Will laser hair removal work on grey hair? | Skin Perfection (2024)

Have you been considering laser hair removal in London, but some of your hair or may be all, is grey or even white? Have you wondered will laser hair removal work on grey hair? Unfortunately the answer is no when it comes to grey/white hair and laser hair removal. I know that’s rather annoying. But why the treatment won’t work for you if you’ve grey hair? And what options do you have?

Laser hair removal basics

Laser hair removal has come a long way in the past years, with advancements in technology making it suitable for all skin colours. No doubt laser hair removal is one of the most simple, fast and effective way of getting rid of unwanted facial and body hair. Without the ingrown hairs, redness, irritation, and fast re-growth laser is also more affordable than ever.

How does laser work?

Laser destroys the hair by emitting a single concentrated light beam which the pigment in the hair absorbs. This light energy is then converted into heat energy and this is what effectively ‘disables’ the hair growth.

Will laser hair removal work on grey hair?

One of the key factors that will determine whether you’re suitable for laser hair removal is the pigment in your hair. Remember the laser light is attracted by the pigment of the hair. So due to the lack of pigment in grey/ white hair the laser isn’t able to penetrate the skin. And therefore the procedure won’t be effective. In case of grey/ white hair alternative hair removal methods may be taken into consideration like electrolysis, which physically targets the hair root, by using a fine sterilised probe, inserted into the hair follicle.

To learn more about laser hair removal and how it would be beneficial for you, why not book a free consultation with my Expert team, who will take care of you every step of the way?

How to book an appointment?

As the first step of your hair removal journey at Skin Perfection London, we request that you attend a no obligations consultation and skin test.Firstly, this gives you the opportunity to learn more about the process. How does laser hair removal work? Why is it effective? How many treatments you need? What’s the best laser for your skin type? How to prepare your skin for the treatment? And what to be aware of before undergoing laser hair removal. Finally to confirm suitability we’ll carry out a quick patch test.

We are looking forward to welcoming you at SP. Our highly trained and skilled aesthetic practitioners have many years of experience, so you can be confident you’re in the best hands. And, you can be sure, you’ll always have a stress-free relaxing experience.

Contact our team today to book an appointment.

Will laser hair removal work on grey hair? | Skin Perfection (2024)

FAQs

Will laser hair removal work on grey hair? | Skin Perfection? ›

Remember the laser light is attracted by the pigment of the hair. So due to the lack of pigment in grey/ white hair the laser isn't able to penetrate the skin. And therefore the procedure won't be effective.

Does laser hair removal work on grey hairs? ›

Grey and white hair as well as blonde and red hair both lack pigment therefore it is difficult for lasers to detect and treat. When a laser has no pigment to target it is harder to zap away the hair, thus making laser hair removal an ineffective treatment for grey hair.

Can you permanently remove grey hair? ›

There are no treatments that are proven to treat (or reverse) gray hair. As researchers learn more about how the graying process happens, they may develop effective medications and treatments for gray hair.

In what cases does laser hair removal not work? ›

When laser hair removal doesn't work properly
  • The laser you're treated with may not be the safest and most effective option for your skin type. ...
  • Your treatments aren't regular enough. ...
  • Your hair may have blonde, red or grey pigment. ...
  • You may be suffering from underlaying medical conditions.

Why does laser hair removal not work on some people? ›

For Example: Someone with darker skin and course hair will have a setting different than someone with light skin and softer hair. If the wrong settings are used this could result in Hyperpigmentation of the skin or ineffective treatments.

How to remove gray pubic hair? ›

There's no treatment for white pubic hair caused by natural aging. If you smoke tobacco products, giving this up may slow the growth of gray, white, or silver hair.

Is there a procedure to stop grey hair? ›

If genetics or aging is the cause, nothing can prevent or reverse the process. However, treating graying hair could allow color pigmentation to return if the loss is due to a medical condition.

What does baking soda do to gray hair? ›

Key Takeaways. Baking soda can lighten gray hair as well as prevent white hair discoloration and remove impurities but should be used cautiously due to the potential for dryness and fragility in gray hair.

How can I permanently reverse GREY hair? ›

If the cause of greying is genetic, it is not possible to reverse the process, no matter what some marketers on the internet claim. In case of nutritional deficiencies and underlying medical conditions, you can gradually slow down or even reverse the process.

Can you really reverse GREY hair? ›

As recently as last year, studies have found that, yes, we can theoretically reverse going gray, but there is a caveat for who is eligible. A 2021 study from Columbia University discovered that some participants saw a reversal of graying when emotional stress decreased, but this is still a fairly uncommon occurrence.

Who is not a good candidate for laser hair removal? ›

Blond, fine hairs cannot be targeted by the lasers and therefore, cannot be removed with this method. Waxing is a better choice for light colored hair. Individuals with darker skin tones or who tan easily, may have a harder time getting results from laser hair removal.

Why am I more hairy after laser? ›

No one actually knows why this happens with laser patients, but after treatment, the laser can do the opposite of what you're expecting and actually stimulate hair growth. And, if that wasn't enough, the hair can actually come back thicker and darker!

Who should not get laser hair removal? ›

Who shouldn't have laser hair removal?
  • Are pregnant.
  • Are taking certain medications, such as acne treatments.
  • Have genital herpes (HSV-2) or are prone to cold sores.
  • Have keloid scars (raised scars).
  • Have or have had skin cancer.

What is negative to laser hair removal? ›

Risks of side effects vary with skin type, hair color, treatment plan and adherence to pre-treatment and post-treatment care. The most common side effects of laser hair removal include: Skin irritation. Temporary discomfort, redness and swelling are possible after laser hair removal.

Does anyone regret laser hair removal? ›

Regret usually stems from choosing the wrong provider. While laser hair removal itself is rarely regrettable, what can lead to regret is choosing the wrong provider. A cheap, inexperienced clinic may use outdated equipment or incorrect techniques, leading to less effective treatment or even unwanted side-effects.

What happens if you only do laser hair removal once? ›

While a single laser hair removal session won't provide complete and permanent hair removal, you can expect a noticeable reduction in hair growth. Some hairs will shed in the days following the treatment.

Can color be removed from gray hair? ›

Choose a clarifying shampoo which contains a lot of sulfates which also helps to remove the colour. Let the shampoo sit for about 15 minutes under a shower cap and after rinsing with hot water to open the hair cuticle apply a deep-conditioning treatment.

How to reverse gray hair? ›

Although more research is required, it is widely accepted that without these stem cells (which cease to function with age), no amount of treatment will restore hair's original color, nor is there any effective treatment to repigment hair at this stage.

Does laser hair removal work on light hairs? ›

Traditionally, laser hair treatment has been ideal for darker and more coarse hair. However, as technology advances, laser hair removal has also become suitable for fair and lighter hair. The Soprano Ice Platinum machine targets breaking down the follicle instead of the hair's melanin pigment.

Which colour hair Cannot be treated with laser? ›

Laser hair removal is generally less effective on white hairs due to the absence of melanin. Melanin serves as the target for the laser, absorbing the light and converting it into heat to destroy the hair follicle. Without sufficient melanin, the laser may not have the necessary target for effective treatment.

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