MODERN CULTURE has created unwritten standards for acceptable levels of facial and body hair. In order to conform to society’s expectations, millions of individuals either hide areas of excessive hair or attempt to reduce the amount of visible hair. Traditional methods of hair removal have included shaving, bleaching, plucking, waxing, use of chemical depilatories, and electrolysis. These techniques have been limited by their pain, inconvenience, and poor long-term efficacy. Only electrolysis has offered the potential for permanent hair removal, but the technique is tedious, highly operator dependent, and impractical for the treatment of large numbers of hairs. Recently, a number of lasers and other light sources have been developed specifically to target hair follicles. These devices offer the potential for rapid treatment of large areas and long-lasting hair removal. Physicians and patients alike have embraced this technology, although published studies assessing the permanency of hair removal have emerged only recently. With the proliferation of devices targeting hair and unsubstantiated claims by manufacturers, significant confusion exists in this field. This chapter will attempt to sort through the muddle by exploring hair follicle biology as well as the scientific underpinnings of hair removal by light before examining the attributes of specific laser systems. A detailed discussion of treatment guidelines as well as preoperative and postoperative considerations follows.

This chapter will attempt to sort through the muddle by exploring hair follicle biology as well as the scientific underpinnings of hair removal by light before examining the attributes of specific laser systems. A detailed discussion of treatment guidelines as well as preoperative and postoperative considerations follows.