Abstract: Mammalian hair is depilated using a laser source capable of emitting pulse radiation, each pulse having a duration of 1 microsecond to 1 millisecond, and having a wavelength in the range of 600 to 1500 nanometers. The radiation exposure dose is preferably between 2 and 25 J/cm2. A selected area of a subject's skin is irradiated by the pulsed radiation, the area having a plurality of irradiation zones. The laser source is successively pulsed so as to irradiate successive zones of the treatment area with the radiation, so as to destroy subdermal biological material associated with hair growth.