In which stage of hair growth are laser treatments most effective?

Laser treatments for hair removal are most effective during the anagen phase of hair growth. This is the active growth phase where the hair is firmly anchored in the follicle, allowing the laser to effectively target and damage the hair pigment. The laser energy, which is absorbed by the melanin in the hair, works best when the hair is in this phase because it is closer to the surface and contains a higher concentration of pigment.

In contrast, during the catagen phase, hair growth begins to slow down, and the hair is transitioning out of the active growth stage, making it less responsive to laser treatment. The telogen phase is when the hair is in a resting stage and is shedding; laser treatments are not effective during this stage since the hair is not actively growing. The exogen phase involves the shedding of hair, further diminishing the effectiveness of laser treatments. Thus, targeting hair in the anagen phase maximizes the efficacy of the laser treatment for permanent hair reduction.