What phase of hair growth is laser hair removal most effective for?

Laser hair removal is most effective during the anagen phase of hair growth. During this phase, hair follicles are actively producing hair, and the hairs are in their growth stage. The laser targets the pigment in the hair, and it's most successful when the hair is fully rooted in the follicle, making it easier for the laser energy to be absorbed.

In contrast, during the telogen phase, hair is in a resting state and is not actively growing, which makes it less responsive to laser treatments. The catagen phase marks a transitional period when hair growth decreases and follicles begin to shrink, also reducing the effectiveness of laser hair removal. The resting phase similarly indicates that hair is not actively growing, leading to less successful treatment outcomes. Therefore, the reason the anagen phase is identified as the optimal time for laser hair removal is due to the active growth and pigmentation of the hair, providing the best chance for effective and lasting hair reduction.