What is melanin and how does it affect laser hair removal?
Melanin is the black and brown color that gives skin and hair its color. The chromophores that comprise melanin are found in the epidermis as well as the hair follicle it self. A Yale Dermatologist, Dr. Fitzpatrick, developed the Fitzpatrick Skin Scale to better categorize patients based on their ethnic origin and skin color. The more melanin an individual has in their skin the darker the skins tone. Skin Types range from 1 to 6. An albino patient would be a skin type 1 and an African patient would be considered a skin type 6. Laser hair removal targets the melanin in the hair follicle. Once it is absorbed at the root of the hair follicle it converts to heat and the heat source destroys anatomical structure of the follicle. The ideal laser hair removal patient is someone with light skin and dark thick hair, however certain lasers are approved by the FDA to treat all skin types.
