Laser Hair Removal for Blonde Hair and Fair Skin?

Question

I have fair skin and an abundance of very fine blonde body hair.  Are there any Laser treatments appropriate for this skin/hair type?

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, as someone with blonde, fine hair, you are not a good candidate for laser hair removal.  Laser hair removal works when the pigment (color) in the hair absorbs the light energy of the laser.  This in turn heats up the hair and causes the small blood vessel that feeds the hair to close.  Without blood flow, the hair cannot regrow.  The problem with fine colorless hair is that it does not absorb the light energy of the laser.  Instead of the light and heat being absorbed by the hair, it is absorbed in the surrounding skin.  Because the light energy is not concentrated in the hair follicle, the blood vessel remains intact and the hair will still grow.  Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but unless your hair has some color, you will probably be disappointed with the results of laser hair removal.

Michael Kulick, MD, DDS · Answer

As you may know by now, the best situation for hair removal is with dark hair and light skin.  There are papers that describe improvements in your situation but not all offices have been able to reproduce these results.  
If the hair can grow long enough for you to wax, then you may be able to see some improvement with laser treatments.  However, not many patients will let their hair grow long enough for this technique.

Michael Law, MD · Answer

During the laser hair removal process, lasers search for the pigment or color in the hair follicle.  It cannot see blonde, red, white, or gray hairs.  For this reason laser hair removal does not work for patients with blonde hair, unless the hair has a dark root.  However, it does not hurt to go in for a consult to make sure that you are not an ideal candidate.  There may be some areas where the hair is a lighter brown making the hair follicle visible to the laser.  At our medical laser facility we offer complimentary consultations where you can meet with both a nurse practitioner and trained laser provider to get medically cleared and have questions or concerns addressed.

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. All skin types from fair skinned to dark are
potential client’s for laser hair removal. The treatments are performed
anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks apart.  The results are noticeable as from the
fourth and eighth session of treatment. Remember, you should not wax or tweeze
between treatments sessions as the laser targets the hair follicles. Usually alexandrite lasers work best on light skin
whereas the YAG laser is meant for more ethnic and tanned skin. I would
recommend you find an expert in Laser Hair Removal to assess your skin and hair
and determine the best laser treatment for your daughter. All the best!

Dennis Gross, MD · Answer

In the early stages of laser hair removal, only fair-skinned people with dark hair could have the treatment done. But today, there’s a laser that can be used to remove hair from just about everyone. Keep in mind, though, that darker hair responds best to laser hair removal. If your hair is extremely light (e.g. white or very blonde) or red, it may take more sessions to get results as it’s the melanin in the hair follicle that absorbs the laser energy. The less melanin your hair follicle has (e.g. the lighter your hair), the less energy that’s absorbed.

Kent V. Hasen, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, laser hair removal targets the pigment in hair, so light hair (blonde, grey, white) is not targeted by the laser and can not be treated.  You may want to consider electrolysis or a cream such as Vaniqa to remove the unwanted hair.

Daniel Shapiro, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. A wide variety of medical lasers and light systems are used to remove unwanted hair, however most lasers are not effective for all skin types and hair colors. The Elos laser hair removal system is designed for permanent hair reduction by combining both optical and radiofrequency energy to deliver satisfying, longer lasting results with less discomfort than previous laser systems. All skin and all hair colors including gray and blonde hair are effectively treated. Faces, backs, arms, legs, faces, and bikini lines can be treated including those individuals with darkly pigmented skin. Treatments are administered every 4 weeks and generally 3 to 5 treatments are sufficient. Best of luck!

Christopher J. Ewart, MD · Answer

Blonde hairs on light skin simply do not respond to lasers which basically work by destroying dark hair while leaving the skin alone. There are no lasers that have been created to effectively remove these type of hairs.

Samson Lee, MD · Answer

As you are well aware the darker the hair and fairer the complexion the easier it is to remove hair with a laser. That being said it is possible to remove blond or even gray or white hair with a laser. Remember that a laser doesn't actually remove the hair, it makes it more fine and less noticeable. We have hair all over our bodies, we don't motice most of it because it is fine and light colorled. I have had success at removing even white hair with a laser but it takes many treatments to ensure it's done in a safe manner.

Laser Hair Removal for Blonde Hair and Fair Skin?

Answers (9)

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