Laser hair removal has traditionally only been effective on dark hairs; it does not address white or grey strands effectively. But with new equipment and methods, blond and light colored locks have also been treated successfully with laser.
Hair removal lasers work by targeting light energy into areas of melanin-rich follicles to destroy them, with blonde, red and white hair lacking melanin being resistant to photoepilation technology.
Electrolysis
Laser hair removal works by targeting darker melanin pigment in hair follicles to heat them up with laser light, however if follicles with lighter colored melanin don’t absorb that pigment successfully then treatment won’t be effective, leading to difficulty when treating blonde or white hairs with this method. People with such hair typically struggle to remove unwanted hair using this technique alone.
Red, gold or ash-colored hair may sometimes be treated using laser technology; it all depends on how much melanin pigment content there is in each follicle and the difference in contrast between their skin tone and hair color. Lighter shades may prove more difficult due to lessened melanin concentration against lighter tones.
Electrolysis has long been considered an effective solution to hair removal for those with blonde, gray and white locks. Electrolysis uses an electrical probe inserted into each individual follicle of each hair follicle that delivers electricity in order to kill it and prevent future hair growth. Although how long it takes varies greatly from individual to individual; typically about 18 sessions should suffice in eliminating all unwanted hair for good.
Electrolysis may seem painful at first glance, but its pain tolerance is actually significantly lower than waxing or shaving. While you will experience a pinch of heat or possibly stinging sensation when inserting the probe into a hair follicle, this should only last a fraction of a second; cooling gel will then be applied to numb the area before starting treatment.
A 45-year-old male came to Reyuva with white hairs on his face that he wanted removed permanently. Initially he tried laser center; however, upon learning that they would dye his strands black before using their laser, he opted for electrolysis at Reyuva instead.
Hair Dye
Hair dye can be an effective and safe solution to white hair removal, though its effects cannot match that of laser treatment for dark hair removal. Hair dye can however serve to prepare skin prior to receiving a laser procedure; thus it’s crucial that use of this treatment follow package directions correctly, wearing gloves when applying it and thoroughly rinsing off after each application of this hair dye treatment.
All laser hair removal procedures work by applying heat directly to pigment particles within hair follicles. Darker strands contain more pigment, so they absorb energy from the laser more readily than its more delicate counterpart. As a result, dark hairs can be successfully eliminated while lighter or grey ones remain undeletable by this laser method.
Laser Hair Removal
Modern laser hair removal employs a concentrated beam of light that’s tailored specifically to target the pigment in both your hair and skin. By targeting unwanted hair directly, lasers heat up the area where it hits, damaging or destroying its source follicle. As a result, results are smoother skin with reduced hair production – usually taking two or six treatments to see significant decrease.
Booking an initial consultation with an experienced cosmetic dermatologist is vital. They will examine the desired area to ascertain whether you qualify for laser treatment and review your medical history to ensure its safety. If this treatment doesn’t suit you, your cosmetic dermatologist can suggest alternate approaches that might get results more effectively.
If you are an ideal candidate, we may suggest the use of topical numbing cream prior to beginning treatment. You will also be instructed to avoid sun exposure before and after receiving therapy for optimal results. Post-procedure, some mild irritation and redness should occur; these should subside within hours.
One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is if laser treatment can be used on white and gray hair. While it is technically possible, laser treatment works best when there is greater contrast between your skin tone and hair color – gray and blonde hair lack the melanin necessary to absorb laser energy and are therefore difficult to target effectively with this procedure.
To minimize the appearance of grey hair, one way is to keep it at a low length and regularly trim it back, keeping any longer or thicker locks at a manageable length and thickness. This will reduce hair growth while making removal of new growth easier; when new growth does reappear it tends to be finer in texture and lighter in color – or may even form into curls or waves instead of straight locks! Through proper haircare habits such as these you can minimize unwanted hair while giving yourself a more beautiful complexion.
Chemical Hair Removal
Electrolysis and laser treatments may both work to effectively eradicate white and gray hair, with electrolysis using a small probe to kill each individual follicle with an electric current; while laser treatments have sometimes proved successful against all colors. Unfortunately, neither solution guarantees permanent removal.
Laser hair removal is a widely practiced cosmetic procedure. The process uses intense beams of light that penetrate the follicle, where melanin pigment absorbs it and destroys future growth. While dark-hair-types typically respond better, advancements have made laser removal more efficient for lighter types as well.
At a typical laser hair removal session, you will lie down on a table or chair while being gently passed over your body by a trained technician with an exterminator device to remove unwanted hair. Multiple sessions may be required before seeing results; each can last from several minutes to an hour. It’s important that before and after laser treatments you protect your skin from sun exposure as too much sun exposure can cause pigment changes or blistering on the skin surface and even affect results negatively.
Laser hair removal is an efficient and safe method to eliminate unwanted hair growth. While results may take time to achieve, laser treatment should not have the side effects experienced with other popular methods like electrolysis. Although you may need to reschedule appointments due to fluctuating hormones after your initial appointments have concluded, your hair growth should become steadily less over time as more treatments become effective.
Laser hair removal offers numerous advantages, yet may not be suitable for everyone. While it is more costly than alternative methods and sometimes doesn’t work on all hair colors, if you want a safe and quick way to rid yourself of white or grey hairs it should definitely be taken into account.
