What is the significance of hair color in determining laser effectiveness?

Darker hair is more effective in laser hair removal treatments primarily because it contains higher levels of melanin, the pigment responsible for color. The laser targets melanin in the hair shaft; therefore, when the laser is applied, it is absorbed more efficiently by darker hair. This absorption of energy leads to the conversion of light into heat, which is essential for damaging the hair follicle and inhibiting future hair growth.

In contrast, lighter hair, which has less melanin, does not absorb the laser energy as effectively. This diminishes the laser's capacity to deliver enough heat to disrupt the hair follicle, making treatments less effective. Similarly, if hair color had no effect on laser treatment, the efficacy would be uniform regardless of the pigmentation, which is not supported by clinical evidence. While hair thickness can play a role in treatment effectiveness, the level of pigmentation remains a critical factor in achieving successful outcomes with laser hair removal.