In laser hair removal, energy is deposited primarily into which structures?

In laser hair removal, energy is primarily deposited into the hair shaft and the pigmented follicular epithelium. This is due to the principle of selective photothermolysis, which targets specific structures based on their pigmentation and thermal properties.

The hair shaft has melanin, which absorbs the energy from the laser, facilitating the destruction of hair follicles. The pigmented follicular epithelium, which contains melanocytes, also absorbs this energy effectively. This targeted approach minimizes damage to surrounding tissues while maximizing the destruction of hair follicles, leading to effective hair reduction.

This understanding underscores the importance of melanin in hair removal processes, as higher levels of pigment generally result in better absorption of laser energy. The effectiveness of laser hair removal is significantly influenced by the contrast between the hair color and skin tone, making the targeted structures of the hair shaft and pigmented follicular epithelium the focal point for energy deposition during the procedure.