Laser hair removal is one of the few methods that can get rid of unwanted hair for a long time. Sometimes laser hair removal is also called permanent because the results can last up to several years. Professional lasers, Home IPL devices and now home laser devices are often seen as the ultimate solution for unwanted hair.
Although they are loved by many people, redheads, blondes and grey-haired people are often disappointed when they learn the mechanism of laser hair removal. So if you are a redhead, blonde or grey-haired person who has hope for permanent hair removal, we are here for you.
In this article, we explain whether laser hair removal works for fair-haired people and what alternatives there are if it doesn't work. Read on to find out how you can use laser hair removal for yourself.
- Part 1: Mechanism of laser hair removal
- Part 2: Limitations of laser hair removal
- Part 3: Types of lasers for laser hair removal
- Part 4: Which hair colors are best for laser hair removal?
- Part 5: The most compatible methods of hair removal for dark hair
- Part 6: The most compatible methods of hair removal for blonde, red and grey hair
- Part 7: The final verdict
Mechanism of laser hair removal
Laser hair removal salons use a device that emits high-intensity, short-wavelength rays. These rays are designed to target melanin. The rays are absorbed by the hair because it contains more pigment than the surrounding skin cells.
The laser then moves through the hair strands into the hair follicle, where it heats and destroys the follicle. Eventually, the hair follicles lose the ability to produce more hair. It is also important to know that there must be a clear contrast between the skin and hair color for the laser to perform selective photothermolysis.
Although typical laser hair removal devices work strictly according to this mechanism, some modified and advanced laser hair removal devices have additional features.
Limitations of laser hair removal
The limitations of laser hair removal are explained below.
Skin color:
Laser hair removal works best on light skin tones. It can also work on light brown or medium brown tones. However, its use is limited on darker skin . This is because the melanin in the skin can absorb the rays and burn the skin cells.
Hair color:
The hair must be pigmented for the laser to work on it. It can therefore remove hair of colours such as brown and black. The use of the laser on red, blonde and redhead hair is still controversial.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding:
Although there is no evidence, laser hair removal could penetrate the uterus and cause abnormalities in the fetus, because laser is, after all, radiation.
Lasers can also disrupt the balance of hormones in the body. Therefore, you should avoid laser hair removal if you are breastfeeding.
Sick skin:
Skin with conditions such as bleeding disorders, psoriasis, lesions, open wounds, herpes infections, cold sores and vitiligo are not compatible with laser hair removal. Also avoid it if you suffer from allergies or are using treatments that increase your sensitivity to light, such as chemical peels.
Moles and tattoos:
Skin areas with moles and tattoos must not be flashed with a laser device. This can cause blisters, skin burns, scars and distortion of the skin structure.
In addition, if your skin is tanned due to sun exposure or artificial tanning, you should wait until your skin color returns to its original tone.
Types of lasers for laser hair removal
There are different types of hair removal devices that can be used to treat unwanted hair. Below are the most common types. You can also read the details of each of the Read about 10 types of laser hair removal devices .
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Diode laser
The diode laser is one of the few lasers that works on darker skin tones because it can penetrate deep into the hair follicles while leaving the skin intact. It works well on thick hair in black and brown colors. But unfortunately, the diode laser cannot be used on hair with less pigment.
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Alexandrite laser
The Alexandrite laser is designed to treat large areas and make treatment a little faster than the lasers previously used. It also works on a wider range of skin tones, including fair, tan and olive. However, hair removal with the Alexandrite laser is painful.
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Nd: Yag laser
Nd:Yag uses different wavelengths to treat the hair. The longest wavelength can be used to remove unwanted hair such as blonde and red hair. It also introduces carbon into the hair, which absorbs the rays and destroys the hair.
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Ruby laser
Ruby is the first laser ever used to remove unwanted hair. It is also the one that takes the contrast between skin tone and hair color into account the most. However, the use of ruby is now outdated because ruby treatment is slow and only works on thin hair on light skin.
Which hair colors are best for laser hair removal?
Black, dark brown and brown hair colors are best suited for laser hair removal. This is because the pigment in these hairs efficiently absorbs the radiation from a laser device. The skin also remains intact in these cases because there is a clear difference between the melanin content of the hair and the skin.
In addition, every type of laser, from the conservative ones like ruby and alexandrite to the advanced ones like diode and Nd:Yag lasers, works perfectly on dark hair. Even the at-home IPL laser devices are effective on black and brown hair colors.
How suitable is laser hair removal for blonde hair?
If you had asked us this question a few years ago, we would have said that laser hair removal is not suitable for blonde hair because it contains little pigment. But luckily, laser hair removal can now work on blonde hair if you use the right technique and a suitable laser.
In addition, blonde hair also has two types: vellus hair, which is thin and lacks pigment, and terminal hair, which is thick and contains some pigment. Laser hair removal is useless for vellus hair, but it works for blonde terminal hair.
How suitable is laser hair removal for grey hair?
Unfortunately, the effectiveness of laser hair removal on gray hair is questionable. Gray does not contain any pigment at all for the laser to act on. Also, introducing artificial pigment into gray hair can be difficult, and this pigment does not respond to the laser as strongly as the natural pigment.
However, Nd:Yag lasers combined with a carbon lotion can prove useful for grey hair. But again, multiple sessions are required to achieve results, so people with grey hair should try another method of hair removal.
How suitable is laser hair removal for red hair?
The suitability of laser hair removal for red hair here is comparable to that for blonde hair. Red hair contains pigment, even if it is much less than brown hair, it is more than blonde hair. This pigment can be detected by Nd:Yag and diode lasers with a wavelength of 755 nm or 1062 nm. In addition, the pigment is higher on some parts of the body such as the chest and bikini line, so the redhead's hair appears brownish, which improves the results of laser hair removal.
Although advanced laser hair removal is also suitable for red hair, it requires a larger number of sessions to achieve good results than is the case with dark hair.
Which skin tones are compatible with lasers?
The skin tones that are best suited for laser hair removal are those that have much less pigment compared to the hair. This includes white, light, brown and even olive skin tones. But the good news is that diode lasers and Nd:Yag lasers now work on dark skin tones with dark hair. As the Find out here how laser hair removal works on dark hair .
The most compatible methods of hair removal for dark hair
Although dark hair is the most frustrating when it comes to its unwanted presence on the skin, it is easiest to remove with hair removal treatments. The best treatments for dark hair are presented below.
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IPL hair removal
If you have dark hair and light skin, you should not wait any longer and get an IPL hair removal device to become hair-free. You can find the best IPL/laser hair removal devices for home use here.
Of these, the Ulike Air 10 IPL device will become your favorite because it shows results within 2 weeks, only takes 15 minutes for a full body treatment, cools the skin during treatment and lasts a lifetime.
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Professional laser
Any type of professional laser is suitable for dark hair. Just consider other factors such as your skin tone, the area to be treated and your pain tolerance when booking a professional laser treatment to stay hair-free for years without damaging your skin.
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Traditional method
Hair removal methods such as waxing, plucking and threading are proven to be budget-friendly and precise methods for hair removal on dark hair. Shaving and epilation, on the other hand, can be frustrating as they make the blunt ends of the trimmed dark hair appear coarse.
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electrolysis
And finally, dark hair is also compatible with electrolysis, the only hair removal method with permanent results. You can find out which method is best for you under Laser, IPL, Electrolysis or Waxing.
The most compatible methods of hair removal for blonde, red and grey hair
If you are not using the usual laser hair removal devices, you will find out below which methods are suitable for blonde, red and grey hair.
If laser and IPL don't work and you want permanent results, electrolysis is for you. Regardless of hair color and skin tone, electrolysis works on everyone to permanently remove unwanted hair.
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Nd: Yag laser
Nd:Yag lasers today use a long wavelength of light that penetrates deep into the hair and reacts to any amount of pigment in the hair. This longer light penetrates deeply, only comes into contact with the skin for a few seconds and also gives the skin a cooling sensation, making it ideal for redheads and blonde hair colors.
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Artificial pigmentation and laser
Hair can be artificially colored using a laser to absorb the rays in the hair. In addition, carbon lotion can be used to color blonde, gray and red hair. This lotion then absorbs the laser and removes the unwanted hair.
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Traditional methods
Just stick with waxing, epilation, threading or another method of hair removal if your hair doesn't bother you and you don't want to bother with long-wave lasers, electrolysis or artificial pigmentation.
The final verdict
The lack of pigment or the low amount of melanin in the hair was a challenge for laser hair removal until a few years ago. But the latest lasers have successfully overcome this challenge and can now successfully remove blonde, red and gray hair.
However, laser hair removal for blonde, red and grey hair can take longer, require more sessions and be relatively expensive to achieve noticeable results.
