Hair Surgery Information

Many people who have excess hair, or hair in areas where they don’t want to have hair, are turning to laser hair removal surgery. Using lasers to remove hair started in 1997 and the procedure has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This is a medical procedure where a laser is used to removed the unwanted hair. A dermatological laser produces pulses of high-energy light. This light is targeted to individual hair follicles, where the heat from the laser causes the follicle to stop growing hair. It can take more than one application of the laser to get to the point where the follicle no longer grows any hair at all.

The way laser hair removal works is through what’s called selective photothermolysis (SPTL). What means is that a match is made between a specific wavelength of light and pulse duration to obtain the best possible effect on the hair follicle while at the same time minimizing the effect on the surrounding skin. It’s a scientific principle that dark object absorb light energy better than light, so laser energy is tuned to be absorbed much more quickly by the dark hair than it is by the skin.

The color of hair is determined by a substance called melanin. There are two types of melanin the determine hair color: eumelanin for brown or black hair and pheomelanin for blonde or red. Laser treatment is only effective for black or brown hair. That’s why laser hair removal works best for people with a light complexion and dark hair. The treatment works because the energy (heat) from the laser is absorbed by the pigment of the hair (which is why dark hair responds best). The most common areas treated include the face (upper lip, cheeks, chin), legs (bikini line), and armpits. Men sometimes treat excessive back hair.

It takes a deft touch to operate a laser hair removal device. If done haphazardly, it’s possible that the skin surrounding the follicle can be damaged, which can cause pigment (color) changes in the skin. The laser has to deliver enough heat to affect the follicle, but not so much that it damages the skin. Darker skin more easily absorbs the laser energy, which is why the procedure works better for people with dark hair and lighter skin. There are different types of lasers that use different wavelengths based on your hair/skin color combination. Your doctor will consult with you to determine which one is right for the results you want.

Don’t expect the hair to disappear with only one treatment. Depending of the location, thickness of hair, hair color, and skin color, it might take several treatments for you to achieve the final results you’re looking for. The usual number of treatments to permanently get rid of unwanted hair is three to seven, spaced out evenly at every four to eight weeks.

Despite what you may have heard, laser hair treatment rarely results in a complete stoppage of hair growth. What usually happens is the hair will get thinner and more slow growing with each treatment. It’s rare though for the hair to completely stop growing. What you usually end up with is a case where you might eventually have to go every 12 – 18 months for touch-up to remain hair free. How frequently you’ll need these touch up treatments depends on several factors, including the area treated and the specific characteristics of your hair and skin.