Achieving the most effective laser treatment depends largely on a patient’s skin and hair colour. In laser hair reduction the best response is seen with dark hair and light skin. While grey, white, blonde and red hair rarely respond at all.
Laser hair removal works best on light-skinned, dark-haired individuals because the light from these lasers is absorbed by the dark pigment in the hair, also known as melanin.
A laser targets the dark pigment in the shaft and base of the hair follicles. The hair absorbs the laser energy, causing the hair to heat up and hold the heat. This heat damages the hair stunting future hair growth.
Why is grey hair not generally suitable for laser hair removal?
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.
Find out more about laser hair removal for men at HRBR in this short video
How do I know laser hair removal will work for me?
At HRBR, we carry out a detailed initial consultation with each patient before we commence treatment, to determine each person’s suitability for laser hair removal.
To see if you are a suitable candidate for laser hair removal contact the clinic today to arrange a consultation on 00353 1 209 1000 or info@hrbr.ie. If you have any other questions about laser hair removal at HRBR, see the detailed FAQ section on our website.
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When you are ready to proceed with your hair transplant the team at HRBR are ready to assist. Contact the team on00353 1 209 1000orinfo@hrbr.ie
About the Author
Aoife Curran
Nurse Manager
Aoife Curran is Nurse Manager at HRBR. She holds an honours degree in General Nursing from Trinity College Dublin. She has worked at HRBR since 2011. Previous to HRBR Aoife worked in Tallaght University Hospital.In 2017, Aoife underwent a specialised Trichology course for 2 years in London’s Institute of Trichology, where she gained an in depth knowledge of hair along with disorders of the scalp and hair. She then went on to complete a Level 4 certification for IPL and Laser Hair Removal and has gained valuable experience with laser hair removal.
FAQs
Patients with blonde, red, grey or white hair are not suitable for treatment, as the hair does not contain enough pigment for the laser to absorb into. Patients with some medical conditions or who are taking certain medications may not be suitable for treatment.
Does grey hair respond to laser hair removal? ›
Laser hair removal is less effective for hair colors that don't absorb light well: gray, red, blond and white.
Does home laser hair removal work on grey hair? ›
Does laser hair removal work on grey hair? No. The hairs are too light to absorb the light. Electrolysis works though.
Can grey hair be permanently removed? ›
Electrolysis is your one-way solution for a more permanent and efficient method to remove grey / white hair. It is the only FDA approved hair removal method, medically recognized to be PERMANENT. Different from laser, it uses a tiny probe that kills the cells from inside the hair follicle by emitting heat.
What kind of hair can't be lasered? ›
Blond, fine hairs cannot be targeted by the lasers and therefore, cannot be removed with this method. Waxing is a better choice for light colored hair. Individuals with darker skin tones or who tan easily, may have a harder time getting results from laser hair removal. This does not mean there aren't options.
Does laser work on GREY pubic hair? ›
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.
How to get rid of grey facial hair permanently? ›
Electrolysis is the best and the only reliable method to permanently remove white hairs. The electric current passes through the shaft of the hair and destroys the growing cells of the hair follicle to that the hair does not grow again.
How to get rid of grey pubic hair? ›
There's no treatment for white pubic hair caused by natural aging. If you smoke tobacco products, giving this up may slow the growth of gray, white, or silver hair.
What color hair does laser hair removal not work on? ›
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.
What does baking soda do to gray hair? ›
Gray hair can be affected detrimentally when baking soda is added to it, as the natural oils will become stripped and cause breakage of dry hair due to excessive dryness and brittleness.
If the cause of greying is genetic, it is not possible to reverse the process, no matter what some marketers on the internet claim. In case of nutritional deficiencies and underlying medical conditions, you can gradually slow down or even reverse the process.
Can grey hair turn black again naturally? ›
If melanin losses in your hair are due to genetics, there's no way to reverse them. If you don't want to let your hair turn gray, you can talk to a hairstylist about options, including permanent and semi-permanent dyes. Root touch-up powders and creams may also work if you're trying to mask a few grays.
Who is not a good candidate for laser hair removal? ›
Candidates with blonde, gray, or red hair probably wont see desired results from laser hair removal. That is because the hair lacks pigment, so there is nothing for the laser light to target.
What they don t tell you about laser hair removal? ›
Fact — Laser hair treatments don't work as well, and sometimes not at all on very fair or blond hair. The laser hair removal treatment requires pigment in the hair, or the beam of light will not reach the hair follicle. Hair that is gray or blond has less pigment, which can make laser hair removal ineffective.
Should I laser my pubic hair? ›
' Yes, it is safe to laser the pubic area for most patients. It should be noted that this is one of the more sensitive areas when it comes to laser hair removal, but it is quick and effective. Many patients also believe it is overall less painful than waxing.
Can I reverse gray hair? ›
It has long been thought that reversal of gray hair on a large scale is rare. However, a recent study reported that individual gray hair darkening is a common phenomenon, suggesting the possibility of large-scale reversal of gray hair.
Does laser hair removal work on pale hair? ›
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. Without sufficient melanin, the laser may not have the necessary target for effective treatment.
Which colour hair Cannot be treated with laser? ›
What body hair colour can be treated with Laser Hair Removal? Unfortunately, we can not treat blonde, grey/white and some types of red hair with our Laser Hair Removal treatment.
