Grey & White Hair
If laser has not worked on your lighter hairs, or you have been told you are not suitable, electrolysis may be an option. Here is why grey and white hair needs a different approach.
Quick answer
Grey and white hairs have lost most of their natural pigment, so laser and IPL hair removal cannot effectively target them. At Naomi Waite Aesthetics in Lancaster, electrolysis is used instead, treating each hair follicle individually with a very fine probe. It is also used for blonde and red hairs, with suitability confirmed at a consultation.
What is grey and white unwanted hair?
Grey and white hairs are hairs that contain little or none of the natural pigment, called melanin, that gives hair its colour. Many people notice them with age on the chin, upper lip, jawline or eyebrows, and they can appear anywhere on the face or body. Blonde, red and very fair hairs can also be difficult to treat with light-based hair removal.
Because these hairs are often fine or scattered, they can feel especially frustrating. They may be easy to see up close, and plucking or threading only deals with them for a short time. Some people also find that a few pale hairs remain after a course of laser hair removal, once the darker hairs have reduced.
Grey and white hair needs a different approach from darker hair. Knowing this before you start means you do not spend time and money on a method that cannot work for your hair colour.
What causes grey and white hair?
Each hair follicle contains pigment cells that produce melanin. Over time, these cells gradually produce less pigment, and new hairs grow in grey or white. This is a normal part of ageing, and the age at which it starts varies from person to person, largely because of genetics.
Why this matters for treatment: laser and IPL hair removal work by targeting the pigment in the hair. Without enough pigment, there is nothing for the light to target, so these hairs are not effectively treated. Electrolysis works differently, using a very fine probe to treat each follicle directly, which is why it is the clinic's route for grey and white hair.
Grey and white hairs can become unwanted hair for the same reasons as darker hair. Contributing factors include:
- Hormonal changes, particularly around menopause
- Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Genetics and family background
- Some medications
How electrolysis differs from laser hair removal for grey and white hair
| Feature | Electrolysis | Laser hair removal |
|---|---|---|
| How hair is treated | One follicle at a time, with a very fine probe | With laser energy absorbed by pigment in the hair |
| Relies on pigment in the hair | Not in the same way as laser | Yes |
| Grey and white hair | Can be treated, with suitability confirmed at consultation | Not effectively targeted |
Frequently asked questions
Grey and white hairs grow when the pigment cells in the follicle produce less melanin, which is a normal part of ageing and is largely influenced by genetics. Unwanted grey hairs can also be linked to hormonal changes, such as those around menopause.
Electrolysis is the clinic's route for grey and white hair, because laser and IPL cannot effectively target hair without pigment. Your practitioner will confirm at consultation that electrolysis suits you and the area you would like treated.
Electrolysis treats each hair individually, so the number and length of sessions depend on how many hairs there are, the area and how your hair grows. Because hair grows in cycles, treatment is carried out over a course. Your practitioner will give you a personal plan at consultation.
Comfort varies with the area and the person, and some areas are more sensitive than others. Your practitioner will explain what to expect and check on your comfort throughout the session.
Your practitioner will explain what to expect for the area being treated and give you clear aftercare advice to help your skin settle afterwards.
Electrolysis aims to destroy the part of each treated follicle that grows the hair, but new hairs can still appear over time, especially with hormonal changes or age. Your practitioner will talk through realistic expectations and whether follow-up sessions may help.
Electrolysis does not rely on pigment in the hair in the same way as laser, so it is assessed differently. Your practitioner will check your skin, the area and your medical history at consultation to confirm it suits you.
The cost depends on your personal treatment plan. Current prices are listed on the clinic's prices page, and your practitioner will confirm the cost of your plan at consultation.
Laser hair removal works by sending energy into the hair, where it is absorbed by the pigment and heats the follicle. Grey and white hairs have too little pigment to absorb that energy, so the follicle is not effectively treated. Electrolysis avoids this by treating each follicle directly with a very fine probe.
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