Which statement best describes the difference in treating dark, coarse hair versus fine, light hair?

• A. Fine or light hair has less melanin, reducing effectiveness.
• B. Dark, coarse hair absorbs energy well and responds best.
• C. Gray or white hair responds best to most lasers.
• D. Dark, coarse hair requires the highest energy for results.

Answer: (B)

Lasers work by delivering light that is absorbed by pigment in the hair. Dark, coarse hair has more melanin and a thicker shaft, so it absorbs more energy and heats the follicle effectively, leading to better destruction and quicker, stronger results. Fine, light hair contains less pigment and has a thinner shaft, so it captures less energy, making the treatment less effective and often requiring more sessions or different approaches. Gray or white hair has little to no melanin, so lasers are rarely effective on it. The essential idea is that pigment-rich, thicker hair responds best because the laser energy is absorbed more readily by the follicle.