Which laser targets water in the skin and is generally not recommended for hair reduction?

The CO2 laser is designed to target water in the skin effectively. It works by using high-energy, pulsed light to vaporize tissue, which is primarily composed of water. This characteristic makes it excellent for procedures aimed at skin resurfacing and treatment of various skin conditions, such as wrinkles, scars, and lesions.

However, for hair reduction, lasers that focus specifically on the melanin in hair follicles are typically recommended. The CO2 laser's mechanism of action is not optimal for targeting hair because it might lead to unwanted tissue damage and lacks the selective targeting of the hair follicle that is critical for effective hair removal. This is why it is generally not recommended for hair reduction despite its efficacy for other dermatological applications.

Using other laser types, such as Nd:YAG, diode, or Alexandrite lasers, which are designed for hair removal, is preferential due to their ability to selectively target the pigment in hair while minimizing damage to the surrounding skin.