On what principle is laser hair removal based?

Laser hair removal is based on the principle of selective photothermolysis, which involves the targeted destruction of specific tissues while minimizing damage to surrounding areas. This principle relies on the absorption of laser light by the pigment (melanin) in the hair follicles. When laser energy is delivered to the hair, it heats the follicle to a temperature that inhibits hair growth, while the surrounding skin remains largely unaffected due to the selective nature of the absorption.

This method is particularly effective because it exploits the contrast between the darker hair and the lighter surrounding skin. The specificity of the wavelength of light emitted by the laser allows for optimal absorption by the melanin in the hair, which is essential for achieving effective hair removal.

In contrast, photoablation involves the removal of material from the surface of an object through the absorption of light, and is typically used in different contexts, such as skin resurfacing, rather than targeting hair follicles specifically. Thermal conduction refers to the transfer of heat through materials, and while it can play a role in the overall process of hair removal, it does not specifically define the mechanism utilized by lasers in this treatment. Chemical reactions involve changes in molecular structure, which are not the basis for hair removal through laser treatments. Therefore, selective photother