What happens to hair during the laser hair removal process?

During the laser hair removal process, the laser light specifically targets the pigment within the hair follicles. As the laser energy is absorbed by this pigment, it heats up the hair follicle to a temperature that is sufficient to damage and destroy it. This damage prevents future hair growth by effectively disabling the follicle's ability to produce new hair.

The other options do not accurately describe the medical process involved in laser hair removal. For instance, uprooting the hair may occur mechanically but is not the main action of the laser; hence, the laser's primary goal is not just to pull hair out. Trimming hair at the surface doesn't contribute to permanent hair removal and is not a function of lasers. While chemicals can alter hair, laser treatment primarily relies on thermal energy rather than chemical means to achieve its effects. Thus, the focus is squarely on the heating and destruction of the hair follicle to ensure a long-lasting reduction in hair regrowth.