Laser Hair Removal Systems General Information on the Different Laser Hair Removal Systems

Laser Hair Removal Methods - Which One is Best?

There are many methods of hair removal ranging from tweezing to shaving to spearmint tea. Actually, spearmint tea is used to regulate hormone levels that contribute to excessive hair growth, but it does not remove hair. One of the more popular methods of hair removal is laser hair removal. You might be surprised to discover that there are several different methods of laser hair removal. Some of these methods are not technically laser treatments but they are so closely related to the way laser hair removal methods work that they will be included in this article.

True Laser Hair Removal

True Laser Hair Removal involves the use of laser energy to produce the reduction and eventual permanent removal of hair. These lasers are used by a dermatologist in an office or clinic setting and they produce pulses of high energy light of a single wavelength. To accomplish the removal of hair, this laser device is directed toward the hair, specifically the melanin pigment within the hair shaft and produces heat within the hair. This heat transfers down to the hair follicle. This in turn will inflame the follicle sending a signal to the follicle to stop or at least slow its growth.

Home Laser Removal Systems

Some companies are manufacturing laser hair removal systems that can be used at home. The three most popular are Tria Personal Laser, No! No! Hair Removal and Silk’n Hair Removal System. The Tria Personal Laser is an actual laser that has been adapted for home use. The No! No! Hair Removal uses heat to destroy hair follicles and the Silk’n product works with pulsed light technology to remove hair. Results from the use of these products have been known to vary.

Electrolysis

Many people confuse Electrolysis with Laser Hair Removal treatments. Electrolysis works with electricity instead of lasers. A probe is inserted into the hair follicle and delivers a tiny electric shock, thereby damaging the growth of hair. It is generally safe and has been proved to work well if done right. The process can be difficult to perform if hair is thick and it can be somewhat painful.

Flashlamp Hair Removal

The main difference between the Flashlamp Hair Removal process and Lasers is that Flashlamps use full spectrum light instead of the coherent light that Lasers use. This process is used in conjunction with low range infrared radiation that is filtered to produce specified wavelengths. This method causes thermal damage to the hair follicle thereby deterring growth. This method is not very effective on red or blonde hair and it has been known to cause burns.

Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic Therapy is still in the experimental stages and it involves a combination of the use of chemicals and radiation to remove or at least reduce hair growth. The chemical is administered to selective pigments of the follicle's regenerative properties. The laser or radiation then targets these darkened pigment cells while hopefully sparing the surrounding tissue. Again, this is experimental technology and it may be years before it is considered safe and available for commercial use. This process is similar to Microwave Hair Removal which uses microwave radiation sent into the skin to cause thermal damage to the hair.

Photoepilators

Photoepilators use a burst of filtered light through a fiber optic probe that is directed towards one hair at a time and then the hair is tweezed. Supposedly the light causes permanent damage to the hair follicle thus retarding hair growth. This theory has not, however, been proven and the process is extremely slow.