Will laser hair removal work on grey hair? | Skin Perfection (2024)

FAQs

Will laser hair removal work on grey hair? | Skin Perfection? ›

Laser hair removal is effective for any hair type, as long as the hair follicles contain melanin (a type of pigment that gives color to the hair, skin, and eyes). What does this mean? In some cases, light hair including blonde, gray, or red may not respond as well to treatment.

Remember the laser light is attracted by the pigment of the hair. So due to the lack of pigment in grey/ white hair the laser isn't able to penetrate the skin. And therefore the procedure won't be effective.

Even laser hair removal cannot permanently remove hair from the face. The only advanced technique for hair removal that can permanently remove facial hair is electrolysis.

Electrolysis: Unlike laser hair removal, electrolysis doesn't rely on pigment. It uses a fine needle to deliver an electrical charge to each hair follicle. It's a more time-consuming process but is effective on all hair types, including grey hair.

Fortunately, modern advancements have made it safer than ever for patients with darker skin tones to receive safe, effective laser hair removal treatments. Lasers such as Nd:YAG and diode are exceptional at treating darker skin tones without causing burning, pigmentation changes, or other types of harm.

Grey and white hair as well as blonde and red hair both lack pigment therefore it is difficult for lasers to detect and treat. When a laser has no pigment to target it is harder to zap away the hair, thus making laser hair removal an ineffective treatment for grey hair.

Traditional IPL/Laser machines are only able to use the melanin (the colour) in the hair to absorb the pulsed light, which in turn destroys the follicle. But this method is not suitable for any light hair colours white, grey and red hair as they are missing that melanin.

Electrolysis is a good treatment option for treating unwanted white hairs on the face and body. It's a permanent solution to remove light and fine or red hairs that are otherwise impossible to eliminate with other treatments like laser or IPL because the lack of pigment.

Laser hair removal acts on the destruction of the hair follicle, in a punctual way (monochromatic), making the application a little more painful. It has better results on white skin, with dark and thick hair, but its structure does not eliminate blond and white hair.

Electrolysis can permanently remove unwanted hair. Once your hair is gone, you won't need maintenance treatments. It works on all hair types, including light-colored hairs, which lasers cannot remove.

Can grey pubic hair be lasered? ›

Whipping off your knickers to reveal a patchy bikini line is not going to elicit the response you were hoping for. Never be tempted to shave - seat-shifting itchiness will ensue. And forget laser - once the pigment in the hair has disappeared, it's too late for the treatment to work.

Electrolysis is considered a more permanent solution than laser hair removal (it stops hair growth completely while laser hair removal slows and reduces hair growth), but it requires more individual sessions (closer to 14), and the sessions can take longer. You might not see full results for nearly 18 months.

Rarely, laser hair removal can cause blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include graying of treated hair or excessive hair growth around treated areas, particularly on darker skin.

In rare cases, laser hair removal may result in thicker, darker hair growing or regrowing in an area next to the one being treated. This is referred to as paradoxical hypertrichosis. Anywhere on the face or body might develop paradoxical hypertrichosis.

For laser hair removal on dark skin tones, Nd: YAG lasers are considered as the industry standard. These lasers' longer wavelengths enable practitioners to target the hair follicle directly by avoiding the skin's melanin. All skin tones, especially those with a dark complexion, can be used safely with Nd: YAG lasers.

But not on all hair colors or types.

“Laser currently does not work on hair that has no pigment, i.e. light blonde, light red, and white hair,” Christian says. And it's also ideal if your hair is coarse. “If hair is very fine, it will not pick up the laser well,” Dr. Frank says.

White hairs have proven refractory to any kind of photoepilation technology because of the absence of melanin chromophore in the hair follicle. Many treatment protocols have been tried, but none of them have been effective treatment.

Why can't white hairs be lasered? Laser hair removal is generally less effective on white hairs due to the absence of melanin. Melanin serves as the target for the laser, absorbing the light and converting it into heat to destroy the hair follicle.

Laser hair removal is most effective for people with thick, dark hair and light skin. The contrast between skin color and hair color makes it easier for the hair to absorb heat. It might not work as well for people with dark skin or hair that's blonde, gray, white or red.