Laser hair method, sometimes referred to as phototricholysis or photoepilation, is now a generally accepted procedure in dermatology, and is widely practiced. The efficacy of the method along with its safety has been published in dermatology literature. In addition to efficacy, its speed has also made the method extremely popular. In some ways, however, the effectiveness of laser hair treatment depends upon the skill and experience of the laser operator and the laser technology being used at the clinic which is performing the procedure.

The science behind laser hair removal is selective photothermolysis (SPTL). Lasers can be used to damage a localized area that causes hair growth, the follicle, whilst keeping the rest of the skin intact. The localized damage is possible because lasers have a propensity to select its target, known as melanin, which is considered as a dark target matter (chromophore). It is a well known fact in physics that light is absorbed by dark objects; the same basic principle also applies for lasers in which it is absorbed by the dark material in the skin (melanin). The melanin can be natural or artificially introduced.

Melanin is responsible for giving skin and hair its colour. There are two types of melanin in hair: eumelanin and pheomelanin. The former is accountable for brown or black colour, while the latter is blonde or red colour, respectively. The selective absorption of photons of lasers dictates the effectiveness of laser hair removal procedure to be limited to black or brown hair. In practice, light skin and dark hair are used to be an ideal combination for complete successful of laser hair removal, but new technology has managed to increase the success rate for targeting black hair in patients with dark skin as well.

Laser hair is not the only method available for hair removal. Electrolysis is another method which has been used very long before laser is around. In fact, electrolysis is considered more effective on all hair colours, unlikelaser hair removal. Electrolysis is suitable to permanently remove very fine and light-coloured hair. However, the popularity laser hair removal has overtaken the electrolysis due to the speed, lack of pain, and reliability of the laser-based procedure.

Laser hair is not without side effects or risk, although the risk is considered minimal. Some normal side effects include itching, redness and swelling around the treated area. It should not last more than three days on average. The low level pain during the treatment should also be expected, but most people can tolerate this minor discomfort. Unwanted side effects such as hypo- or hyper-pigmentation or, in extreme cases, burning, are very rare. This usually happens when the settings of the laser equipments are not properly done.

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