No longer limited to patients with fair skin and dark hair, the newest technology in laser hair removal now provides superior results and maximum safety for all skin colors and all hair colors. With the increasing interest in a long lasting treatment for hair removal without the pain of electrolysis, laser technology is adapting to meet the needs of a widely diverse population. With the new advancements, permanent results are now a possibility for people who previously did not meet the criteria for successful laser hair removal.

Nearly 50 percent of the world's population are people of color. Early lasers used for hair removal were slow, often painful, and limited to treating fair-skinned people with very dark hair. Aesthetic laser hair removal is no longer limited to those with the contrast of light skin and dark hair. The recent advancements in laser technology have greatly reduced discomfort and have expanded into hair reduction on patients with either tanned skin or pigmented skin.

The basic principle of laser hair removal is to target the hair follicle and disable it with the energy from the laser. The laser works by turning light into heat in the melanin. With the early lasers it was difficult to selectively target the melanin in the hair from the melanin in the skin if there wasnt enough color in the hair and contrast with the surrounding skin.

The newer laser technology utilizes lasers with longer wavelengths. The longer wavelengths absorb less melanin in the skin, which makes treatment safer for darker skin types. When the lasers are combined with variable pulse durations and aggressive skin cooling, it is possible to safely and more comfortably treat a wider range of skin colors and hair colors than was possible with the older equipment.

When searching for a laser hair removal provider, it is important to consider the equipment they use as it can impact the results you will achieve. The newest technology provides safer and more comfortable treatment as well as treating a wider range of hair and skin color and types. The newer Diode, Alexandrite and YAG lasers are approved to treat all skin types. The new ELOS (electro-optical synergy) technology is specially designed to treat all skin types (e.g. Indian, Asian, African-American), including tanned skin, and remove all colors of unwanted hair, including white, gray, and red.

Similar to earlier laser hair removal systems, hair is destroyed when in the active growth cycle. As hair grows in cycles and not all hairs are in the same cycle at the same time, multiple treatments are needed to achieve optimum results. The total number of treatments needed varies from patient to patient based on their unique skin color, hair color, hair type, and treatment area. Most treatment areas show minimal regrowth after three to five sessions.

When selecting a provider for laser hair removal, it is important to remember that this is a medical procedure, and your decision should be given the same care you would give to selecting any other medical specialist. The laser hair removal procedure should be performed by a licensed medical professional in a professional setting with proper medical treatment available if needed.