The diode laser targets the pigment located in the hair follicle. The light from the diode laser is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and this energy is converted to heat which results in thermal damage to the hair follicle. This thermal damage causes permanent destruction of the hair follicles. Simply stated, the darker pigmentation of the hair follicle absorbs more energy than the pigment in the surrounding skin. Therefore the laser raises the temperature of the hair follicle safely without damage to the surrounding skin. Unlike electrolysis, which kills one hair follicle at a time, the diode laser reaches and treats hundreds of follicles at a time.

A unique component of the diode system is the actively cooled sapphire hand piece tip which has been designed to conduct heat away from the skin during the laser pulse. This cools the skin and protects it from injury. The cooling tip has a mild anesthetic property. Additionally, a topical anesthetic lotion is routinely used to ensure minimal discomfort.  The diode laser is most effective in the treatment of follicles that are in the active growth phase at which there is an abundance of melanin which the laser targets. However, not all hairs are actively growing at the same time. Hairs actually go through three distinct growth phases: active growth, regression and resting. Therefore, because the laser is most effective for hair follicles that are in the active growth phase, more than one treatment may be required to remove hair follicles. However, one treatment may result in a significant enough improvement that it may be all you desire or require. On the average three to five sessions will be necessary depending upon a patient’s skin and hair type. The interval between sessions is approximately four to five weeks.