Does the 1540 fractionated non-ablative laser damage the hair follicles on the face?

A fractional laser should not cause damage to hair follicles. If you are having issues post laser with hair growth in the treated area I would recommend following up with your provider.  They should be happy to help you with your concerns and answer any questions. 

Fractional laser may destory the hair on the surface but does not penetrate the skin deep enough to destroy or damage hair follicles.BestH Karamanoukian MD FACS

I agree. This wavelength is absorbed by tissue water and not the hair follicles and it should not cause any longterm damage to the hair follicles.

A fractionated non ablative laser will heat up the hair follicles and will possibly cause the hairs to singe on the skin but should not damage the hair follicle and will regrow.  This is not the correct wave length for hair removal and does not heat the follicle of the hair to cause it to go away. 

Laser science is all about wavelength of light emitted by the device, the target tissue that absorbs the light energy to convert it into heat and have the desired biological effect. Fractional non-ablative lasers like 1540nm and the Gold Standard, 1550nm Fraxel, all target water in the dermis to stimulate new collagen. The pigment in the hair follicle and hair bulb are not the target and are not affected.

Thanks for your question. From the technical standpoint the answer is "no", it should not affect your hair follicles. The laser's target is water and not the pigment within your hair follicles. Further, the laser doesn't penetrate as deeply as where your hair follicles originate in the skin.  Nevertheless, it would be wise to have an in person consultation with a trained and experienced physician who can examine you to determine your own individual risk.  Lasers can sometimes do unpredictable things, so caution must always be exercised. Best of luck to you!

100% no. Why? Because the hair follicle germ cells or stems are located in an area called ' the area of the bulge' - this lies very deep in the fat layer. All NA or non ablative lasers from 1440 to 1550 do not penetrate to this depth. All safe , Dr Davin S. Lim