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Hair grows differently, depending on age, weight, metabolism, hormones, ethnicity, medications, and other factors. However, there are three stages during the growth cycle:
Active Growth Stage
This stage can last up to several years. At any given time, the majority (85%) of our body hair is in this phase. During this stage, the hair has an abundance of melanin. When melanin is exposed to the laser energy during the treatment, the hair follicle is effectively destroyed, hence achieving the aim of hair removal.
Regression Stage
This stage
lasts about two weeks, during which the hair stops growing but is not yet shed. About 3 - 4% of our body hair is in this phase at any given time.
Resting Stage
This stage
lasts 5 - 6 weeks, at the end of which the hair falls out and a new hair begins to form. Approximately 10-13% of our body hair is in this phase at any one time.
During the regression and resting phase, there is little or no melanin at all in the hair root and bulb. Therefore any laser treatment during this period
will have little or no effect on the hair follicles.
Because all the hair in a treated area may not be in the active growth stage, more than one treatment may be necessary to remove the hair that subsequently enters the growth phase.
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