What role does melanin play in the process of laser hair removal?

Melanin plays a critical role in the process of laser hair removal by absorbing the laser energy, which is essential for effectively targeting hair follicles. The laser emits a specific wavelength of light that is selectively absorbed by the melanin present in the hair. When the melanin absorbs this energy, it heats up and effectively damages the hair follicle, inhibiting future hair growth. This selective absorption is key to the treatment's effectiveness, as it allows the laser to focus on the hair and not the surrounding skin, minimizing the risk of injury to the skin cells that contain less melanin. This means that individuals with darker hair, which contains more melanin, typically see better results compared to those with lighter hair, where the melanin level is lower.