What phase of hair growth is typically best for laser hair removal?

The anagen phase is the best phase of hair growth for laser hair removal due to the characteristics of hair follicles during this stage. In the anagen phase, the hair is actively growing and is firmly attached to the hair follicle. This strong connection allows the laser energy to effectively target the pigment in the hair shaft, which facilitates the destruction of the hair follicle.

During this phase, hair is most receptive to the effects of laser treatment, which works by emitting light absorbed by the melanin in the hair. The heating effect generated by this absorption not only targets the hair itself but also damages the hair follicle, inhibiting future hair growth. Since most laser hair removal techniques are designed to target darkly pigmented hair, having hair in the anagen phase maximizes the likelihood of successful treatment.

In contrast, hair in the telogen phase has already stopped growing and is in a resting state, meaning the follicle is no longer active. Similarly, the catagen phase is a transitional stage where hair growth is slowing down, and the hair is detaching from the follicle, making it ineffective for laser intervention. Hair in the resting phase is also not viable for treatment, as it has fallen out or is about to shed. Therefore,