I was doing some LHR research and came across a Wikipedia entry on LHR (Laser Hair Removal). There was something on there that caught my attention and just thought I would share it:
Any laser light beam intended for topical use can only penetrate skin tissue two millimeters deep. As such, there has been great controversy surrounding the laser industry claims to what most people think of when they hear the word “permanent”. Many class actions lawsuits are settled out of court so the damaging information is never made into public record.
The dermal papilla is the only appropiate target of destruction, as it it is the only substructure of the hair shaft which can reproduce a new root system, and therefore a new hair shaft. The dermal papilla is located at a depth of 7-8 millimeters for coarse hair, and so is beyond the reach of laser.
The laser light beam, however, does a great job of vaporizing large areas, just not permanently. Challenge your laser tech to sign a “plain english” money back guarantee if you want to find out for yourself.
No form of laser is capable of permanent hair removal without scarring. At most, 5 percent of hair in a given area can be removed which adheres to the common usage of the word “permanent”, usually because the hair root is not very thick in diameter, or have any pigment, and is therefore within the two milimeter range of the laser.
This is why laser techicians are required by law to use the term “reduction”.