Why can gray or white hair be challenging to treat with many lasers?

• A. Gray hair is easiest to treat.
• B. They have little to no melanin, reducing absorption; many lasers struggle with gray/white hair.
• C. Gray hair absorbs more energy.
• D. Gray/white hair responds best to standard settings.

Answer: (B)

Light energy from most hair removal lasers is designed to be absorbed by melanin in the hair shaft and follicle. When hair is gray or white, there is very little melanin, so there’s minimal absorption of the laser energy. With little energy absorbed by the follicle, the intended heat damage doesn’t reliably occur, making the treatment far less effective. While some lasers or settings can be adjusted, gray/white hair generally responds poorly compared to pigmented hair because the target pigment is missing. This is why gray or white hair presents a challenge for laser hair removal.