The primary principle behind laser hair removal is selective photothermolysis (SPTL). Lasers cause localized damage by selectively heating the area that causes hair growth (the follicle), while not significantly heating the surrounding skin. Each laser pulse affects comparatively small area and damages or destroys follicles thus preventing further growth of hair. Usually, a number of sessions performed on an area to destroy all follicles thoroughly and completely; sometimes as many as 10 sessions are required in densely hairy areas. There are certain pre-operational and post-operational rules a patient must follow in order to be successfully treated for laser hair removal or reduction.

Permanent hair reduction is defined by FDA as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing after a treatment regime, which may include several sessions. The number of hairs regrowing must be stable over time greater than the duration of the complete growth cycle of hair follicles, which varies from four to twelve months according to body location. Permanent hair reduction does not necessarily imply the elimination of all hairs in the treatment area. Several manufacturers received FDA permission to claim, “permanent reduction“, NOT “permanent removal” for their lasers. This means that although laser treatments with these devices will permanently reduce the total number of body hairs, they will not result in a permanent removal of all hair. The market is growing so quickly that FDA cannot maintain an up-to-date list of all laser manufacturers whose devices have been cleared for hair removal, as this list continues to change. To find out if a specific device has an FDA approval you will need to contact FDA. However, most of the respectable medical spas and laser hair removal centers are using only well-established and well-known brands.

Hair removal lasers have first been introduced in 1990s and been in use stateside since 1997 and the FDA’s approval of it for “permanent hair reduction.” According to FDA, “lasers cleared for body hair removal are also cleared for facial hair removal“, so it is safe to be treated by the same machine for both body and facial hair removal procedures.

Laser hair removal has become extremely popular because of its speed and efficacy, although some of the efficacy is dependent upon the skill and experience of the laser operator, and the choice and availability of different laser technology at the clinic which is performing the procedure. Some will need touch-up treatments, especially on large areas, after the initial set of 6-8 treatments. Various types of skin and hair respond differently to treatments and it is a combination of such plus the expertise of laser hair removal technician and available laser hair removal equipment that the end result is depend upon. Both men and women seek laser hair removal services to have superfluous or unwanted hair removed. Laser hair removal is commonly done on lip, chin, ear lobe, shoulders, back, underarm, abdomen, buttocks, pubic area, bikini lines, thighs, face, neck, cleavage, chest, arms, legs, hands, and toes.