Features of the Silhouette laser hair remover: - Easy to use semi-conductor laser system with no undesirable side effects. - Includes security keys for safe and easy home use. - Laser emission time and laser intensity are both adjustable. - Slim and portable design, convenient for case or handbag when travelling. - Suitable for use on all parts of the body including arms, legs, eyebrows, bikini line, chin and upper lip. - When treating the facial area, avoid pointing the laser at the eyes. The laser emits an invisible light which penetrates the skin without damaging it. The laser light is then selectively absorbed by the pigments in the hair follicle. This damages the follicle and inhibits its capacity to produce hair. At the hair follicle, the laser light absorbed by the pigments is converted into heat. This heat will damage the follicle without harming the surrounding skin. Laser hair removal is becoming more accessible and is becoming a mainstream method of hair removal. Laser or flash lamp (intense pulsed light) hair removal is less painful than electrical epilation and, unlike electrolysis, can also be used to treat large areas (torso, back, arms and legs). The basic principle behind laser hair removal is selective thermolysis. The laser causes localized damaged by burning dark hair-producing areas without burning the rest of the skin. The light is absorbed by the dark areas, which are known as chromophores. Laser hair removal primarily targets melanin, of which there are two types: eumelanin (which produces dark hair and skin) and pheomelanin (which produces red hair, Asian skin types and freckles). No pain is felt during a laser hair removal session apart from a slight burning sensation or a pinch similar to an elastic band snapping. A local anesthetic cream is recommended for the most pain sensitive patients. The number of sessions needed depends on hair color, skin type and the location of the hair on the body.