I am curious as to why laser is approved for hair reduction and NOT hair removal?
Assuming someone is a good candidate for laser (light skin with dark hair), if the laser is able to remove 90% of the hair, why wouldn’t it remove the remaining 10% completely - especially if given enough persistent treatments targeting the remaining hairs?
It’s more legal semantics than anything by the FDA:
“Several manufacturers received FDA permission to claim, “permanent reduction,” NOT “permanent removal” for their lasers. This means that although laser treatments with these devices will permanently reduce the total number of body hairs, they will not result in a permanent removal of all hair. The specific claim granted is “intended to effect stable, long-term, or permanent reduction” through selective targeting of melanin in hair follicles. Permanent hair reduction is defined as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing after a treatment regime, which may include several sessions.”
Thanks Brenton for your answer, but (sorry) I don’t fully understand… so if one uses laser to keep targeting any hair that is re-growing, that hair should eventually be eliminated 100% completely, right? Isn’t this similar to what electrolysis does? Keep targeting re-growing hair until all hair is 100% eliminated? So why is electrolysis approved for “Permanent Removal” while laser is approved only for “Permanent Reduction”?
if one uses laser to keep targeting any hair that is re-growing, that hair should eventually be eliminated 100% completely, right?
Not necessarily. Some hair (such as blonde or red) and hair that is not coarse won’t be eliminated because there’s not enough pigmentation in it for laser to affect it. Theoretically, fine hair could be killed with laser if you blasted up the power high enough (though hopefully you wouldn’t blast a hole through your skin from so much energy). Electrolysis isn’t limited by the type of hair you have
I have this same question… i visited a laser specialist today (i was actually intending for a electrolysis treatment but she advised to go do laser since i have really thick facial hair) and was told that laser is a form of permanent hair removal, not just reduction.
I am a little concerned because i am a black female so I’m not sure if the laser will burn my skin. Just a bit confused since I’ve been told laser is permanent reduction and electrolysis is permanent hair removal.
It’s really a legal semantic. Per the FDA website:
“Several manufacturers received FDA permission to claim, “permanent reduction,” NOT “permanent removal” for their lasers. This means that although laser treatments with these devices will permanently reduce the total number of body hairs, they will not result in a permanent removal of all hair. The specific claim granted is “intended to effect stable, long-term, or permanent reduction” through selective targeting of melanin in hair follicles. Permanent hair reduction is defined as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing after a treatment regime, which may include several sessions.”
I would avoid doing laser on female faces. There is a tendency for induced growth on that area so I’d avoid doing laser on that area for a different reason than what you were told
Okay Brenton, I’ll take your advice. Especially since my face and neck are really prone to ingrowns. Thank you!