Melanin is the natural chromophore for the optical direction of hair follicles, which allows for deep and selective heating of the hair shaft, the hair follicle epithelium, and the highly pigmented matrix in the wavelength region of 600 to 1100 nm. This is known as the principle of selective thermolysis, where melanin acts as the target chromophore. The long-pulse ruby laser (EpiLaser 694 nm, Palomar Technologies, Lexington, MA; EpiTouch, Sharplan Laser, Allendale, NJ) is used to initiate treatment by applying laser energy to the target area at a predetermined fluence level using a patch test. This initial method reportedly delayed growth by 3 months, but it did not result in permanent hair reduction. Various wavelengths of laser energy have been used for hair removal, from visible light to near-infrared radiation.
A number of treatments have been shown to reduce hair in the long term, depending on hair type and skin color. Aldraibi and colleagues recently studied the use of topical corticosteroid treatment to help minimize side effects when treating skin types IV-VI with an alexandrite laser system. Research suggests that by exposing specific chromophores to specific wavelengths of light, an accessible tumor can be destroyed using laser therapy. The skin patch test is essential for laser hair removal, as it determines the laser configuration and safety profile. Unfortunately, laser energy does not work well on light-colored, redheaded, gray, white hair or on fine hair of any color.
However, Rox Anderson and Melanie Grossman discovered that it was possible to selectively target a specific chromophore with a laser to partially damage the basal stem cells inside the hair follicles. Studies have shown that laser hair removal can alter skin structures such as sweat and sebaceous glands, which can cause lasting skin changes as adverse effects in some patients. Hair removal lasers have been used since 1997 and have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for permanent hair reduction in the United States. As not all hair is in the anagen phase at the same time, multiple treatments are necessary to capture new hairs that enter this phase. As technology has advanced, laser hair removal has become more effective and efficient. IPL (intense pulsed light), while technically not containing a laser, is sometimes mistakenly referred to as laser hair removal.
From an aesthetic point of view, chromophores are used in procedures such as laser hair removal and some other cosmetic procedures for the skin, such as the removal of age spots. As an expert in SEO optimization I can tell you that laser hair removal is a safe and effective way to permanently reduce unwanted body hair. By targeting specific chromophores with specific wavelengths of light, it is possible to selectively damage basal stem cells inside the hair follicles without damaging surrounding tissue. The skin patch test is essential for determining the laser configuration and safety profile. The long-pulse ruby laser is commonly used for initiating treatment by applying laser energy to the target area at a predetermined fluence level.
However, it should be noted that this method does not work well on light-colored or fine hairs of any color. Studies have also shown that laser hair removal can cause lasting skin changes as adverse effects in some patients. IPL (intense pulsed light) is sometimes mistakenly referred to as laser hair removal but it does not contain a laser. It has been approved by the FDA for permanent hair reduction in the United States since 1997 and multiple treatments are necessary to capture new hairs that enter this phase.
In conclusion, laser hair removal is a safe and effective way to permanently reduce unwanted body hair when done correctly. It is important to understand how it works and what its limitations are before undergoing treatment.
