Does laser hair removal work on white hair?

For permanent laser hair removal treatment , it is the light from the laser beam that is transformed into heat to target the hair follicle and thus destroy it at the very heart of the hair bulb. The melanin contained in the hair is the target of the laser; it is this which conducts the heat towards the bulb, whilst protecting the skin.

Melanin is therefore very important in the permanent laser hair removal process. It's easier to understand why light, white, blond, and red hair, which contains little melanin, poses more problems for this treatment. Does laser hair removal work on white hair?

For white hair, lasers were generally considered to be ineffective. In this context, electrolysis was therefore recommended. Now, with the latest generation of lasers on the market, things are slowly changing.
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Laser hair removal for white hair

As we have just said, white or light hairs contain practically no melanin, and for permanent hair removal treatment for white hairs, as melanin is very important, laser hair removal is therefore not the most recommended. For white hair laser hair removal, as for blond or red hair, the laser is not very effective and can sometimes cause burns.

Does laser hair removal work on white hair? Since melanin isn't present on white hair to channel the heat from the laser beam, the heat can radiate into the skin and cause burns.

Now, fortunately, things are changing.

But then, what is the recommended solution for effectively removing white hairs?

Let's look at this in more detail.

What hair removal solutions are there for white hair?

For a time, it was therefore impossible to remove white hair with a laser, so hair removal, especially for men, was very limited.

Today, with the evolution of technologies, with the use of the latest lasers , things have changed.

For the diffusion of heat, this is first restricted with the cooling systems which are now integrated into most lasers used for hair removal treatments.

Lasers, like diode lasers, can now treat all skin types and therefore all hair types, with results that vary from person to person. Overall, if all the instructions given during the consultation prior to permanent laser hair removal treatment are followed, most treatments are successful in the more or less long term and in the different prefigurations that concern people depending on their skin type.

Among the new technologies, we find for example the Nd:YAG laser which allows to heat the melanin but also the hemoglobin of the blood. This allows greater efficiency in the hair removal method so that it can be destroyed. Indeed, to remove white hairs, two phases exist:

• Pulling out gray or white hairs with wax or tweezers, resulting in some micro-bleeding of the pores.
• A session with the Nd:YAG laser which aims to destroy the embryonic cells of the hair.
  

This technique can therefore be proposed for light, white and red hair, as soon as the melanin is not sufficiently present.

For men's beard hair, this procedure is now also possible. This technique can sometimes be painful on certain areas of the body (pubic area for example), but it works.

Electrolysis hair removal method

To achieve smooth skin free of unsightly hair and if you have light hair, you can also resort to electrolysis hair removal .

For permanent hair removal for white hair, the electrolysis method uses an electric current that transforms into heat to destroy the hair follicle. With the treatment adapted to the hair cycle and with the given instructions, with this process, light hairs can be gradually destroyed.

This method is recommended for waxing small areas, such as the face and bikini line.

Electrolysis is therefore performed hair by hair. The technique is called thermolysis. It involves inserting a microneedle into the hair follicle, which transmits an electrical impulse that, over time, destroys the hair bulb, thus preventing hair regrowth. This technique was widely used before the advent of lasers.

Nowadays, laser hair removal is more common, but for light, white, blond, or red hair, thermolysis, or electrolysis, remains more effective. Electrolysis offers long-lasting results; however, electrolysis is only effective on hairs in the anagen phase (the growth phase of the hair).

The procedure must therefore be repeated on other hairs that are in the catagen (resting) or telogen (falling) phase. The treatment therefore involves a longer process than laser hair removal in general. Furthermore, it is also a technique that, for some people, can be more painful. In these specific cases, an anesthetic cream will be prescribed to alleviate unpleasant sensations.

FAQs

Is laser hair removal effective for light hair?

The hair removal laser emits a very powerful flash (light flash), concentrated on a small area of ​​the skin. The dark pigment of the hair (melanin) will absorb this light energy and transform it into heat, resulting in burning of the hair bulb and non-regrowth of the hair. This is why lasers do not remove hair well from light, blond or white hair. However, there are now newer generation lasers that are a little more effective on these types of hair, such as diode lasers.

How to permanently remove white hair?

Electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal method that can eliminate white, blond and red hair, as well as downy hair on certain areas of the body or face.

Does laser remove white hair?

Hair removal using a laser is possible due to the presence of melanin in the hair. However, light-colored hair (blonde, white, or red) has little or no melanin. This is why laser hair removal is not effective on this type of hair.

Is there a laser that works on white hair?

Lighter hair (red, blond, or white) may respond favorably to laser beams, but requires more sophisticated, high-tech equipment and specific settings. In addition to your hair color, your skin color is also crucial for achieving safe and effective results. Diode lasers are more effective on these types of hair.

Conclusion

Dark, thick, and growing hair responds best to laser hair removal. As you can see, dark hair contains more melanin, and this condition is absolutely essential for excellent laser hair removal.

But now, as you also know, electrolysis offers an excellent alternative for people who want to get rid of their light, blond, red, and white hair. With the arrival of the latest technologies and lasers in various treatments and techniques, the solutions are here!

To be well informed, it is advisable to contact beauty institutes, beauty centers, aesthetic clinics, competent with people who are trained in all these procedures, and who will be able to clearly inform you during the consultation prior to a treatment, this is what we do at sssKin , do not hesitate!