Glow Artistry

Discover Glow Artistry Medical Spa

Transform Your Skin at Glow Artistry Medical Spa

The three stages of hair growth

To understand how laser hair removal works you need to understand the different stages of hair growth. Hair has 3 different stages of growth and not all hairs grow at the same time. That’s why you may have found sometimes when you wax about a week later there is hair starting to grow again. Usually these are not the same hairs you waxed a week ago, they would be hairs from another follicle that were at a different stage of growth.

The three different stages of hair growth are:

Anagen – the active growth phase. At this stage, the bottom of the hair follicle (the bulb) is attached to the dermis and its blood supply through the dermal papilla.

Catagen – the transition phase. The hair follicle begins to die and enters the catagen phase

Telogen – the resting phase. In this phase, the remains of the hair bulb are inactive and the attached hair easily falls out.

How do lasers remove hair?

Laser hair removal works because the light of the laser beam can be converted to heat. The light is attracted to the pigment (melanin) in the hair. Dark pigment absorbs the light and the converts it to heat. The heat then affects the hair follicles to prevent hair growth.

In order to destroy a hair follicle, the bulb of the hair follicle where the blood supplies the hair with oxygen to grow needs to be destroyed as well as the stem cells which are responsible for hair regeneration. To be able to do this, a temperature of about 70 degrees needs to be reached.

The darker and the thicker a hair is the more pigment it will hold, and the more light it will absorb. This is why it is important that you don’t wax or pluck your hair before a treatment, because if there is no hair there, there is no way for the laser light to treat that hair follicle.

So to recap, what happens is that the light is emitted, is then absorbed by the pigment in the hair, travels through the hair and is converted to heat and destroys the root. That hair is destroyed and does not grow back! It’s just so simple and effective.

Laser Hair Removal FAQ

Please reach us at info@glowartistry.ca if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Is it permanent?

Laser hair removal is permanent hair reduction, not permanent hair removal. It’s not uncommon to require maintenance treatments once a year, even after the area has been fully treated. The reason: The laser targets and destroys your current hair follicles, but new follicles can develop thanks to hormonal changes. Fortunately we have great discounts on maintenance treatments so you can remain worry free!

What are the risks?

The biggest risk with lasers is eye damage. Both you and our team operating the laser will be wearing goggles specific to the type of laser that’s being used. Other risks include blistering, scarring, and burns that can discolor your skin. We take every precaution to treat you safely including a complimentary patch test.

Does it hurt?

The procedure has some discomfort however we use a cool glide to minimize heat. It’s universally described as a rubber band snapping against your skin. But it only stings for a millisecond-the time it takes for the laser to target your hair follicle and zap it away. While your skin may be a little red after the procedure, you shouldn’t feel any pain in the area by the time you leave.

Will it work on my skin type and hair colour?

Laser hair removal works on almost every skin type-from very light-skinned people (or what’s known as Type I on the Fitzpatrick scale, a skin-typing test) all the way up to Type VI. For best results hair should have colour to it (not blonde/white)

How long does it take?

The actual procedure time depends on the area being treated. Each hair follicle is zapped in a millisecond, so a small area (such as the underarms) will take less than five minutes to complete, while a larger area (such as the legs) might take a half hour.

Can you expect to be hair free? How often do I need to come in?

Most people are hair free by the sixth treatment. It is important to book your appointment every 4-6 weeks for underarms, bikini and face, 6-10 weeks for trunk of body and 10-12 weeks for extremities because you’re using the regrowth of hair in the treated area as a guide to know when the most hair bulbs are active. This time is optimal for treatment because it is a phase in the hair growth cycle where you can kill the most hair bulbs. For optimal results, it is important to stay on cycle and not miss any appointments.

Where should I remove hair?

You can get it done anywhere on the body, and the machine can cover large places fast. Legs, back, underarms, bikini line, stomach, face…there is no limit to the places you can get laser hair removal. The only place you must avoid is around the eyes-eyebrows because of the risk of eye damage from the laser.

How should I prepare for laser hair removal?

If you are planning on undergoing laser hair removal, you should eliminate plucking, waxing, and electrolysis for six weeks before treatment. That’s because the laser targets the hairs’ roots, which are temporarily removed by waxing or plucking. You should also avoid sun exposure for six weeks before and after treatment. Sun exposure makes laser hair removal less effective and makes complications after treatment more likely.