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Laser Hair Removal: 3 Stages of Hair Growth and Why They Matter
January 4, 2025
Are you tired of shaving all the time and are looking for a more permanent solution? Laser hair removal is a popular and effective method for achieving long-term hair reduction, but it isn’t a one-and-done solution. To understand why multiple treatments are necessary and how they work, it's important to understand the basics of the hair growth cycle and why it plays an important role in the laser hair removal process.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
Laser hair removal
uses controlled pulses of light energy to target the pigment in the hair shaft, known as melanin. This light energy converts to heat, which damages the hair shaft and reduces the blood supply, which prevents the body from growing more hair in its place. While you might assume that a single treatment is enough to eliminate all hair growth, this is unfortunately far from true and it all has to do with the fact that your hair goes through various hair phases and laser hair removal is only effective against one of these phases. To get a better understanding, let’s explore the different phases.
Understanding the Hair Growth Cycle
Have you ever wondered why you lose hair every day in your brush, but your hair never seems to thin out? This is because your hair is constantly moving through the different stages of the
hair growth cycle
at unique intervals and it is normal for hair to fall out and be replaced.
- Anagen (Growth Phase) - Anagen, known as the growth phase, is the first stage of hair growth. This is when your hair is actively growing. The root is full of melanin and directly attached to the blood supply during this period, making it an ideal target for laser hair removal.
- Catagen (Transition Phase) - The catagen phase is when the hair stops growing and the follicle shrinks and breaks away from the dermal papilla and the blood supply. This stage only lasts for a few days.
- Telogen (Resting Phase) - The telogen, or resting phase, is a time when your hair goes dormant, waiting for new growth to start and push the hair out of its place. This phase can last from days to a few years and as much as 80% of your hair is in this phase at any given time.
- Exogen (Shedding) - The exogen, or shedding, phase is not part of the growth cycle but is an important phase. Exogen is when the individual hair sheds and new hair begins growing as a replacement.
Laser Hair Removal Treatments Target the Anagen Phase
For laser hair removal to be effective, treatments must target hair during the anagen phase. Since not all hairs are in the same phase simultaneously, multiple sessions are required to ensure that all hair follicles are treated during their growth phase. The laser's energy can successfully reach and damage the follicle only when the hair is actively growing and attached.
Multiple Treatments Follow Your Hair Growth Cycle
Given the cyclical nature of hair growth, laser hair removal typically requires six to eight treatments spaced a few weeks apart. This approach allows the laser to target hairs as they enter the anagen phase in subsequent cycles. Depending on the treatment area and hair type, most individuals can expect to see an 80% reduction in hair growth after just three treatments.
Understanding the hair growth cycle and the principles behind laser hair removal can help you set realistic expectations and achieve the smooth, hair-free skin you desire. If you are tired of razors and shaving and want a more permanent solution, laser hair removal is the answer. Call 541-203-2653 today to schedule and say goodbye to bothersome hair once and for all.
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