What does every laser specifically target during the hair removal process?

During the hair removal process, lasers specifically target melanin, which is the pigment found in hair and skin. The principle behind laser hair removal is based on the contrast between the pigment in the hair and the surrounding skin. When the laser is emitted, the energy is absorbed by the melanin in the hair follicles, leading to their destruction while minimizing damage to the surrounding tissues.

Melanin is crucial for the effectiveness of the treatment, as it aids in the absorption of the laser’s energy. This selective targeting allows for effective hair removal and is most effective on individuals with dark hair and lighter skin, where the contrast makes the melanin more accessible to the laser's energy. Other structures like collagen, mitochondria, and keratin do not play a direct role in the mechanism of laser hair removal, making melanin the correct target in this context.