To understand how the LightSheer diode laser works, it helps
to know a little more about how hair grows and how laser light
vaporizes unwanted tissue.
How does hair grow?
Hair forms in a pouch-like structure below the skin called a
hair follicle. What we see as hair is actually the hair shaft,
which is the keratinized, hardened tissue that grows from this
follicle.
Humans have more hair follicles per square inch of skin than
most higher primates, including chimpanzees and gorillas.
Because most of this hair is fine and pale (called vellus hair), it
usually is not visible to the naked eye. Consider this: the
forehead has more hair follicles than any other part of the
body. The thicker, fully pigmented hair most people consider
"real hair" is called terminal hair. This hair is found on scalp,
eyebrows, legs, backs, underarms. This is the hair the
LightSheer diode laser treats.
Everyone's hair grows differently, depending on age, weight,
metabolism, hormones, ethnicity, medications, and other
factors. But all hair goes through three distinct growth phases:
1) Active growth phase (called the anagen phase), which lasts
up to several years. At any given time, the majority (85%) of
our body hair is in this phase. During anagen, the hair has an
abundance of melanin.
2) Regressive phase (catagen phase), which lasts about two
weeks, during which the hair stops growing but is not yet shed.
About 3 - 4% of our body hair is in this phase at any given
time.
3) Resting phase (telogen phase), which lasts 5 - 6 weeks, at
the end of which the hair falls out and a new hair begins to
form. Approximately 10-13% of our body hair is in this phase
at any one time.
The LightSheer diode laser most effectively disables hair that
is in the active growth (anagen) phase. Because all the hair in
a treated area may not be in the anagen phase, more than
one laser treatment may be necessary to remove the hair that
subsequently enters the growth phase.
How does the LightSheer diode laser work?
A laser produces a beam of highly concentrated light. Different
types of lasers produce different colors of light.
The light emitted by the LightSheer diode laser is absorbed by
the pigment (melanin) located in hair follicles (melanin
pigments give hair its color) and hair shaft. The laser pulses
for a fraction of a second, just long enough to vaporize the
pigment - disabling several hair follicles at a time to eliminate
or significantly impede the hair's regrowth - but not long
enough to damage the surrounding skin. The LightSheer diode
laser's special contact-cooling hand piece further protects the
epidermis (upper layer of skin). This patented method of
epidermal preservation allows delivery of more laser energy
deeper into the hair follicle.
Additionally, the LightSheer diode laser is able to treat a
broader range of skin types than most other hair-removal
lasers. It is delicate enough for a woman's fine, sensitive skin
and robust enough for a man’s beard, back, or arms.
We are making appointments now for this procedure. If you or
someone you know would like to learn more about LightSheer
hair removal or related procedures, please call our offices and
ask to speak with Robin Holland or Ashley Sweet, RN. We
look forward to hearing from you.
