target the hair follicle which has a concentration of melanin without affecting the surrounding area.

The light energy absorbed by the melanin pigment results in the rapid heating up of the hair follicle. This heat destroys the cells (papilla) responsible for hair growth. If adequate heating is achieved, then the follicle is permanently disabled resulting in a permanent reduction in hair growth.

Laser Hair Treatment

Lasertreatment is only effective when the hair is in the active growth phase. Hairs or hair follicles in the Degradation or Resting phase need to progress to the active phase before treatment will be beneficial. Therefore, multiple treatments are required for long term, permanent hair reduction.

Also, in a single treatment, not all of the hair follicles in the active phase will be destroyed. Some follicles are destroyed, others may be miniaturised into vellus hairs (light, fine hairs), and some enter prolonged dormancy.

The initial treatment should be repeated to take care of active hair follicles that were not effectively treated in the first session as new hair growth is observed, this will typically be some 2 to 4 weeks later depending on where the treatment area is.

Further treatments should be planned at regular intervals to clear hairs that are coming out of the resting phase and into the active growth phase. Given the number of hair follicles in the resting phase at any given time, this new hair re-growth can be significant.

Any follicles without a target hair within will simply grow again and can be treated next time round.

Suitable Skin and Hair Types For Laser Hair Removal

Melanin in the epidermis absorbs the energy and limits the depth of penetration of the laser light into the skin. Using a light wavelength of 808nm enables treatment of relatively dark skin as well as fair-skinned types. However, laser hair treatment is not suitable for Afro Caribbean or black skin complexions.

Laser treatment is also ineffective in removal of white or grey hair, this is because they have no pigment. However, if treated with Meladine people with blonde, grey, white and red hair can be suitable candidates for laser hair removal.