It is important to understand the normal hair growth cycle to understand how the Salon Laser Hair Removal System works. The hair follicle is an anatomical structure which evolved to produce and extrude (push out) a hair shaft. Hair is made up of proteins called keratins. Human hair grows in a continuous cyclic pattern of growth and rest known as the "hair growth cycle".

The Cycle

Three phases of the cycle exist:

Periods of growth (anagen) between two and seven years, are followed by a period in which the follicle is totally degraded (catagen). The resting phase (telogen) then begins and lasts between six weeks and six months. Shedding of the hair occurs only after the next growth cycle (anagen) begins and a new hair shaft begins to emerge. On average 50 - 100 telogen hairs are shed every day. This is normal hair loss and accounts for the hair loss seen every day in the shower and with hair combing. These hairs will regrow. The percentage of follicles in the resting phase (telogen) will vary at any time depending on the body area. It is also important to note that a variety of factors can affect the hair growth cycle and cause temporary or permanent hair loss (alopecia) including medication, radiation,chemotherapy, exposure to chemicals, hormonal and nutritional factors, thyroid disease, generalised or local skin disease and stress.