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Light Based Hair Removal- How to Choose?

光學脫毛-如何選擇

Most people have heard of laser hair removal or IPL hair removal, and many have even undergone treatment. Many beauty centers claim to be able to permanently remove hair. But is this true? Different beauty centers also claim that their lasers or IPLs are very powerful and can achieve painless permanent hair removal. Here, let’s talk about light based hair removal.

Currently, optical hair removal is mainly divided into two categories: laser and IPL. The wavelengths commonly used for laser hair removal are 694nm, 755nm, 810nm, and 1064nm. Faced with so many options, consumers are not easy to distinguish. First of all, we need to understand the theory of optical hair removal. Medical research has shown that when the hair follicle’s melanin absorbs a lot of heat, it will be destroyed. Therefore, laser hair removal mainly targets the melanin in the hair follicle. Because of this, young and unpigmented hair is immune to lasers. After several optical hair removal treatments, the hair becomes thinner and the melanin becomes lighter, and it cannot be removed anymore. Is it permanent? In fact, hair follicles do not die, and after a period of time, young hair may regenerate, but the number becomes sparse and is not easy to notice.

Which wavelength of laser or IPL is better? Medical evidence shows that the hair removal effect and persistence of IPL are not as good as laser. IPL should not be used on skin types 4-6 of the Fitzpatrick scale because the risk of burns is greatly increased. Unfortunately, Asians belong to skin types 3 and 4, so laser hair removal is safer than IPL. Among many laser wavelengths, which wavelength is the best? Let’s talk about the 694nm wavelength first. This wavelength is recommended for skin types 1-3, but the effect is worse than that of other laser wavelengths, and the pigment changes more than other laser wavelengths. Therefore, the 694nm wavelength is not popular. As for the 755nm and 810nm wavelengths, the effect is similar, but some studies show that the complications of 755nm are fewer. The effect of 1064nm is worse than that of 755nm and 810nm wavelengths, but it is safer for dark skin types (skin types 5 and 6).

In other words, if you have Asian skin, choose 755nm because the effect is better; if the skin is darker, use 1064nm.