Laser Hair Removal Stimulates Hair Growth
Laser hair removal involves the usage of specifically tuned laser light to kill undesired hair follicles, but it can, ironically, result in the stimulation and growth of surrounding hair. This problem is endemic with many laser removal procedures, and it varies by person and hair type and color. Does this Spark an idea?
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Laser Function
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The wavelengths of the laser light used for hair removal are tuned specifically to boil the melanin, or pigment, in hair follicles, killing them and causing the hair to fall out. The light can cause low-level damage to surrounding follicles without actually killing them.
Damage Regrowth
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Much in the same way that muscle regrows bigger and stronger after exercise, hair that is damaged just enough to need repair will grow thicker and stronger than it originally was.
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Color Tuning
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Because it targets only the pigment, laser light must be very carefully matched to hair color. If hair color is too close to skin color, the technician might not be able to use the right wavelength of light to destroy hair pigmentation without discoloring the skin below it.
Old vs. New Lasers
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Older lasers tended to cause regrowth, because they lacked the sophistication and specific wavelength tuning of today's models.
Cooling
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Qualified dermatologists and technicians use carbon dioxide gas sprays or a chilled synthetic gel to cool the skin, which ensures that any heat that does penetrate is enough to effectively kill the hair follicle.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Dietmar
