A discussion of Laser Hair Removal by John Keller M.D. Ph.D., Board Certified Laser Physician of Toronto Ontario.

Patients often ask whether laser hair removal is permanent. It is important to understand the distinction between "permanent" hair removal and "total" hair removal. "Permanent" removal is usually defined as the destruction of a hair follicle, and its not regrowing for a period of one year. This means that the hair will not re-grow and is gone forever, because it is passed the time when a new cycle would occur. Powerful laser systems, like the Gentlease or diode lasers, achieve this - they permanently destroy the hair. "Total" removal means 100% of all the patients hairs are destroyed. Unfortunately this is not always achievable, because some hair bulbs do lie below the penetration of the laser. But a properly done treatment, with the right laser can come close to achieving this "total" removal in many cases, though some areas are more difficult than others.