Laser Hair Removal and Waxing prior to treatment
Laser hair removal works by a process of photothermolysis whereby a specific wavelength of light is focused on an area of skin. The light wavelength emitted from the laser is set at a color which is directly absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle. The theory is that the hair follicle contains a bulb of concentrated pigment which selectively absorbs the energy from the laser and heats up. The heat generated causes the hair follicle cells to die. This leads to a weakening of the hair follicle, which is the germinal area of hair growth.
The more heat generated by the hair follicle, the better the response to laser. If the hair follicle is waxed, then the hair follicle is removed by the waxing and thus does not respond to the laser.
Alternatively, shaving may provide some benefit prior to laser. In this case, the hair above the skin is removed and thus does not heat up with the laser. The laser beam thus focuses its energy onto the follicle rather than heating up the hair shaft.
