The total number of hair follicles is fixed at birth. Two types of hair can be found on our bodies. Vellus hairs are fine, unpigmented or pale hairs that cover most of our body. The thicker, course, pigmented hairs are terminal hairs. Vellus hair can convert to terminal hair at any time but usually convert due to hormonal changes, genetics and age.
Hair grows from a pouch-like structure below the skin called a hair follicle. Melanin, (granules of pigment(, is deposited in the hair bulb and gives hair its color. Everyone’s hair grows differently, depending on gender, age, hormones, medication and ethnicity, to name a few. Hair grows in three different cycles.
Hair grows from a pouch-like structure below the skin called a hair follicle. Melanin, (granules of pigment(, is deposited in the hair bulb and gives hair its color. Everyone’s hair grows differently, depending on gender, age, hormones, medication and ethnicity, to name a few.
Hair grows in three different cycles. The active hair growth phase (Anagen) can last for 1 to 3 years. Active hair has lots of melanin or color. After this phase the hair moves into a transition phase (Catagen), which last 1-3 weeks. The third phase (Telogen) is the resting phase. This is the dormant phase that lasts about 5 wks to 3 months varying on the hair’s location. When growth resumes, the new hair pushes the old hair out.
For effective laser hair removal the follicle needs to be treated in the active phase. The amount and duration of the active cycle varies with the body location. The scalp has an average of 90% active follicles at any time. In comparison, the upper lip has 65% active, the chin has 70% and the underarms and pubic area have 30%, & legs have about 20-30 % in the active cycle.
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