Laser hair removal uses pulses of high energy laser light to destroy hair follicles via a technique called selective photothermolysis. The laser is used to cause localized damage in the hair by heating the pigment molecule melanin while leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed. This is possible because melanin absorbs infrared light better than other common molecules in the skin (mainly water and hemoglobin). As the melanin absorbs the laser energy, the hair heats up to over 100°C, causing it to burn and any surrounding water to vaporize. This heat destroys the follicle at the base of the hair, which prevents any future hair growth.
Source: https://youtu.be/S20-1_XqVPM (Veritasium)
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