Does Laser Hair Removal Work on Fine Hairs?

asked 2 years ago by AnnaVictoria in USA
Latest answer by Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Question viewed 1,693 times
Tags: back, chest

I've just finished my 5th treatment by Coolglide for my arms, underarms, legs, tummy and face. The results have been really good. My skin type is V. The settings the nurse uses on my body are: 30 msec, 55 joules, 1.2 speed.

I also have hair on my chest and back, but these are fine, almost microscopic hairs. My doctor says Coolglide doesn't work on vellus hairs. She did do some test shots at 25 msec, 60 joules, but I can't see an effect. Apparently increasing the settings any higher would be dangerous for my skin type.

5 answers to Does Laser Hair Removal Work on Fine Hairs?

Laser Hair Removal might work for fine hair

To be a great candidate for laser hair removal, the hair being treated must have some density and some color. With that said, fine hair is sometimes a candidate for laser hair removal, but it depends just how fine it is and just how much color it contains. Your skin type also does matter. We do not use the Coolglide but use another laser like it that also has a 1064 wavelength. We are able to achieve higher settings for your skin type for the same type of laser light (1064), but... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Laser hair removal and fine hairs

Usually light colored hair does not respond well to laser hair removal. If the fine hair you have is dark, then there may be improvement, but as the target of the laser energy is small (fine hair) then the absorption of the energy will be weak and its effectiveness low. If the energy is increased, then there may be more of a risk of complications, such as darkening of the skin, after laser.

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Fine or light hairs are tough to treat

The treatment of fine or light colored hairs are usually pretty resistant to laser hair removal because there is not enough pigment in the hairs for the laser energy to be absorbed by and subsequently injure the hair follicle. I hope I was helpful. Steven E. Rasmussen, M.D., FAAD

Steven E. Rasmussen, MD
Austin Dermatologist

Laser Hair Removal is effective for DARK fine hairs

Most laser hair removal can effectively remove fine hairs if they are brown or black. It does not work well on blond, gray or white hair however. If you are a skin type V you might do better with a laser that is safer for dark skin types, such as the GentleYag Laser. This laser can remove hair safer than many of the other devices in darker skin types.

Lorrie Klein, MD
Laguna Niguel Dermatologic Surgeon

Laser for fine hair removal

Most lasers target the pigment in the hair follicle. Many of the truly fine hairs lack pigment and these lasers may not be effective at eliminating them.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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