The last twenty years has seen the rise in popularity of laser hair removal and for a good reason. It is painless in comparison to traditional methods like waxing or shaving and is effective for reducing hair in almost all parts of the body. Whether it is the face, bikini area, legs, underarms or any other body part that features hair, this procedure is extremely sought after due to its longevity.
However, there are deeper biological concerns for the procedure which include the treatment’s effectiveness. One of the most common concerns out there is whether laser hair removal impacts stem cells and if so, in what way.
Stem cells are crucial to the body when it comes to the regeneration of tissues, including hair. Hair growth requires moments of dormancy and active growth which is only achievable through making new hair follicles and constant maintenance of previous ones. The possible impact of laser hair removal on these cells would be concerning to any sane individual. So, does the process of laser hair removal actually exterminate stem cells? If so, is that cause for concern? This article will examine the process of laser hair removal, the function of stem cells in hair regrowth, and what treatment entails beneath the skin.
Understanding Hair Follicle Anatomy
A hair follicle has a hair bulb which undergoes active mitosis, forming within the hair root. It also contains a structure called the hair bulb, which has stem cells – specifically in a region known as the bulge. These stem cells help in the in assisting regeneration of hair by forming new hair shafts during each growth cycle.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
The laser focuses on the melanin contained within the hair strands. The laser shoots a very narrow and strong beam of light at the hair, which remotely gets destroyed by the melanin present in the hair shaft. Its energy transforms into heat and that also damages the tissues around the hair follicle like the papilla and the stroma of the follicle.
The goal of laser hair removal is to damage the hair follicle enough to significantly slow down or even prevent future hair growth. This is most effective during the hair’s resting (telogen) phase, when the follicle is more vulnerable to laser energy. Over time, advancements in technology have made these treatments much safer and more precise. Modern systems like the GentleMax Pro Plus, used by clinics such as V&P Laser Hair Removal & Skin Care in Chicago, offer highly effective results — helping clients reduce or eliminate the need for constant shaving or waxing.
Does It Destroy Stem Cells?
In many instances, yes — because of how the procedure works, laser hair removal does eliminate or damage some of the stem cells in the bulge region of the follicle. This, as noted, is the reason why there is some degree of hair follicle destruction or why laser hair removal has the potential to provide long-lasting or permanent hair reduction.
This is also why:
- To achieve the desired results, multiple sessions are performed because maintenance is required. Each session is scheduled to capture the hair during the active growth cycle. After some time and with multiple sessions, the hair follicle is damaged enough to prevent growth.
- Hair has the potential to regrow but often becomes finer and lighter over time.
- Due to a combination of skin tone, hair color, and hormonal influences some people tend to experience better results than others.
Is It Harmful to the Body?
Although laser hair removal does target some stem cells in the hair follicles, it does not touch stem cells in other parts of the body. The energy from the laser is focused on a specific area and does not go deep enough to hit any organs or distributed stem cells. Provided that the person is qualified, laser hair removal is safe.
Conclusion
The removal of hair through lasers has proven to be effective and popular for clients seeking reduction in body hair for a longer duration. Its precise application on melanin of the hair shaft with concentrated heat directed to its roots interferes with the hair’s regenerative capability. While penetrating the follicle head, the treatment usually inflicts damage onto the neoplasm-dedicated stem cells in the bulge region of hair follicles, which effortlessly get filled with new strands.
Even if damaging at first glance, the pores have set boundaries and surfaces of their impact. It takes no genius to conclude that it is the destruction of stem cells that need to be burnt which enables the hair to be removed using laser. Regaining robust body constitution is feasible because the laser does not enter layer so deep into the superficial fascia, which contains polymorphs and macrophages rendering the body incapable in healing organs and balancing immunity through other stem cells.
Still, several domains such as hair color or tone, hormones, and even the type of laser used will have an impact on altering the granular damage done to the stem cells. Therefore, multiple treatment sessions are required, and results differ between total hair removal to finer hair that becomes feebly visible over time due to slow regrowth.
If you’re thinking about getting rid of body hair permanently, start by consulting an experienced, licensed practitioner with a strong background in laser treatments — such as those at V&P Laser Hair Removal Clinic in Chicago. Click here to learn more about their certified laser technicians. Taking this step ensures the proper methods are used to meet your individual needs. When performed correctly, laser hair removal is exceptionally safe, effective, and ideal for long-term hair reduction.
The effect of destroying some stem cells regrowth hair follicles is restricted to a specific region within the treatment area that has to be smoothened during the laser hair removal technique and even when done surgically, it is still the safest approach to attaining the desired look.
