ABSTRACT
Melanin, in the form of eumelanin, is the major cutaneous chromophore used as a target for hair removal lasers and light sources. Most individuals demonstrate greater melanin density in their hair as compared to their epidermis such that the absorption coefficient of the hair shaft and bulb is roughly 2-6 times that of the epidermis.1 Optimally, one would want no absorption by any skin components except the targeted pigmented hair. Unfortunately, such a situation does not exist. The advantage of choosing melanin as a hair absorbing target is that it is already present in both the hair follicle and shaft. However, in terms of complications, melanin is found not only in the hair follicle, but in the epidermis as well. Light must initially pass through the epidermis in order to get to the deeper hair follicle and is therefore potentially absorbed first in the epidermis. This may have several consequences. Absorption of light in the epidermis results in possible adverse effects such as vesiculation, crusting, burns, and dyspigmentation.
