Can BroadBand Light be used over facial hair without damaging the hair?

Question

I know that certain wavelengths of BBL can and are purposefully used for hair removal. My question is if my provider can just focus on one or any of the narrow filters (515, 560, 590nm) over facial hair to get the antiaging benefits without damaging the beard area I want to keep?

Christopher T. Maloney Jr., MD · Answer

The degree of facial hair reduction during a BBL photofacial depends largely on the color of the hair. White or light gray hair is much less affected than darker hair because it contains little melanin, the pigment that absorbs BBL energy. In contrast, beard hairs are typically thick, dark, and rich in melanin, making them efficient absorbers of the light energy used during treatment. As a result, even when the primary goal is photorejuvenation rather than hair removal, some of the energy can be absorbed by the hair follicles. Consequently, some degree of permanent hair thinning or reduction is possible, particularly after multiple treatment sessions.

Can BroadBand Light be used over facial hair without damaging the hair?

Answers (1)

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