To get rid of unwanted hair permanently, Laser Hair Removal (although very high-tech) is one of the most popular choices. But the capability of Laser Hair Removal relies on numerous points, encompassing (i) the kind of laser being used, (ii) the color of your hair, (iii) the color / type of your skin and (iv) the phase of the hair in the hair growth cycle.

Today there is at least 5 types of laser that are used for hair removal. Your skin type and you hair color will help to determine the most effective laser for you. And even if you get it right, you still may not be left with permanent hair removal instantly. You see, the answer is in the hair growth cycle, and more explicitly, what phase of the cycle your unrequired hair is in.... sounds complex - it is !

Before we learn about the hair growth cycle, it is imperative to appreciate just how Laser Hair Removal literally works. That is, to understand precisely how you can accomplish permanent hair removal, obtaining an appreciation of the laser process is essential.

The Laser Hair Removal process does not physically burn off or remove the unwanted hair. The energy from the laser literally passes through the skin, and is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and shaft. When this energy is absorbed into a hair, the follicles are damaged, which then impairs that distinct hairs ability to grow. Eventually the hair will fall out, usually within a matter of weeks.

Getting an appreciation of how the laser operates is important. You need to always remember that the laser doesn't just make the hair fall out right away. It actually impairs the capability of a hair to grow, causing it to eventually fall out. Now that we have a brief understanding of how the laser works, it is time to get an appreciation of how the hair growth cycle affects the permanency of laser hair removal.

For permanent hair removal, the hair needs to be in the right stage of the hair growth cycle, and if it is, you might not need further Laser Hair Removal treatment.
You see, the hair growth cycle comprises three stages, and the permanency of Laser Hair Removal is more likely when the hair is in one stage in particular - the growth stage.

There are 3 stage to the hair growth cycle: (1) Active/Anagen (2) Regressive/Catagen (3) Resting/Telogen. Laser hair removal is more effective in the Anagen stage where the hair contains the most pigment, and is most affected by the laser light. If the laser treatment is applied when the hair is in either of the 2 other stages, then the likelihood of permanent hair removal is lesser.

Although hair is primarily the same thing from person to person, the way an individual's hair grows is so unique, owing to many factors including: weight, metabolism, age, genetics and environmental conditions. However, irrespective of how these factors bear upon individual hair growth, hair itself grows through three different phases:

1. The ACTIVE or ANAGEN growth phase, comprises approximately 85 % of our body hair at any given moment in time and can last up to several years. During this stage, the hair shaft and follicle has an accumulation of pigment and is most affected by the laser light.

2. The REGRESSIVE or CATAGEN phase is the stage during which the hair stops actively growing but is not yet shed. This phase often lasts a few weeks comprising about 3 - 4% of our total body hair at any given moment in time. The laser will work in this stage, but if it is late in this part of the cycle, a new hair might already be coming through and the new hair will not be affected by the laser.

3. The RESTING or TELOGEN phase lasts 5 - 6 weeks, at the end of which the hair falls out and the new hair arises. The new hair mightn't be affected by the laser because it will not have pigment in it yet, remembering that the laser actually relies on the pigment to find the hair. Approximately 10-13% of our body hair is in this phase at any one time.

Getting an appreciation of the hair growth cycle leads to the ultimate question, "Is it possible to get permanent hair removal?" The answer is Yes, Laser Hair Removal can definitely provide a level of permanent nature. As you can see, if a hair in the Active/Anagen stage is exposed to the laser, then that hair will more than likely be killed permanently. If a hair that is in either of the other 2 stages is exposed to the laser, then that hair will most likely be killed, but the new hair coming through will still grow.

So to achieve permanent hair removal, you will more than likely need multiple laser treatments. You could be lucky - your first Laser hair removal session will permanently remove all of your problem hair, but the possibility is that you will need multiple sessions at set intervals to ensure that you get to the hair when it is in the first stage of growth. And that is all there really is to understand, permanent Laser Hair Removal is definitely achievable !

Article Source: http://www.healthyfad.com

About the Author:
Laser hair removal for men is also increasing in popularity. 5 O'clock shadows and mono-brows can be a thing of the past with mens laser hair removal. Visit www.permanent-hair-removal-laser.com for further information.

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