Follicle structure

• The follicle bulb contains pigment (melanin) producing cells called melanocytes which help to determine the hair's color. Laser treatments send thermal light energy into the dermis layer to destroy the melanin in the follicle, according to TheFreeLibrary.com.
  
  

Significance

• The laser targets the follicle by first identifying the hair's melanin, according to HairLasers.com. The darker the melanin, the easier the laser can pinpoint the follicle's base and destroy it.
  
  

Considerations

• When hair is light colored, such as blond, red, gray, white or silver, or light brown, it lacks sufficient melanin to attract the laser. Dark and tanned skin tones can also inhibit the laser's ability to identify the hair's dark pigment, making light haired, dark skinned people poor candidates for laser hair removal.
  
  

Theories/Speculation

• One alternative to conventional laser treatments, Syneron's ELOS technology, combines radio frequency with optical energy to reduce hair growth, even on light-haired candidates. According to Palm Clinic, ELOS Aurora shows significant improvement in light color types.
  
  

Warning

• No laser treatment is one hundred percent effective. Even the most ideal candidates may experience increased or decreased pigmentation of the surrounding skin. They may also regrow hair that is lighter in color and texture than before, according to MayoClinic.com.