Unlike the methods of hair removal discussed earlier, laser hair removal has the capacity to destroy the cells in the hair follicle bulb and provide a longer lasting, and in some cases, permanent effect. The potential for eliminating hair growth on the face is especially important, as the process of managing facial hair has strong negative connotations, and implies masculinity.
Laser hair removal is based on the ability of melanin in the cells of the hair follicle to convert the energy emitted by the laser into heat and, thereby, give rise to the local destruction of the hair follicle. Since eumelanin acts as the primary chromophore in the hair follicle and high levels are critical to the efficacy of the laser, variability of the response is largely dependent upon the degree of pigmentation of the hair follicle. Dark hair is known to respond well, whereas lightly pigmented and gray hair is much less responsive. Along these same lines, the potential for skin adverse effects as a result of laser treatment is also dependent upon the level of skin pigmentation. Thus, individuals with darker skin are more susceptible to burns than lighter skinned patients and, therefore, the selection of laser settings with proper pulse width and duration are critical to avoid these negative side effects. A more detailed discussion of laser-mediated hair growth management is included in Section 6.5.