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Is it Permanent?
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Most ( over 98% ) customers report permanence.
Pulsed light systems work by emitting pulses of intense light via a glass prism to the hairy area. Hair containing pigment (melanin) absorbs the light and converts it to heat. |
This heat is led down through the hair follicle, which is then destroyed and rendered unable to produce new hair. Most hair will not grow back at all while other hair may grow back thinner and lighter in colour. It depends on hair growth cycle. In hair growth cycle there are three stages or phases:
The Anagene Phase or growth period. A new hair is generated by the follicle. It pierces the dermis and becomes active (synthesising keratin and melanin)
The Catagen Phase. This is a regression phase. The synthesis activity halts. The bulb detaches itself from the papilla. It remains linked by an epithelial cord formed by the outer epithelial sheath. This phase lasts 2 to 3 weeks.
The Telogen Phase or rest phase. During this phase, no hair is produced. Its duration is variable and depends upon numerous factors (anatomical location, internal and external factors).
Figure: Phases of the hair growth cycle - The L600 Luminex can only see hairs in the growth phase - anagene stage.
The first phase of the cycle is when hair removal works. It is the only phase of the cycle where the hair is still attached to the follicle. The heat from the laser then travels down the shaft of the hair and penetrates the follicle. When this happens, the heat will destroy the follicle and it will no longer be able to produce hair. There is usually no more than about 20% to 30% of our hairs in the Anagen phase at any given time. This is one of the main reasons why a person needs multiple treatments for laser hair removal. |
